Document:

Exhibit 4.1

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

 

 

SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

between

 

WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION

 

and

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

 

as Trustee

 

Dated as of January 14, 2013

 

 

SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of January 14, 2013 (the “Seventh Supplemental Indenture”), between WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION (ABN 33 007 457 141), a company incorporated in the Commonwealth of Australia under the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia and registered in New South Wales (the “Company”), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank are parties to a Senior Indenture, dated as of July 1, 1999 (the “Base Indenture”), relating to the issuance from time to time by the Company of Securities in one or more series as therein provided;

 

WHEREAS, the Trustee has succeeded The Chase Manhattan Bank as trustee under the Base Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee entered into the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 27, 2009 (the “First Supplemental Indenture”), and the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 14, 2012 (the “Fifth Supplemental Indenture”), among other things, to supplement and amend certain provisions of the Base Indenture (the Base Indenture, as supplemented and amended by the First Supplemental Indenture and the Fifth Supplemental Indenture is referred to herein as the “Amended Base Indenture” and the Amended Base Indenture as further supplemented by this Seventh Supplemental Indenture, is referred to herein as the “Indenture”);

 

WHEREAS, Section 8.1(7) of the Amended Base Indenture provides that the Company may enter into a supplemental indenture to establish the forms or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 3.1 therein;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the issuance of the 2016 Notes and the 2018 Notes (each as defined herein), the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Seventh Supplemental Indenture to establish the forms and terms of the 2016 Notes and the 2018 Notes as hereinafter described; and

 

WHEREAS, all conditions and requirements of the Amended Base Indenture necessary to make this Seventh Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding and legal instrument in accordance with its terms have been performed and fulfilled by the parties hereto.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

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ARTICLE I
 DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01          General Definitions.  For purposes of this Seventh Supplemental Indenture:

 

(a)           Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings specified in the Amended Base Indenture;

 

(b)           All references to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of the Amended Base Indenture; and

 

(c)           The terms “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Seventh Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

 

ARTICLE II
 THE 2016 NOTES

 

Section 2.01          Title of Securities.  There shall be a series of Securities of the Company designated the “0.95% Notes due January 12, 2016” (the “2016 Notes”).

 

Section 2.02          Limitation of Aggregate Principal Amount.  The aggregate principal amount of the 2016 Notes shall initially be limited to US$1,250,000,000.  The Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of the 2016 Notes, create and issue additional notes having the same terms and conditions as the 2016 Notes in all respects or in all respects except for issue date, issue price and, if applicable, the first date on which interest accrues and the first payment of interest thereon (“Additional 2016 Notes”).  Additional 2016 Notes issued in this manner will be consolidated with, and will form a single series with, the 2016 Notes, unless such Additional 2016 Notes will not be treated as fungible with the 2016 Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The 2016 Notes and any such Additional 2016 Notes would rank equally and ratably.

 

Section 2.03          Principal Payment Date.  The principal amount of the 2016 Notes Outstanding (together with any accrued and unpaid interest) shall be payable in a single installment on January 12, 2016, which date shall be the Stated Maturity of the 2016 Notes.

 

Section 2.04          Interest and Interest Rates.  The 2016 Notes will bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof at a rate of 0.95% per year from January 14, 2013, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, until the principal amount of the 2016 Notes shall have been paid or duly provided for, and interest on the 2016 Notes shall be payable semi-annually in arrears on

 

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January 12 and July 12 of each year, beginning on July 12, 2013, to the Holders of record on the preceding December 28 or June 27 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest payable for any period less than a full interest period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period.  Any payment of principal or interest required to be made on an Interest Payment Date that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no interest will accrue on that payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date to the date of payment on the next succeeding Business Day.  For purposes of the 2016 Notes, “Business Day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in Sydney, Australia, New York, New York, or London, United Kingdom are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

Section 2.05          Place of Payment.  The Place of Payment where the 2016 Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, where the 2016 Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the 2016 Notes and the Indenture may be served initially shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York.

 

Section 2.06          Redemption.  The Company shall not have the right to redeem the 2016 Notes other than pursuant to Section 10.8 of the Indenture.

 

Section 2.07          No Sinking Fund. The 2016 Notes are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

 

Section 2.08          Form.  The 2016 Notes shall be issued initially as Registered Securities (as defined in the Indenture) in the form of one or more permanent notes in global form, without coupons, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, deposited with The Bank of New York Mellon, as custodian for the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in the Indenture.

 

Section 2.09          Denomination.  The 2016 Notes shall be issuable only in denominations of US$2,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof. The 2016 Notes shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plans as the Officers of the Company executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee.

 

Section 2.10          Depositary.  The Depository Trust Company shall be the initial Depositary for the 2016 Notes, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture, and thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

 

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Section 2.11          Defeasance; Discharge.  The provisions of Sections 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6 of the Indenture will apply to the 2016 Notes.

 

ARTICLE III
 THE 2018 NOTES

 

Section 3.01          Title of Securities.  There shall be a series of Securities of the Company designated the “1.60% Notes due January 12, 2018” (the “2018 Notes”).

 

Section 3.02          Limitation of Aggregate Principal Amount.  The aggregate principal amount of the 2018 Notes shall initially be limited to US$1,000,000,000.  The Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of the 2018 Notes, create and issue additional notes having the same terms and conditions as the 2018 Notes in all respects or in all respects except for issue date, issue price and, if applicable, the first date on which interest accrues and the first payment of interest thereon (“Additional 2018 Notes”).  Additional 2018 Notes issued in this manner will be consolidated with, and will form a single series with, the 2018 Notes, unless such Additional 2018 Notes will not be treated as fungible with the 2018 Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The 2018 Notes and any such Additional 2018 Notes would rank equally and ratably.

 

Section 3.03          Principal Payment Date.  The principal amount of the 2018 Notes Outstanding (together with any accrued and unpaid interest) shall be payable in a single installment on January 12, 2018, which date shall be the Stated Maturity of the 2018 Notes.

 

Section 3.04          Interest and Interest Rates.  The 2018 Notes will bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof at a rate of 1.60% per year from January 14, 2013, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, until the principal amount of the 2018 Notes shall have been paid or duly provided for, and interest on the 2018 Notes shall be payable semi-annually in arrears on January 12 and July 12 of each year, beginning on July 12, 2013, to the Holders of record on the preceding December 28 or June 27 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest payable for any period less than a full interest period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period.  Any payment of principal or interest required to be made on an Interest Payment Date that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no interest will accrue on that payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date to the date of payment on the next succeeding Business Day.  For purposes of the 2018 Notes, “Business Day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in Sydney, Australia, New York, New York, or London, United Kingdom are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

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Section 3.05          Place of Payment.  The Place of Payment where the 2018 Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, where the 2018 Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the 2018 Notes and the Indenture may be served initially shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York.

 

Section 3.06          Redemption.  The Company shall not have the right to redeem the 2018 Notes other than pursuant to Section 10.8 of the Indenture.

 

Section 3.07          No Sinking Fund. The 2018 Notes are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

 

Section 3.08          Form.  The 2018 Notes shall be issued initially as Registered Securities (as defined in the Indenture) in the form of one or more permanent notes in global form, without coupons, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, deposited with The Bank of New York Mellon, as custodian for the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in the Indenture.

 

Section 3.09          Denomination.  The 2018 Notes shall be issuable only in denominations of US$2,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof. The 2018 Notes shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plans as the Officers of the Company executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee.

 

Section 3.10          Depositary.  The Depository Trust Company shall be the initial Depositary for the 2018 Notes, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture, and thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

 

Section 3.11          Defeasance; Discharge.  The provisions of Sections 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6 of the Indenture will apply to the 2018 Notes.

 

ARTICLE IV
 MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 4.01          Integral Part; Effect of Supplement on Indenture.  This Seventh Supplemental Indenture constitutes an integral part of the Indenture. Except for the supplements made by this Seventh Supplemental Indenture, the Amended Base Indenture shall remain in full force and effect as executed.

 

Section 4.02          Adoption, Ratification and Confirmation.  The Indenture, as supplemented by this Seventh Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects hereby adopted,

 

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ratified and confirmed.

 

Section 4.03          Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals.  The recitals in this Seventh Supplemental Indenture shall be taken as statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness.  The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or adequacy of this Seventh Supplemental Indenture.

 

Section 4.04          Counterparts.  This Seventh Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but such counterparts shall together constitute but one instrument.

 

Section 4.05          Separability.  In case any provision of this Seventh Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 4.06          Governing Law.  This Seventh Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, including all matters of construction, validity and performance.

 

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Trustee have executed this Seventh Supplemental Indenture as of the date first above written.

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Sean Crellin
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Sean Crellin
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:     Director, Legal
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Teisha Wright
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Teisha Wright
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Vice President
    

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

(FORM OF FACE OF NOTE)

 

[THIS SECURITY IS IN GLOBAL FORM WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. EVERY SECURITY AUTHENTICATED AND DELIVERED UPON REGISTRATION OF, OR IN EXCHANGE FOR, OR IN LIEU OF, THIS SECURITY WILL BE IN GLOBAL FORM, SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING.

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.](1)

 

	
No.
    	
 
    	
CUSIP No.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
ISIN No.
    

 

WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION

 

0.95% NOTE DUE JANUARY 12, 2016

 

WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION, a company incorporated in the Commonwealth of Australia under the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth of Australia and registered in New South Wales (the “Company”, which term includes any

 

(1)  Insert in Global Notes only

 

 

successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to                     or registered assigns, the principal sum of                   (US$                         ) on January 12, 2016 (the “Stated Maturity”).  This Note will bear interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof at a rate of 0.95% per year from January 14, 2013, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, until the principal amount hereof shall have been paid or duly provided for, and interest on the Notes shall be payable semi-annually in arrears on January 12 and July 12 of each year (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”), beginning on July 12, 2013.  Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest payable for any period less than a full interest period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period.  Any payment of principal or interest required to be made on an Interest Payment Date that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no interest will accrue on that payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date to the date of payment on the next succeeding Business Day.  For purposes hereof, “Business Day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in Sydney, Australia, New York, New York, or London, United Kingdom are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

Interest on this Note which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the close of business on the December 28 or June 27 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date, at the office or agency maintained for such purpose pursuant to the Indenture; provided, however, that at the option of the Company, interest on this Note may be paid (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it shall appear on the Register or (ii) to a Holder of US$1,000,000 or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes by wire transfer to an account maintained by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Register.  Any interest on this Note which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest shall instead be payable to the Person in whose name this Note is registered on the Special Record Date or other specified date in accordance with the Indenture.

 

This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture hereinafter referred to or be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the Certificate of Authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee.

 

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The provisions of this Note are continued on the reverse side hereof and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be executed on this        day of                               , 20      .

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein and issued under the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Authorized Signatory
    
					

 

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(FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE)

 

This Note is one of a duly authorized series of securities of the Company, issued and to be issued in one or more series under and pursuant to a Senior Indenture, dated as of July 1, 1999 (the “Base Indenture”), duly executed and delivered between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), as supplemented and amended by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 27, 2009, between the Company and the Trustee (the “First Supplemental Indenture”) and the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 14, 2012, between the Company and the Trustee (the “Fifth Supplemental Indenture”; the Base Indenture as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture and the Fifth Supplemental Indenture is referred to herein as the “Amended Base Indenture”), and as further supplemented by the Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 14, 2013, between the Company and the Trustee (the “Seventh Supplemental Indenture”; the Amended Base Indenture, as further supplemented by the Seventh Supplemental Indenture, is referred to herein as the “Indenture”), to which Indenture and all Indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the Notes.  This Note is one of a series of securities designated on the face hereof (the “Notes”).  The Notes are issued pursuant to the Indenture and are limited in aggregate principal amount to US$1,250,000,000; provided, however, that the Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, create and issue additional notes having the same terms and conditions as the Notes in all respects or in all respects except for issue date, issue price and, if applicable, the first date on which interest accrues and the first payment of interest thereon.  Additional notes issued in this manner will be consolidated with, and will form a single series with, the Notes, unless such additional notes will not be treated as fungible with the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Notes and any such additional notes would rank equally and ratably.

 

In accordance with Section 10.8 of the Indenture, pursuant to the procedure set forth in Article X of the Indenture, the Company may, at its option, redeem all, but not less than all, of the Notes if (a) there is a change in or any amendment to the laws or regulations (i) of the Commonwealth of Australia, or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or (ii) in the event of the assumption pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Indenture of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and this Note by an entity organized under the laws of a country other than the Commonwealth of Australia or a political subdivision of a country other than the Commonwealth of Australia, of the Commonwealth of Australia or the country in which such entity is organized or resident or deemed resident for tax purposes or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or (b) there is a change in any application or interpretation of any such laws or regulations, which change or amendment becomes

 

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effective, (i) with respect to taxes imposed by the Commonwealth of Australia or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, on or after the date the Company originally issued this Note, or (ii) in the event of the assumption pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Indenture of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and this Note by an entity organized under the laws of a country other than the Commonwealth of Australia or a political subdivision of a country other than the Commonwealth of Australia, with respect to taxes imposed by a non-Australian jurisdiction, on or after the date of the transaction resulting in such assumption, and, in each case, as a result of such change or amendment (1) the Company is or will become obligated to pay any Additional Amounts on this Note pursuant to Section 9.8 of the Indenture or (2) the Company would not be entitled to claim a deduction in computing its taxation liabilities in respect of (A) any payments of interest or Additional Amounts or (B) any original issue discount on this Note.

 

Before the Company may redeem this Note, it must give the Holder of this Note at least 30 days’ written notice and not more than 60 days’ written notice of its intention to redeem this Note, provided that if the earliest date on which (i) the Company will be obligated to pay any Additional Amounts, or (ii) the Company would not be entitled to claim a deduction in respect of any payments of interest or Additional Amounts on or any original issue discount in respect of this Note in computing its taxation liabilities, would occur less than 45 days after the relevant change or amendment to the applicable laws, regulations, determinations or guidelines, the Company may give less than 30 days’ written notice but in no case less than 15 days’ written notice, provided it gives such notice as soon as practicable in all the circumstances.

 

The Redemption Price for this Note shall equal 100% of the principal amount of this Note plus accrued but unpaid interest to but excluding the date of redemption.

 

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance and covenant defeasance at any time of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth therein.

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof may be declared, and upon such declaration become, due and payable immediately, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.  The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, on behalf of all of the Holders of the Notes, to waive any Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences, subject to Section 5.7 of the Indenture.

 

In accordance with Section 9.8 of the Indenture, the Company will pay all amounts that it is required to pay on this Note without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges imposed or levied by or on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia or any political

 

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subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, unless such withholding or deduction is required by law.  If the Company withholds or deducts any such amount from any payment on this Note, the Company will pay such additional amounts (the “Additional Amounts”) so that the net amounts received by the Holder of this Note, after such withholding or deduction, will equal the amounts that the Holder of this Note would have received on this Note if such withholding or deduction had not been required; provided that no Additional Amounts shall be payable for or on account of:

 

(1)                   any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for the fact that the Holder of this Note was a resident, domiciliary or national of, or engaged in business or maintained a permanent establishment or was physically present in, the Commonwealth of Australia or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or otherwise had some connection with the Commonwealth of Australia or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein other than merely holding this Note, or receiving payments under this Note;

 

(2)                   any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for the fact that the Holder of this Note presented this Note for payment in the Commonwealth of Australia, unless the Holder was required to present this Note for payment and it could not have been presented for payment anywhere else;

 

(3)                   any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for the fact that the Holder of this Note presented this Note for payment more than 30 days after the date such payment became due and was provided for, whichever is later, except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to the Additional Amounts on presenting this Note for payment on any day during that 30 day period;

 

(4)                   any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge;

 

(5)                   any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge which is payable otherwise than by withholding or deduction;

 

(6)                   any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed if the Holder or beneficial owner of this Note complied with the Company’s request to provide information concerning his, her or its nationality, residence or identity or to make a declaration, claim or filing or satisfy any requirement for information or reporting that is required to establish the eligibility of the Holder, or the beneficial owner, of this Note to receive the relevant payment without (or at a reduced rate of) withholding or deduction for or on account of any such tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge;

 

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(7)                   any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for the Holder or beneficial owner of this Note being an associate of the Company for purposes of section 128F(6) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 of the Commonwealth of Australia (the “Australian Tax Act”) (other than in the capacity of a clearing house, paying agent, custodian, funds manager or responsible entity of a registered managed investment scheme under the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth of Australia);

 

(8)                   any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld as a consequence of a determination having been made under Part IVA of the Australian Tax Act (or any modification thereof or provision substituted therefore) by the Australian Commissioner of Taxation that such tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge is payable in circumstances where the Holder or the beneficial owner of this Note is a party to or participated in a scheme to avoid such tax which the Company was not a party to;

 

(9)                   any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC (the “Directive”) or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such Directive, or any agreement entered into by a Member State of the European Union with (A) any other state or (B) any relevant, dependent or associated territory of any Member State of the European Union providing for measures equivalent to, or the same as, those provided for by such Directive;

 

(10)            any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge arising under or in connection with sections 1471 to 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (including any regulations or official interpretations issued, agreements entered into or non-U.S. laws enacted, with respect thereto) (“FATCA”); or

 

(11)            any combination of the foregoing.

 

Subject to the foregoing, Additional Amounts will also not be payable by the Company with respect to any payment on this Note to any Holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment in respect of this Note to the extent that payment would, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, be treated as being derived or received for tax purposes by a beneficiary or settler of that fiduciary or a member of that partnership or a beneficial owner, in each case, who would not have been entitled to those Additional Amounts had it been the actual Holder of this Note.

 

The Company, and any other Person to or through which any payment with respect to this Note may be made, shall be entitled to withhold or deduct from any payment with respect to this Note amounts required to be withheld or deducted under or

 

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in connection with FATCA, and Holders and beneficial owners of this Note shall not be entitled to receive any gross up or other additional amounts on account of any such withholding or deduction.

 

Any reference in this Note to principal or interest shall be deemed to also refer to any Additional Amount that may be payable as provided above.

 

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the written consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount (calculated as provided in the Indenture) of the Outstanding Securities of each series adversely affected thereby to add any provisions to or to change or eliminate any provisions of the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or to modify the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series, provided that, without the consent of the Holder of each such Security so affected, no such modification shall (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount of any Security or the rate of interest thereon, or change the coin or currency in which any Security or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity of any Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or (b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such amendment or modification, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in the Indenture, or (c) change any obligation of the Company to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in Section 9.2 of the Indenture, or (d) except to the extent provided in Section 8.1(9) of the Indenture, make any change in Section 5.2, 5.7, 5.10 or 8.2 of the Indenture except to increase any percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived except with the consent of the Holders of each Outstanding Security affected thereby.  Any such consent given by the Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and all future Holders of this Note and of any Notes issued on registration hereof, the transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent is made upon this Note.

 

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective time, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.

 

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of this Note, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, a new Note or Notes of like tenor and authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal amount in exchange herefor, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture.  Every Note presented or surrendered for registration of

 

A-8

 

transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company, the Registrar or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.  No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes (subject to the provisions hereof with respect to determination of the Person to whom interest is payable).

 

Reference is made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and of the terms upon which the Notes are to be authenticated and delivered.

 

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, agent, member, manager, trustee or stockholder, as such, of the Company or any successor Person shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any successor Person, either directly or through the Company or any successor Person, under the Notes or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation, whether by virtue of any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise.  By accepting a Note, each Holder agrees to the provisions of Section 1.13 of the Indenture and waives and releases all such liability.  Such waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.

 

The Notes of this series shall be issuable only in denominations of US$2,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof.  [This Global Note is exchangeable for Notes in definitive form only under certain limited circumstances set forth in the Indenture.](2)  At the option of the Holder, the Notes (except a Note in global form) may be exchanged for other Notes, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount containing identical terms and provisions, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency.

 

All terms used in this Note that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

(2)  Insert in Global Notes only

 

A-9

 

THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

 

A-10

 

TRANSFER NOTICE

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

 

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.

 

 

Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee

 

 

the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing  attorney to transfer such Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Your Signature:

 

	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(Participant in a Recognized Signature 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Guaranty Medallion Program)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

A-11

 

EXHIBIT B

 

(FORM OF FACE OF NOTE)

 

[THIS SECURITY IS IN GLOBAL FORM WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. EVERY SECURITY AUTHENTICATED AND DELIVERED UPON REGISTRATION OF, OR IN EXCHANGE FOR, OR IN LIEU OF, THIS SECURITY WILL BE IN GLOBAL FORM, SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING.

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.](3)

 

	
No.
    	
CUSIP No.
    
	
 
    	
ISIN No.
    

 

WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION

 

1.60% NOTE DUE JANUARY 12, 2018

 

WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION, a company incorporated in the Commonwealth of Australia under the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth of Australia and registered in New South Wales (the “Company”, which term includes any 

 

(3)  Insert in Global Notes only

 

 

successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to                   or registered assigns, the principal sum of                 (US$                     ) on January 12, 2018 (the “Stated Maturity”).  This Note will bear  interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof at a rate of 1.60% per year from January 14, 2013, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, until the principal amount hereof shall have been paid or duly provided for, and interest on the Notes shall be payable semi-annually in arrears on January 12 and July 12 of each year (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”), beginning on July 12, 2013.  Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest payable for any period less than a full interest period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and the actual days elapsed in a partial month in such period.  Any payment of principal or interest required to be made on an Interest Payment Date that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no interest will accrue on that payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date to the date of payment on the next succeeding Business Day.  For purposes hereof, “Business Day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in Sydney, Australia, New York, New York, or London, United Kingdom are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

Interest on this Note which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the close of business on the December 28 or June 27 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date, at the office or agency maintained for such purpose pursuant to the Indenture; provided, however, that at the option of the Company, interest on this Note may be paid (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it shall appear on the Register or (ii) to a Holder of US$1,000,000 or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes by wire transfer to an account maintained by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Register.  Any interest on this Note which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest shall instead be payable to the Person in whose name this Note is registered on the Special Record Date or other specified date in accordance with the Indenture.

 

This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture hereinafter referred to or be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the Certificate of Authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee.

 

B-2

 

The provisions of this Note are continued on the reverse side hereof and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be executed on this        day of                               , 20      .

 

 

	
 
    	
WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein and issued under the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

	
 
    	
The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Authorized Signatory
    
					

 

B-3

 

(FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE)

 

This Note is one of a duly authorized series of securities of the Company, issued and to be issued in one or more series under and pursuant to a Senior Indenture, dated as of July 1, 1999 (the “Base Indenture”), duly executed and delivered between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), as supplemented and amended by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 27, 2009, between the Company and the Trustee (the “First Supplemental Indenture”) and the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 14, 2012, between the Company and the Trustee (the “Fifth Supplemental Indenture”; the Base Indenture as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture and the Fifth Supplemental Indenture is referred to herein as the “Amended Base Indenture”), and as further supplemented by the Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 14, 2013, between the Company and the Trustee (the “Seventh Supplemental Indenture”; the Amended Base Indenture, as further supplemented by the Seventh Supplemental Indenture, is referred to herein as the “Indenture”), to which Indenture and all Indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the Notes.  This Note is one of a series of securities designated on the face hereof (the “Notes”).  The Notes are issued pursuant to the Indenture and are limited in aggregate principal amount to US$1,000,000,000; provided, however, that the Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, create and issue additional notes having the same terms and conditions as the Notes in all respects or in all respects except for issue date, issue price and, if applicable, the first date on which interest accrues and the first payment of interest thereon.  Additional notes issued in this manner will be consolidated with, and will form a single series with, the Notes, unless such additional notes will not be treated as fungible with the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Notes and any such additional notes would rank equally and ratably.

 

In accordance with Section 10.8 of the Indenture, pursuant to the procedure set forth in Article X of the Indenture, the Company may, at its option, redeem all, but not less than all, of the Notes if (a) there is a change in or any amendment to the laws or regulations (i) of the Commonwealth of Australia, or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or (ii) in the event of the assumption pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Indenture of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and this Note by an entity organized under the laws of a country other than the Commonwealth of Australia or a political subdivision of a country other than the Commonwealth of Australia, of the Commonwealth of Australia or the country in which such entity is organized or resident or deemed resident for tax purposes or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or (b) there is a change in any application or interpretation of any such laws or regulations, which change or amendment becomes 

 

B-4

 

effective, (i) with respect to taxes imposed by the Commonwealth of Australia or any  political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, on or after the date the Company originally issued this Note, or (ii) in the event of the assumption pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Indenture of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and this Note by an entity organized under the laws of a country other than the Commonwealth of Australia or a political subdivision of a country other than the Commonwealth of Australia, with respect to taxes imposed by a non-Australian jurisdiction, on or after the date of the transaction resulting in such assumption, and, in each case, as a result of such change or amendment (1) the Company is or will become obligated to pay any Additional Amounts on this Note pursuant to Section 9.8 of the Indenture or (2) the Company would not be entitled to claim a deduction in computing its taxation liabilities in respect of (A) any payments of interest or Additional Amounts or (B) any original issue discount on this Note.

 

Before the Company may redeem this Note, it must give the Holder of this Note at least 30 days’ written notice and not more than 60 days’ written notice of its intention to redeem this Note, provided that if the earliest date on which (i) the Company will be obligated to pay any Additional Amounts, or (ii) the Company would not be entitled to claim a deduction in respect of any payments of interest or Additional Amounts on or any original issue discount in respect of this Note in computing its taxation liabilities, would occur less than 45 days after the relevant change or amendment to the applicable laws, regulations, determinations or guidelines, the Company may give less than 30 days’ written notice but in no case less than 15 days’ written notice, provided it gives such notice as soon as practicable in all the circumstances.

 

The Redemption Price for this Note shall equal 100% of the principal amount of this Note plus accrued but unpaid interest to but excluding the date of redemption.

 

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance and covenant defeasance at any time of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth therein.

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof may be declared, and upon such declaration become, due and payable immediately, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.  The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, on behalf of all of the Holders of the Notes, to waive any Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences, subject to Section 5.7 of the Indenture.

 

In accordance with Section 9.8 of the Indenture, the Company will pay all amounts that it is required to pay on this Note without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges imposed or levied by or on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia or any political 

 

B-5

 

subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, unless such withholding or deduction is required by law.  If the Company withholds or deducts any such amount from any payment on this Note, the Company will pay such additional amounts (the “Additional  Amounts”) so that the net amounts received by the Holder of this Note, after such withholding or deduction, will equal the amounts that the Holder of this Note would have received on this Note if such withholding or deduction had not been required; provided that no Additional Amounts shall be payable for or on account of:

 

(1)  any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for the fact that the Holder of this Note was a resident, domiciliary or national of, or engaged in business or maintained a permanent establishment or was physically present in, the Commonwealth of Australia or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or otherwise had some connection with the Commonwealth of Australia or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein other than merely holding this Note, or receiving payments under this Note;

 

(2)  any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for the fact that the Holder of this Note presented this Note for payment in the Commonwealth of Australia, unless the Holder was required to present this Note for payment and it could not have been presented for payment anywhere else;

 

(3)  any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for the fact that the Holder of this Note presented this Note for payment more than 30 days after the date such payment became due and was provided for, whichever is later, except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to the Additional Amounts on presenting this Note for payment on any day during that 30 day period;

 

(4)  any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge;

 

(5)  any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge which is payable otherwise than by withholding or deduction;

 

(6)  any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed if the Holder or beneficial owner of this Note complied with the Company’s request to provide information concerning his, her or its nationality, residence or identity or to make a declaration, claim or filing or satisfy any requirement for information or reporting that is required to establish the eligibility of the Holder, or the beneficial owner, of this Note to receive the relevant payment without (or at a reduced rate of) withholding or deduction for or on account of any such tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge;

 

B-6

 

(7)  any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for the Holder or beneficial owner of this Note being an associate of the Company for purposes of section 128F(6) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 of the Commonwealth of Australia (the “Australian Tax Act”) (other than in the capacity of a clearing house, paying agent, custodian, funds manager or  responsible entity of a registered managed investment scheme under the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth of Australia);

 

(8)  any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld as a consequence of a determination having been made under Part IVA of the Australian Tax Act (or any modification thereof or provision substituted therefore) by the Australian Commissioner of Taxation that such tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge is payable in circumstances where the Holder or the beneficial owner of this Note is a party to or participated in a scheme to avoid such tax which the Company was not a party to;

 

(9)  any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC (the “Directive”) or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such Directive, or any agreement entered into by a Member State of the European Union with (A) any other state or (B) any relevant, dependent or associated territory of any Member State of the European Union providing for measures equivalent to, or the same as, those provided for by such Directive;

 

(10)  any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge arising under or in connection with sections 1471 to 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (including any regulations or official interpretations issued, agreements entered into or non-U.S. laws enacted, with respect thereto) (“FATCA”); or

 

(11)  any combination of the foregoing.

 

Subject to the foregoing, Additional Amounts will also not be payable by the Company with respect to any payment on this Note to any Holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment in respect of this Note to the extent that payment would, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, be treated as being derived or received for tax purposes by a beneficiary or settler of that fiduciary or a member of that partnership or a beneficial owner, in each case, who would not have been entitled to those Additional Amounts had it been the actual Holder of this Note.

 

The Company, and any other Person to or through which any payment with respect to this Note may be made, shall be entitled to withhold or deduct from any payment with respect to this Note amounts required to be withheld or deducted under or 

 

B-7

 

in connection with FATCA, and Holders and beneficial owners of this Note shall not be entitled to receive any gross up or other additional amounts on account of any such withholding or deduction.

 

Any reference in this Note to principal or interest shall be deemed to also refer to any Additional Amount that may be payable as provided above.

 

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the written consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal  amount (calculated as provided in the Indenture) of the Outstanding Securities of each series adversely affected thereby to add any provisions to or to change or eliminate any provisions of the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or to modify the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series, provided that, without the consent of the Holder of each such Security so affected, no such modification shall (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount of any Security or the rate of interest thereon, or change the coin or currency in which any Security or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity of any Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or (b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such amendment or modification, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in the Indenture, or (c) change any obligation of the Company to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in Section 9.2 of the Indenture, or (d) except to the extent provided in Section 8.1(9) of the Indenture, make any change in Section 5.2, 5.7, 5.10 or 8.2 of the Indenture except to increase any percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived except with the consent of the Holders of each Outstanding Security affected thereby.  Any such consent given by the Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and all future Holders of this Note and of any Notes issued on registration hereof, the transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent is made upon this Note.

 

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective time, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.

 

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of this Note, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, a new Note or Notes of like tenor and authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal amount in exchange herefor, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture.  Every Note presented or surrendered for registration of 

 

B-8

 

transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company, the Registrar or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.  No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes (subject to the  provisions hereof with respect to determination of the Person to whom interest is payable).

 

Reference is made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and of the terms upon which the Notes are to be authenticated and delivered.

 

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, agent, member, manager, trustee or stockholder, as such, of the Company or any successor Person shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any successor Person, either directly or through the Company or any successor Person, under the Notes or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation, whether by virtue of any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise.  By accepting a Note, each Holder agrees to the provisions of Section 1.13 of the Indenture and waives and releases all such liability.  Such waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.

 

The Notes of this series shall be issuable only in denominations of US$2,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof.  [This Global Note is exchangeable for Notes in definitive form only under certain limited circumstances set forth in the Indenture.](4)  At the option of the Holder, the Notes (except a Note in global form) may be exchanged for other Notes, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount containing identical terms and provisions, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency.

 

All terms used in this Note that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

(4)  Insert in Global Notes only

 

B-9

 

THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

 

B-10

 

TRANSFER NOTICE

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

 

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.

 

 

Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee

 

 

the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing  attorney to transfer such Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

	
Your Signature:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signature   Guarantee:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(Participant in a Recognized Signature Guaranty   Medallion Program)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

B-11EXHIBIT 10.1

 

[SUPERVALU Letterhead]

 

Corporate Offices
 PO Box 990
 Minneapolis, MN  55440
 (952) 828-4000

 

January 10, 2013

 

Sam Duncan
 8612 NW 21st Avenue

Vancouver. WA 98665

 

Dear Sam:

 

We are pleased to outline the terms of your employment in the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of SUPERVALU INC (the “Company”) beginning as of the Commencement Date (as defined below).  We look forward to benefiting from your experience, knowledge and leadership in your new role with the Company.  This letter agreement will become effective coincident with, and is contingent upon the earlier to occur of, the “Offer Closing” and the “Issuance” (each as defined in Tender Offer Agreement, by and between Symphony Investors LLC and the Company, dated as of January 10, 2013 (the “Tender Offer Agreement”)).  If the Offer Closing and the Issuance do not occur, this letter agreement will be void ab initio and of no force or effect.

 

The specific terms of your employment are as follows:

 

TERM:  This letter agreement shall have a three-year term, beginning on the earlier of (i) the “Offer Closing Date” (as defined in the Tender Offer Agreement) and (ii) the date of the Issuance (in the case of either (i) or (ii), the “Commencement Date”) and ending on the third anniversary of the Commencement Date, unless terminated earlier by either party at any time and for any reason (the “Term”).  The Term is subject to extension only by a mutual, written, signed agreement by you and the Company.

 

POSITIONS AND DUTIES:  While you are employed during the Term, you will (i) serve in the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, (ii) have authority, duties and responsibilities that are commensurate with such positions and as are customarily exercised by a person holding such positions in an organization of a similar size and nature to the Company, including, without limitation, (A) overall responsibility for leading and supervising all of the Company’s businesses and operations, (B) responsibility for developing, refining and implementing the Company’s strategic plans, (C) hiring, supervising and firing of your direct

 

 

reports, and (D) such other duties as the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) may assign to you from time to time, and (iii) report directly to the Board.  In addition, the Board will take such action as may be necessary to appoint or elect you as a member of the Board as soon as practicable following the appointment of the two Additional Directors (as defined in the Tender Offer Agreement).  Thereafter, during the Term, the Board will nominate you for re-election as a member of the Board at the expiration of your then-current term and at the expiration of each term thereafter.

 

SIGNING BONUS:  You will be paid a signing bonus of $500,000 to be paid within thirty days following the Commencement Date.  This signing bonus is subject to all applicable taxes and withholdings.

 

SALARY:  You will earn a base salary while you are employed by the Company during the Term at an annualized rate of $1,500,000 (subject to applicable taxes and withholdings) (“Base Salary”), which will be paid in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll policies.

 

CASH BONUS:  You will have the opportunity to earn a bonus for each fiscal year of the Company that you are employed by the Company during the Term, with a minimum of zero, a target of 100% of your Base Salary and a maximum of 200% of your Base Salary, to be paid not later than 2-1/2 months following the end of such fiscal year (subject to your continued employment through such payment date).  The bonus shall be based on the attainment of performance goals proposed by the Company’s management to, and subject to the final approval of, the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) and shall be pro-rated on a linear basis for levels attained between the minimum, target and maximum.

 

INITIAL EQUITY GRANT:  On the Commencement Date, the Company will grant you stock options to acquire 1,500,000 shares of Company common stock (the “Initial Stock Options”) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2012 Stock Plan (the “2012 Plan”) with an exercise price equal to the closing price of a share of Company common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the grant date.  The Initial Stock Options shall have the same terms and conditions as stock options generally granted during the Company’s fiscal year ending February 22, 2014 (“FY 2014”) to other executives of the Company under the 2012 Plan; provided, that, the Initial Stock Options shall vest in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, with accelerated vesting of the Initial Stock Options upon the achievement of a per share price of Company common stock (such price, and the duration for which it must be maintained, to be established by the Compensation Committee and reflected in the Initial Stock Options grant agreement), in each case subject to continued employment through the applicable vesting date.

 

ANNUAL EQUITY GRANTS:  As soon as practicable following the Commencement Date, the Company shall grant you an annual equity award for FY 2014 in the form of stock options and/or performance shares, with the grant date fair value, allocation between stock options and performance shares, performance metrics and other terms and conditions to be determined by the

 

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Board or the Compensation Committee (as constituted following the Commencement Date).  For any fiscal years of the Company following FY 2014, the Company will grant you annual equity awards in the form of stock options and/or performance shares at the same time as annual equity awards are granted to similarly situated executives of the Company if you remain employed with the Company on such grant date, with the grant date fair value, allocation between stock options and performance shares, performance metrics and other terms and conditions to be determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee.

 

Equity Awards Holding Period.  You acknowledge and agree that you are (i) subject to the Company’s Executive Stock Ownership and Retention Program, as in effect from time to time, and (ii) required to hold all shares of Company common stock that you receive either (A) upon the exercise of stock options or (B) the vesting of any equity awards other than stock options, in each case for a one-year period following the exercise date or vesting date (the “Holding Period Requirement”), as applicable; provided, however, that the Holding Period Requirement will not apply to any shares of Company common stock that you elect to dispose of in order to pay the exercise price of stock options or satisfy income and employment tax liabilities with respect to such exercise or vesting (to the extent permitted by the terms of the 2012 Plan or the applicable award agreements).

 

BENEFITS:  In addition to your compensation described in the preceding paragraphs, you will be able to participate in the Company’s comprehensive benefits programs.  These programs are summarized in a document that you will receive from the Company.  You will also be entitled to reasonable personal use of the Company’s aircraft as approved by the Compensation Committee, provided that you will be responsible for all taxes incurred by you in connection with any such use.

 

REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES:  The Company will pay or reimburse you for all reasonable travel and other business related expenses incurred by you in performing your duties as President and Chief Executive Officer in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures as in effect from time to time; provided, however that the Company will not reimburse you for living expenses incurred by you in Minnesota or elsewhere.

 

PAID TIME OFF:  The Company has a Paid Time Off (PTO) policy that provides a bank of paid time for needs such as vacation, personal illness, family needs, etc.  You will be eligible for 27 days of PTO annually, which will be prorated during your first year of employment based on the Commencement Date.

 

EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN:  You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Executive Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan which provides pretax deferrals of your base salary, as well as tax deferred growth and credited interest.  Enrollment in this plan occurs in December of each year.

 

NO OTHER ARRANGEMENTS:  You represent and warrant that as of the date hereof, except as previously disclosed to the Company in writing, you (i) are not party to any agreements or compensatory arrangements with Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., Albertson’s, LLC or any

 

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of their respective affiliates (each, a “Buyer Entity” and, collectively, the “Buyer Entities”), and (ii) do not have any investments in or with any of the Buyer Entities.  Furthermore, you acknowledge and agree that, from the date hereof and through the Commencement Date and at any time while you are employed by the Company, you will not enter into or become a party to any agreements or compensatory arrangements with a Buyer Entity and you will not make any investments in or with a Buyer Entity,  in each such situation without the prior consent of the Board.

 

MISCELLANEOUS:  Your employment with the Company will be “at will.”  “At-will” means that either you or the Company are free to terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason. This letter agreement does not change the nature of your “at-will” employment and does not guarantee employment for any specific period of time.  Your status as an “at-will” employee cannot be modified except by written agreement signed by the Chair of the Compensation Committee.  Your employment is conditional upon your successful completion of the required drug screen and/or background check and your failure to successfully complete the foregoing shall result in this letter agreement being void ab initio and of no force or effect.  The Company maintains an Executive & Officer Severance Pay Plan and should your employment be terminated (other than under circumstances entitling you to severance benefits under your COC Agreement) your eligibility for severance will be determined under the terms of that plan, as in effect at the time of such termination of employment.  In addition, you will be provided with a COC Agreement, with terms consistent with COC Agreements of other senior executives of the Company, that will become effective on the Commencement Date.  In the event that you become entitled to severance payments or benefits under the Executive & Officer Severance Pay Plan or the COC Agreement, as applicable, such payments and benefits will be your sole and exclusive severance payments and benefits and you will not be entitled to any other severance payments or benefits from the Company, including, without limitation, continued base salary or bonus entitlements pursuant to this letter agreement.  For the avoidance of doubt, the transactions contemplated by the Tender Offer Agreement and any related transaction shall not constitute a Change of Control for the purposes of your COC Agreement.

 

NON-COMPETE, NON-SOLICITATION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND MANDATORY ARBITRATION:  By accepting this offer, you agree to the Confidentiality, Non-Compete, and Non-Solicitation provisions contained in the “Terms and Conditions of Employment” attached as Exhibit A, and that are incorporated herein by reference.  You also agree that any and all employment disputes occurring during or after your employment with the Company are subject to mandatory arbitration as set forth in the “Terms and Conditions of Employment”.

 

LEGAL FEES:  Upon presentation of appropriate documentation, the Company will pay or reimburse you for your reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection with the negotiation and documentation of this letter agreement up to a maximum of $50,000 in the aggregate.

 

ENTIRE AGREEMENT:  This letter agreement is intended to be the entire agreement between the Company and you with respect to the matters described herein.  No waiver or modification shall be valid unless made in writing, signed by both you and the Chair of the Compensation Committee.

 

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SECTION 409A.  The Company and you intend that the payments and benefits provided for in this letter agreement either be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the rules and regulations thereunder, or be provided in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and any ambiguity herein shall be interpreted so as to be consistent with the intent of this paragraph.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, all payments and benefits paid on account of your termination of employment shall be paid or provided only at the time of a termination of your employment that constitutes a “separation from service” from the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (determined after applying the presumptions set forth in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h)(1)).  Further, if at the time of your termination of employment with the Company, you are a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A of the Code as determined by the Company in accordance with Section 409A of the Code, and the deferral of the commencement of any payments or benefits otherwise payable hereunder as a result of such termination of employment is necessary in order to prevent any accelerated or additional tax or interest on account of Section 409A of the Code, then the Company will defer the commencement of the payment of any such payments or benefits hereunder (without any reduction in payments or benefits ultimately paid or provided to you) until the date that is at least six (6) months following your termination of employment with the Company (or the earliest date permitted under Section 409A of the Code), whereupon the Company will pay you a lump-sum amount equal to the cumulative amounts that would have otherwise been previously paid to you under this letter agreement during the period in which such payments or benefits were deferred.  For purposes of the limitations on non-qualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, each payment of compensation under this letter agreement shall be treated as a separate payment of compensation for purposes of applying the exclusion under Section 409A of the Code for certain short-term deferral amounts.  In no event may you, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment under this letter agreement.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this letter agreement, in-kind benefits and reimbursements provided under this letter agreement during any calendar year shall not affect in-kind benefits or reimbursements to be provided in any other calendar year, other than an arrangement providing for the reimbursement of medical expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code, and are not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this letter agreement, reimbursement requests must be timely submitted by you and, if timely submitted, reimbursement payments shall be promptly made to you following such submission, but in no event later than December 31st of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred.  In no event shall you be entitled to any reimbursement payments after December 31st of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred.  This paragraph shall only apply to in-kind benefits and reimbursements that would result in taxable compensation income to you.

 

Additionally, in the event that following the date hereof the Company or you reasonably determines that any compensation or benefits payable under this letter agreement may be subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Company and you shall work together to adopt such amendments to this letter agreement or adopt other policies or procedures (including

 

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amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other commercially reasonable actions necessary or appropriate to (x) exempt the compensation and benefits payable under this letter agreement from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the compensation and benefits provided with respect to this letter agreement or (y) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance; provided that neither the Company nor any of its employees or representatives shall have any liability to you with respect to tax penalties, accelerated taxation or interest on account of Section 409A of the Code.

 

CONTROLLING LAW:  This letter agreement shall in all respects be interpreted, enforced and governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota.

 

SEVERABILITY:  You agree that the terms of this letter agreement are severable, and if any provision of this letter agreement is found to be void and unenforceable by a court, that judgment will not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this letter agreement.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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If the foregoing accurately expresses our mutual understanding, please execute the enclosed copy of this letter in the space provided below, and return to the undersigned.

 

Sincerely,

 

	
/s/   Susan E. Engel
    	
 
    
	
Susan   E. Engel, Chair, Leadership Development
    	
 
    
	
and   Compensation Committee
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
AGREED   AND ACCEPTED:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/   Sam Duncan
    	
 
    
	
SAM   DUNCAN
    	
 
    

 

 

EXHIBIT “A”

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

 

The following are confidentiality, noncompete, nonsolicitation and mandatory arbitration agreements referenced in the attached offer letter.  By accepting this offer of employment, you agree to these terms and conditions.  As they concern important legal rights, you are urged to read carefully, and consult counsel, if necessary, to ensure you understand these provisions.

 

As used below, “You” refers to the individual to whom this offer of employment is being extended.  “Company” refers to SUPERVALU INC., and all of its subsidiaries, affiliates, and related companies.

 

You affirm, agree and understand that the offer letter, as attached, includes the following provisions, and that by accepting the Company’s offer of employment, You agree to abide by, and be bound by, the following:

 

1.                                      Confidentiality.  You acknowledge that, in the course of your employment with the Company, You will have access to Confidential Information that was obtained or developed by the Company at great expense and that is zealously guarded from unauthorized disclosure.  Your access to and possession of this Information will be due solely to your employment with the Company.  You agree You will not, at any time during or following termination of employment for any reason, disclose, use, or otherwise make available to any third party, any Confidential Information relating to the Company’s business, products, services, customers, vendors, or suppliers; trade secrets, data, specifications, techniques; long and short term plans, existing and prospective client, vendor, supplier, and employee lists, contacts, and information; financial, personnel, and information system information and applications; and any other information concerning the business of the Company which is not disclosed to the general public or known in the industry, except with the express written consent of the Company.  All Confidential Information, including all copies, notes regarding, and replications of such Confidential Information will remain the sole property of the Company, as applicable, and must be returned to the Company immediately upon your termination from the Company.

 

2.                                      Non-Solicitation of Customers, Vendors, or Suppliers.  You specifically acknowledge that the Confidential Information described above includes confidential data pertaining to existing and prospective customers, vendors, and suppliers of the Company; that such data is a valuable and unique asset of the business of the Company, and that the success or failure of their businesses depends upon their ability to establish and maintain close and continuing personal contacts and working relationships with such existing and prospective customers, vendors, and suppliers and to develop proposals which are specific to such existing and prospective customers, vendors and suppliers.  Therefore, You agree that for twelve (12) months following the date of your termination from the Company, You will not (except on behalf of the Company, or with the Company’s express written consent) solicit, approach, contact or attempt to solicit, approach, or

 

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contact, either directly or indirectly, on your own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity, any existing or prospective customers, vendors, or suppliers of the Company with whom You had contact or about whom You gained Confidential Information during Your employment with the Company for the purpose of obtaining business or engaging in any commercial relationship that would be competitive with the “Business of the Company” (as defined below) or cause such customer, supplier, or vendor to materially change or terminate its business or commercial relationship with the Company.  This provision is in addition to, and not in lieu of, similar provisions in any other agreement(s) between You and the Company.

 

3.                                      Non-Solicitation of Employees.  You specifically acknowledge that the Confidential Information described above also includes confidential data pertaining to Employees and agents of the Company, and You further agree that for twelve (12) months following your termination of employment, You will not, directly or indirectly, on your own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity, solicit, contact, approach, encourage, induce or attempt to solicit, contact, approach, encourage, or induce any of the employees or agents of the Company to terminate their employment or agency with the Company.

 

4.                                      Non-Competition.  You covenant and agree that for twelve (12) months following your termination of employment, You will not, in any geographic market in which You worked on behalf of the Company, or for which You had any sales, marketing, operational, logistical, or other management or oversight responsibility, engage in or carry on, directly or indirectly, as an owner, employee, agent, associate, consultant, partner, or in any other capacity, a business competitive with the Business of the Company.

 

a.                                      The “Business of the Company” shall mean any business or activity involved in grocery or general merchandise retailing and supply chain logistics, including but not limited to grocery distribution, business-to-business portal, retail support services, and third-party logistics, of the type provided by the Company, or presented in concept to You by the Company at any time during your employment with the Company.

 

b.                                      To “engage or carry on” shall mean to have ownership in such business (excluding ownership of up to 1% of the outstanding shares of a publicly-traded company) or to consult, work in, direct, or have responsibility for any area of such business, including but not limited to operations, logistics, sales, marketing, finance, recruiting, sourcing, purchasing, information technology, or customer service.

 

5.                                      Mandatory Arbitration.  You covenant and agree that any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to your employment relationship with the Company or the termination of that relationship must be submitted for final and binding resolution by a private and impartial arbitration, under the Employment Dispute Resolution rules of the American Arbitration Association.  This includes, but is not limited to, any claim that could be asserted in court or before an administrative agency or claims for which You have an alleged cause of action, including without limitation claims for breach of any contract or

 

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covenant (express or implied); tort claims; claims for discrimination, harassment or retaliation under local, state or federal statutes; claims for wrongful discharge; claims for violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act or any other local, state, federal or other governmental law, statute, regulation, and whether based on statute or common law.  This includes claims against the Company, any of its affiliated or subsidiary entities, or its individual officers, directors, or employees.

 

This does not include the following claims:

 

a.                                      Claims for workers compensation or unemployment benefits;

 

b.                                      Claims under the National Labor Relations Act, as amended;

 

c.                                       Claims based on current or future employee benefit and/or welfare plans that contain a dispute resolution procedure therein; or

 

d.                                      Claims by the Company for injunctive or other equitable relief based on your alleged breach of covenants under this Exhibit A.

 

The burden of proof at arbitration shall be on the party seeking relief.  Each party shall bear its own costs and attorneys fees.  In reaching a decision, the arbitrator shall apply the governing substantive law applicable to the claims, causes of action and defenses asserted by the parties.  The arbitrator shall have the power to award all remedies that could be awarded by a court or administrative agency in accordance with the governing and applicable substantive law.

 

However, you agree that in the event that your employment with the Company is terminated for Cause (as defined above), that such termination will be determined by the Company in its sole discretion in a manner consistent with the terms of the Company’s Executive & Officer Severance Pay Plan and such decision will be final and binding as approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

You also agree that the arbitration procedure described herein does not alter your status as an “at-will” employee, meaning both you and the Company have the right to terminate employment at any time and for any reason.

 

6.                                      Governing Law.  You agree that the internal law, and not the law of conflicts, of the State of Minnesota, shall govern all questions concerning the validity, construction and effect of this Agreement.

 

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