Document:

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

DUKE ENERGY CAROLINAS, LLC

 

TO

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

Trustee

 

NINETY-FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

Dated as of September 21, 2012

 

 

CREATING A SERIES OF FIRST AND REFUNDING

MORTGAGE BONDS

$650,000,000 FIRST AND REFUNDING MORTGAGE BONDS, 4.00% SERIES DUE 2042

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL TO

FIRST AND REFUNDING MORTGAGE

DATED AS OF DECEMBER 1, 1927

 

 

Drawn By and Return To Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A.

101 N. Tryon Street, Suite 1900, Charlotte, NC  28246

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, bearing date as of the 21st day of September, 2012, made and entered into by and between Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, a limited liability company duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of North Carolina, hereinafter called the “Company”, party of the first part, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), a national banking association, having a corporate trust office at 900 Ashwood Parkway, Suite 425, Atlanta, Georgia 30338, hereinafter called the “Trustee”, as Trustee, party of the second part. The Trustee is the successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank, formerly known as Chemical Bank (successor to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York)), as Trustee.

 

WHEREAS the Company’s predecessor is Duke Energy Corporation (formerly known as Duke Power Company), a corporation organized under the laws of the State of North Carolina, which converted its form of organization on April 3, 2006 from a North Carolina corporation to a North Carolina limited liability company named “Duke Power Company LLC,” which changed its name to Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC on October 1, 2006; and

 

WHEREAS Duke Power Company, a New Jersey corporation, hereinafter called the “New Jersey Company”, duly executed and delivered its First and Refunding Mortgage, dated as of December 1, 1927, to Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Trustee, to secure its First and Refunding Mortgage Gold Bonds, to be issued from time to time in series as provided in said Mortgage, and has from time to time duly executed and delivered supplemental indentures, including supplemental indentures dated as of September 1, 1947 and February 1, 1949, to Guaranty Trust Company of New York (the corporate name of which has been changed to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York), as Trustee, and a supplemental indenture dated as of February 1, 1960 to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Trustee, supplementing and modifying said Mortgage (said Mortgage, as so supplemented and modified by the supplemental indentures dated as of September 1, 1947, February 1, 1949 and February 1, 1960, being hereinafter referred to as the “original indenture”); and

 

WHEREAS bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 2.65% Series Due 1977” (herein called “bonds of the 2.65% Series”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 2 7/8% Series Due 1979” (herein called “bonds of the 1979 Series”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 6 3/8% Series Due 1998” (herein called “bonds of the 1998 Series”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, Pollution Control Facilities Revenue Refunding Series Due 2014” (herein called “bonds of the 1990 Pollution Control Series”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, City of Greensboro Series Due 2027” (herein called “bonds of the 2027 City of Greensboro Series”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, Medium-Term Notes Series” (herein called “bonds of the Medium-Term Notes Series”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 6 5/8% Series B Due 2003” (herein called “bonds of the 2003 Series B”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 6 3/8% Series Due 2008” (herein called “bonds of the 2008 Series”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 5 7/8% Series C Due 2003” (herein called “bonds of the 2003 Series C”), bonds of a series known as the

 

 

“First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, Pollution Control Facilities Revenue Refunding Series Due 2014” (herein called “bonds of the 1993 Pollution Control Series”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 6 1/4% Series B 2004” (herein called “bonds of the 2004 Series B”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 7% Series Due 2033” (herein called “bonds of the 2033 Series”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 6 7/8% Series B Due 2023” (herein called “bonds of the 2023 Series B”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 6 3/4% Series Due 2025” (herein called “bonds of the 2025 Series”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 7 7/8% Series Due 2024” (herein called “bonds of the 2024 Series”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 7 1/2% Series B Due 2025” (herein called “bonds of the 2025 Series B”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 7 1/2% Series Due 1999” (herein called “bonds of the 1999 Series”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 7% Series Due 2000” (herein called “bonds of the 2000 Series”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 7% Series B Due 2000” (herein called “bonds of the 2000 Series B”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 6.625% Series Due 2003” (herein called “bonds of the 2003 Series”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 9 5/8% Series Due 2020” (herein called “bonds of the 9 5/8% Series due 2020”), bonds of a series known as the “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 8 3/4% Series Due 2021” (herein called “bonds of the 2021 Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 7% Series Due 2005” (herein called “bonds of the 2005 Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 3.75% Series A Due 2008” (herein called “bonds of the 3.75% Series A”), bonds of series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 3.75% Series B Due 2008” (herein called “bonds of the 3.75% Series B,” and together with the bonds of the 3.75% Series A, the “bonds of the 3.75% Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 7 3/8% Series Due 2023” (herein called “bonds of the 7 3/8% Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 4 1/2% Series Due 2010” (herein called “bonds of the 4 1/2% Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 5.30% Series Due 2015” (herein called “bonds of the 5.30% Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 5.25% Series Due 2018” (herein called “bonds of the 5.25% Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 6.00% Series Due 2038” (herein called “bonds of the 6.00% Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 2007A Pledge Series Due 2040” (herein called “bonds of the 2007A Pledge Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 2007B Pledge Series Due 2040” (herein called “bonds of the 2007B Pledge Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 5.10% Series B Due 2018” (herein called “bonds of the 5.10% Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 6.05% Series B Due 2038” (herein called “bonds of the 6.05% Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 5.75% Series C Due 2013 (herein called “bonds of the 2013 Series C”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 7.00% Series C Due 2018 (herein called “bonds of the 2018 Series C”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, Pollution Control Facilities Revenue Refunding Series Due 2017” (herein called “bonds of the 2009 Pollution Control Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 5.30% Series Due 2040” (herein called “bonds of the 2040 Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 4.30% Series due 2020”(herein called “bonds of the 2020

 

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Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2010A Due 2031” (herein called “bonds of the 2010A Solid Waste Disposal Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2010B Due 2031” (herein called “bonds of the 2010B Solid Waste Disposal Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2010C Due 2040” (herein called “bonds of the 2010C Solid Waste Disposal Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2010D Due 2040 (herein called “bonds of the 2010D Solid Waste Disposal Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 3.90% Series due 2021” (herein called “bonds of the 3.90% Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 1.75% Series due 2016” (herein called “bonds of the 1.75% Series”), bonds of a series known as “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 4.25% Series due 2041” (herein called “bonds of the 4.25% Series”) and such other bonds that have heretofore been issued and (except for bonds of the 2.65% Series, bonds of the 1979 Series, bonds of the 1998 Series, bonds of the 1990 Pollution Control Series, bonds of the Medium Term Notes Series, bonds of the 2003 Series B, bonds of the 2008 Series, bonds of the 2003 Series C, bonds of the 1993 Pollution Control Series, bonds of the 2004 Series B, bonds of the 2033 Series, bonds of the 2023 Series B, bonds of the 2025 Series, bonds of the 2024 Series, bonds of the 2025 Series B, bonds of the 1999 Series, bonds of the 2000 Series, bonds of the 2000 Series B, bonds of the 2003 Series, bonds of the 9 5/8% Series due 2020, bonds of the 2021 Series, bonds of the 2005 Series, bonds of the 3.75% Series, bonds of the 7 3/8% Series, bonds of the 2007A Pledge Series, bonds of the 2007B Pledge Series, bonds of the 4 1/2% Series and other such bonds which have been redeemed or retired in their entirety) are the only bonds now outstanding under the original indenture as heretofore supplemented; and

 

WHEREAS the Company has duly executed and delivered a supplemental indenture, dated as of June 15, 1964, to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Trustee, for the purpose of evidencing the succession by merger of the Company to the New Jersey Company and the assumption by the Company of the covenants and conditions of the New Jersey Company in the original indenture and to enable the Company to have and exercise the powers and rights of the New Jersey Company under the original indenture in accordance with the terms thereof and whereby the Company assumed and agreed to pay duly and punctually the principal of and interest on the bonds issued under the original indenture in accordance with the provisions of said bonds and the coupons thereto appertaining and the original indenture, and agreed to perform and fulfill all the terms, covenants and conditions of the original indenture binding upon the New Jersey Company, and

 

WHEREAS Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York resigned as Trustee under the original indenture as heretofore supplemented and Chemical Bank was appointed successor Trustee, said resignation and appointment having taken effect on August 30, 1994 pursuant to an Instrument of Resignation, Appointment and Acceptance dated as of August 30, 1994 among the Company, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Trustee, and Chemical Bank (now known as JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.), as successor Trustee; and

 

WHEREAS JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. resigned as Trustee and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company,

 

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N.A.) was appointed successor Trustee, said resignation and appointment having taken effect on September 24, 2007 pursuant to an Instrument of Resignation, Appointment and Acceptance dated as of September 24, 2007 among the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Trustee, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor Trustee; and

 

WHEREAS the Company desires to create under the original indenture, as heretofore supplemented and as to be supplemented by this supplemental indenture, a new series of bonds, to be known as its “First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 4.00% Series due 2042”, and to determine the terms and provisions and the form of the bonds of such series; and

 

WHEREAS for the purposes hereinabove recited, and pursuant to due limited liability company action, the Company has duly determined to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in the form hereof supplementing the original indenture (the original indenture, as previously supplemented by supplemental indentures and as hereby supplemented, being sometimes hereinafter referred to as the “Indenture”); and

 

WHEREAS all conditions and requirements necessary to make this supplemental indenture a valid, legal and binding instrument in accordance with its terms have been done and performed, and the execution and delivery hereof have been in all respects duly authorized:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

 

That in consideration of the premises and of the sum of one dollar duly paid by the Company to the Trustee at or before the execution and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the Company hereby covenants and agrees with the Trustee and its successors in the trust under the Indenture as follows:

 

PART ONE.

 

BONDS OF THE 4.00% SERIES

 

SECTION 1.        The Company hereby creates a new series of bonds to be issued under and secured by the Indenture and known as its First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 4.00% Series due 2042 (herein called “bonds of the 4.00% Series”) and the Company hereby establishes, determines and fixes the terms and provisions of the bonds of the 4.00% Series as hereinafter in this Part One set forth.

 

Each bond of the 4.00% Series shall be dated the date of its authentication (except that if any such bond shall be authenticated on any interest payment date, it shall be dated the following day) and interest shall be payable on the principal represented thereby commencing March 30, 2013, from March 30 or September 30, as the case may be, next preceding the date thereof to which interest has been paid, unless such date of authentication is prior to March 30, 2013, in which case interest shall be payable from September 21, 2012; provided, however, that interest shall be payable on each bond of the 4.00% Series authenticated after the record date (as defined in the next succeeding paragraph of this Section 1) with respect to any interest payment date and prior to such interest payment date, only from such interest payment date.

 

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Interest on any bond of the 4.00% Series shall be paid to the person who, according to the bond register of the Company, is the registered holder of such bond of the 4.00% Series at the close of business on the applicable record date, and such interest payments shall be made by check mailed to such registered holder at his last address shown on such bond register or, at the option of the Company, by wire transfer at such place and to such account at a banking institution in the United States as may be designated in writing to the Trustee at least sixteen (16) days prior to the date of payment by the Person entitled thereto (provided, that if the bonds of the 4.00% Series are represented by Global Securities held by the Depositary, payment may be made pursuant to the procedures of the Depositary); provided, however, that, if the Company shall default in the payment of the interest due on any interest payment date on any bond of the 4.00% Series, such defaulted interest shall be paid to the registered holder of such bond (or any bond or bonds of the 4.00% Series issued upon transfer, exchange or substitution thereof) on the date of subsequent payment of such defaulted interest or, at the election of the Company, to the person in whose name such bond (or any bond or bonds of the 4.00% Series issued upon transfer, exchange or substitution thereof) is registered on a subsequent record date established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Company to the holders of all bonds of the 4.00% Series not less than ten (10) days preceding such subsequent record date. The term “record date” as used in this Section 1 shall mean, with respect to any semi-annual interest payment date, the close of business on the March 15 or September 15, whether or not a business day, next preceding such interest payment date or, in the case of a payment of defaulted interest, the close of business on any subsequent record date established as provided above.

 

SECTION 2.        All bonds of the 4.00% Series shall mature as to principal on September 30, 2042 and shall bear interest at a rate of 4.00% per annum, payable semi-annually on the thirtieth day of March and September in each year, commencing on the thirtieth day of March, 2013. Interest on the bonds of the 4.00% Series will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

 

SECTION 3.        The bonds of the 4.00% Series shall be fully registered bonds, without coupons, in denominations of two thousand dollars ($2,000) and integral multiples of one thousand dollars ($1,000) in excess thereof, all such bonds to be numbered, and shall be transferable and exchangeable as provided in the form of bond set forth as Exhibit A to this supplemental indenture. The provisions of §1.19 and any other provision in the Indenture in respect of coupon bonds or reservation of coupon bond numbers shall be inapplicable to the bonds of the 4.00% Series.

 

SECTION 4.        At any time before March 30, 2042, the bonds of the 4.00% Series may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole or in part and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the bonds of the 4.00% Series to be redeemed and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the bonds of the 4.00% Series being redeemed (exclusive of interest accrued to the redemption date) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points, plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to the date of such redemption. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the redemption price with respect to any redemption pursuant to this paragraph promptly after the calculation thereof. The Trustee shall not be responsible for calculating said redemption price.

 

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At any time on or after March 30, 2042, the bonds of the 4.00% Series may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole or in part and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the bonds of the 4.00% Series to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to the date of such redemption.

 

The bonds of the 4.00% Series are also subject to redemption through the operation of the Replacement Fund provided in Part Two of this supplemental indenture or through the application of moneys paid to the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of §5.05 of the Indenture, at any time or from time to time prior to maturity, upon prior notice as hereinafter provided, at the redemption prices specified in the fifth paragraph of the reverse side of the form of bond set forth as Exhibit A to this supplemental indenture, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption thereof.

 

In the event that any redemption date is not a Business Day, the Company shall pay the redemption price on the next Business Day without any interest or other payment due to the delay.

 

All such redemptions of bonds of the 4.00% Series shall be effected as provided in Article 3 of the Indenture except that, in case a part only of the bonds of the 4.00% Series is to be paid and redeemed, the particular bonds or part thereof shall be selected by the Trustee in such manner as the Trustee in its uncontrolled discretion shall determine to be fair and in any case where several bonds are registered in the same name, the Trustee may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one bond and except that when bonds are redeemed in part only the notice given to any particular holder need state only the principal amount of the bonds of that holder which is to be redeemed and except that notice to the holders of bonds to be redeemed shall be given by mailing to such holders a notice of such redemption, first class mail postage prepaid, not later than the thirtieth day, and not earlier than the sixtieth day, before the date fixed for redemption, at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the bond register of the Company. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives such notice; and failure duly to give such notice by mail, or any defect in such notice, to the holder of any bond designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other bond. No publication of notice of such redemption shall be required.

 

SECTION 5.        The limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the bonds of the 4.00% Series which may be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Ninety-Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall be $650,000,000.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, without the consent of the holders of the bonds of the 4.00% Series, reopen the bonds of the 4.00% Series and issue an unlimited amount of additional bonds having the same ranking, interest rate, maturity and other terms as the bonds of the 4.00% Series authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Ninety-Fifth Supplemental Indenture, other than, if applicable, the initial interest accrual date and interest payment date; provided, that, the Company may reopen the bonds of the 4.00% Series only if the additional bonds issued will be fungible for United States federal income tax purposes with the bonds of the 4.00% Series authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Ninety-Fifth Supplemental Indenture.  Any such additional bonds will be

 

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consolidated with and form a single series of bonds under the Indenture with the bonds of the 4.00% Series authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Ninety-Fifth Supplemental Indenture.

 

SECTION 6.        The place or places of payment (as to principal and premium, if any, and interest), redemption, transfer, exchange and registration of the bonds of the 4.00% Series shall be the office or offices or the agency or agencies of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, designated from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company (provided, that if the bonds of the 4.00% Series are represented by Global Securities held by or on behalf of the Depositary, the procedures of the Depositary may be followed for any action under this Section 6 of Part One).

 

SECTION 7.        The form of the bonds of the 4.00% Series and the certificate of the Trustee to be endorsed on such bonds, respectively, shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

 

PART TWO.

 

REPLACEMENT FUND.

 

SECTION 1.        So long as any of the bonds of the 4.00% Series are outstanding, the Company will continue to maintain the Replacement Fund set forth in, and in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions now contained in, Part Two of the supplemental indenture dated as of February 1, 1949, and the covenants on the part of the Company contained in such Part Two shall continue and remain in full force and effect, whether or not bonds of the 1979 Series are outstanding and to the same extent as though the words “or any bonds of the 4.00% Series” were inserted after the word “Series” appearing in the second line of Section 1 and the second line of Section 4 of said Part Two of said supplemental indenture dated as of February 1, 1949.

 

SECTION 2.        If at any time (a) any of the bonds of the 4.00% Series are outstanding and (b) no Outstanding Mortgage Bonds (as defined in Section 1 of Part Three of this supplemental indenture) entitled to the benefit of the Replacement Fund are outstanding and (c) cash which shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to such Replacement Fund shall not within five years from the date of deposit thereof have been paid out, or used or set aside by the Trustee for the payment, purchase or redemption of bonds, pursuant to such Replacement Fund, such cash shall, if in excess of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), be applied to the redemption of bonds of the 4.00% Series in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to exhaust as nearly as possible the full amount of such cash. Anything in Section 5 of Part Two of the aforesaid supplemental indenture dated as of February 1, 1949, in Section 3 of Part Two of the supplemental indentures dated as of May 1, 1993, July 1, 1993, August 1, 1993, August 20, 1993, May 1, 1994, February 25, 2003, March 21, 2003 and September 23, 2003, in Section 3 of Part Three of the supplemental indenture dated as of March 1, 1990 and in Section 5 of Part Four of the supplemental indenture dated as of March 1, 1993 to the contrary notwithstanding, no cash shall be paid over to the Company thereunder if at the time any bonds of the 4.00% Series are then outstanding, and such cash shall in such event be applied as in this Part Two set forth.

 

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SECTION 3.        Whenever all of the bonds of the 4.00% Series and all of the Outstanding Mortgage Bonds entitled to the benefit of the Replacement Fund shall have been paid, purchased or redeemed, the Trustee shall, upon application of the Company, pay to or upon the order of the Company all cash theretofore deposited with the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of the Replacement Fund and not previously disposed of pursuant to the provisions of the Replacement Fund, and shall deliver to the Company any bonds which shall theretofore have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of the Replacement Fund or paid, purchased or redeemed pursuant to the provisions of the Replacement Fund.

 

PART THREE.

 

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

 

SECTION 1.        Whether or not the covenants on the part of the Company contained in Part Three of the supplemental indenture dated as of February 1, 1949 are modified with the consent of the holders of bonds of the 2027 City of Greensboro Series, the 5.30% Series, the 5.25% Series, the 6.00% Series, the 5.10% Series, the 6.05% Series, the 2013 Series C, the 2018 Series C, the 2009 Pollution Control Series, the 2040 Series, the 2020 Series, the 2010A Solid Waste Disposal Series, the 2010B Solid Waste Disposal Series, the 2010C Solid Waste Disposal Series, the 2010D Solid Waste Disposal Series, the 3.90% Series, the 1.75% Series or the 4.25% Series (collectively, the “Outstanding Mortgage Bonds”), such covenants on the part of the Company contained in said Part Three shall continue and remain in full force and effect so long as any of the bonds of the 4.00% Series are outstanding and to the same extent as though the words “or so long as any bonds of the 4.00% Series are outstanding” were inserted after the words “so long as any of the bonds of the 1979 Series or any bonds of the 2.65% Series are outstanding” wherever such words appear in said Part Three of the supplemental indenture dated as of February 1, 1949.

 

SECTION 2.        Whether or not the second sentence of paragraph (a) of §2.08 of the original indenture (making certain provisions for the definition of the term “net amount” applicable while bonds of the 2.65% Series were outstanding and which was originally set forth in Section 4 of Article One of the supplemental indenture dated as of September 1, 1947 and which is corrected and clarified by Section 2 of Part Four of the supplemental indenture dated as of February 1, 1968) is modified with the consent of the holders of any of the Outstanding Mortgage Bonds, said sentence shall continue and remain in full force and effect so long as any bonds of the 4.00% Series are outstanding, and with the same force and effect as though said sentence had stated that such provisions were to be applicable so long as any of the bonds of the 4.00% Series are outstanding.

 

PART FOUR.

 

GLOBAL SECURITIES; TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE

 

SECTION 1.        The bonds of the 4.00% Series shall initially be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities registered in the name of the Depositary (which initially shall be The Depository Trust Company) or its nominee. Except under the limited circumstances described below, bonds of the 4.00% Series represented by such Global Security or Global Securities shall

 

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not be exchangeable for, and shall not otherwise be issuable as, bonds of the 4.00% Series in definitive form. The Global Securities described in this Part Four may not be transferred except 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 to a successor Depositary or its nominee.

 

None of the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

A Global Security shall be exchangeable for bonds of the 4.00% Series registered in the names of persons other than the Depositary or its nominee only if (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a Depositary for such Global Security and no successor Depositary shall have been appointed by the Company within 90 days of receipt by the Company of such notification, or if at any time the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act at a time when the Depositary is required to be so registered to act as such Depositary and no successor Depositary shall have been appointed by the Company within 90 days after it becomes aware of such cessation, (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the bonds of the 4.00% Series or (iii) the Company in its sole discretion, and subject to the procedures of the Depositary, determines that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for bonds of the 4.00% Series registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct.

 

SECTION 2.        Depository Legend.  Each of the Global Securities shall bear the following legend (the “Depository Legend”) on the face thereof:

 

“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 IN 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.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN

 

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ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.”

 

SECTION 3.        Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a)           Every bond of the 4.00% Series presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

(b)           No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of bonds of the 4.00% Series, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration or transfer or exchange of bonds of the 4.00% Series.

 

SECTION 4.        Definitions.  The following defined terms used herein shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the meanings specified below. Capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.

 

“Business day” means any day other than a day on which banks in New York City are required or authorized to be closed.

 

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the bonds of the 4.00% Series to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a comparable maturity to the remaining term of such bonds of the 4.00% Series.

 

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (A) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Quotation Agent obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

 

“Depositary” means a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for the bonds of the 4.00% Series, which Depositary shall initially be The Depository Trust Company.

 

“Depository Legend” means a legend set forth in Section 2 of this Part Four.

 

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

 

“Global Security” means a bond of the 4.00% Series in global form.

 

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a bond of the 4.00% Series is registered in the registration books maintained by the Trustee.

 

11

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or corporation, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

“Quotation Agent” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Company.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of Barclays Capital Inc., RBS Securities Inc., The Bank of Nova Scotia, New York Agency (an affiliate of Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.), and UBS Securities LLC, plus one other financial institution appointed by the Company at the time of any redemption or their respective affiliates or successors, each of which is a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in the United States (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”); provided, however, that if any of the foregoing or their affiliates or successors shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Quotation Agent, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Quotation Agent by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated maturity (on a day count basis) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

 

PART FIVE.

 

MISCELLANEOUS.

 

SECTION 1.

 

(a)           For the purposes of §2.10 of the Indenture and for the purposes of any modification of the provisions of the Replacement Fund referred to in Part Two of this supplemental indenture, the covenants and provisions on the part of the Company which are set forth or incorporated in Part Two of this supplemental indenture shall be for the benefit only of the holders of the bonds of the 4.00% Series. Such covenants and provisions shall remain in force and be applicable only so long as any bonds of the 4.00% Series shall be outstanding, and, subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of §10.01 of the Indenture, any such covenants and provisions may be modified with respect to the bonds of the 4.00% Series with the consent, in writing or by vote at a bondholders’ meeting of the holders of sixty-six and two-thirds per cent (66 2/3%) of the principal amount of the bonds of the 4.00% Series, as the case may be, at the time outstanding and without the consent of the holders of any other bonds then outstanding under the Indenture; provided that no such consent shall be effective to waive any past default under such covenants and provisions, and its consequences, unless the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all bonds then outstanding under the Indenture is obtained. Such covenants shall be deemed to be additional covenants and none of

 

12

 

them shall affect or derogate from, or relieve the Company from, its obligation to comply with any of the other covenants, conditions, requirements or provisions of the Indenture or any other supplemental indenture.

 

(b)           For the purposes of §2.10 of the Indenture and for the purposes of any modification of the provisions of Part Three of this supplemental indenture, the covenants and provisions on the part of the Company which are set forth or incorporated in said Part Three shall be for the benefit only of the holders of the bonds of the 4.00% Series. Such covenants and provisions shall remain in force and be applicable only so long as any bonds of the 4.00% Series shall be outstanding, and, subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of §10.01 of the Indenture, any such covenants and provisions may be modified with respect to the bonds of the 4.00% Series with the consent, in writing or by vote at a bondholders’ meeting of the holders of sixty-six and two-thirds per cent (66 2/3 %) of the principal amount of the bonds of the 4.00% Series, at the time outstanding and without the consent of the holders of any other bonds then outstanding under the Indenture; provided that no such consent shall be effective to waive any past default under such covenants and provisions, and its consequences, unless the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all bonds then outstanding under the Indenture is obtained. Such covenants shall be deemed to be additional covenants and none of them shall affect or derogate from, or relieve the Company from, its obligation to comply with any of the other covenants, conditions, requirements or provisions of the Indenture or any other supplemental indenture.

 

SECTION 2.        All terms contained in this supplemental indenture shall, except as specifically provided herein or except as the context may otherwise require, have the meanings given to such terms in the Indenture.

 

SECTION 3.        In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this supplemental indenture should be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision contained in this supplemental indenture, and, to the extent, but only to the extent, that such provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, this supplemental indenture shall be construed as if such provision had never been contained herein.

 

SECTION 4.        The Trustee hereby accepts the trusts herein declared and provided upon the terms and conditions in the Indenture set forth.

 

SECTION 5.        This supplemental indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original, and all collectively but one instrument. 

 

SECTION 6.        In addition to the amendment provisions of the Indenture, the terms and conditions of this supplemental indenture and the bonds of the 4.00% Series may be modified, amended or supplemented by the Company and the Trustee, without the consent of the holders of the bonds of the 4.00% Series, and if not inconsistent with the Indenture, to cure ambiguities in this supplemental indenture or the bonds of the 4.00% Series, or correct defects or inconsistencies in the provisions of this supplemental indenture or the bonds of the 4.00% Series or to provide for such appropriate additional provisions in this supplemental indenture or the bonds of the 4.00% Series as are necessary for certificated bonds to be issued in lieu of Global

 

13

 

Securities or to reflect additional provisions related to the issuance of Global Securities (including changes in the procedures of the Depositary).

 

14

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, the party of the first part hereto, has caused this supplemental indenture to be signed in its name by one of its Vice Presidents and its company seal to be hereunto affixed, and the same to be attested by one of its Assistant Secretaries, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., the party of the second part hereto, in token of its acceptance of the trust hereby created, has caused this supplemental indenture to be signed in its name by one of its Vice Presidents and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed, and the same to be attested by one of its Vice Presidents, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
DUKE   ENERGY CAROLINAS, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Stephen G. De May
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Stephen   G. De May
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Vice   President
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ATTEST:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/   Robert T. Lucas, III
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
Robert   T. Lucas III
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
Assistant   Secretary
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signed,   sealed, executed, acknowledged
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
and   delivered by Duke Energy
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Carolinas,   LLC, in the presence of:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/   Delcia Dunlap
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Delcia   S. Dunlap
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/   Jacqueline Williams
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Jacqueline   Williams
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

15

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
The   Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Linda Garcia
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Linda   Garcia
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Vice   President
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ATTEST:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/   R. Tamas
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
R.   Tarnas
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
Vice   President Signed, sealed, executed, acknowledged
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
and   delivered by The Bank of New York
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Mellon   Trust Company, N.A.,
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
in   the presence of:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/   D.G. Donovan
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:   D. G. Donovan
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/   M. Callahan
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:   M. Callahan
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

16

 

	
State   of Illinois
    	
)
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)   ss.:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
County   of Cook
    	
)
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

Personally appeared before me, D.G. Donovan, and made oath that he/she saw Linda Garcia, a, Vice President and R. Tarnas, a Vice President, respectively, of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., sign, attest and affix hereto the corporate seal of said The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., and, as the act and deed of said corporation, deliver the within written and foregoing deed, and that he/she, with M. Callahan, witnessed the execution thereof.

 

 

	
 
    	
/s/   D.G. Donovan
    
	
 
    	
Name:   D.G. Donovan
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Sworn   and subscribed before me
    
	
 
    	
this   21st day of September, 2012.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/   T. Mosterd
    
	
 
    	
Name:   T. Mosterd
    
	
 
    	
Notary   Public
    
	
 
    	
Commission   Expires 1/22/2013
    

 

	
State   of Illinois
    	
)
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)   ss.:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
County   of Cook
    	
)
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

I, T. Mosterd, a Notary Public in and for the State and County aforesaid, certify that R. Tarnas personally came before me this day and acknowledged that he/she is a Vice President of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, and that, by authority duly given and as the act of the corporation, the foregoing instrument was signed in its name by one of its Vice Presidents, sealed with its corporate seal, and attested by himself/herself as one of its Vice Presidents.

 

Witness may hand and official seal, this 21st day of September, 2012.

 

	
 
    	
/s/   T. Mosterd
    
	
 
    	
Name:   T. Mosterd
    
	
 
    	
Notary   Public
    
	
 
    	
Commission   Expires 1/22/2013
    

 

17

 

	
State   of North Carolina
    	
)
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)   ss.:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
County   of Mecklenburg
    	
)
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

I, Jennie M. Raine, a notary public of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, certify that Delcia S. Dunlap personally appeared before me this day, and being duly sworn, stated that in her presence Stephen G. De May executed the foregoing instrument, and that she, with Jacqueline Williams, witnessed the execution thereof.

 

Witness my hand and official seal, this the 21st day of September, 2012.

 

 

	
 
    	
/s/   Delcia S. Dunlap
    
	
 
    	
Delcia   S. Dunlap
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/   Jennie M. Raine
    
	
 
    	
Name:   Jennie M. Raine
    
	
 
    	
Notary   Public
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
My   Commission Expires August 12, 2016
    

 

	
State   of North Carolina
    	
)
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)   ss.:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
County   of Mecklenburg
    	
)
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

I, Jennie M. Raine, a Notary Public in and for the State and County aforesaid, certify that Robert T. Lucas III personally came before me this day and acknowledged that he is an Assistant Secretary of Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company, and that, by authority duly given and as the act of the company, the foregoing instrument was signed in its name by one of its Vice Presidents, sealed with its seal, and attested by himself as one of its Assistant Secretaries.

 

Witness my hand and official seal, this the 21st day of September, 2012.

 

	
 
    	
/s/   Jennie M. Raine
    
	
 
    	
Name:   Jennie M. Raine
    
	
 
    	
Notary   Public
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
My   Commission Expires August 12, 2016
    

 

18

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF DUKE ENERGY CAROLINAS, LLC

FIRST AND REFUNDING MORTGAGE BOND, 4.00% SERIES DUE 2042

 

[FACE SIDE OF BOND]

 

[DEPOSITORY LEGEND, IF APPLICABLE]

 

DUKE ENERGY CAROLINAS, LLC

 

FIRST AND REFUNDING MORTGAGE BOND,

4.00% SERIES DUE 2042

 

	
No.
    	
 
    	
$
    
	
CUSIP   No.
    	
26442C   AN4
    
	
ISIN
    	
US26442CAN48
    

 

Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company (hereinafter called the “Company”), for value received, hereby promises to pay to                                or registered assigns, the principal sum of                                Dollars on September 30, 2042 in any coin or currency of the United States of America which at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and to pay interest thereon at said office or agency from the interest payment date next preceding the date hereof to which interest on outstanding bonds of this series has been paid (unless the date hereof is prior to March 30, 2013, in which case from September 21, 2012, and unless the date hereof is subsequent to a record date (as defined below) and prior to the next succeeding March 30 or September 30, in which case from the next succeeding March 30 or September 30, as the case may be), at the rate of 4.00% per annum, in like coin or currency, semi-annually on March 30 and September 30 in each year, commencing March 30, 2013, until the principal hereof shall become due and payable. Such interest payments shall be made to the person in whose name this bond is registered at the close of business on the March 15 or September 15, whether or not a business day, next preceding each semi-annual interest payment date (a “record date”) (subject to certain exceptions provided in the Indenture hereinafter mentioned), at his last address as it shall appear upon the bond register of the Company.

 

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

 

This bond shall not become or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until the Trustee shall have signed the form of certificate endorsed hereon.

 

A-1

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be signed in its name by its President or one of its Vice Presidents, manually or by facsimile signature, and its company seal to be hereto affixed, or a facsimile thereof to be hereon engraved, lithographed or printed, and to be attested by the manual or facsimile signature of its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries.

 

	
Dated:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
DUKE   ENERGY CAROLINAS, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

ATTEST:

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    
				

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

This bond is one of the bonds, of the series designated therein, described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

	
 
    	
The   Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Authorized   Signatory
    

 

A-2

 

[REVERSE SIDE OF BOND]

 

This bond is one of the bonds of a series, designated specially as First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 4.00% Series due 2042, of an authorized issue of bonds of the Company, without limit as to aggregate principal amount, designated generally as First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, all issued and to be issued under and equally and ratably secured by a First and Refunding Mortgage dated as of December 1, 1927, duly executed by Duke Power Company, a New Jersey corporation (hereinafter called the “New Jersey Company”), to Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Trustee (The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee), as supplemented and modified by indentures supplemental thereto, including a supplemental indenture dated September 21, 2012 providing for said series (said First and Refunding Mortgage as so supplemented and modified being hereinafter referred to as the “Indenture”), to which Indenture reference is made for a description of the property mortgaged, the nature and extent of the security, the rights of the holders of the bonds in respect thereof, the terms and conditions upon which the bonds are secured and the restrictions subject to which additional bonds secured thereby may be issued. To the extent permitted by, and as provided in, the Indenture, modifications or alterations of the Indenture, or of any indenture supplemental thereto, and of the rights and obligations of the Company and of the holders of the bonds, may be made with the consent of the Company by the affirmative vote, or with the written consent, of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in principal amount of the bonds then outstanding, and by the affirmative vote, or with the written consent, of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in principal amount of the bonds of any series then outstanding and affected by such modification or alteration, in case one or more but less than all of the series of bonds then outstanding under the Indenture are so affected, evidenced, in each case, as provided in the Indenture; provided that any supplemental indenture may be modified in accordance with the provisions contained therein for its modification; and provided, further, that no such modification or alteration shall be made which will affect the terms of payment of the principal of, or interest or premium on, this bond, or the right of any bondholder to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the respective due dates expressed in this bond, or reduce the percentage required for the taking of any such action. Any such affirmative vote of, or written consent given by, any holder of this bond is binding upon all subsequent holders hereof as provided in the Indenture.

 

In case an event of default as defined in the Indenture shall occur, the principal of all the bonds outstanding thereunder may become or be declared due and payable at the time, in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

 

At any time before March 30, 2042, the bonds of this series may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole or in part and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the bonds of this series to be redeemed and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on such bonds (exclusive of interest accrued to the redemption date), discounted to the redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points, plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to the date of such redemption.

 

At any time on or after March 30, 2042, the bonds of this series may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole or in part and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to

 

A-3

 

100% of the principal amount of the bonds of this series to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to the date of such redemption.

 

“Business day” means any day other than a day on which banks in New York City are required or authorized to be closed.

 

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the bonds of this series to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a comparable maturity to the remaining term of such bonds.

 

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (A) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Quotation Agent obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

 

“Quotation Agent” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Company.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of Barclays Capital Inc., RBS Securities Inc., The Bank of Nova Scotia, New York Agency (an affiliate of Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.), and UBS Securities LLC, plus one other financial institution appointed by the Company at the time of any redemption or their respective affiliates or successors, each of which is a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in the United States (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”); provided, however, that if any of the foregoing or their affiliates or successors shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Quotation Agent, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Quotation Agent by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated maturity (on a day count basis) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

 

The bonds of this series are also subject to redemption for the Replacement Fund for bonds of this series provided for in the supplemental indenture dated as of September 21, 2012, providing for this series, or upon application of moneys arising from a taking of any of the mortgaged property by eminent domain or similar action, at any time or from time to time prior

 

A-4

 

to maturity, at 100% of their principal amount, in each case together with accrued interest up to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption.

 

Redemption is in every case to be effected at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, upon at least thirty, but not more than sixty, days’ prior notice, given by mail as more fully provided in the Indenture.

 

If this bond or any portion hereof ($2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) is called for redemption and payment is duly provided, this bond or such portion thereof shall cease to bear interest from and after the date fixed for such redemption.

 

This bond is transferable, as provided in the Indenture, by the registered owner hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, upon surrender and cancellation of this bond, and thereupon a new bond of the same series and of like aggregate principal amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange herefor as provided in the Indenture; or the registered owner of this bond, at his option, may surrender the same for cancellation at said office or agency of the Company and receive in exchange herefor the same aggregate principal amount of bonds of the same series of authorized denominations; all subject to the terms of the Indenture but without payment of any charges other than a sum sufficient to reimburse the Company for any stamp taxes or other governmental charges incident thereto.

 

This bond is a company obligation only and no recourse whatsoever, either directly or through the Company or any trustee, receiver, assignee or any other person, shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on this bond, or for the enforcement of any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect hereof or of the Indenture, against any promoter, subscriber to the capital stock, incorporator, or any past, present or future stockholder, member, officer or director of the Company as such, or of any successor or predecessor corporation or entity, whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment, penalty, subscription or otherwise, any and all such liability of promoters, subscribers, incorporators, stockholders, members, officers and directors being waived and released by each successive holder hereof by the acceptance of this bond, and as a part of the consideration for the issue hereof, and being likewise waived and released by the terms of the Indenture.

 

[END OF BOND FORM]

 

A-5

 

ABBREVIATIONS

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this instrument, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

	
TEN COM—as tenants in common
    	
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT-
    	
 
    	
Custodian
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
(Cust)
    	
 
    	
(Minor)
    

 

TEN ENT —as tenants by the entireties

 

	
JT   TEN—as joint tenants with rights of
    	
 
    	
 
    	
under Uniform Gifts to
    
	
survivorship   and not as tenants in common
    	
 
    	
Minors Act
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
(State)
    

 

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not on the above list.

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s) and transfer(s) unto (please insert Social Security or other identifying number of assignee)

 

PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE OF ASSIGNEE

 

the within bond and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing

 

agent to transfer said bond on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
NOTICE:   The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written   upon the face of the within instrument in every particular without alteration   or enlargement, or any change whatever.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Signature   Guarantee:
    	
 
    
						

 

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Trustee, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Trustee in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A-7Exhibit 4.2

 

 

 

THE RYLAND GROUP, INC.,

 

as Issuer,

 

THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN

 

and

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

(as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. f/k/a Chemical Bank),

 

as Trustee

 

 

EIGHTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

 

TO INDENTURE

 

DATED AS OF JUNE 28, 1996

 

 

Relating To

 

5.375% Senior Notes Due 2022

 

 

EIGHTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

EIGHTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of September 21, 2012 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), to the Indenture (defined below) among The Ryland Group, Inc. (the “Company”), a Maryland corporation, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors named herein (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. f/k/a Chemical Bank), as trustee (the “Trustee”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of June 28, 1996 (the “Base Indenture”), providing for the issuance from time to time of its notes and other evidences of senior debt securities, to be issued in one or more series as therein provided (“Securities”);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Base Indenture, the Company desires to provide for the establishment of a new series of its Securities to be known as its 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”), the form and substance of such Notes and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the Base Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture (together, the “Indenture”);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantors will fully and unconditionally guarantee the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture, on a senior and unsubordinated basis (the “Subsidiary Guarantees”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture and all requirements necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument in accordance with its terms, and to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, the valid obligations of the Company, and to make the Subsidiary Guarantees, when executed by the Subsidiary Guarantors and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, the valid obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors, and all acts and things necessary have been done and performed to make this Supplemental Indenture enforceable in accordance with its terms, and the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized in all respects.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises contained herein, each party agrees for the benefit of each other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes, as follows:

 

ARTICLE ONE

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01.               Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Supplemental Indenture shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Base Indenture.

 

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Section 1.02.               References in this Supplemental Indenture to article and section numbers shall be deemed to be references to article and section numbers of this Supplemental Indenture unless otherwise specified.

 

Section 1.03.               For purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them as follows:

 

“Attributable Debt” means, in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, the present value (discounted at the weighted average effective interest cost per annum of the outstanding debt securities of all series, compounded semiannually) of the obligation of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such transaction, including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended or, if earlier, until the earliest date on which the lessee may terminate such lease upon payment of a penalty (in which case the obligation of the lessee for rental payments shall include such penalty), after excluding all amounts required to be paid on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water and utility rates and similar charges.

 

“Base Indenture” has the meaning provided in the recitals.

 

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning provided in Section 2.03.

 

“Capitalized Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the amount of such obligations will be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

“Change of Control Offer” has the meaning provided in Section 3.05.

 

“Change of Control Payment” has the meaning provided in Section 3.05.

 

“Change of Control Payment Date” has the meaning provided in Section 3.05.

 

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the total amount of assets which would be included on a combined balance sheet of the Restricted Subsidiaries (not including the Company) together with the total amount of assets that would be included on the Company’s balance sheet, not including its subsidiaries, under generally accepted accounting principles (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting therefrom:

 

(1)                              all short-term liabilities, except for liabilities payable by their terms more than one year from the date of determination (or renewable or extendible at the option of the obligor for a period ending more than one year after such date) and liabilities in respect of retiree benefits other than pensions for which the Restricted Subsidiaries are required to accrue pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification Topic 715;

 

(2)                              investments in subsidiaries that are not Restricted Subsidiaries; and

 

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(3)                              all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount, unamortized expense incurred in the issuance of debt and other tangible assets.

 

“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning provided in Article Eight.

 

“Depositary” has the meaning provided in Section 2.03.

 

“Exchange Act” has the meaning provided in Section 3.05.

 

“Financial Services Segment” means the business segment of the Company and its Subsidiaries engaged in mortgage banking (including mortgage origination, loan servicing, mortgage brokerage and title and escrow businesses), master servicing and related activities, including, without limitation, a Subsidiary which facilitates the financing of mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities and the securitization of mortgage-backed bonds and other related activities, which segment currently consists principally of the activities of Ryland Mortgage Company and its Subsidiaries but excludes the Limited Purpose Subsidiaries.

 

“Financial Services Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary engaged in mortgage banking (including mortgage origination, loan servicing, mortgage brokerage and title and escrow businesses), master servicing and related activities, including, without limitation, a Subsidiary which facilitates the financing of mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities and the securitization of mortgage-backed bonds and other related activities.

 

“Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning provided in Section 6.01.

 

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Security Registrar’s books.

 

“Homebuilding Segment” means the business segment of the Company and its Subsidiaries engaged in the construction and sale of single-family attached and unattached dwellings and related activities, including all activities of the Company outside the Financial Services Segment but excluding the Limited-Purpose Subsidiaries.

 

“Homebuilding Subsidiaries” means Subsidiaries of the Company included within the Homebuilding Segment.

 

“Indebtedness” means (1) any liability of any person (A) for borrowed money, or (B) evidenced by a bond, note, debenture or similar instrument (including a purchase money obligation) given in connection with the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind (other than a trade payable or a current liability arising in the ordinary course of business), or (C) for the payment of money relating to a Capitalized Lease Obligation or (D) for all Redeemable Capital Stock valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; (2) any liability of others described in the preceding clause (1) that such person has guaranteed or that is otherwise its legal liability; (3) all Indebtedness referred to in (but not excluded from) clauses (1) and (2) above of other persons and all dividends of other persons, the payment of which is secured by (or for which the holder

 

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of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Security Interest upon or in property (including, without limitation, accounts and contract rights) owned by such person, even though such person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness; and (4) any amendment, supplement, modification, deferral, renewal, extension or refunding or any liability of the types referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above.

 

“Indenture” has the meaning provided in the recitals.

 

“Interest Payment Date” has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.

 

“Issue Date” means September 21, 2012.

 

“Legal Defeasance” has the meaning provided in Article Eight.

 

“Limited-Purpose Subsidiaries” means subsidiaries of the Company included within the Limited-Purpose Subsidiaries Segment.

 

“Limited-Purpose Subsidiaries Segment” means the business segment of the Company and its Subsidiaries which facilitates, through special-purpose entities created or existing solely for such purpose, the financing of mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities and the securitization of mortgage loans and other related activities.

 

“Maximum Liability” has the meaning provided in Section 6.08.

 

“Non-Paying Guarantor” has the meaning provided in Section 6.08.

 

“Non-Recourse Indebtedness” means the Company’s or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries’ Indebtedness or other obligations secured by a lien on property to the extent that the liability for the Indebtedness or other obligations is limited to the security of the property without liability for any deficiency, including liability by reason of any agreement between the Company or any Subsidiary to provide additional capital or maintain the financial condition of or otherwise support the credit of the Subsidiary incurring the Indebtedness.

 

“Non-Recourse Land Financing” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for which the holder of such Indebtedness has no recourse, directly or indirectly, to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary for the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Indebtedness, and for which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is not, directly or indirectly, obligated or otherwise liable for the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Indebtedness, except pursuant to mortgages, deeds of trust or other Security Interests or other recourse obligations or liabilities in respect of specific land or other real property interests of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that recourse obligations or liabilities of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary solely for indemnities, covenants or breach of any warranty, representation or covenant in respect of any Indebtedness will not prevent Indebtedness from being classified as Non-Recourse Land Financing.

 

“Notes” has the meaning provided in the recitals.

 

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“Paying Guarantor” has the meaning provided in Section 6.08.

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision hereof or any other entity.

 

“Pro Rata Share” has the meaning provided in Section 6.08.

 

“Redeemable Capital Stock” means any capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary that, either by its terms, by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or exchangeable or otherwise, (1) is or upon the happening of an event or passage of time would be required to be redeemed on or prior to the final stated maturity of the securities or (2) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof at any time prior to such final stated maturity or (3) is convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities at any time prior to such final stated maturity.

 

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Financial Services Subsidiary.

 

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means a sale or transfer made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (except a sale or transfer made to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) of any property which is either (1) a manufacturing facility, office building or warehouse whose book value equals or exceeds 1% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the date of determination or (2) another property (not including a model home) which exceeds 5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the date of determination, if such sale or transfer is made with the agreement, commitment or intention of leasing such property to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

“Secured Debt” means any Indebtedness which is secured by (1) a Security Interest in any of the Company’s property or the property of any Restricted Subsidiary or (2) a Security Interest in shares of stock owned directly or indirectly by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in a corporation or in equity interests owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in a partnership or other entity not organized as a corporation or in the Company’s rights or the rights of a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness of a corporation, partnership or other entity in which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary has an equity interest; provided that “Secured Debt” shall not include Non-Recourse Land Financing that consists exclusively of “land under development,” “land held for future development” or “improved lots and parcels,” as such categories of assets are determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The securing in the foregoing manner of any such Indebtedness which immediately prior thereto was not Secured Debt shall be deemed to be the creation of Secured Debt at the time security is given.

 

“Securities” has the meaning provided in the recitals.

 

“Security Interest” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or other security interest which secures the payment or performance of an obligation.

 

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“Senior Indebtedness” means the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on (including interest accruing after the occurrence of an Event of Default or after the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding pursuant to any bankruptcy law whether or not such interest is an allowable claim in any such proceeding) and other amounts due on or in connection with any of the Company’s Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date hereof or hereafter created, incurred or assumed, unless, in the case of any particular Indebtedness, the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding expressly provides that such Indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to the debt securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Senior Indebtedness” shall not include (1) the Company’s Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to any of the Company’s Senior Indebtedness, (2) the Company’s Indebtedness that by operation of law is subordinate to any of the Company’s general unsecured obligations, (3) the Company’s Indebtedness to any Subsidiary, (4) Indebtedness incurred in violation of the restrictions set forth in Sections 3.01 and 3.02, (5) to the extent it might constitute Indebtedness, any liability for federal, state or local taxes or other taxes, owed or owing by the Company, and (6) to the extent it might constitute Indebtedness, trade account payables owed or owing by the Company.

 

“Subsidiary” means any corporation of which at the time of determination by the Company, directly and/or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries, owns more than 50% of the shares of Voting Stock.

 

“Subsidiary Guarantees” has the meaning provided in the recitals.

 

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means (a) each direct and indirect Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company that is a Homebuilding Subsidiary in existence on the date of the Indenture and (b) any Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired by the Company after the date of this Supplemental Indenture, subject, in the case of either (a) or (b), to the terms of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

“Supplemental Indenture” has the meaning provided in the preamble.

 

“Voting Stock” means any class or classes of capital stock pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of any person (irrespective of whether or not, at the time, stock of any other class or classes shall have, or might have, voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

 

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of a Person means (i) any Subsidiary all of the outstanding voting securities of which shall at the time be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, any such Person or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person, or by such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person, or (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or similar business organization all of the ownership interests (having ordinary voting power) of which shall at the time be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, any such Person or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person, or by such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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ARTICLE TWO

 

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES

 

Section 2.01.               Designation and Principal Amount.

 

The Notes are hereby authorized and are designated the 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022, unlimited in aggregate principal amount.  The Notes issued on the date hereof pursuant to the terms of this Indenture will be in an aggregate principal amount of $250,000,000, which amount shall be set forth in a written order of the Company for the authentication and delivery of the Notes pursuant to Section 303 of the Base Indenture.  In addition, the Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders, reopen the Indenture and issue additional Notes under the Indenture with the same terms (other than the date of issuance and, in some cases, the date from which interest will initially accrue) as the Notes issued on the Issue Date in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that if any such additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes issued on the Issue Date for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number. The Notes issued on the Issue Date and any such additional Notes would be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture and would vote together as one class on all matters with respect to the Notes.

 

Section 2.02.               Maturity.

 

The principal amount of the Notes will be payable on October 1, 2022.

 

Section 2.03.               Form and Payment.

 

The Notes will be issued as global notes, in fully registered book-entry form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.

 

Principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, on the global notes representing the Notes will be made to The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”).

 

The global notes representing the Notes will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary and will be registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary.  No global note may be transferred except as a whole by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or such nominee to a successor of the Depositary or a nominee of such successor.

 

So long as the Depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of a global note, the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be the sole Holder of the Notes represented thereby for all purposes under the Indenture.  Except as otherwise provided herein, each actual purchaser of each Note represented by a global note (“Beneficial Owner”) will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Notes and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose under the Indenture, and no global note representing the Notes shall be exchangeable or transferable.  Accordingly, each Beneficial Owner must rely on the procedures of the Depositary and, if such Beneficial Owner is not a participant, on the procedures of the

 

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participant through which such Beneficial Owner owns its interest in order to exercise any rights of a Holder under such global note or the Indenture.

 

The global notes representing the Notes will be exchangeable for certificated Notes of like tenor and terms and of differing authorized denominations aggregating a like principal amount, only if (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the global debt securities, (ii) the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a successor to the Depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, (iii) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the global notes shall be exchangeable for certificated Notes and notifies the Trustee in writing of such determination or (iv) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default under the Indenture with respect to the Notes.  Upon any such exchange, the certificated Notes shall be registered in the names of the Beneficial Owners of the global notes representing the Notes, which names shall be provided by the Depositary’s relevant participants (as identified by the Depositary) to the Trustee.  In such event the Company will execute, and subject to Section 303 of the Base Indenture, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate evidencing such determination by the Company, will authenticate and deliver the Notes in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the global notes in exchange for such global notes.  Upon the exchange of the global notes for such Notes in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, the global notes shall be cancelled by the Trustee.  Such Notes in definitive registered form issued in exchange for the global notes shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee in writing.  The Trustee shall deliver such Notes to the Depositary for delivery to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered.

 

Section 2.04.               Interest.

 

The Notes shall bear interest at a rate equal to 5.375% per year.  Interest on the Notes shall accrue from September 21, 2012, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided upon for the Notes, as the case may be.  Interest on the Notes shall be payable semiannually in arrears on April 1 and October 1, commencing April 1, 2013 (each an “Interest Payment Date”), to the persons in whose names the Notes are registered at the close of business on March 15 and September 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, preceding such Interest Payment Date.

 

ARTICLE THREE

 

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

 

Section 3.01.               Restrictions on Secured Debt.

 

The Company will not, and will not cause or permit a Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or guarantee any Secured Debt unless the Notes will be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Secured Debt, with certain exceptions. This restriction does not prohibit the creation, incurrence, assumption or guarantee of Secured Debt that is secured by:

 

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(i)                                Security Interests on model homes, homes held for sale, homes that are under contract for sale, contracts for the sale of homes, land (improved or unimproved), manufacturing plants, warehouses or office buildings and fixtures and equipment located thereat, or thereon;

 

(ii)                           Security Interests on property at the time of its acquisition by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, which Security Interests secure obligations assumed by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or on the property of a corporation or other entity at the time it is merged into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Secured Debt created in contemplation of the acquisition of such property or the consummation of such a merger or where the Security Interest attaches to or affects the Company’s property or the property of a Restricted Subsidiary prior to such transaction);

 

(iii)                        Security Interests arising from conditional sales agreements or title retention agreements with respect to property acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

(iv)                       Security Interests securing Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary by the Company.

 

Additionally, such permitted Secured Debt includes any amendment, restatement, supplement, renewal, replacement, extension, refinancing or refunding, in whole or in part, of Secured Debt permitted at the time of the original incurrence thereof.

 

The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may create, incur, assume or guarantee Secured Debt, without equally or ratably securing the Notes, if immediately thereafter the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Secured Debt outstanding (excluding Secured Debt permitted under clauses (i) through (iv) above and any Secured Debt in relation to which the Notes have been secured equally and ratably (or prior to)) and (ii) all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions (excluding Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions satisfying the conditions set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 3.02 as of the date of determination would not exceed 20% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

The provisions described above with respect to limitations on Secured Debt are not applicable to Non-Recourse Land Financing by virtue of the definition of Secured Debt, and will not restrict or limit the Company’s or its Restricted Subsidiaries’ ability to create, incur, assume or guarantee any unsecured Indebtedness, or the ability of any subsidiary which is not a Restricted Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or guarantee any secured or unsecured Indebtedness.

 

Section 3.02.               Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, unless:

 

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(i)                                   notice is promptly given to the Trustee in writing of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction;

 

(ii)                              fair value is received by the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary for the property sold (as determined in good faith pursuant to a resolution of the board of directors of the Company delivered to the Trustee); and

 

(iii)                        the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, within 365 days after the completion of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction, apply an amount equal to the net proceeds therefrom either:

 

(x)                            to the redemption, repayment or retirement of debt securities of any series under the Indenture (including the cancellation by the Trustee of any debt securities of any series delivered by the Company to the Trustee) or Senior Indebtedness of the Company, or

 

(y)                            to the purchase by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of property substantially similar to the property sold or transferred.

 

The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction if immediately thereafter the sum of (1) the aggregate principal amount of all Secured Debt outstanding (excluding Secured Debt permitted under clauses (i) through (iv) of Section 3.01 or Secured Debt in relation to which the Notes have been secured equally and ratably (or prior to)) and (2) all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions (excluding Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions satisfying the conditions set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) in the preceding paragraph) as of the date of determination would not exceed 20% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

Section 3.03.               Future Subsidiaries.

 

The Company shall promptly secure the execution and delivery to the Trustee of a Subsidiary Guarantee in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto with respect to the Notes, from each Subsidiary whether now existing or formed and organized after the date hereof, if such Subsidiary (a) is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company, (b) is included in the Homebuilding Segment and (c) guarantees any indebtedness of the Company, or guarantees obligations of any other Subsidiary as a guarantor of any indebtedness of the Company; provided that a Subsidiary whose sole purpose is to serve as a joint venturer, partner, member or shareholder in a joint venture, partnership, limited liability company or corporation that include one or more joint venturers, partners, members or shareholders that are not Affiliates of the Company shall not be required to deliver a Subsidiary Guarantee.  Each such Subsidiary that does not deliver a Subsidiary Guarantee on the date hereof shall execute and deliver a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with Section 6.02 within 30 days after it meets the criteria set forth in the preceding sentence and the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in the Base Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been 

 

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complied with.  Thereafter, such Subsidiary shall (unless released in accordance with the terms hereof) be a Subsidiary Guarantor for all purposes hereof with respect to the Notes.

 

Section 3.04.               Homebuilding Subsidiaries.

 

The Company shall not cause or permit the voting securities or other ownership interests of any Homebuilding Subsidiary to be less than 100% owned and controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company except for a legitimate business purpose unrelated to whether such Subsidiary is required to be a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder.

 

Section 3.05.               Change of Control Offer.

 

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined herein), unless the Company has exercised its option to redeem the Notes by notifying the noteholders to that effect as provided in Article Five hereof, the Company shall make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or integral multiples of that amount) of such Holder’s Notes on the terms set forth in the Notes. In a Change of Control Offer, the Company shall offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to the date of repurchase (a “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control (as defined herein), but after public announcement of the transaction that constitutes or may constitute such Change of Control, a notice will be mailed to Holders of the Notes, describing the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the Notes on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date that notice is mailed, other than as may be required by law (a “Change of Control Payment Date”). The notice shall, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on the Change of Control Triggering Event occurring on or prior to the applicable Change of Control Payment Date.

 

On each Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:

 

(i)                                 accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

(ii)                            deposit with the Trustee, as paying agent, an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

 

(iii)                        deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being repurchased and that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture to the Change of Control Offer and to the repurchase by the Company of Notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer have been complied with.

 

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The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company and the third party repurchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.

 

The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Offer provisions of the Notes, the Company shall comply with those securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached the Company’s obligations under the Change of Control Offer provisions of the Notes by virtue of any such conflict.

 

For purposes of this Section 3.05, the following terms shall be applicable:

 

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets and the assets of its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person, other than the Company or one of its subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any person becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Company’s outstanding Voting Stock or other Voting Stock into which the Company’s Voting Stock is reclassified, consolidated, exchanged or changed, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; (3) the Company consolidates with, or merge with or into, any person, or any person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the Company’s outstanding Voting Stock or the Voting Stock of such other person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the shares of the Company’s Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving person or any direct or indirect parent company of the surviving person immediately after giving effect to such transaction; (4) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Company’s board of directors are not Continuing Directors (as defined herein); or (5) the adoption of a plan relating to the Company’s liquidation or dissolution.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction (or series of related transactions) will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control under clause (2) above if the Company becomes a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company and (a) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of the Company’s Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction or (b) the shares of the Company’s Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted into or exchanged for a majority of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately after giving effect to such transaction.

 

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The term “person,” as used in this definition, has the meaning given thereto in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

 

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Event (as defined herein).

 

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Company’s board of directors who (1) was a member of the Company’s board of directors on the date the Notes were initially issued or (2) was nominated for election, elected or appointed to the Company’s board of directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of the Company’s board of directors at the time of the nomination, election or appointment (either by a specific vote or by approval of the Company’s proxy statement in which that member was named as a nominee for election as a director, without objection to the nomination).

 

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s, BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any replacement rating agency or rating agencies selected by the Company.

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

 

“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P; and (2) if either of Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the applicable Notes or fails to make a rating of the applicable Notes publicly available for reasons beyond the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of the Company’s board of directors) as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or all of them, as the case may be.

 

“Rating Event” means the rating on the Notes is lowered by each of the Rating Agencies and the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies, in any case on any day during the period (which period will be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies) commencing 60 days prior to the earlier of (i) the first public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or (ii) the first public notice of the Company’s intention to effect a Change of Control and ending 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control.

 

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.

 

“Voting Stock” means, with respect to any specified “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) as of any date, the capital stock of that person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors of that person.

 

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ARTICLE FOUR

 

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS

 

The Company will not consolidate or merge into or sell, assign, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets to another person unless:

 

(i)                                the Person is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof;

 

(ii)                           the Person assumes by supplemental indenture all the obligations of the Company relating to the Notes; and

 

(iii)                        immediately after the transaction no event of default with respect to the Notes exists.

 

Upon any such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment or transfer, the successor corporation will be substituted for the Company under the Indenture. The successor corporation may then exercise every power and right of the Company under the Indenture, and the Company will be released from all of the Company’s liabilities and obligations in respect of the Notes and the Indenture. If the Company leases all or substantially all of its assets, the lessee corporation will be the successor to the Company and may exercise every power and right of the Company under the Indenture, but the Company will not be released from its obligations to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Notes.

 

ARTICLE FIVE

 

REDEMPTION OF THE NOTES

 

Section 5.01.               Optional Redemption.

 

The Company may, at its option, redeem the Notes in whole at any time or in part from time to time, on at least 30 but not more than 60 days’ prior notice, at a Redemption Price equal to the greater of:

 

(i)                                100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, and

 

(ii)                          the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments on the Notes being redeemed, discounted to the Redemption Date, on a semiannual basis, at the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points (0.50%).

 

The Company shall also pay accrued interest on the Notes being redeemed to the Redemption Date.  In determining the Redemption Price and accrued interest, interest will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

 

If money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of and accrued interest on the Notes to be redeemed is deposited with the Trustee on or before the Redemption Date, on and after the 

 

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Redemption Date interest will cease to accrue on the Notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption and such Notes will cease to be Outstanding.

 

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, the Trustee will select the Notes to be redeemed by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate.  The Trustee may select for redemption Notes and portions of the Notes in amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000, although no note of $2,000 in original principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part.

 

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Reference Treasury Dealer as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Notes.

 

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations are provided to the Trustee, the average of all such quotations.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and their respective successors; provided, however, that, if the foregoing ceases to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in the United States (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), the Company will substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation” means, with respect to the Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by the Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

 

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to any Note, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal (or of the portion) thereof to be redeemed and interest thereon that would be due after the related Redemption Date but for such redemption; provided, however, that, if such Redemption Date is not an Interest Payment Date with respect to such Note, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such Redemption Date.

 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

 

Section 5.02.               No Sinking Fund.

 

The Notes are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

 

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ARTICLE SIX

 

GUARANTEE OF NOTES

 

Section 6.01.               Guarantee.

 

Subject to Section 6.08, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby jointly and severally, absolutely and unconditionally guarantees, as primary obligor and not as surety, the full and punctual payment (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or early termination or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, at the time and place and in the manner provided for herein and in the Base Indenture) and performance of the Notes and all other amounts due from the Company under this Indenture to each Holder and to the Trustee (collectively with respect to each series of Notes, the “Guaranteed Obligations”).  Upon failure by the Company to pay punctually any such amount, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors agrees that it shall forthwith on demand pay to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, the amount not so paid at the place and in the manner specified herein and in the Base Indenture.  This Article Six is a continuing guaranty of payment and not of collection.  Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors waives any right to require any of the Holders to sue the Company, any other guarantor, or any other Person obligated for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, or otherwise to enforce its payment against any collateral securing all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

Section 6.02.               Execution and Delivery of Guarantee.

 

To further evidence the Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in Section 6.01, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees to execute and deliver to the Trustee a Subsidiary Guarantee in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto with respect to the Notes.  Such Subsidiary Guarantee shall be executed on behalf of each Subsidiary Guarantor by either manual or facsimile signature of an officer of each Subsidiary Guarantor, each of whom, in each case, shall have been duly authorized to so execute by all requisite corporate or equivalent organizational action.  The validity and enforceability of any Subsidiary Guarantee shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any Note or Notes.

 

Section 6.03.               Guarantee Unconditional.

 

Subject to Section 6.08, the obligations of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereunder shall be unconditional and absolute and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall not be released, discharged or otherwise affected by: (1) any extension, renewal, settlement, compromise, waiver or release in respect of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, by operation of law or otherwise, or any obligation of any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the payment or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations; (2) any modification or amendment of or supplement hereto or to the Indenture; (3)  any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of the Company or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting the Company, or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, or its assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of the Company or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (4) the existence of any claim, setoff or other rights which the Subsidiary Guarantors may have at any time against the 

 

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Company or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether in connection herewith or any unrelated transactions; (5) any invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against the Company, or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, for any reason related hereto or to the Indenture or any provision of applicable law or regulation purporting to prohibit the payment by the Company, or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, of the principal of or interest on any Note or any other amount payable by the Company hereunder or under the Indenture; (6) any law, regulation or order of any jurisdiction, or any other event affecting any term of any Guaranteed Obligation or any Holder’s rights with respect thereto; or (7) any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind by the Company, any other Subsidiary Guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other circumstance whatsoever which might, but for the provisions of this paragraph, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of any Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder.

 

Section 6.04.               Discharge, Release and Reinstatement of Guarantee In Certain Circumstances.

 

(1)        Subject to Sections 6.04(2) and (3), each of the Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder with respect to the Notes shall remain in full force and effect until all Guaranteed Obligations with respect to the Notes shall have been indefeasibly paid in full.  If at any time any payment of the principal of or interest on any Note or any other amount payable by the Company or any other party hereunder or under the Indenture is rescinded or must be otherwise restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise, each of the Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder with respect to such payment shall be reinstated as though such payment had been due but not made at such time.

 

(2)        In the event a Subsidiary Guarantor is sold or disposed of (whether by merger, consolidation, the sale of its capital stock or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets (other than by lease)) and whether or not the Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving corporation in such transaction to a Person which is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, such Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from its obligations under its guarantee if:

 

(i)                                   the sale or other disposition is in compliance with the Indenture; and

 

(ii)                                all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under any agreements relating to any other Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries terminate upon consummation of such transaction.

 

(3)        In the event that any Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the Homebuilding Segment, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released and discharged from all obligations under this Article Six without any further action required on the part of the Trustee or any Holder; provided that at the time of and immediately after such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the Homebuilding Segment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to any series of Notes.

 

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The Trustee shall, at the sole cost and expense of the Company and upon receipt an Opinion of Counsel that the provisions of Sections 6.04(2) or (3) have been complied with, deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing such release upon receipt of a request by the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate certifying as to the compliance with Sections 6.04(2) or (3).  Any Subsidiary Guarantor not so released remains liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and the other obligations of the Company hereunder as provided in this Article Six.

 

Section 6.05.               Waivers.

 

Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against the Company, any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other Person.

 

Section 6.06.               Subordination; Subrogation.

 

Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby subordinates to the Guaranteed Obligations all Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Company or of any other Subsidiary Guarantor to such Subsidiary Guarantor.  Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby further agrees not to assert any right, claim or cause of action, including, without limitation, a claim for subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification or otherwise, against the Company arising out of or by reason of this Article Six or the obligations hereunder, including, without limitation, the payment or securing or purchasing of any of the Guaranteed Obligations by any of the Subsidiary Guarantors unless and until the Guaranteed Obligations are indefeasibly paid in full.

 

Section 6.07.               Stay of Acceleration.

 

If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms hereof or the Indenture shall nonetheless be payable by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereunder forthwith on demand by the Holders.

 

Section 6.08.               Limitation on Obligations.

 

(1)        The provisions of this Article Six are severable, and in any action or proceeding involving any state corporate law, or any state, federal or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally, if the obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Article Six would otherwise be held or determined to be avoidable, invalid or unenforceable on account of the amount of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s liability under this Article Six, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Article Six to the contrary, the amount of such liability shall, without any further action by the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Holders, be automatically limited and reduced to the highest amount that is valid and enforceable as determined in such action or proceeding (such highest amount determined hereunder being the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor’s “Maximum Liability”).  This Section 6.08(1) with respect to the Maximum Liability of the Subsidiary Guarantors is intended solely to preserve the rights of the Holders to the maximum extent not subject to avoidance under 

 

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applicable law, and neither the Subsidiary Guarantor nor any other person or entity shall have any right or claim under this Section 6.08(1) with respect to the Maximum Liability, except to the extent necessary so that the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereunder shall not be rendered voidable under applicable law.

 

(2)        Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the Maximum Liability of each Subsidiary Guarantor, and may exceed the aggregate Maximum Liability of all other Subsidiary Guarantors, without impairing this Article Six or affecting the rights and remedies of the Holders hereunder.  Nothing in this Section 6.08(2) shall be construed to increase any Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder beyond its Maximum Liability.

 

(3)        In the event any Subsidiary Guarantor (a “Paying Guarantor”) shall make any payment or payments under this Article Six or shall suffer any loss as a result of any realization upon any collateral granted by it to secure its obligations under this Article Six, each other Subsidiary Guarantor (each a “Non-Paying Guarantor”) shall contribute to such Paying Guarantor an amount equal to such Non-Paying Guarantor’s “Pro Rata Share” of such payment or payments made, or losses suffered, by such Paying Guarantor.  For the purposes hereof, each Non-Paying Guarantor’s “Pro Rata Share” with respect to any such payment or loss by a Paying Guarantor shall be determined as of the date on which such payment or loss was made by reference to the ratio of (i) such Non-Paying Guarantor’s Maximum Liability as of such date (without giving effect to any right to receive, or obligation to make, any contribution hereunder) or, if such Non-Paying Guarantor’s Maximum Liability has not been determined, the aggregate amount of all monies received by such Non-Paying Guarantor from the Company after the date hereof (whether by loan, capital infusion or by other means) to (ii) the aggregate Maximum Liability of all Subsidiary Guarantors hereunder (including such Paying Guarantor) as of such date (without giving effect to any right to receive, or obligation to make, any contribution hereunder), or to the extent that a Maximum Liability has not been determined for any Subsidiary Guarantors, the aggregate amount of all monies received by such Subsidiary Guarantors from the Company after the date hereof (whether by loan, capital infusion or by other means).  Nothing in this Section 6.08(3) shall affect any Subsidiary Guarantor’s several liability for the entire amount of the Guaranteed Obligations (up to such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Maximum Liability).  Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors covenants and agrees that its right to receive any contribution under this Article Six from a Non-Paying Guarantor shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all the Guaranteed Obligations.  The provisions of this Section 6.08(3) are for the benefit of both the Holders and the Subsidiary Guarantors and may be enforced by any one, or more, or all of them in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Section 6.09.               Default and Enforcement.

 

If any Subsidiary Guarantor fails to pay in accordance with Section 6.01, the Trustee may proceed in its name as trustee hereunder in the enforcement of the guarantee of any such Subsidiary Guarantor and such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations thereunder and hereunder by any remedy provided by law, whether by legal proceedings or otherwise, and to recover from such Subsidiary Guarantor the obligations.

 

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Section 6.10.               Amendment, Etc.

 

No amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Supplemental Indenture relating to any Subsidiary Guarantor or consent to any departure by any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person from any such provision will in any event be effective unless it is signed by such Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee.

 

Section 6.11.               Acknowledgment.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby acknowledges communication of the terms of this Supplemental Indenture, the Base Indenture and the Notes and consents to and approves of the same.

 

Section 6.12.               Costs and Expenses.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor shall pay on demand by the Trustee any and all costs, fees and expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees and disbursements) incurred by the Trustee, its agents, advisors and counsel or any of the Holders in enforcing any of their rights under any Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Section 6.13.               No Merger or Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.

 

No Subsidiary Guarantee shall operate by way of merger of any of the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under any other agreement, including, without limitation, this Supplemental Indenture.  No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Trustee or the Holders, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the Indenture or the Notes, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the Indenture or the Notes preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges in the Subsidiary Guarantee and under this Supplemental Indenture, the Notes and any other document or instrument between a Subsidiary Guarantor and/or the Company and the Trustee are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

Section 6.14.               Guarantee in Addition to Other Obligations.

 

The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee and this Supplemental Indenture are in addition to and not in substitution for any other obligations to the Trustee or to any of the Holders in relation to this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes and any guarantees or security at any time held by or for the benefit of any of them.

 

Section 6.15.               Severability.

 

Any provision of this Article Six which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate the remaining provisions and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction 

 

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unless its removal would substantially defeat the basic intent, spirit and purpose of this Supplemental Indenture and this Article Six.

 

Section 6.16.               Successors and Assigns.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantee shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee and the other Holders and their respective successors and permitted assigns, except that no Subsidiary Guarantor may assign any of its obligations hereunder or thereunder.

 

Section 6.17.               Acknowledgement under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor acknowledges that, by virtue of its Subsidiary Guarantee, it is becoming an “obligor” on indenture securities under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

In addition to the Events of Default set out in Section 501 of the Base Indenture, the Notes shall also be subject to the following Events of Default:

 

(i)                               the occurrence of any event that results in the acceleration of any of the Company’s or its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Indebtedness, other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness, that has an outstanding principal amount of $10 million or more in the aggregate; and

 

(ii)                            a default in the payment of any principal or interest in respect of any of the Company’s or its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Indebtedness, other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness, that has an outstanding principal amount of $20 million or more and the continuation of that default for ten Business Days from the date the principal or interest payment became due and payable, after giving effect to any applicable grace period provided for in the documents governing the indebtedness.

 

ARTICLE EIGHT

 

DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE

 

In addition to the defeasance and discharge provisions set out in Section 403 of the Base Indenture, the following defeasance provision shall apply to the Notes:

 

The Company may, at its option and at any time (including the exercise by the Company of a Covenant Defeasance (as defined herein)), elect to have its obligations discharged with respect to the Notes (“Legal Defeasance”).  In the event of a Legal Defeasance with respect to the Notes, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all outstanding Notes and the provisions of this Indenture as it relates to such Outstanding Notes (except to (A) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Notes to receive from the trust funds 

 

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described in subparagraph (i) below, payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such Notes on the Stated Maturity of such principal of (and premiums, if any) or interest or any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to the Notes on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and of such Notes, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and 1003 of the Base Indenture, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee under the Indenture, including without limitation Section 607 of the Base Indenture and (D) Article Four of the Base Indenture, which in each case shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder) shall no longer be in effect, and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, upon Company Request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same, provided that the conditions set out below have been satisfied.

 

In addition, the Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have the obligations of the Company with respect to the Notes be released with respect to covenants provided with respect to the Notes under Sections 301(14) or 901(2) of the Base Indenture (“Covenant Defeasance”), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, upon Company Request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same, provided that the conditions set out below have been satisfied.  In the event of Covenant Defeasance, those events described under Section 501 of the Base Indenture and Article Seven of this Supplemental Indenture will no longer constitute an Event of Default.

 

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

 

(i)         the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another corporate trustee appointed by the Company satisfying the requirements of Section 609 of the Base Indenture who shall have agreed to comply with the provisions of Article Four of the Base Indenture applicable to it), irrevocably (irrespective of whether the conditions in Subsections (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) below have been satisfied, but subject to the provisions of Section 402(c) and the last paragraph of Section 1003 of the Base Indenture), as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, with reference to this provision, (A) moneys in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations the scheduled principal of and interest on which in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than the due date of any payment moneys in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the case of (B) or (C) in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or such other corporate trustee, as the case may be) to pay and discharge, at maturity or upon redemption, the principal of, any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to Notes (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be;

 

(ii)        the conditions in Subsections (2), (3) and (5) of Section 403 of the Base Indenture have been satisfied;

 

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(iii)       in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of the Base Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(iv)       in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the Holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(v)        the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with;

 

(vi)       if such Notes are to be redeemed prior to final maturity (other than from mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments), notice of such redemption shall have been duly given pursuant to the Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made; and

 

(vii)      if such deposit is to be made with a trustee, other than the Trustee, pursuant to subparagraph (i) above, such other trustee shall have delivered to the Trustee a certificate satisfactory in form to the Trustee stating that such deposit has been made in accordance with the provisions of Article Four of the Base Indenture  and that such other trustee agrees to comply with the provisions of Article Four of the Base Indenture  and the last paragraph of Section 1003 applicable to it, and the Trustee shall be fully protected in relying upon such certificate.

 

In the event that any other trustee is appointed by the Company pursuant to Subsection (i) above, the Trustee shall have no responsibility with respect to the performance by such other trustee of its duties or with respect to any monies or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with such other trustee.

 

Additionally, all references in the Indenture to Section 403 shall, vis-à-vis the Notes, be deemed to include amounts set aside as provided herein for a Legal Defeasance or a Covenant Defeasance.

 

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ARTICLE NINE

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.01.               Form of Notes.

 

The Notes and the Trustee’s Certificates of Authentication to be endorsed thereon are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit B, which form is hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Supplemental Indenture, and the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.

 

Section 9.02.               Ratification of Base Indenture.

 

The Base Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed part of the Base Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.

 

Section 9.03.               Trust Indenture Act Controls.

 

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section 310 through 317 of the Trust Indenture Act, the imposed duties shall control.

 

Section 9.04.               Conflict with Indenture.

 

To the extent not expressly amended or modified by this Supplemental Indenture, the Base Indenture shall remain in full force and effect.  If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture relating to the Notes is inconsistent with any provision of the Base Indenture, the provision of this Supplemental Indenture shall control.

 

Section 9.05.               Governing Law.

 

THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  The Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, and of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, in any action or proceeding to enforce any of their obligations under this Supplemental Indenture, and agrees not to seek a transfer of any such action or proceeding on the basis of inconvenience of the forum or otherwise (but neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be prevented from removing any such action or proceeding from a state court to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York).  The Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors agree that process in any such action or proceeding may be served upon it by 

 

24

 

registered mail or in any other manner permitted by the rules of the court in which the action or proceeding is brought.

 

Section 9.06.               Successors.

 

All agreements of the Company in the Base Indenture, this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors.  All agreements of the Subsidiary Guarantors in this Supplemental Indenture and in the Subsidiary Guarantee shall bind their successors.  All agreements of the Trustee in the Base Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

Section 9.07.               Counterparts.

 

This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

Section 9.08.  Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

Section 9.09. Force Majeure.

 

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.  In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

Section 9.10.  Notices.

 

Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, notice to registered Holders shall be given to the addresses as they appear in the Security Register. Notices shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such mailing or electronic delivery. Whenever a notice is required to be given by the Company, such notice may be given by the Trustee on the Company’s behalf (and the Company will make any notice it is required to give to Holders available on its website).

 

25

 

Section 9.11  No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Shareholders.

 

 No director, officer, employee, incorporator or shareholder of the Company will have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes, the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

26

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Supplemental Indenture have caused it to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

	
 
    	
THE RYLAND   GROUP, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
  /s/ Gordon   A. Milne
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Gordon A. Milne
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   Executive Vice President and
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Chief   Financial Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
THE BANK OF NEW YORK   MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
  /s/ Teresa   Petta
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Teresa Petta
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Vice President
    

 

27

 

GUARANTORS:

 

MOORE’S ORCHARD, LLC (1)

RH BUILDERS OF INDIANA, INC. (2)

RH INVESTMENT OF INDIANA, INC. (2)

RH OF INDIANA, L.P. (3)

RH OF TEXAS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (4)

RYLAND COMMUNITIES, INC. (2)

RYLAND HOMES INVESTMENT-TEXAS, INC. (2)

RYLAND HOMES NEVADA, LLC (5)

RYLAND HOMES OF TEXAS, INC. (2)

RYLAND HOMES OF ARIZONA, INC. (2)

RYLAND HOMES OF CALIFORNIA, INC. (2)

RYLAND ORGANIZATION COMPANY (2)

RYLAND VENTURES III, INC. (2)

THE REGENCY ORGANIZATION, INC. (2)

THE RYLAND CORPORATION (2)

 

28

 

	
(1)
    	
By:
    	
Ryland Ventures   III, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Its: General Manager
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
  /s/ Timothy   J. Geckle
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Timothy J. Geckle
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Secretary
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
(2)
    	
By:
    	
  /s/ Timothy   J. Geckle
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Timothy J. Geckle
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Secretary
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
(3)
    	
By:
    	
RH Builders of   Indiana, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Its: General Partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
  /s/ Timothy   J. Geckle
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Timothy J. Geckle
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Secretary
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
(4)
    	
By:
    	
Ryland Homes of   Texas, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Its: General Partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
  /s/ Timothy   J. Geckle
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Timothy J. Geckle
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Secretary
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
(5)
    	
By:
    	
The Ryland   Group, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Its: Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
  /s/ Timothy   J. Geckle
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Timothy J. Geckle
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Secretary
    
						

 

29

 

EXHIBIT A

 

GUARANTEE

 

For value received, each of the undersigned hereby fully and unconditionally guarantees, on a senior and unsubordinated basis, as principal obligor and not only as a surety, to the Holders of the 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”) issued pursuant to the indenture dated as of June 28, 1996 (the “Base Indenture”) by and between The Ryland Group, Inc. (the “Company”) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. f/k/a Chemical Bank), as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 21, 2012, among the Company, the Guarantors named therein and the Trustee, as amended or supplemented (the “Supplemental Indenture”), cash payments in United States Dollars of any amounts due with respect to the Notes in the amounts and at the times when due and interest on all overdue amounts, if lawful, and the payment or performance of all other obligations of the Company under the Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture or the Notes, to the Holders of Notes and the Trustee, all in accordance with and subject to the terms and limitations of the Notes, the Indenture, the Supplemental Indenture and this Guarantee.  This Guarantee will become effective in accordance with Article Six of the Supplemental Indenture and its terms shall be evidenced therein.  The validity and enforceability of any Guarantee shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular Note.

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Eighth Supplemental Indenture or the Base Indenture, as the case may be.

 

The obligations of each of the undersigned to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to this Guarantee are expressly set forth in Article Six of the Supplemental Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Supplemental Indenture for the precise terms of the provisions of the Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture to which this Guarantee relates.

 

THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  Each of the Guarantors submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, and of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, in any action or proceeding to enforce any of their obligations under this Guarantee, and agree not to seek a transfer of any such action or proceeding on the basis of inconvenience of the forum or otherwise (but the Guarantors shall not be prevented from removing any such action or proceeding from a state court to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York).  Each of the Guarantors agree that process in any such action or proceeding may be served upon it by registered mail or in any other manner permitted by the rules of the court in which the action or proceeding is brought.

 

This Guarantee is subject to release upon the terms set forth in the Supplemental Indenture.

 

A-1

 

The undersigned acknowledges that this Guarantee is subject to the Trust Indenture Act and the undersigned agrees to discharge its duties under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

A-2

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Guarantor has caused this Guarantee to be duly executed.

 

Dated:  September 21, 2012

 

 

GUARANTORS:

 

MOORE’S ORCHARD, LLC (1)

RH BUILDERS OF INDIANA, INC. (2)

RH INVESTMENT OF INDIANA, INC. (2)

RH OF INDIANA, L.P. (3)

RH OF TEXAS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (4)

RYLAND COMMUNITIES, INC. (2)

RYLAND HOMES INVESTMENT-TEXAS, INC. (2)

RYLAND HOMES NEVADA, LLC (5)

RYLAND HOMES OF TEXAS, INC. (2)

RYLAND HOMES OF ARIZONA, INC. (2)

RYLAND HOMES OF CALIFORNIA, INC. (2)

RYLAND ORGANIZATION COMPANY (2)

RYLAND VENTURES III, INC. (2)

THE REGENCY ORGANIZATION, INC. (2)

THE RYLAND CORPORATION (2)

 

A-3

 

	
(1)
    	
By:
    	
Ryland Ventures   III, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Its: General Manager
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Timothy J. Geckle
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Secretary
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
(2)
    	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Timothy J. Geckle
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Secretary
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
(3)
    	
By:
    	
RH Builders of   Indiana, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Its: General Partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Timothy J. Geckle
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Secretary
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
(4)
    	
By:
    	
Ryland Homes of   Texas, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Its: General Partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Timothy J. Geckle
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Secretary
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
(5)
    	
By:
    	
The Ryland   Group, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Its: Sole Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Timothy J. Geckle
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Secretary
    
						

 

A-4

 

EXHIBIT B

 

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY.  THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND 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 ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR TO THE DEPOSITARY OR BY ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.

 

UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY 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 IN AS MUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

THE RYLAND GROUP, INC.

 

5.375%  Senior Notes due 2022

 

CUSIP  783764AR4 
 ISIN    US783764AR48

 

	
No. R-1
    	
$250,000,000
    

 

THE RYLAND GROUP, INC., a Maryland corporation (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Dollars on October 1, 2022, at the office or agency of the Company referred to below, and to pay interest thereon, accruing from September 21, 2012, on April 1, 2013 and semi-annually thereafter on April 1 and October 1 in each year, at the rate of 5.375% per annum until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment.  The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be March 15 or September 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.  Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of the Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

 

B-1

 

Payment of the principal of, and interest on, this Security will be made at the office appointed by the Company in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by the Person entitled thereto.

 

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

B-2

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.

 

	
Dated:  September 21,   2012
    	
 
    	
THE RYLAND   GROUP, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Gordon A. Milne
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Executive Vice   President and
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Chief Financial Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Attest:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Timothy J. Geckle
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Secretary
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

 

 

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. f/k/a Chemical Bank), as Trustee

 

	
By:        
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Authorized   Officer      
    	
 
    	
 
    
				

 

B-3

 

REVERSE OF SECURITY

 

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of June 28, 1996 (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. f/k/a as Chemical Bank), as Trustee, herein called the “Trustee” (which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.  The terms of this Security include the covenants and terms established by the Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 21, 2012, among the Company, the Guarantors named therein and the Trustee, pursuant to the authority granted under the Indenture (such terms and covenants shall be referred to herein collectively with the terms and covenants set out in the Indenture that are applicable to the Securities of this series as the “Indenture Terms”).  Defined terms used herein that are not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given such terms in the Indenture Terms.  This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, in an aggregate principal amount of $250,000,000.  The Company may subsequently issue additional securities as part of this series of Securities under the Indenture.

 

The Company may, at its option, redeem the Securities in whole at any time or in part from time to time, on at least 30 but not more than 60 days’ prior notice, at a Redemption Price equal to the greater of (A) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities being redeemed and (B) the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments (as defined below) on the Securities being redeemed, discounted to the Redemption Date, on a semiannual basis, at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 50 basis points (0.50%).

 

The Company will also pay accrued interest on the Securities being redeemed to the Redemption Date.  In determining the Redemption Price and accrued interest, interest will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

 

If money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of and accrued interest on the Securities to be redeemed is deposited with the Trustee on or before the Redemption Date, on and after the Redemption Date interest will cease to accrue on the Securities (or such portions thereof) called for redemption and such Securities will cease to be Outstanding.

 

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Reference Treasury Dealer as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Securities to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Securities.

 

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations are provided to the Trustee, the average of all such quotations.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Citigroup Capital Markets and their respective successors; provided, however, that, if the foregoing ceases to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in the United States (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), the Company will substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer.

 

B-4

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to the Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by the Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

 

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to any Security, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal (or of the portion) thereof to be redeemed and interest thereon that would be due after the related Redemption Date but for such redemption; provided, however, that, if such Redemption Date is not an Interest Payment Date with respect to such Security, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such Redemption Date.

 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

 

The Indenture Terms contain provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire Indebtedness of this Security upon compliance with certain conditions set forth therein.

 

Upon a Change of Control Triggering Event, and subject to certain conditions set forth in the Indenture Terms, the Company will be required to offer to purchase all of the outstanding Securities at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of repurchase.

 

The following constitute Events of Default:  default for a period of 30 days in payment of any interest on any Security when due; default in payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on, any Security when due; default in performance of any other covenant in the Indenture with respect to the Securities or in the Securities which continues for 60 days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this series; the occurrence of any event that results in the acceleration of any of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Indebtedness, other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness, of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, that has an Outstanding principal amount of $10,000,000 or more in the aggregate; default in the payment of any principal or interest in respect of any Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness, that has an Outstanding principal amount of $20,000,000 or more and the continuation of such default for ten Business Days from the date such principal or interest payment became due and payable, after giving effect to any applicable grace period set forth in the documents governing such Indebtedness; and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization as provided in the Indenture Terms.  If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of this series may declare the principal of all of the Securities of this series to be due and payable immediately.  Holders of Securities may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except as provided in the Indenture.  The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the Indenture or the Securities.  Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of this series may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee with respect to such Securities.  The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Securities of this series notice of any continuing default (except a default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interests.  The Company must furnish an annual compliance certificate to the Trustee.

 

B-5

 

The Supplemental Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding.  Without the consent of any Holder of Securities, the Indenture or the Securities may be amended to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of Securities in any material respect.  The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such consent or waiver by the Holders of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

 

No reference herein to the Indenture Terms and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, places and rates, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

 

As provided in the Indenture Terms and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency appointed by the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

 

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000.00 and integral multiples of $1,000.00 in excess of $2,000.00.  As provided in the Indenture Terms and subject to certain limitations set forth therein, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

 

No service charge shall be made for any such 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.

 

A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture Terms or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder of Securities of this series by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities of this series.

 

Prior to due presentment of this Security 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 Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security is overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

B-6

 

No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on this Security, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture Terms or any indenture supplemental thereto, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released.

 

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.), the Trustee under the Indenture, or any banking institution serving as successor Trustee thereunder, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates as if it were not Trustee.

 

The Company will furnish to any Holder of the Securities of this series upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture.  Requests may be made to: The Ryland Group, Inc., 3011 Townsgate Road, Suite 200, Westlake Village, California 91361-3027, Attention: Treasurer.

 

B-7

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