Document:

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.6
Execution Version

PROMISSORY NOTE
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT WHILE A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING THERETO IS IN EFFECT UNDER SUCH ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT OR SUCH LAWS.
Reference is made to that certain Payroll Support Program Agreement (“PSP Agreement”) dated as of the date hereof by and among American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AA”), having an office at 1 Skyview Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76155, and the United States Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”), having an office at 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20220, entered into by AA and Treasury pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Pub. L. 116-136 (Mar. 27, 2020) (“CARES Act”).
WHEREAS, American Airlines Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Issuer”), has requested that Treasury provide financial assistance to certain Affiliates (as defined below) of Issuer that are Recipients (as defined in the PSP Agreement) that shall be used for the continuation of payment of employee wages, salaries, and benefits as is permissible under Section 4112(a) of the CARES Act.
WHEREAS, as appropriate compensation to the Federal Government of the United States of America for the provision of financial assistance under the PSP Agreement, Issuer has agreed to issue this Promissory Note (“Note”) to Treasury on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Issuer unconditionally promises to pay to the Holder (as defined below) the principal sum of  $842,177,466.00, subject to increases and/or decreases made pursuant to Section 2.1, as permissible under the PSP Agreement, or Section 2.3, in each case as noted by the Holder in Schedule I (the “Principal Amount”), outstanding hereunder, together with all accrued interest thereon on the Maturity Date (as defined below) as provided in this Note.  Notations made by the Holder in Schedule I shall be final and conclusive absent manifest error; provided, however, that any failure by the Holder to make such notations or any error by omission by the Holder in this regard shall not affect the obligation of the Issuer to pay the full amount of the principal of and interest on the Note or any other amount owing hereunder.
		
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	DEFINITIONS

1.1  Defined Terms.   As used in this Note, capitalized terms have the meanings specified in Annex A.

1.2  Terms Generally.  The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.”  The word “or” is not exclusive.  The word “year” shall refer (i) in the case of a leap year, to a year of three hundred sixty-six (366) days, and (ii) otherwise, to a year of three hundred sixty-five (365) days.  Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Note in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Sections, Annexes and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Sections of, and Annexes and Schedules to, this Note, (e) any reference to any law or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

1.3  Accounting Terms.  All accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall be construed in conformity with GAAP, as in effect from time to time.

Annex A-1

		
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	NOTE

2.1  Principal Amount.  Upon any disbursement to the Issuer under the PSP Agreement after the Closing Date, the Principal Amount of this Note shall be increased in an amount equal to 30% of any such disbursement; provided, however, that no increases in the Principal Amount of this Note shall occur pursuant to this Section until the aggregate principal amount of any disbursements to the Issuer under the PSP Agreement is greater than $100,000,000.

2.2  Maturity Date.  The aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Note, all accrued and unpaid interest, and all other amounts payable under this Note shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date, unless otherwise provided in Section 5.1.  

2.3  Prepayments.

(a)  Optional Prepayments.  The Issuer may, upon written notice to the Holder, at any time and from time to time prepay the Note in whole or in part without premium or penalty in a minimum aggregate principal amount equal to the lesser of $5,000,000 and the Principal Amount outstanding. 

(b)  Mandatory Prepayments.  If a Change of Control occurs, within thirty (30) days following the occurrence of such Change of Control, the Issuer shall prepay the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Note and any accrued interest or other amounts owing under the Note.  The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any Contractual Obligation (other than this Note) that, directly or indirectly, restricts the ability of the Issuer or any Subsidiary to make such prepayment hereunder. 

2.4  Interest.

(a)  Interest Rate.  Subject to paragraph (b) of this Section, the Note shall bear interest on the Principal Amount outstanding from time to time at a rate per annum equal to 1.00% until the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, and the Applicable SOFR Rate plus 2.00% thereafter until the Maturity Date.  All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in each interest period and a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, until the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date and computed in a manner determined by the Holder thereafter, based on prevailing customary market conventions for the use of the Applicable SOFR Rate in floating-rate debt instruments at the time of the announcement of the Applicable SOFR Rate.  Each interest period will be from, and including, the Closing Date, or from and including the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or provided for, to, but excluding the next interest payment date.

(b)  Default Interest.  If any amount payable by the Issuer or any Guarantor under this Note (including principal of the Note, interest, fees or other amount) is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Default Rate.  While any Event of Default exists, the Issuer or any Guarantor shall pay interest on the principal amount of the Note outstanding hereunder at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Default Rate.

(c)  Payment Dates.  Accrued interest on the Note shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of March and September of each year, beginning with September 30, 2020, and on the Maturity Date and at such other times as may be specified herein; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section shall be payable on demand and (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of the Note, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment.

(d)  SOFR Fallback.  If, at any time, the Holder or its designee determines that a Benchmark Transition Event has occurred with respect to the Applicable SOFR Rate or SOFR, or any successor rate, the Holder or its designee will designate a Benchmark Replacement and, as applicable, make Benchmark Conforming Changes in a manner consistent with the methodology set forth in the ARRC Fallback Provisions.  Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Holder or its designee pursuant to this Section 2.4(d), and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or making any determination, decision or election arising out of or relating to this Section 2.4(d), shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, may be made by the Holder or its designee in its sole discretion, and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Note, shall become effective without the consent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any other party.  Any terms used in this Section 2.4(d) but not defined in this Note shall be construed in a manner consistent with the ARRC Fallback Provisions.

2.5  Payments Generally.

(a)  Payments by Issuer.  All payments to be made by the Issuer hereunder shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, (i) for so long as Treasury is the 

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Holder of this Note, each payment under this Note shall be paid in immediately available funds by electronic funds transfer to the account of the United States Treasury maintained at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York specified by Treasury in a written notice to the Issuer, or to such other account as may be specified from time to time by Treasury in a written notice to the Issuer, or (ii) in the event that Treasury is not the Holder of this Note, then each payment under this Note shall be made in immediately available funds by electronic funds transfer to such account as shall be specified by the Holder in a written notice to the Issuer, in each case not later than 12:00 noon (Washington, D.C. time) on the date specified herein.  All amounts received by the Holder after such time on any date shall be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fees shall continue to accrue.  If any payment to be made by the Issuer shall fall due on a day that is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be; provided that, if such next succeeding Business Day would fall after the Maturity Date, payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments hereunder shall be made in Dollars.

(b)  Application of Insufficient Payments.  If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Holder to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest, fees and other amounts then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, to pay interest, fees and other amounts then due hereunder, and (ii) second, to pay principal then due hereunder.

3    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Issuer and each Guarantor represents and warrants to the Holder on the Closing Date and is deemed to represent and warrant to the Holder on any date on which the amount of the Note is increased pursuant to the terms hereof and in accordance with the PSP Agreement that:
3.1  Existence, Qualification and Power.  The Issuer, each Guarantor and each Subsidiary (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Note, and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license, except, in each case referred to in clause (a) (other than with respect to the Issuer and each Guarantor), (b)(i) or (c), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.2  Authorization; No Contravention.  The execution, delivery and performance by the Issuer and each Guarantor of the Note have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not (a) contravene the terms of its Organizational Documents, (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any material Contractual Obligation to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or affecting the Issuer or any Guarantor or the material properties of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Subsidiary or (ii) any material order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which the Issuer, the Guarantor or any Subsidiary or its property is subject or (c) violate any Law, except to the extent that such violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.3  Governmental Authorization; Other Consents.  No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, the Issuer or any Guarantor of this Note, except for such approvals, consents, exemptions, authorizations, actions or notices that have been duly obtained, taken or made and in full force and effect.

3.4  Execution and Delivery; Binding Effect.  This Note has been duly executed and delivered by the Issuer and each Guarantor.  This Note constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and each Guarantor, enforceable against the Issuer and each Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.

4    COVENANTS

Until all Obligations shall have been paid in full or until any later date as provided for in this Note, the Issuer covenants and agrees with the Holder that:

4.1  Notices.  The Issuer will promptly notify the Holder of the occurrence of any Default.

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4.2  Guarantors.  The Guarantors listed on the signature page to this Note hereby Guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations as set forth in Annex B.  If any Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) is formed or acquired after the Closing Date or if any Subsidiary ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary, then the Issuer will cause such Subsidiary to become a Guarantor of this Note within 30 days of such Subsidiary being formed or acquired or of such Subsidiary ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary pursuant to customary documentation reasonably acceptable to the Holder and on the terms and conditions set forth in Annex B.

4.3  Pari Passu Ranking.  The Obligations of the Issuer and any Guaranteed Obligations of any Guarantor under this Note shall be unsecured obligations of the Issuer and any Guarantor ranking pari passu with all existing and future senior unsecured Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor that is not subordinated in right of payment to the holder or lender of such Indebtedness.

5    EVENTS OF DEFAULT

5.1  Events of Default.  If any of the following events (each, an “Event of Default”) shall occur:

(a)   the Issuer shall fail to pay any principal of the Note when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

(b)   the Issuer shall fail to pay any interest on the Note, or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Section) payable under this Note, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of two (2) or more Business Days;

(c)   any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Guarantor, including those made prior to the Closing Date, in or in connection with this Note or any amendment or modification hereof, or any waiver hereunder, or in the PSP Agreement, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Note, the PSP Agreement or the PSP Application or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof, or any waiver hereunder or thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect (or, in the case of any such representation or warranty under this Note already qualified by materiality, such representation or warranty shall prove to have been incorrect) when made or deemed made;

(d)   the Issuer shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 4.1;

(e)   the Issuer or any Guarantor shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Note (other than those specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Section) and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 or more days after notice thereof by the Holder to the Issuer;

(f)   (i) the Issuer or any Guarantor shall default in the performance of any obligation relating to any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness under the Note) having an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than $260,000,000.00 (“Material Indebtedness”) and any applicable grace periods shall have expired and any applicable notice requirements shall have been complied with, and as a result of such default the holder or holders of such Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders shall have caused such Material Indebtedness to become due prior to its scheduled final maturity date or (ii) the Issuer or any Guarantor shall default in the payment of the outstanding principal amount due on the scheduled final maturity date of any Indebtedness outstanding under one or more agreements of the Issuer or any Guarantor, any applicable grace periods shall have expired and any applicable notice requirements shall have been complied with and such failure to make payment when due shall be continuing for a period of more than five (5) consecutive Business Days following the applicable scheduled final maturity date or the applicable grace period thereunder, in an aggregate principal amount at any single time unpaid exceeding $260,000,000.00;

(g)   an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Debtor Relief Law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for a period of 60 or more days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

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(h)   the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Debtor Relief Law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (g) of this Section, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding or (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

(i)   the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(j)   there is entered against the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Subsidiary (i) a final judgment or order for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgments and orders) exceeding an amount equal to or greater than $260,000,000.00 (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of such judgment or order and has not denied or failed to acknowledge coverage), or (ii) a non-monetary final judgment or order that, either individually or in the aggregate, has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or

(k)   any material provision of the Note, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or satisfaction in full of all Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or the Issuer, any Guarantor or any other Person contests in writing the validity or enforceability of any provision of the Note; or the Issuer or any Guarantor denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under the Note, or purports in writing to revoke, terminate or rescind the Note;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor described in clause (g) or (h) of this Section), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Holder may, by notice to the Issuer, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times:
(i)   declare any amounts then outstanding under the Note to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Note so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other Obligations of the Issuer accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Issuer and any Guarantor; and

(ii)   exercise on all rights and remedies available to it under the Note and Applicable Law;

provided that, in case of any event with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor described in clause (g) or (h) of this Section, the principal of the Note then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other Obligations accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Issuer and any Guarantor.
6    MISCELLANEOUS
6.1  Notices.

(a)  Notices Generally.  Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by email as follows:

(i)   if to the Issuer or any Guarantor, to 1 Skyview Drive, Fort Worth, Texas, 76155, Attention of Thomas T. Weir, Treasurer (Telephone No. ###; Email: ###);

(ii)   if to the Holder, to the Department of the Treasury at 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20220, Attention of Assistant General Counsel (Banking and Finance) (Telephone No. ###; Email: ###); and

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received.  Notices delivered through electronic communications, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).

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(b)  Electronic Communications.  Notices and other communications to the Holder hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e‐mail, FpML, and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Holder.  The Holder, the Issuer or any Guarantor may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
Unless the Holder otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day.
6.2  Waivers; Amendments.

(a)   No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative; Enforcement.  No failure or delay by the Holder in exercising any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, remedy, power or privilege, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right remedy, power or privilege, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right remedy, power or privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges of the Holder hereunder and under the Note are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers or privileges that any such Person would otherwise have.  

(b)   Amendments, Etc.  Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Note, no amendment or waiver of any provision of this Note, and no consent to any departure by the Issuer therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing executed by the Issuer and the Holder, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

6.3  Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

(a)   Costs and Expenses.  The Issuer shall pay (i) all reasonable out‐of‐pocket expenses incurred by the Holder (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Holder) in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Note and the PSP Agreement, any other agreements or documents executed in connection herewith or therewith, or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), and (ii) all out‐of‐pocket expenses incurred by the Holder (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Holder), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Note and the PSP Agreement, any other agreements or documents executed in connection herewith or therewith, or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), including all such out‐of‐pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring, negotiations or enforcement in respect of such Note, PSP Agreement and other agreements or documents executed in connection herewith or therewith.

(b)   Indemnification by the Issuer.  The Issuer shall indemnify the Holder and each of its Related Parties (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, obligations, penalties, fines, settlements, judgments, disbursements and related costs and expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person (including the Issuer) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Note or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the Issuer or any Guarantor of its obligations hereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) the Note or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, or (iii) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Issuer or any Guarantor, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto.

(c)   Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc.  To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Issuer and any Guarantor shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Note or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby, or the use of the proceeds thereof.  No Indemnitee referred to in paragraph (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended 

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recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Note or the transactions contemplated hereby.

(d)   Payments.  All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than five  (5) days after demand therefor.

(e)   Survival.  Each party’s obligations under this Section shall survive the termination of the Note and payment of the obligations hereunder.

6.4   Successors and Assigns.  Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor may assign or transfer this Note or any of its rights or obligations hereunder and any purported assignment or transfer in violation of this Note shall be void.  Holder may assign or participate a portion or all of its rights under this Note at any time in compliance with all Applicable Laws.  This Note shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Issuer, any Guarantor and Holder and their permitted successors and assigns.  Any Holder that assigns, or sells participations in, any portion of the Note will take such actions as are necessary for the Note and such portion to be in “registered form” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 5f.103-1).

6.5   Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.  This Note and any amendments, waivers, consents or supplements hereto may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Note constitutes the entire contract between Issuer, any Guarantor and the Holder with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect thereto.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Note by electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Note.

6.6   Severability.  If any term or provision of this Note is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Note or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction.  

6.7   Right of Setoff.  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Holder is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held, and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing, by the Holder, to or for the credit or the account of the Issuer against any and all of the due and unpaid Obligations of the Issuer now or hereafter existing under this Note to the Holder, irrespective of whether or not the Holder shall have made any demand under this Note.  The rights of the Holder under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that the Holder may have.  The Holder agrees to notify the Issuer promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

6.8   Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.  This Note will be governed by and construed in accordance with the federal law of the United States if and to the extent such law is applicable, and otherwise in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such State.  Each of the Issuer, any Guarantor and the Holder agrees (a) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for any civil action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Note or the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) that notice may be served upon the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Holder at the applicable address in Section 6.1 hereof (or upon any Holder that is not Treasury at an address provided by such Holder to Issuer in writing).  To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, each of the Issuer, any Guarantor and the Holder hereby unconditionally waives trial by jury in any civil legal action or proceeding relating to the Note or the transactions contemplated hereby.

6.9   Headings.  Section headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Note and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Note.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer and each Guarantor have executed this Note as of the day and year written below.

AMERICAN AIRLINES GROUP INC.,
as Issuer

By  /s/ Thomas T. Weir                                             
Name:  Thomas T. Weir
Title:  Vice President and Treasurer
Date:  April 20, 2020

AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.,
as Guarantor

By  /s/ Thomas T. Weir                                             
Name:  Thomas T. Weir
Title:  Vice President and Treasurer
Date:  April 20, 2020

ENVOY AIR INC.,
as Guarantor

By  /s/ Thomas T. Weir                                             
Name:  Thomas T. Weir
Title:  Vice President and Treasurer
Date:  April 20, 2020

PIEDMONT AIRLINES, INC.,
as Guarantor

By  /s/ Lyle W. Hogg                                                
Name:  Lyle W. Hogg
Title:  Chief Executive Officer and President
Date:  April 20, 2020

PSA AIRLINES, INC.,
as Guarantor

By  /s/ Dion J. Flannery                                           
Name:  Dion J. Flannery
Title:  President
Date:  April 20, 2020

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ANNEX A
DEFINITIONS
“Affiliate” means any Person that directly or indirectly Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, the Issuer.

“Applicable Law” means, as to any Person, all applicable Laws binding upon such Person or to which such a Person is subject.

“Applicable SOFR Rate” means a rate of interest based on SOFR that shall be determined by the Holder and publicly announced by the Holder on or prior to the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date and shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, be based on customary market conventions as in effect at the time of such announcement.  In no event will the Applicable SOFR Rate be less than 0.00% per annum.

“ARRC Fallback Provisions” means the Fallback Language for New Issuances of LIBOR Floating Rate Notes set forth in the ARRC Recommendations Regarding More Robust Fallback Language for New Issuances of LIBOR Floating Rate Notes, dated April 25, 2019.

“ASU” means the Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) by the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued on February 25, 2016. 

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning. 

“Business Day” means any on which Treasury and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York are both open for business.

“Capitalized Lease Obligations” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a Capitalized Lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that all leases of such Person that are or would have been treated as operating leases for purposes of GAAP prior to the issuance of the ASU shall continue to be accounted for as operating leases for purposes of all financial definitions and calculations for purposes of this Note (whether or not such operating lease obligations were in effect on such date) notwithstanding the fact that such obligations are required in accordance with the ASU (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) to be treated as capitalized lease obligations for other purposes.

“Capitalized Leases” means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the Closing Date, recorded as capitalized leases; provided that for all purposes hereunder the amount of obligations under any Capitalized Lease shall be the amount thereof accounted for as a liability in accordance with GAAP; provided, further, that all leases of such Person that are or would have been treated as operating leases for purposes of GAAP prior to the issuance of the ASU shall continue to be accounted for as operating leases for purposes of all financial definitions and calculations for purposes of this Note (whether or not such operating lease obligations were in effect on such date) notwithstanding the fact that such obligations are required in accordance with the ASU (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) to be treated as capitalized lease obligations for other purposes.

“CARES Act” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Note.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (a) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, or if the Issuer is a Subsidiary of any Guarantor, such Guarantor (the “Parent Guarantor”) and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole to any Person (including any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act)); or (b) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any Person (including any “person” (as defined above)) becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Issuer or Parent Guarantor, as applicable, (measured by voting power rather than number of shares), other than (i) any such transaction where the Voting Stock of the Issuer or Parent Guarantor, as applicable, (measured by voting power rather than number of shares) outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitutes or is converted into or exchanged for at least a majority of the outstanding shares of the Voting Stock of such Beneficial Owner (measured by voting power rather than number of shares), or (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Issuer or Parent Guarantor, as applicable, with or into any Person (including any “person” (as defined above)) which 

Annex A-1

owns or operates (directly or indirectly through a contractual arrangement) a Permitted Business (a “Permitted Person”) or a Subsidiary of a Permitted Person, in each case, if immediately after such transaction no Person (including any “person” (as defined above)) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total Voting Stock of such Permitted Person (measured by voting power rather than number of shares). 

“Closing Date” means the date set forth on the Issuer’s and each Guarantor’s signature page to this Note.

“Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings analogous thereto.

“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

“Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

“Default Rate” means an interest rate (before as well as after judgment) equal to the interest rate on the Note plus 2.00% per annum.

“Disqualified Equity Interest” means any equity interest that, by its terms (or the terms of any security or other equity interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for equity interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of Control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of Control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Note and all other Obligations that are accrued and payable), (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, (c) provides for scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other equity interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case, prior to the date that is ninety-one days after the Maturity Date; provided that if such equity interests are issued pursuant to a plan for the benefit of employees of the Issuer or any Subsidiary or by any such plan to such employees, such equity interests shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because they may be required to be repurchased by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability. 

“Dollar” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

“Excluded Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not an obligor in respect of any Material Indebtedness that is unsecured of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, unless such Subsidiary is required to be an obligor under any agreement, instrument or other document relating to any Material Indebtedness that is unsecured of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries.

“GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect as of the date of determination thereof.  Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, (a) all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under FASB Accounting Standards Codification 825-Financial Instruments, or any successor thereto (including pursuant to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification), to value any Indebtedness of any subsidiary at “fair value,” as defined therein and (b) the amount of any Indebtedness under GAAP with respect to Capitalized Lease Obligations shall be determined in accordance with the definition of Capitalized Lease Obligations.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Annex A-2

“Guarantee” means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part) or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien); provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.  The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith.  The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

“Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning specified in Annex B.

“Guarantor” means each Guarantor listed on the signature page to this Note and any other Person that Guarantees this Note.

“Holder” means the United States Department of the Treasury or its designees or any other Person that shall have rights pursuant to an assignment hereunder.

“Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP: (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments; (b) all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under (i) letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances and bank guaranties and (ii) surety bonds, performance bonds and similar instruments issued or created by or for the account of such Person; (c) net obligations of such Person under any swap contract; (d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business); (e) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse; (f) attributable indebtedness in respect of any Capitalized Lease Obligation and any synthetic lease obligation of any Person; (g) all obligations of such Person in respect of Disqualified Equity Interests; and (h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.  For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person.  The amount of any net obligation under any swap contract on any date shall be deemed to be the swap termination value thereof as of such date.  The amount of any Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (e) that is expressly made non-recourse or limited-recourse (limited solely to the assets securing such Indebtedness) to such Person shall be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness and (ii) the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith.

“Indemnitee” has the meaning specified in Section 6.3(b).

“Issuer” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Note.

“Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, collateral assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

Annex A-3

“Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect on, the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; or (b) a material adverse effect on (i) the ability of the Issuer or any Guarantor to perform its Obligations, (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Issuer or any Guarantors of the Note or (iii) the rights, remedies and benefits available to, or conferred upon, the Holder under the Note.

“Material Indebtedness” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1(f).

“Maturity Date” means the date that is ten years after the Closing Date (except that, if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day).

“Note” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Note.

“Obligations” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, the Issuer arising under or otherwise with respect to the Note, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against the Issuer or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Obligations include (a) the obligation to pay principal, interest, charges, expenses, fees, indemnities and other amounts payable by the Issuer under the Note and (b) the obligation of the Issuer to reimburse any amount in respect of any of the foregoing that the Holder, in each case in its sole discretion, may elect to pay or advance on behalf of the Issuer.

“Obligee Guarantor” has the meaning specified in Annex B.

“Organizational Documents” means (a) as to any corporation, the charter or certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction), (b) as to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating or limited liability agreement and (c) as to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

“Permitted Business” means any business that is the same as, or reasonably related, ancillary, supportive or complementary to, the business in which the Issuer and its Subsidiaries are engaged on the date of this Note.

“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

“Principal Amount” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Note.

“PSP Agreement” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Note.

“PSP Application” means the application form and any related materials submitted by the Issuer to Treasury in connection with an application for financial assistance under Division A, Title IV, Subtitle B of the CARES Act.

“Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the agents, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

“SOFR” means the secured overnight financing rate published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as administrator of the benchmark (or a successor administrator) on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s (or such successor’s) website.

“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association or joint venture or other business entity of which a majority of the equity interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time owned or the management of which is Controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, by such Person.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Issuer.

Annex A-4

“Treasury” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Note.

“United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America. 

“Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the equity interests of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors of such Person. 

Annex A-5

ANNEX B
GUARANTEE

1.    Guarantee of the Obligations.  Each Guarantor jointly and severally hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to the Holder, the due and punctual payment in full of all Obligations (or such lesser amount as agreed by the Holder in its sole discretion) when the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)) (collectively, the “Guaranteed Obligations”).
2.    Payment by a Guarantor.  Each Guarantor hereby jointly and severally agrees, in furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which the Holder may have at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, that upon the failure of the Issuer to pay any of the Guaranteed Obligations when and as the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)), such Guarantor will upon demand pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holder an amount equal to the sum of the unpaid principal amount of all Guaranteed Obligations then due as aforesaid, accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (including interest which, but for the Issuer’s becoming the subject of a case under the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such Guaranteed Obligations, whether or not a claim is allowed against the Issuer for such interest in the related bankruptcy case) and all other Guaranteed Obligations then owed to the Holder as aforesaid.
3.    Liability of Guarantors Absolute.  Each Guarantor agrees that its obligations hereunder are irrevocable, absolute, independent and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance which constitutes a legal or equitable discharge of a guarantor or surety other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations.  In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, each Guarantor agrees as follows:
(a)   this Guarantee is a guarantee of payment when due and not of collectability;

(b)   the Holder may enforce this Guarantee upon the occurrence of an Event of Default notwithstanding the existence of any dispute between the Issuer and the Holder with respect to the existence of such Event of Default;

(c)   a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against such Guarantor whether or not any action is brought against the Issuer or any other Guarantors and whether or not Issuer or such Guarantors are joined in any such action or actions;

(d)   payment by any Guarantor of a portion, but not all, of the Guaranteed Obligations shall in no way limit, affect, modify or abridge any other Guarantor’s liability for any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations which has not been paid;  

(e)   the Holder, upon such terms as it deems appropriate, without notice or demand and without affecting the validity or enforceability hereof or giving rise to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge or termination of any Guarantor’s liability hereunder, from time to time may (i) renew, extend, accelerate, increase the rate of interest on, or otherwise change the time, place, manner or terms of payment of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) settle, compromise, release or discharge, or accept or refuse any offer of performance with respect to, or substitutions for, the Guaranteed Obligations or subordinate the payment of the same to the payment of any other obligations; (iii) release, surrender, exchange, substitute, compromise, settle, rescind, waive, alter, subordinate or modify, with or without consideration, any security for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, any other guarantees of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other obligation of any Person (including any other Guarantor) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations; and (iv) enforce its rights and remedies even though such action may operate to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Guarantor against the Issuer or any security for the Guaranteed Obligations; and

(f)   this Guarantee and the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall be valid and enforceable and shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge or termination for any reason (other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations), including the occurrence of any of the following:  (i) any failure, delay or omission to assert or enforce or agreement or election not to assert or enforce, or the stay or enjoining, by order of court, by operation of law or otherwise, of the exercise or enforcement of, any claim or demand or any right, power or remedy with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, or with respect to any security for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or 

Annex B-1

modification of, or any consent to departure from, any of the terms or provisions hereof; (iii) the Guaranteed Obligations, or any agreement relating thereto, at any time being found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect; (iv) the Holder’s consent to the change, reorganization or termination of the corporate structure or existence of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries and to any corresponding restructuring of the Guaranteed Obligations; (v) any defenses, set‐offs or counterclaims which the Issuer or any Guarantor may allege or assert against the Holder in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, including failure of consideration, lack of authority, validity or enforceability, breach of warranty, payment, statute of frauds, statute of limitations, accord and satisfaction and usury; and (vi) any other event or circumstance that  might in any manner vary the risk of any Guarantor as an obligor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations.

4.    Waivers by Guarantors.  Each Guarantor hereby waives, for the benefit of the Holder:  (a) any right to require the Holder, as a condition of payment or performance by such Guarantor, to (i) proceed against Issuer, any Guarantor or any other Person; (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security in favor of the Holder; or (iii)  pursue any other remedy in the power of the Holder whatsoever or (b) presentment to, demand for payment from and protest to the Issuer or any Guarantor or notice of acceptance; and (c) any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or sureties, or which may conflict with the terms hereof.
5.    Guarantors’ Rights of Subrogation, Contribution, etc.  Until the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been paid in full, each Guarantor hereby waives any claim, right or remedy, direct or indirect, that such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against the Issuer or any other Guarantor or any of its assets in connection with this Guarantee or the performance by such Guarantor of its obligations hereunder, including without limitation (a) any right of subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification that such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against the Issuer with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, (b) any right to enforce, or to participate in, any claim, right or remedy that the Holder now has or may hereafter have against the Issuer, and (c) any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any collateral or security now or hereafter held by the Holder.  In addition, until the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been paid in full, each Guarantor shall withhold exercise of any right of contribution such Guarantor may have against any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Guaranteed Obligations.  If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of any such subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification or contribution rights at any time when all Guaranteed Obligations shall not have been finally and paid in full, such amount shall be held in trust for the Holder and shall forthwith be paid over to the Holder to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms hereof.
6.    Subordination.  Any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor now or hereafter held by any Guarantor (the “Obligee Guarantor”) is hereby subordinated in right of payment to the Guaranteed Obligations, and any such indebtedness collected or received by the Obligee Guarantor after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing shall be held in trust for the Holder and shall forthwith be paid over to the Holder to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations but without affecting, impairing or limiting in any manner the liability of the Obligee Guarantor under any other provision hereof.
7.    Continuing Guarantee.  This Guarantee is a continuing guarantee and shall remain in effect until all of the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been paid in full.  Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any right to revoke this Guarantee as to future transactions giving rise to any Guaranteed Obligations.
8.    Financial Condition of the Issuer.  The Note may be issued to the Issuer without notice to or authorization from any Guarantor regardless of the financial or other condition of the Issuer at the time of such grant.  Each Guarantor has adequate means to obtain information from the Issuer on a continuing basis concerning the financial condition of the Issuer and its ability to perform its obligations under the Note, and each Guarantor assumes the responsibility for being and keeping informed of the financial condition of the Issuer and of all circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations.
9.    Reinstatement.  In the event that all or any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations are paid by the Issuer or any Guarantor, the obligations of any other Guarantor hereunder shall continue and remain in full force and effect or be reinstated, as the case may be, in the event that all or any part of such payment(s) are rescinded or recovered directly or indirectly from the Holder as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise, and any such payments which are so rescinded or recovered shall constitute Guaranteed Obligations for all purposes hereunder.
10.    Discharge of Guarantee Upon Sale of the Guarantor.  If, in compliance with the terms and provisions of the Note, all of the capital stock of any Guarantor that is a Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than AA, Envoy Air Inc., Piedmont Airlines, Inc. or PSA Airlines, Inc.) or any of its successors in interest hereunder shall be sold or otherwise disposed of (including by merger or consolidation) to any Person (other than to the Issuer or to any other Guarantor), the Guarantee of such Guarantor or such 

Annex B-2

successor in interest, as the case may be, hereunder shall automatically be discharged and released without any further action by any beneficiary or any other Person effective as of the time of such asset sale.

Annex B-3

SCHEDULE I
	
					
	Date
	Current Outstanding Principal Amount
	Increase or Decrease in Outstanding Principal Amount
	Resulting Outstanding Principal Amount
	Notation Made By

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

Schedule Isf-ex45_10.htm

Exhibit 4.5

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

As of December 31, 2019, Stifel Financial Corp. (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) had four classes of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”): (1) our common stock, par value $0.15 per share (“Common Stock”); (2) Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1000th interest in a share of 6.25% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (“Series A Preferred Stock”); (3) Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1000th interest in a share of 6.25% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (“Series B Preferred Stock”); and (4) 5.20% Senior Notes due 2047 (the “2047 Notes”).

The following description is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to (i) our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended by the Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Second Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Certificate of Designations of 6.25% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A and the Certificate of Designations of 6.25% non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (as so amended, the “Certificate of Incorporation”); (ii) our Amended and Restated By-laws (the “By-laws”); (iii) the Deposit Agreement dated July 15, 2016, among the Company, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc. (collectively “Computershare” or the “depositary”) with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock (the “Series A Deposit Agreement”); and (iv) the Deposit Agreement dated February 28, 2019, among the Company and Computershare, with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock (the “Series B Deposit Agreement” and, together with the Series A Deposit Agreement, the “Deposit Agreements”), each of which are incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this Exhibit 4.5 is a part. We encourage you to read our Certificate of Incorporation, our By-laws, the Deposit Agreements and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) for additional information.

Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock

Our authorized capital stock consists of 194,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.15 par value per share, and 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par value per share, of which 6,000 shares have been designated as Series A Preferred Stock and 6,900 shares have been designated as Series B Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2019, there were 74,441,113 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, 6,000 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock outstanding, and 6,400 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock outstanding.

Common Stock

Voting Rights. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote per share, and, in general, a majority of shares present and entitled to vote with respect to a matter is sufficient to authorize action upon routine matters. In uncontested elections, a nominee for director will be elected to the board of directors if the number of votes cast “for” the nominee’s election exceeds the number of votes cast “withhold” against that nominee’s election. The voting standard for directors in a contested election is a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting. Stockholders do not have the right to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. For that reason, holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors may elect all of the directors standing for election. In general, however, amendments to the certificate of incorporation, a merger or dissolution, or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares and the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote on the matter as a class.

Dividend Rights. Holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive the dividends or distributions that our board of directors may declare out of funds legally available for these payments. The payment of distributions by us is subject to the restrictions of Delaware law applicable to the declaration of distributions by a corporation. Under Delaware law, a corporation may not pay a dividend out of net profits if the capital stock of the corporation is less than the stated amount of capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of the corporation’s assets. In addition, the payment of distributions to stockholders is subject to any prior rights of outstanding preferred stock.

 

As a bank holding company, the ability of Stifel Bank & Trust and Stifel Bank to declare and pay dividends is subject to the oversight of the Federal Reserve Board. The ability of Stifel Bank & Trust and Stifel Bank, as well as us, to pay dividends in the future is currently, and could be further, influenced by bank regulatory requirements and capital guidelines. For example, under the Dodd-Frank Act and long-standing Federal Reserve policy, including guidance provided by the Federal Reserve, bank holding companies, such as us, are required to act as a source of financial strength to their subsidiary banks.

Liquidation Rights. In the event of liquidation, holders of common stock will receive proportionately any assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders with respect to shares held by them, subject to any prior rights of any of our preferred stock then outstanding.

No Preemptive or Conversion Rights. Our common stock does not entitle its holders to any preemptive rights, redemption privileges, sinking fund privileges or conversion rights.

Listing.  Our common stock currently trades on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and the Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol “SF.”

Preferred Stock

The Company’s board of directors is authorized to issue up to 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to fix the number of shares in each series, and to determine the designations and preferences, limitations and relative rights of each series, including dividend rates, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund requirements, conversion rights, voting rights, and whether the preferred stock can be issued as a share dividend with respect to another class or series of shares, all without any vote or other action on the part of stockholders. This power is limited by applicable laws or regulations and may be delegated to a committee of our board of directors. The preferred stock is not secured, is not guaranteed by us or any of our affiliates and is not subject to any other arrangement that legally or economically enhances the ranking of the preferred stock.

Series A Preferred

As of December 31, 2019, we have authorized for issuance 6,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share. As of December 31, 2019, we have outstanding 6,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock with a cumulative liquidation preference of $150.0 million.

The depositary is the sole holder of the Series A Preferred Stock, as described below under “—Description of Depositary Shares,” and all references herein to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock mean the depositary. However, the holders of depositary shares will be entitled, through the depositary, to exercise the rights and preferences of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, as described below under “—Description of Depositary Shares.”

Shares of the Series A Preferred Stock rank senior to our common stock, equally with shares of our Series B Preferred Stock, and at least equally with each other series of our preferred stock we may issue (except for any senior series that may be issued with the requisite consent of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock), with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Voting Rights. Except as provided below, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock have no voting rights.

So long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock and all other series of voting preferred stock entitled to vote thereon (which shall include the Series B Preferred Stock), voting together as a single class, shall be necessary to (1) amend or alter the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation or the certificate of designations of the Series A Preferred Stock so as to authorize or create, or increase the authorized amount of, any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends and/or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company; (2) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation or the certificate of designations of the Series A Preferred Stock so as to materially and 

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adversely affect the special rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Series A Preferred Stock, taken as a whole; or (3) consummate a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the Series A Preferred Stock or a merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation or other entity, unless in each case (i) the shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding or, in the case of any such merger or consolidation with respect to which we are not the surviving or resulting entity, are converted into or exchanged for preferred securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and (ii) such shares remaining outstanding or such preferred securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Series A Preferred Stock, taken as a whole; provided, however, that any creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, of other series of preferred stock ranking equally with and/or junior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends (whether such dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative) and/or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company will not be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series A Preferred Stock.

Dividend Rights. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive when, as and if declared by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board of directors, out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends under Delaware law, non-cumulative cash dividends. These dividends accrue, with respect to each dividend period, on the liquidation preference amount of $25,000 per share from the date of issuance at a rate per annum equal to 6.25%.  In addition, under the Federal Reserve Board’s risk-based capital rules related to additional tier 1 capital instruments, dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock may only be paid out of our net income, retained earnings, or surplus related to other additional tier 1 capital instruments.

Whenever dividends on any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock or any other class or series of preferred stock that ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock (which shall include the Series B Preferred Stock) as to payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation shall have not been declared and paid for an amount equal to six or more quarterly dividend payments or their equivalent, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the number of directors on our board of directors shall automatically increase by two and the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, together with the holders of all other affected classes and series of voting preferred stock (which shall include the Series B Preferred Stock), voting as a single class, shall be entitled to elect the two additional directors. These voting rights will continue until full dividends have been paid regularly on the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock and any other class or series of parity stock as to payment of dividends for at least four quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent.

Liquidation Rights.  Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive out of assets of the Company available for distribution to stockholders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, if any, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of common stock or of any of our other shares of stock ranking junior as to such a distribution to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of parity stock upon liquidation (including the Series B Preferred Stock), a liquidating distribution in the amount of $25,000 per share (equivalent to $25 per depositary share) plus declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any other amounts from us after they have received their full liquidation preference.

In any such distribution, if the assets of the Company are not sufficient to pay the liquidation preferences in full to all holders of Series A Preferred Stock and all holders of any other shares of our stock ranking equally as to such distribution with the Series A Preferred Stock (including the Series B Preferred Stock), the amounts paid to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock and to the holders of all such other stock will be paid pro rata in accordance with the respective aggregate liquidation preferences of those holders. In any such distribution, the “liquidation preference” of any holder of preferred stock means the amount payable to such holder in such distribution, including any declared but unpaid dividends (and any unpaid, accrued cumulative dividends in the case of any holder of stock on which dividends accrue on a cumulative basis). If the liquidation preference has been paid in full to all holders of Series A Preferred Stock and any other shares of our stock ranking equally as to the liquidation distribution, the holders of our other stock shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Company according to their respective rights and preferences.

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For purposes of this section, our consolidation or merger with one or more other entities, including a merger or consolidation in which the holders of Series A Preferred Stock receive cash, securities or property for the shares, or the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company for cash, securities or other property, shall not be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Because we are a holding company, our rights and the rights of our creditors and stockholders, including the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon that subsidiary’s liquidation or recapitalization may be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that we are a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary. In addition, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock may be fully subordinated to interests held by the U.S. Government in the event of a receivership, insolvency, liquidation or similar proceeding, including a proceeding under the “orderly liquidation authority” provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.

Redemption Rights. The Series A Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to July 15, 2021 (except for redemption in whole, but not in part, upon the occurrence of certain regulatory capital treatment events). On and after that date, the Series A Preferred Stock will be redeemable at our option (subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve), in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends.

We will not exercise our option to redeem any shares of preferred stock without obtaining the approval of the Federal Reserve Board (or any successor appropriate federal banking agency) as required by applicable law. Unless the Federal Reserve Board (or any successor appropriate federal banking agency) authorizes us to do otherwise in writing, we will redeem the Series A Preferred Stock only if it is replaced with other tier 1 capital that is not a restricted core capital element (for example, common stock or another series of noncumulative perpetual preferred stock).

No Preemptive or Conversion Rights. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are not convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series of our stock or other securities. The Series A Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and is not subject to any sinking fund or other obligation of ours to redeem or repurchase the Series A Preferred Stock.

Series B Preferred

As of December 31, 2019, we have authorized for issuance 6,900 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share. As of December 31, 2019, we have outstanding 6,400 shares of Series B Preferred Stock with a cumulative liquidation preference of $160.0 million.

The depositary is the sole holder of the Series B Preferred Stock, as described below under the section entitled “—Description of Depositary Shares,” and all references herein to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock mean the depositary. However, the holders of depositary shares will be entitled, through the depositary, to exercise the rights and preferences of the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, as described below under “—Description of Depositary Shares.”

Shares of the Series B Preferred Stock rank senior to our common stock, equally with shares of our Series A Preferred Stock, and at least equally with each other series of our preferred stock we may issue (except for any senior series that may be issued with the requisite consent of the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock), with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Voting Rights. Except as provided below, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock have no voting rights.

So long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock and all other series of voting preferred stock entitled to vote thereon (which shall include the Series A Preferred Stock), voting together as a single class, shall be necessary to (1) amend or alter the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation or the certificate of designations of the Series B Preferred Stock so as to authorize or create, or increase the authorized amount of, any class or series of 

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stock ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends and/or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company; (2) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation or the certificate of designations of the Series B Preferred Stock so as to materially and adversely affect the special rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Series B Preferred Stock, taken as a whole; or (3) consummate a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the Series B Preferred Stock or a merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation or other entity, unless in each case (i) the shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain outstanding or, in the case of any such merger or consolidation with respect to which we are not the surviving or resulting entity, are converted into or exchanged for preferred securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and (ii) such shares remaining outstanding or such preferred securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Series B Preferred Stock, taken as a whole; provided, however, that any creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, of other series of preferred stock ranking equally with and/or junior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends (whether such dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative) and/or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company will not be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series B Preferred Stock.

Dividend Rights. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive when, as and if declared by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board of directors, out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends under Delaware law, non-cumulative cash dividends. These dividends accrue, with respect to each dividend period, on the liquidation preference amount of $25,000 per share from the date of issuance at a rate per annum equal to 6.25%.  In addition, under the Federal Reserve Board’s risk-based capital rules related to additional tier 1 capital instruments, dividends on the Preferred Stock may only be paid out of our net income, retained earnings, or surplus related to other additional tier 1 capital instruments.

Whenever dividends on any shares of the Series B Preferred Stock or any other class or series of preferred stock that ranks on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock (which shall include the Series A Preferred Stock) as to payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation shall have not been declared and paid for an amount equal to six or more quarterly dividend payments or their equivalent, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the number of directors on our board of directors shall automatically increase by two and the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, together with the holders of all other affected classes and series of voting preferred stock (which shall include the Series A Preferred Stock), voting as a single class, shall be entitled to elect the two additional directors. These voting rights will continue until full dividends have been paid regularly on the shares of the Series B Preferred Stock and any other class or series of parity stock as to payment of dividends for at least four quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent.

Liquidation Rights.  Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive out of assets of the Company available for distribution to stockholders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, if any, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of common stock or of any of our other shares of stock ranking junior as to such a distribution to the shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of parity stock upon liquidation (including the Series A Preferred Stock), a liquidating distribution in the amount of $25,000 per share (equivalent to $25 per depositary share) plus declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any other amounts from us after they have received their full liquidation preference.

In any such distribution, if the assets of the Company are not sufficient to pay the liquidation preferences in full to all holders of Series B Preferred Stock and all holders of any other shares of our stock ranking equally as to such distribution with the Series B Preferred Stock (including the Series A Preferred Stock), the amounts paid to the holders of Series B Preferred Stock and to the holders of all such other stock will be paid pro rata in accordance with the respective aggregate liquidation preferences of those holders. In any such distribution, the “liquidation preference” of any holder of preferred stock means the amount payable to such holder in such distribution, including any declared but unpaid dividends (and any unpaid, accrued cumulative dividends in the case of any holder of stock on which dividends accrue on a cumulative basis). If the liquidation preference has been paid in full to all holders of 

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Series B Preferred Stock and any other shares of our stock ranking equally as to the liquidation distribution, the holders of our other stock shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Company according to their respective rights and preferences.

For purposes of this section, our consolidation or merger with one or more other entities, including a merger or consolidation in which the holders of Series B Preferred Stock receive cash, securities or property for the shares, or the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company for cash, securities or other property, shall not be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Because we are a holding company, our rights and the rights of our creditors and stockholders, including the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon that subsidiary’s liquidation or recapitalization may be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that we are a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary. In addition, holders of the Series B Preferred Stock may be fully subordinated to interests held by the U.S. Government in the event of a receivership, insolvency, liquidation or similar proceeding, including a proceeding under the “orderly liquidation authority” provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.

Redemption Rights. The Series B Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to March 15, 2024 (except for redemption in whole, but not in part, upon the occurrence of certain regulatory capital treatment events). On and after that date, the Series B Preferred Stock will be redeemable at our option (subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve), in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends.

We will not exercise our option to redeem any shares of preferred stock without obtaining the approval of the Federal Reserve Board (or any successor appropriate federal banking agency) as required by applicable law. Unless the Federal Reserve Board (or any successor appropriate federal banking agency) authorizes us to do otherwise in writing, we will redeem the Series B Preferred Stock only if it is replaced with other tier 1 capital that is not a restricted core capital element (for example, common stock or another series of noncumulative perpetual preferred stock).

No Preemptive or Conversion Rights. The shares of Series B Preferred Stock are not convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series of our stock or other securities. The Series B Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and is not subject to any sinking fund or other obligation of ours to redeem or repurchase the Series B Preferred Stock.

Description of Depositary Shares

In this “Description of Depositary Shares,” references to “holders” of depositary shares mean those who own depositary shares registered in their own names, on the books that we or the depositary maintain for this purpose, and not indirect holders who own beneficial interests in depositary shares registered in street name or issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).

This section summarizes specific terms and provisions of the depositary shares relating to the Company’s outstanding series of preferred stock, its Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock. As described above, all of the Company’s outstanding series of preferred stock were offered as fractional interests in such shares of preferred stock in the form of depositary shares. Each depositary share represents a 1/1000th ownership interest in a share of Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, and is evidenced by a depositary receipt. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares have been deposited under the Series A Deposit Agreement among the Company and Computershare, as the depositary, and the shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares have been deposited under the Series B Deposit Agreement among the Company and Computershare, as the depositary. Subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreements, each holder of a depositary share is entitled, through the depositary, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by such depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented thereby (including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights).

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We may amend the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the Deposit Agreements at any time and from time to time by agreement with Computershare. However, any amendment that imposes additional charges or materially and adversely alters any substantial existing right of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless the holders of at least two-thirds of the affected depositary shares then outstanding approve the amendment. We will make no amendment that impairs the right of any holder of depositary shares to receive shares of the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Holders who retain or acquire their depositary receipts after an amendment becomes effective will be deemed to have agreed to the amendment and will be bound by the amended deposit agreement.

Either Deposit Agreement may be terminated if:

	
 
	
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all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed;

	
 
	
• 
	
a final distribution in respect of the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, has been made to the holders of depositary shares in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company;

	
 
	
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consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the depositary shares outstanding is obtained; or

	
 
	
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there is a material breach of the Deposit Agreement by either party which is not cured by the breaching party within a period not to exceed thirty (30) days after written notice.

We may terminate either of the Deposit Agreements at any time, and the depositary will give notice of that termination to the holders of all outstanding depositary receipts not less than 30 days before the termination date. In that event, the depositary will deliver or make available for delivery to holders of depositary shares, upon surrender of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares, the number of whole or fractional shares of the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, as are represented by those depositary shares.

Dividends and Other Distributions. Each dividend on a depositary share will be in an amount equal to 1/1000th of the dividend declared per share of the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable.

The depositary will distribute any cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the deposited Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, to the record holders of depositary shares relating to the underlying Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, in proportion to the number of depositary shares held by the holders. The depositary will distribute any property received by it other than cash to the record holders of depositary shares entitled to those distributions, unless it determines that the distribution cannot be made proportionally among those holders or that it is not feasible to make a distribution. In that event, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares they hold.

If the calculation of a dividend or other cash distribution results in an amount that is a fraction of a cent and that fraction is equal to or greater than $0.005, the depositary will round that amount up to the next highest whole cent and will request that we pay the resulting additional amount to the depositary for the relevant dividend or other cash distribution. If the fractional amount is less than $0.005, the depositary will disregard that fractional amount.

Record dates for the payment of dividends and other matters relating to the depositary shares will be the same as the corresponding record dates for the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable.

The amounts distributed to holders of depositary shares will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by the depositary or by us on account of taxes or other governmental charges. The depositary may refuse to make any payment or distribution, or any transfer, exchange or withdrawal of any depositary shares until such taxes or other governmental charges are paid.

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Redemption of Depositary Shares. If we redeem the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, represented by the depositary shares, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to 1/1000th of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable (or $25 per depositary share). Whenever we redeem shares of Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing shares of Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, so redeemed.

In case of any redemption of less than all of the outstanding depositary shares, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by the depositary pro rata or by lot. In any such case, we will redeem depositary shares only in increments of 1,000 shares and any multiple thereof. The depositary will provide notice of redemption to record holders of the depositary shares not less than 25 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption of the Series B Preferred Stock and the related depositary shares.

Voting the Preferred Stock. Because each depositary share represents a 1/1000th interest in a share of the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to 1/1000th of a vote per depositary share under those limited circumstances in which holders of the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, are entitled to a vote.

When the depositary receives notice of any meeting at which the holders of Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, may instruct the depositary to vote the amount of Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, represented by the holder’s depositary shares. To the extent possible, the depositary will vote the amount of Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, represented by depositary shares in accordance with the instructions it receives. We will agree to take all reasonable actions that the depositary determines are necessary to enable the depositary to vote as instructed. If the depositary does not receive specific instructions from the holders of any depositary shares representing the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as applicable, it will vote all depositary shares held by it proportionately with instructions received.

Listing.  The depositary shares representing interests in our Series A Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “SF PRA.”  The depositary shares representing interests in our Series B Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “SF PRB.”  There is no separate public trading market for the shares of Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock except as represented by the depositary shares.

2047 Notes

On October 4, 2017, the Company issued $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2047 Notes in a registered public offering. On October 27, 2017, the Company issued an additional $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2047 Notes pursuant to the underwriters’ over-allotment option.  As of December 31, 2019, there was $225.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2047 Notes outstanding.

The 2047 Notes were issued pursuant to a fifth supplemental indenture, dated as of October 4, 2017 (the “Fifth Supplemental Indenture”), to the indenture, dated as of January 23, 2012 (the “Base Indenture” and, together with the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”) between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

Interest and Maturity.  The 2047 Notes bear interest at the rate of 5.20% per annum. Interest on the 2047 Notes is payable quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15, commencing on January 15, 2018. The 2047 Notes will mature on October 15, 2047.

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Priority.  The 2047 Notes are our general unsecured senior obligations, rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and are senior to any other indebtedness expressly made subordinate to the 2047 Notes. The 2047 Notes are effectively junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future secured obligations to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The 2047 Notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and liabilities of our subsidiaries.

Redemption.  The Company may, at its option, at any time and from time to time, redeem the 2047 Notes in whole or in part on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed to the holders of the 2047 Notes. The 2047 Notes will be redeemable at a redemption price equal to $25 per 2047 Note to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. On and after any redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the 2047 Notes called for redemption. Prior to any redemption date, the Company is required to deposit with a paying agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on the 2047 Notes to be redeemed on such date. If the Company is redeeming less than all the 2047 Notes, the Trustee under the Indenture must select the 2047 Notes to be redeemed on a pro rata basis or by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company.

Covenants.  Under the Indenture, we are also required to:

	
 
	
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pay the principal, interest and any premium on the 2047 Notes when due and deposit sufficient funds with any paying agent on or before the due date for any principal, interest or any premium;

	
 
	
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provide the Trustee with a copy of the reports we must file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act no later than the time those reports must be filed with the SEC (after giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act); provided, that the filing of these reports with the SEC through its EDGAR database within the time periods for filing the same under the Exchange Act (taking into account any applicable grace periods provided thereunder) will satisfy our obligation to furnish those reports to the Trustee; and

	
 
	
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maintain our corporate existence and the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of each of our significant subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions.

Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets.  The Indenture generally permits us to consolidate or merge with another entity. The Indenture also permits us to sell all or substantially all of our property and assets. If this happens, the remaining or acquiring entity must assume all of our responsibilities and liabilities under the Indenture including the payment of all amounts due on the 2047 Notes and performance of the covenants in the Indenture. However, we will only consolidate or merge with or into any other entity or sell all or substantially all of our assets according to the terms and conditions of the Indenture. The remaining or acquiring entity will be substituted for us in the Indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the Indenture. Thereafter, the successor entity may exercise our rights and powers under any Indenture, in our name or in its own name. Any act or proceeding required or permitted to be done by our board of directors or any of our officers may be done by the board or officers of the successor entity. When the successor assumes all of our obligations under the Indenture, our obligations under the Indenture will terminate.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver.  The following are events of default under the Indenture for the 2047 Notes:

	
 
	
• 
	
failure by us to pay the principal of, or premium, if any, on any note when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise;

	
 
	
• 
	
failure by us to pay an installment of interest on any note when due, if the failure continues for 30 days after the date when due;

	
 
	
• 
	
failure by us to comply with our obligations under “—Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets” above;

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• 
	
failure by us to comply with any other term, covenant or agreement contained in the 2047 Notes or the Indenture, if the failure is not cured within 90 days after notice to us by the Trustee or to the Trustee and us by holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes then outstanding, in accordance with the Indenture;

	
 
	
• 
	
a default by us or any of our subsidiaries in the payment when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, indebtedness for money borrowed in the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of $25 million or more, or acceleration of our or our subsidiaries’ indebtedness for money borrowed in such aggregate principal amount or more so that it becomes due and payable before the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, if such default is not cured or waived, or such acceleration is not rescinded, within 30 days after notice to us by the Trustee or to us and the Trustee by holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes then outstanding, in accordance with the Indenture;

	
 
	
• 
	
failure by us or any of our subsidiaries, within 30 days, to pay, bond or otherwise discharge any final, non-appealable judgments or orders for the payment of money the total uninsured amount of which for us or any of our subsidiaries exceeds $25 million, which are not stayed on appeal; and

	
 
	
• 
	
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to us or any of our subsidiaries that is a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act) or any group of our subsidiaries that in the aggregate would constitute a “significant subsidiary.”

If an event of default, other than an event of default referred to in the last bullet point above with respect to us (but including an event of default referred to in that bullet point solely with respect to a significant subsidiary, or group of subsidiaries that in the aggregate would constitute a significant subsidiary, of ours), has occurred and is continuing, either the Trustee, by notice to us, or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes then outstanding, by notice to us and the Trustee, may declare the principal of, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, all notes to be immediately due and payable. In the case of an event of default referred to in the last bullet point above with respect to us (and not solely with respect to a significant subsidiary, or group of subsidiaries that in the aggregate would constitute a significant subsidiary, of ours), the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all notes will automatically become immediately due and payable.

Notwithstanding the paragraph above, for the first 365 days immediately following an event of default relating to (i) our failure to file with the Trustee pursuant to Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act any documents or reports that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or (ii) our failure to comply with our reporting obligations to the Trustee set forth under the second sub-bullet under the heading “—Covenants” above, the sole remedy for any such event of default shall be the accrual of additional interest on the 2047 Notes at a rate per year equal to (i) 0.25% of the outstanding principal amount of the 2047 Notes for the first 180 days following the occurrence of such event of default and (ii) 0.50% of the outstanding principal amount of the 2047 Notes for the next 180 days after the first 180 days following the occurrence of such event of default, in each case, payable quarterly at the same time and in the same manner as regular interest on the 2047 Notes. This additional interest will accrue on all outstanding notes from, and including the date on which such event of default first occurs to, and including, the 365th day thereafter (or such earlier date on which such event of default shall have been cured or waived). In addition to the accrual of such additional interest, on and after the 360th day immediately following an event of default relating to such reporting obligations, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes then outstanding may declare the principal amount of the 2047 Notes and any accrued and unpaid interest through the date of such declaration, to be immediately due and payable.

If any portion of the amount payable on the 2047 Notes upon acceleration is considered by a court to be unearned interest (through the allocation of a portion of the value of the 2047 Notes to the embedded warrant or otherwise), the court could disallow recovery of any such portion.

After any acceleration of the 2047 Notes, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes by written notice to the Trustee, may rescind or annul such acceleration in certain circumstances, if:

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• 
	
the rescission would not conflict with any order or decree;

	
 
	
• 
	
all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal or interest, have been cured or waived; and

	
 
	
• 
	
certain amounts due to the Trustee are paid.

Except as provided in the Indenture, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding notes may, by notice to the Trustee, waive any past default or event of default and its consequences, other than a default or event of default:

	
 
	
• 
	
in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, any note; or

	
 
	
• 
	
in respect of any provision under the Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each outstanding note affected.

We will promptly notify the Trustee upon our becoming aware of the occurrence of any default or event of default. In addition, the Indenture requires us to furnish to the Trustee, on an annual basis, an officer’s certificate stating whether we have actual knowledge of any default or event of default by us in performing any of our obligations under such Indenture or the 2047 Notes and describing any such default or event of default. If a default or event of default has occurred and the Trustee has received notice of the default or event of default in accordance with the Indenture, the Trustee must mail to each registered holder of notes a notice of the default or event of default within 30 days after receipt of the notice. However, the Trustee need not mail the notice if the default or event of default:

	
 
	
• 
	
has been cured or waived; or

	
 
	
• 
	
is not in the payment or delivery of any amounts due (including principal or interest) with respect to any note and the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the best interests of the holders

Limitation on Suits.  The Indenture limits the right of holders of the 2047 Notes to institute legal proceedings. No holder will have the right to bring a claim under the Indenture unless:

	
 
	
• 
	
the holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee that an event of default with respect to the 2047 Notes is continuing;

	
 
	
• 
	
the holders of not less than 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes shall have made a written request to the Trustee to pursue the claim and furnished the Trustee, if requested, security or an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

	
 
	
• 
	
the Trustee does not comply within 60 days of receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

	
 
	
• 
	
during such 60-day period, no direction inconsistent with a request has been given to the Trustee by the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes.

Subject to the Indenture, applicable law and the Trustee’s rights to indemnification, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee.

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.  We may at any time elect to have all of our obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding notes (“legal defeasance”) except for the rights of holders of outstanding debt securities to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such debt 

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securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to below, and except for certain other obligations of the Company and certain other rights of the Trustee under the Indenture.

In addition, we may at any time elect to have our obligations released with respect to certain covenants and thereafter any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a default or event of default with respect to the debt securities (“covenant defeasance”). In the event covenant defeasance occurs, certain events will no longer constitute an event of default with respect to the debt securities.

In order to exercise either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, we must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the 2047 Notes funds in amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding debt securities of such series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be. In addition, we must deliver to the Trustee certain opinions of counsel and officer’s certificate in connection with such defeasance, and we may not exercise such defeasance if certain defaults or events of default with respect to debt securities of such series have occurred and are continuing on the date of such deposit or if such defeasance would result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument to which we or any of our subsidiaries is a party or by which we or any of our subsidiaries are bound.

Modifications and Amendments.  We may amend or supplement the Indenture or the 2017 Notes with the consent of the Trustee and holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2047 Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, 2047 Notes). In addition, subject to certain exceptions, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2047 Notes may waive by consent (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes) our compliance with any provision of the Indenture or notes. However, without the consent of the holders of each outstanding 2047 Note affected, no amendment, supplement or waiver may:

	
 
	
• 
	
reduce the percentage of principal amount of outstanding 2047 Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver;

	
 
	
• 
	
reduce the rate of interest on any 2047 Note;

	
 
	
• 
	
reduce the principal amount of or the premium, if any, on any note or change the stated maturity of any 2047 Note;

	
 
	
• 
	
change the place, manner, timing or currency of payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any 2047 Note;

	
 
	
• 
	
make any change in the ranking provisions of the Indenture that adversely affects the rights of any holders of the 2047 Notes;

	
 
	
• 
	
waive a default or event of default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the 2047 Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the 2047 Notes by the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding 2047 Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

	
 
	
• 
	
make any change in the provisions of the Indenture relating to waivers of past defaults or the rights of holders of 2047 Notes to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the 2047 Notes;

	
 
	
• 
	
waive a redemption payment with respect to any 2047 Note or changes any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of any 2047 Note;

	
 
	
• 
	
make any change in any amendment and waiver provision; or

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• 
	
make any change to the timing of payment of principal or interest on any 2047 Notes.

We may, with the Trustee’s consent, amend or supplement the Indenture or the 2047 Notes without notice to or the consent of any holder of the 2047 Notes to:

	
 
	
• 
	
cure any ambiguity, defect, mistake or inconsistency;

	
 
	
• 
	
comply with the terms set forth under “—Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets,” above;

	
 
	
• 
	
provide for uncertificated 2047 Notes in addition to or in place of certificated 2047 Notes;

	
 
	
• 
	
evidence the assumption of our obligations under the Indenture and the 2047 Notes, by a successor thereto in the case of a consolidation or merger or a sale of all or substantially all of our properties or assets;

	
 
	
• 
	
comply with the provisions of any clearing agency, clearing corporation or clearing system, or the requirements of the Trustee or the registrar, relating to transfers and exchanges of the 2047 Notes pursuant to the Indenture;

	
 
	
• 
	
make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of the 2047 Notes, that would surrender any right, power or option conferred on us by the Indenture or that does not adversely affect in any material respect the legal rights of any holder of the 2047 Notes;

	
 
	
• 
	
comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

	
 
	
• 
	
secure or provide guarantees of our obligations under the 2047 Notes and the Indenture; or

	
 
	
• 
	
evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the 2047 Notes and to add to or change any of the provisions of the Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by more than one Trustee.

We and the Trustee may also enter into a supplemental indenture without the consent of holders of the 2047 Notes in order to conform the Indenture or the 2047 Notes to the “Description of Notes” contained in the prospectus supplement for the 2047 Notes.

Trustee.  The Trustee for the 2047 Notes is U.S. Bank National Association. We have appointed the Trustee as the paying agent, and registrar with regard to the 2047 Notes. The Indenture permits the Trustee to deal with us and any of our affiliates with the same rights the Trustee would have if it were not Trustee. However, under the Trust Indenture Act, if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest and there exists a default with respect to the 2047 Notes, the Trustee must eliminate the conflict or resign. The Trustee and its affiliates have in the past provided or may from time to time in the future provide banking and other services to us in the ordinary course of their business.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes then outstanding have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain exceptions. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee must exercise its rights and powers under the Indenture using the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs. The Indenture does not obligate the Trustee to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request or demand of the holders, unless the holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity that is reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that the Trustee may incur to comply with the request or demand.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

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Interested Stockholder Transactions. We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any “business combination” with any “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:

	
 
	
•
	
before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

	
 
	
•
	
upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction began, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

	
 
	
•
	
on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 defines “business combination” to include the following:

	
 
	
•
	
any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

	
 
	
•
	
any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition involving the interested stockholder of assets with a value of 10% or more of either the total assets or all outstanding stock of the corporation;

	
 
	
•
	
subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

	
 
	
•
	
any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

	
 
	
•
	
the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines “interested stockholder” as an entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation or any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.

In addition, some provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by stockholders.

Restrictions on Ownership. The Bank Holding Company Act requires any “bank holding company” (as defined in the Bank Holding Company Act) to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board prior to acquiring more than five percent (5%) of our outstanding common stock. Any person, other than a bank holding company, is required to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire ten percent (10%) or more of our outstanding common stock under the Change in Bank Control Act. Any holder of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of our outstanding common stock, other than an individual, is subject to regulation as a bank holding company, under the Bank Holding Company Act. 

Cumulative Voting. Our stockholders do not have the right to cumulative voting in the election of directors.

Director Removal. Our By-laws provide that directors may be removed by our stockholders only for cause.

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Special Meetings of Stockholders. Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by the board of directors, the chairman of the board, the vice chairman of the board or the president.

Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Directors Nominations. Our By-laws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders, must provide timely notice in writing. For a director nomination to be timely, a stockholder must provide written notice to our Corporate Secretary at least 90 days, but not more than 120 days, prior to the anniversary of our preceding year’s annual meeting, along with the specific information required by our By-Laws, including, but not limited to, the name and address of the nominee; the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by the stockholder (including associated persons) nominating such nominee; and a consent by the nominee to serve as a director, if elected, that would be required for a nominee under Securities and Exchange Commission rules.  Other stockholder proposals must be received by our Corporate Secretary in writing not less than 90 days or more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting, and must also be in proper written form and meet the detailed disclosure requirements set forth in our By-Laws.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

Subject to restrictions contained in the DGCL, a corporation may indemnify any person, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in connection with any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful. A present or former director or officer who is successful on the merits or otherwise in any suit or matter covered by the indemnification statute shall be indemnified, and indemnification is otherwise authorized upon a determination that the person to be indemnified has met the applicable standard of conduct required. Such a determination shall be made (1) by a majority vote of the board of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by special independent counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders. Expenses incurred in defense may be paid in advance upon receipt by the corporation of a written undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that the recipient is not entitled to indemnification under the statute. The indemnification provided by statute is not exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person. Insurance may be purchased on behalf of any person entitled to indemnification by the corporation against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred in an official capacity regardless of whether the person could be indemnified under the statute. References to the corporation include all constituent corporations absorbed in a consolidation or merger as well as the resulting corporation, and anyone seeking indemnification by virtue of acting in some capacity with a constituent corporation would stand in the same position as if such person had served the resulting or surviving corporation in the same capacity.

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides generally that a director shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Section 6.4 of the Company’s By-Laws provides for indemnification by the Company of each person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company (or is or was serving as a director, officer or employee of any other enterprise at the request of the Company) to the full extent authorized by law. Certain of the directors also 

15

 

 

have indemnification agreements with the Company which provide for indemnification to the full extent permitted by the DGCL or by any amendment thereof or any other statutory provisions authorizing or permitting indemnification.

In addition, the DGCL authorizes the Company to purchase insurance for its directors and officers insuring them against certain risks as to which the Company may be unable lawfully to indemnify them. The Company has purchased insurance coverage for its directors and officers as well as insurance coverage to reimburse itself for potential costs of corporate indemnification of its directors and officers.

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