Document:

EX-4.3

 Exhibit 4.3 

[CIVISTA BANCSHARES, INC. LETTERHEAD] 

March 15, 2022 
 Securities and Exchange Commission 

100 F Street, NE 
 Washington, DC 20549 

Re: Civista Bancshares, Inc. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 

Ladies and Gentlemen: 
 Civista Bancshares, Inc., an Ohio
corporation (“CBI”), is today filing an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (the Form 10-K), as executed on
March 15, 2022. 
 Pursuant to the instructions relating to the Exhibits in Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation
S-K, CBI hereby agrees to furnish the Commission, upon request, copies of instruments and agreements defining the rights of holders of its long-term debt and of the long-term debt of its consolidated
subsidiaries, which are not being filed as exhibits to the Form 10-K. None of such long-term debt exceeds 10% of the total assets of CBI and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. 

Very truly yours, 
 /s/ Dennis G. Shaffer 

Dennis G. Shaffer 
 President and Chief Executive Officerex_345296.htm

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED

 

Below is a summary description of the following three securities of Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (“Atlanticus”) that are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”): (i) common stock, no par value per share (the “common stock”), (ii) 7.625% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) and (iii) 6.125% senior notes due 2026 (the “Notes”).

 

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

 

General

 

Atlanticus is incorporated in the State of Georgia. The rights of shareholders of Atlanticus are generally governed by Georgia law and Atlanticus’ Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the “Articles of Incorporation”), and Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”).

 

The following summary highlights selected information regarding Atlanticus’ common stock. It may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. This summary is qualified by reference to Georgia law, including the Georgia Business Corporation Code (the “GBCC”), and the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, each of which is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an exhibit to Atlanticus’ Annual Report on Form 10-K. You should read our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and the applicable provisions of the GBCC for additional information.

 

Capitalization

 

The authorized capital stock of Atlanticus consists of 150,000,000 shares of common stock, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share (the “preferred stock”).

 

Common Stock

 

Voting Rights. Holders of Atlanticus common stock are entitled to one vote per share, and, in general, a majority of issued and outstanding shares of Atlanticus common stock is sufficient to authorize action upon all matters submitted for a vote. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the annual meeting of the shareholders, and shareholders of Atlanticus do not have the right to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. This means that the holders of a majority of the votes represented by the common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election.

 

Dividends. The holders of outstanding shares of Atlanticus common stock are entitled to receive dividends and other distributions legally available therefor in amounts as the Atlanticus Board of Directors may determine from time to time, subject to preferential dividend rights of any outstanding preferred stock, including the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock. All shares of Atlanticus common stock are entitled to participate ratably with respect to dividends or other distributions.

 

Preemptive Rights. Holders of Atlanticus common stock do not have any preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights and are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

 

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Liquidation. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Atlanticus, the holders of Atlanticus common stock are entitled to receive, after payment or provision for payment of all its debts and liabilities, all of the assets of Atlanticus available for distribution, subject to the prior rights of preferred stock, including the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock, outstanding.

 

Shareholder Action by Written Consent. Any action which may be taken at a meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a written approval and consent, setting forth the action authorized, shall be signed by persons who would be entitled to vote at a meeting shares having voting power to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shareholders entitled to vote were present and voted.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for Atlanticus common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Co.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Series A Convertible Preferred Stock

 

On December 27, 2019, Atlanticus issued 400,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock”). The Articles of Amendment Establishing Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A Articles of Amendment”) establishes the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions and limitations relating to the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. Below is a summary of the terms of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.

 

Liquidation Preference. The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock ranks (i) senior in liquidation to all existing and future classes of common stock and (ii) pari passu or senior to all existing and future classes of preferred stock. The per share liquidation preference of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is $100.

 

Dividends. The holders of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, out of funds legally available therefor, dividends at the rate of 6.0% per year, cumulative, non-compounding, on the liquidation preference of $100 per share. The dividends on the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock are payable in preference and priority to any payment of any cash dividend on common stock.

 

Redemption. The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is perpetual and has no maturity date. Atlanticus may, at its option, redeem the shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock on or after January 1, 2025 at a redemption price equal to $100 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends. At the request of a majority of the holders of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, Atlanticus will offer to redeem all of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock at a redemption price equal to $100 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends, at the option of the holders thereof, on or after January 1, 2024.

 

Conversion. Upon the election by the holders of a majority of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, each share of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into the number of shares of Atlanticus common stock as is determined by dividing (i) the sum of (a) $100 and (b) any accumulated and unpaid dividends on such share by (ii) an initial conversion price equal to $10 per share, subject to certain adjustment in certain circumstances to prevent dilution.

 

Anti-Dilution Rights. If Atlanticus issues shares of common stock or securities convertible or exercisable for common stock, subject to certain exceptions, for consideration per share less than the applicable conversion price of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock in effect immediately prior to such issuance, the conversion price of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock will be reduced pursuant to a weighted average formula provided in the Series A Articles of Amendment.

 

Voting Rights. Except for approval of adverse changes to the terms of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, approval of sale of all or substantially all of Atlanticus’ assets, and triggering redemption or conversion of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, the holders of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock have no voting rights except as required by law.

 

The terms of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock are more fully described in the Series A Articles of Amendment. A copy of the Series A Articles of Amendment is included as Exhibit 3.1 to Atlanticus’ Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 30, 2019.

 

Series B Preferred Stock

 

For a description of the Series B Preferred Stock, see “Description of Series B Preferred Stock” below.

 

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Additional Authorized Preferred Stock

 

Atlanticus is authorized to issue preferred stock in the future. Atlanticus’ Board of Directors is authorized to determine the following terms for each additional series of preferred stock:

 

	 	
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			the offering price at which Atlanticus will issue the preferred stock;

			

 

	 	
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			whether that series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive dividends;

			

 

	 	
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			the dividend rate (or method for determining the rate);

			

 

	 	
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			whether dividends on that series of preferred stock will be cumulative, noncumulative or partially cumulative;

			

 

	 	
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			the liquidation preference of that series of preferred stock, if any;

			

 

	 	
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			the conversion or exchange provisions applicable to that series of preferred stock, if any;

			

 

	 	
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			the redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to that series of preferred stock, if any;

			

 

	 	
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			the voting rights of that series of preferred stock, if any; and

			

 

	 	
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			the terms of any other preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions, if any, applicable to that series of preferred stock.

			

 

Purposes and Effects of Certain Provisions of Atlanticus’ Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

Atlanticus’ Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws contain certain provisions that could make the acquisition of Atlanticus more difficult by means of a tender or exchange offer, a proxy contest or otherwise.

 

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Special Meetings. Special meetings of shareholders may be called by shareholders only upon the written demand of holders of at least 25% of Atlanticus’ outstanding capital stock.

 

Preferred Stock. As discussed above, Atlanticus’ Board of Directors is authorized pursuant to Atlanticus’ Articles of Incorporation to establish one or more additional series of preferred stock without shareholder approval. The ability of Atlanticus’ Board of Directors to issue one or more series of preferred stock provides Atlanticus with flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other corporate needs which might arise. The authorized shares of preferred stock, as well as shares of common stock, will be available for issuance without further action by Atlanticus’ shareholders, unless that action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which Atlanticus’ securities may be listed or traded.

 

GBCC Anti-Takeover Provisions

 

The GBCC restricts certain business combinations with “interested shareholders” and contains fair price requirements applicable to certain mergers with “interested shareholders” that are summarized below. The restrictions imposed by these statutes do not apply to a corporation unless it elects to be governed by these statutes. Atlanticus has not elected to be covered by such restrictions but may do so in the future.

 

The Georgia business combination statute (the “Business Combination Statute”) regulates business combinations such as mergers, consolidations, share exchanges and asset purchases where the acquired business has at least 100 shareholders residing in Georgia and has its principal office in Georgia, and where the acquiror became an “interested shareholder” of the corporation, unless either (i) the transaction resulting in such acquiror becoming an “interested shareholder” or the business combination received the approval of the corporation’s board of directors prior to the date on which the acquiror became an “interested shareholder,” or (ii) the acquiror became the owner of at least 90% of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation (excluding shares held by directors, officers and affiliates of the corporation and shares held by certain other persons) in the same transaction in which the acquiror became an “interested shareholder.” For purposes of the Business Combination Statute, an “interested shareholder” generally is any person who directly or indirectly, alone or in concert with others, beneficially owns or controls 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation. The Business Combination Statute prohibits business combinations with an unapproved “interested shareholder” for a period of five years after the date on which such person became an “interested shareholder.” The Business Combination Statute is broad in its scope and is designed to inhibit unfriendly acquisitions.

 

The Georgia fair price statute (the “Fair Price Statute”) prohibits certain business combinations between a Georgia business corporation and an “interested shareholder” unless (i) certain “fair price” criteria are satisfied, (ii) the business combination is unanimously approved by the continuing directors, (iii) the business combination is recommended by at least two-thirds of the continuing directors and approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting shares, other than voting shares beneficially owned by the “interested shareholder,” or (iv) the “interested shareholder” has been such for at least three years and has not increased this ownership position in such three-year period by more than 1% in any twelve-month period. The Fair Price Statute is designed to inhibit unfriendly acquisitions that do not satisfy the specified “fair price” requirements.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK

 

The following summary highlights selected information regarding Atlanticus’ Series B Preferred Stock. It may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. This summary is qualified by reference to Georgia law, including the GBCC, and the Articles of Incorporation, including the Articles of Amendment Establishing the Series B Preferred Stock (the “Series B Articles of Amendment”), and Bylaws, each of which is filed with the SEC as an exhibit to Atlanticus’ Annual Report on Form 10-K. You should read our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and the applicable provisions of the GBCC for additional information. For a description of the common stock into which the Series B Preferred Stock is convertible, see “Description of Common Stock” above.

 

General

 

Atlanticus’ current authorized capital stock consists of 150,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share.

 

Our Board of Directors may fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of additional shares of preferred stock in one or more series and authorize their issuance. These rights, preferences and privileges could include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of such series. See “Description of Common Stock—Capitalization—Preferred Stock—Additional Authorized Preferred Stock” for additional information.

 

The Series B Articles of Amendment set forth the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock. A copy of the Series B Articles of Amendment is included as Exhibit 3.1 to Atlanticus’ Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 11, 2021.

 

The registrar, transfer agent and distributions disbursing agent for the Series B Preferred Stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

 

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Ranking

 

The Series B Preferred Stock rank, as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up:

 

(1)         Senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all other equity securities issued by us expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Stock;

 

(2)         On parity with any future class or series of our equity securities expressly designated as ranking on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock;

 

(3)         Junior to the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and any future equity securities issued by us with terms specifically providing that those equity securities rank senior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up; and

 

(4)         Effectively junior to all our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible into our common stock or preferred stock) and to the indebtedness and other liabilities of (as well as any preferred equity interests held by others in) our existing or future subsidiaries.

 

Dividends

 

Holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by our Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends in the amount of $1.90625 per share each year, which is equivalent to 7.625% of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share.

 

Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock accumulate and are cumulative from, and including, the date of original issue by us of the Series B Preferred Stock. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on or about the 15th day of March, June, September, and December; provided that if any dividend payment date is not a business day, as defined in the Series B Articles of Amendment, then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on that dividend payment date may be paid on the next succeeding business day and no interest, additional dividends or other sums will accumulate on the amounts so payable for the period from and after that dividend payment date to that next succeeding business day. We refer to each such date as a Dividend Payment Date.

 

Any dividend, including any dividend payable on the Series B Preferred Stock for any partial dividend period, is computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends are payable to holders of record of Series B Preferred Stock as they appear in the transfer agent’s records at the close of business on the applicable record date, which will be the date that our Board of Directors designates for the payment of a dividend that is not more than 30 nor less than 10 days prior to the Dividend Payment Date, which we refer to as a Dividend Payment Record Date.

 

Our Board of Directors will not authorize, pay or set apart for payment by us any dividend on the Series B Preferred Stock at any time that:

 

	 	
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			the terms and provisions of any of our agreements, including any agreement relating to our indebtedness, prohibits such authorization, payment or setting apart for payment;

			

 

	 	
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			the terms and provisions of any of our agreements, including any agreement relating to our indebtedness, provides that such authorization, payment or setting apart for payment thereof would constitute a breach of, or a default under, such agreement; or

			

 

	 	
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			the law restricts or prohibits the authorization or payment.

			

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock accumulate whether or not:

 

	 	
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			the terms and provisions of any of our agreements relating to our indebtedness prohibit such authorization, payment or setting apart for payment;

			

 

	 	
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			we have earnings;

			

 

	 	
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			there are funds legally available for the payment of the dividends; and

			

 

	 	
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			the dividends are authorized.

			

 

No interest, or sums in lieu of interest, are payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series B Preferred Stock, which may be in arrears, and holders of the Series B Preferred Stock are not entitled to any dividends in excess of the full cumulative dividends described above. Any dividend payment made on the Series B Preferred Stock shall first be credited against the earliest accumulated but unpaid dividends due with respect to those shares.

 

We will not pay or declare and set apart for payment any dividends (other than a dividend paid in common stock or other stock ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up) or declare or make any distribution of cash or other property on common stock or other stock that ranks junior to or on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up or redeem or otherwise acquire common stock or other stock that ranks junior to or on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up (except (i) by conversion into or exchange for common stock or other stock ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up and (ii) for a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock and any other stock that ranks on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up), unless we also have either paid or declared and set apart for payment full cumulative dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we do not either pay or declare and set apart for payment full cumulative dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock and all stock that ranks on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the amount which we have declared will be allocated pro rata to the holders of Series B Preferred Stock and to each equally ranked class or series of stock, so that the amount declared for each share of Series B Preferred Stock and for each share of each equally ranked class or series of stock is proportionate to the accrued and unpaid dividends on those shares. Any dividend payment made on the Series B Preferred Stock will first be credited against the earliest accrued and unpaid dividend.

 

Liquidation Preference

 

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid out of our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends to the date of payment (whether or not declared), before any distribution or payment may be made to holders of shares of common stock or any other class or series of our equity stock ranking, as to liquidation rights, junior to the Series B Preferred Stock.

 

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If, upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, our available assets are insufficient to pay the full amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of each other class or series of capital stock ranking, as to liquidation rights, on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock, then the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock and each such other class or series of capital stock ranking, as to liquidation rights, on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock will share ratably in any distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to written notice of any liquidation no fewer than 30 days and no more than 60 days prior to the payment date. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.

 

Our consolidation or merger with or into any other entity or the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of our property or business will not be deemed to constitute our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The Series B Preferred Stock rank senior to the common stock as to priority for receiving liquidating distributions and on a parity with any existing and future equity securities which, by their terms, rank on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock.

 

Optional Redemption

 

The Series B Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to June 11, 2026, except under the circumstances described below. On or after June 11, 2026, the Series B Preferred Stock may be redeemed at our option, in whole or in part, from time to time, at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus all dividends accumulated and unpaid (whether or not declared) on the Series B Preferred Stock up to, but not including, the date of such redemption, upon the giving of notice, as provided below.

 

If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the shares to be redeemed will be determined pro rata or by lot.

 

In the event we elect to redeem Series B Preferred Stock, notice of redemption will be mailed to each holder of record of Series B Preferred Stock called for redemption at such holder’s address as it appear on our stock transfer records, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. The notice will notify the holder of the election to redeem the shares and will state at least the following:

 

	 	
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			the date fixed for redemption thereof, which we refer to as the Redemption Date;

			

 

	 	
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			the redemption price;

			

 

	 	
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			the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed (and, if fewer than all the shares are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed from such holder);

			

 

	 	
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			the place(s) where holders may surrender certificates, if any, evidencing the Series B Preferred Stock for payment; and

			

 

	 	
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			that dividends on the shares of Series B Preferred Stock will cease to accumulate on the day prior to the Redemption Date.

			

 

On or after the Redemption Date, each holder of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed that holds a certificate other than through The Depository Trust Company book entry described below must present and surrender the certificates evidencing the shares of Series B Preferred Stock at the place designated in the notice of redemption and shall be entitled to the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid dividends payable upon the redemption following the surrender.

 

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From and after the Redemption Date (unless we default in payment of the redemption price):

 

	 	
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			all dividends on the shares designated for redemption in the notice will cease to accumulate;

			

 

	 	
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			all rights of the holders of the shares, except the right to receive the redemption price thereof (including all accumulated and unpaid dividends up to the date prior to the Redemption Date), will cease and terminate; and

			

 

	 	
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			the shares will not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever.

			

 

Unless full cumulative dividends on all shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been or contemporaneously is set apart for payment for all past dividend periods, no shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be redeemed unless all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock are simultaneously redeemed and we shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of Series B Preferred Stock (except by exchanging it for our capital stock ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition by us of shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

 

Special Optional Redemption

 

During any period of time (whether before or after June 11, 2026) that both (i) the Series B Preferred Stock are no longer listed on Nasdaq, the NYSE or the NYSE AMER, or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to Nasdaq, the NYSE or the NYSE AMER, and (ii) we are not subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, but any Series B Preferred Stock is still outstanding (which we refer to collectively as a “Delisting Event”), we may, at our option, redeem the Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part and within 90 days after the date of the Delisting Event, by paying $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of redemption.

 

In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (defined below), we may, at our option, redeem the Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part and within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, by paying $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of redemption (other than any dividend with a record date before the applicable redemption date and a payment date after the applicable redemption date, which will be paid on the payment date notwithstanding prior redemption of such shares).

 

If, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date (each as defined below), as applicable, we have provided or provide notice of redemption with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock (whether pursuant to our optional redemption right or our special optional redemption right described above), the holders of Series B Preferred Stock will not be permitted to exercise the conversion right described below under “—Conversion Rights” in respect of their shares called for redemption.

 

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We will mail to you, if you are a record holder of the Series B Preferred Stock, a notice of redemption, no fewer than 30 days nor more than 60 days before the redemption date. No failure to give the notice or any defect in the notice or in the mailing of the notice will affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any shares of our Series B Preferred Stock except as to a holder to whom notice was defective or not given. Each notice will state the following:

 

	 	
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			the redemption date;

			

 

	 	
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			the redemption price;

			

 

	 	
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			the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed;

			

 

	 	
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			the place(s) where holders may surrender certificates, if any, evidencing the Series B Preferred Stock for payment;

			

 

	 	
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			that the Series B Preferred Stock is being redeemed pursuant to our special optional redemption right in connection with the occurrence of a Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, and a brief description of the transaction or transactions or circumstances constituting such Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable;

			

 

	 	
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			that the holders will not be able to convert such shares of Series B Preferred Stock to which the notice relates in connection with the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, and each share of Series B Preferred Stock tendered for conversion that is selected, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, for redemption will be redeemed on the related date of redemption instead of converted on the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable; and

			

 

	 	
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			that dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on the day prior to the redemption date.

			

 

A “Change of Control” is when, after the original issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock, the following have occurred and are continuing:

 

	 	
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			the acquisition by any person (including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of shares of Atlanticus entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all shares of Atlanticus entitled to vote generally in elections of directors (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition), provided that with respect to David G. Hanna, Frank J. Hanna, III, their respective spouses or entities controlled by them, their respective spouses or established for the benefit of them, their descendants, their spouses or charities, or Atlanticus’ employee benefit plans, references to 50% of the total voting power of all shares of Atlanticus entitled to vote generally in elections of directors shall be deemed references to 80%; and

			

 

	 	
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			immediately following the closing of any transaction referred to in the bullet point above, neither we nor any acquiring or surviving entity (or if, in connection with such transaction shares of our common stock are converted into or exchanged for (in whole or in part) common equity securities of another entity, such other entity) has a class of common securities (or ADRs representing such securities) listed on Nasdaq, the NYSE or the NYSE AMER, or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to Nasdaq, the NYSE or the NYSE AMER.

			

 

If we redeem fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the notice of redemption mailed to each record holder of Series B Preferred Stock will also specify the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock that we will redeem from such record holder. In this case, we will determine the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed on a pro rata basis or by lot.

 

If we have given a notice of redemption and have irrevocably set aside sufficient funds for the redemption for the benefit of the holders of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date, those shares of Series B Preferred Stock will be treated as no longer being outstanding, no further dividends will accumulate on the Series B Preferred Stock and all other rights of the holders of those shares of Series B Preferred Stock will terminate. If any redemption date is not a business day, then the redemption price and accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any, payable upon redemption may be paid on the next business day and no interest, additional dividends or other sums will accumulate on the amount payable for the period from and after that redemption date to that next business day. The holders of those shares of Series B Preferred Stock will retain their right to receive the redemption price for their shares of Series B Preferred Stock (including any accumulated and unpaid dividends to but excluding the redemption date).

 

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The holders of Series B Preferred Stock at the close of business on a dividend record date will be entitled to receive the dividend payable with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock on the corresponding payment date notwithstanding the redemption of the Series B Preferred Stock between such record date and the corresponding payment date or our default in the payment of the dividend due. Except as provided above, we will make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed.

 

Unless full cumulative dividends on all shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been or contemporaneously is set apart for payment for all past dividend periods, no shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be redeemed unless all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock are simultaneously redeemed and we shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of Series B Preferred Stock (except by exchanging it for our capital stock ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition by us of shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

 

Conversion Rights

 

Upon the occurrence of a Delisting Event or a Change of Control, as applicable, each holder of Series B Preferred Stock will have the right (unless, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, we have provided or provide notice of our election to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock as described above under “—Optional Redemption” or “—Special Optional Redemption”) to convert some or all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such holder (the “Delisting Event Conversion Right” or “Change of Control Conversion Right,” as applicable) on the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, into a number of shares of our common stock (or equivalent value of alternative consideration) per share of Series B Preferred Stock, or the “Common Stock Conversion Consideration,” equal to the lesser of:

 

	 	
			●

				
			the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference plus the amount of any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable (unless the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, is after a record date for a Series B Preferred Stock dividend payment and prior to the corresponding Series B Preferred Stock dividend payment date, in which case no additional amount for such accumulated and then remaining unpaid dividend will be included in this sum) by (2) the Common Stock Price (such quotient, the “Conversion Rate”); and

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			1.29702 (i.e., the Share Cap), subject to certain adjustments described below.

			

 

The Share Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any share splits (including those effected pursuant to a distribution of shares of our common stock to existing holders of common stock), subdivisions or combinations (in each case, a “Share Split”) with respect to our common stock as follows: the adjusted Share Cap as the result of a Share Split will be the number of shares of our common stock that is equivalent to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the Share Cap in effect immediately prior to such Share Split by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of our common stock outstanding after giving effect to such Share Split and the denominator of which is the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such Share Split.

 

In the case of a Delisting Event or Change of Control pursuant to, or in connection with, which our common stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets (including any combination thereof) (the “Alternative Form Consideration”), a holder of Series B Preferred Stock will receive upon conversion of such Series B Preferred Stock the kind and amount of Alternative Form Consideration which such holder would have owned or been entitled to receive upon the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, had such holder held a number of shares of our common stock equal to the Common Stock Conversion Consideration immediately prior to the effective time of the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable (the “Alternative Conversion Consideration,” and the Common Stock Conversion Consideration or the Alternative Conversion Consideration, as may be applicable to a Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, is referred to as the “Conversion Consideration”).

 

10

 

 

If the holders of our common stock have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in the Delisting Event or Change of Control, the Conversion Consideration that the holders of Series B Preferred Stock will receive will be the form and proportion of the aggregate consideration elected by the holders of our common stock who participate in the determination (based on the weighted average of elections) and will be subject to any limitations to which all holders of our common stock are subject, including, without limitation, pro rata reductions applicable to any portion of the consideration payable in, or in connection with, the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable.

 

We will not issue fractional shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock. In the event that the conversion would result in the issuance of fractional shares of common stock, we will pay the holders of Series B Preferred Stock the cash value of such fractional shares in lieu of such fractional shares.

 

Within 15 days following the occurrence of a Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, we will provide to holders of Series B Preferred Stock a notice of occurrence of the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, that describes the resulting Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable. This notice will state the following:

 

	 	
			●

				
			the events constituting the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the date of the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the last date on which the holders of Series B Preferred Stock may exercise their Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the method and period for calculating the Common Stock Price;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			that if, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, we have provided or provide notice of our election to redeem all or any portion of the Series B Preferred Stock, holders will not be able to convert the Series B Preferred Stock and such shares will be redeemed on the related redemption date, even if such shares have already been tendered for conversion pursuant to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			if applicable, the type and amount of Conversion Consideration entitled to be received per share of Series B Preferred Stock;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the name and address of the paying agent and the conversion agent;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the procedures that the holders of Series B Preferred Stock must follow to exercise the Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable; and

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the last date on which holders of Series B Preferred Stock may withdraw shares surrendered for conversion and the procedures that such holders must follow to effect such a withdrawal.

			

 

We will issue a press release for publication on the Dow Jones & Company, Inc., Business Wire, PR Newswire or Bloomberg Business News (or, if these organizations are not in existence at the time of issuance of the press release, such other news or press organization as is reasonably calculated to broadly disseminate the relevant information to the public), or post notice on our website, in any event prior to the opening of business on the first business day following any date on which we provide the notice described above to the holders of Series B Preferred Stock.

 

11

 

 

To exercise the Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, each holder of Series B Preferred Stock will be required to deliver, on or before the close of business on the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, the certificates, if any, evidencing the shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be converted, duly endorsed for transfer, together with a written conversion notice completed, to our transfer agent, or, in the case of shares of Series B Preferred Stock held in global form, comply with the applicable procedures of The Depository Trust Company. The conversion notice must state:

 

	 	
			●

				
			the “Delisting Event Conversion Date” or “Change of Control Conversion Date”, as applicable, which will be a business day fixed by our Board of Directors that is not fewer than 20 days nor more than 35 days after the date on which we provide the notice described above to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock; and

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be converted.

			

 

The “Common Stock Price” for any Change of Control will be: (1) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by the holders of our common stock is solely cash, the amount of cash consideration per share of common stock; and (2) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by holders of our common stock is other than solely cash (x) the average of the closing prices for our common stock on the principal U.S. securities exchange on which our common stock is then traded (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices per share or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices per share) for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the date on which such Change of Control occurred as reported on the principal U.S. securities exchange on which our common stock is then traded, or (y) the average of the last quoted bid prices for our common stock in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or similar organization for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the date on which such Change of Control occurred, if our common stock is not then listed for trading on a U.S. securities exchange.

 

The “Common Stock Price” for any Delisting Event will be the average of the closing price per share of our common stock on the 10 consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the effective date of the Delisting Event.

 

Holders of the Series B Preferred Stock may withdraw any notice of exercise of a Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable (in whole or in part), by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to our transfer agent prior to the close of business on the business day prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable. The notice of withdrawal must state:

 

	 	
			●

				
			the number of withdrawn shares of Series B Preferred Stock;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			if certificated shares of Series B Preferred Stock have been issued, the receipt or certificate numbers of the withdrawn shares of Series B Preferred Stock; and

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, if any, which remain subject to the conversion notice.

			

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the shares of Series B Preferred Stock are held in global form, the conversion notice and/or the notice of withdrawal, as applicable, must comply with applicable procedures of The Depository Trust Company.

 

Shares of Series B Preferred Stock as to which the Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, has been properly exercised and for which the conversion notice has not been properly withdrawn will be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration in accordance with the Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, on the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, unless prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, we have provided or provide notice of our election to redeem such shares of Series B Preferred Stock, whether pursuant to our optional redemption right or our special optional redemption right. If we elect to redeem shares of Series B Preferred Stock that would otherwise be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration on a Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, such shares of Series B Preferred Stock will not be so converted and the holders of such shares will be entitled to receive on the applicable redemption date $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to, but not including, the redemption date. See “—Optional Redemption” and “—Special Optional Redemption.”

 

12

 

 

We will deliver the applicable Conversion Consideration no later than the third business day following the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable.

 

In connection with the exercise of any Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, we will comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws and stock exchange rules in connection with any conversion of Series B Preferred Stock into our common stock.

 

The Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or discourage a party from acquiring us.

 

The Series B Preferred Stock are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities or property, except as provided above.

 

Limited Voting Rights

 

Except as described below, holders of Series B Preferred Stock generally have no voting rights. In any matter in which the Series B Preferred Stock may vote (as expressly provided herein, or as may be required by law), each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote.

 

If dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock are in arrears, whether or not declared, for six or more quarterly periods, whether or not these quarterly periods are consecutive, holders of Series B Preferred Stock and holders of all other classes or series of parity preferred stock with which the holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together as a single class, and are exercisable, voting together as a single class, will be entitled to vote, at a special meeting called by the holders of record of at least 10% of any series of preferred stock as to which dividends are so in arrears or at the next annual meeting of shareholders, for the election of two additional directors to serve on our Board of Directors until all dividend arrearages have been paid. If and when all accumulated dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods shall have been paid in full, holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be divested of the voting rights set forth above (subject to re-vesting in the event of each and every preferred dividend default) and, unless outstanding shares of parity preferred stock remain entitled to vote in the election of preferred stock directors, the term of office of such preferred stock directors so elected will terminate and the number of directors will be reduced accordingly.

 

In addition, so long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain outstanding, we will not, without the consent or the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock and each other class or series of parity preferred stock with which the holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together as a single class on such matter (voting together as a single class):

 

	 	
			●

				
			authorize, create or issue, or increase the number of authorized or issued number of shares of, any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or reclassify any of our authorized capital stock into any such shares, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares; or

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our Articles of Incorporation or the Series B Articles of Amendment, including the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock, whether by merger, consolidation, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of our assets or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series B Preferred Stock,

			

 

except that, with respect to the occurrence of any of the events described in the second bullet point immediately above, so long as the Series B Preferred Stock remains outstanding with the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock materially unchanged, taking into account that, upon the occurrence of an event described in the second bullet point above, we may not be the surviving entity and the surviving entity may not be a corporation, the occurrence of such event will not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series B Preferred Stock, and in such case such holders shall not have any voting rights with respect to the events described in the second bullet point immediately above. Furthermore, if holders of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock receive the greater of the full trading price of the Series B Preferred Stock on the date of an event described in the second bullet point immediately above or the $25.00 per share of the Series B Preferred Stock liquidation preference plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon pursuant to the occurrence of any of the events described in the second bullet point immediately above, then such holders shall not have any voting rights with respect to the events described in the second bullet point immediately above. If any event described in the second bullet point above would materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series B Preferred Stock disproportionately relative to any other class or series of parity preferred stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will also be required.

 

13

 

 

The following actions are not deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, powers or privileges of the Series B Preferred Stock:

 

	 	
			●

				
			any increase in the amount of our authorized common stock or preferred stock or the creation or issuance of equity securities of any class or series ranking, as to dividends or liquidation preference, on a parity with, or junior to, the Series B Preferred Stock; or

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the amendment, alteration or repeal or change of any provision of our Articles of Incorporation, including the Series B Articles of Amendment, as a result of a merger, consolidation, reorganization or other business combination, if the Series B Preferred Stock (or shares into which the Series B Preferred Stock have been converted in any successor entity to us) remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged.

			

 

No Maturity, Sinking Fund or Mandatory Redemption

 

The Series B Preferred Stock has no maturity date and we are not required to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock at any time. Accordingly, the Series B Preferred Stock will remain outstanding indefinitely, unless we decide, at our option, to exercise our redemption right or, under circumstances where the holders of Series B Preferred Stock have a conversion right, such holders convert the Series B Preferred Stock into our common stock. The Series B Preferred Stock is not subject to any sinking fund.

 

Listing

 

The Series B Preferred Stock is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “ATLCP.”

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

 

Atlanticus issued $150 million in aggregate principal amount of the Notes under an indenture dated as of November 22, 2021 (the “base indenture”) between Atlanticus and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee (the “trustee”), as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture (together with the base indenture, the “indenture”). Unless the context requires otherwise, all references to “we,” “us,” “our” and “Atlanticus” in this section refer solely to Atlanticus Holdings Corporation, the issuer of the Notes, and not to any of its subsidiaries.

 

The following is a summary of the material terms and provisions of the Notes. The statements below describing the Notes are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of the base indenture and the first supplemental indenture. Copies of the base indenture, the first supplemental indenture and the form of Notes are included as Exhibit 4.1, Exhibit 4.2 and Exhibit 4.3, respectively, to Atlanticus’ Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 22, 2021. You should read these documents in their entirety. In addition, the following summary is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), and to all of those terms made a part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act.

 

General 

 

The Notes:

 

	 	
			●

				
			are our general unsecured, senior obligations;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			are initially limited to an aggregate principal amount of $150 million;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			mature on November 30, 2026 unless earlier redeemed or repurchased, and 100% of the aggregate principal amount will be paid at maturity;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			bear cash interest from November 22, 2021 at an annual rate of 6.125%, payable quarterly in arrears on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 of each year, and at maturity;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			are redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, at any time, at the prices and on the terms described under “—Optional Redemption” below;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			are issued in denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			do not have a sinking fund;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “ATLCL”; and

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			are represented by two registered Notes in global form, but in certain limited circumstances may be represented by Notes in definitive form.

			

 

The indenture does not limit the amount of indebtedness that we or our subsidiaries may issue. The indenture does not contain any financial covenants and does not restrict us from paying dividends or issuing or repurchasing our other securities. Other than restrictions described under “—Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” below, the indenture does not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the Notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving us or in the event of a decline in our credit rating as the result of a takeover, recapitalization, highly leveraged transaction or similar restructuring involving us that could adversely affect such holders.

 

We may from time to time, without the consent of the existing holders, issue additional Notes having the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise (except the price to public, the issue date and, if applicable, the initial interest accrual date and the initial interest payment date) that may constitute a single fungible series with the Notes; provided that if any such additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes initially offered hereby for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional Notes will have one or more separate CUSIP numbers. For the avoidance of doubt, such additional Notes will still constitute a single series with all other Notes issued under the indenture for all purposes, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.

 

14

 

 

Ranking 

 

The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Atlanticus, and, upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, rank (i) senior to the outstanding shares of our common stock, (ii) senior to any of our future subordinated debt, (iii) pari passu (or equally) with our future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, (iv) effectively subordinated to any existing or future secured indebtedness (including indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security), to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and (v) structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness of our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities. The Notes are obligations solely of Atlanticus and are not guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries.

 

Interest

 

Interest on the Notes accrue at an annual rate equal to 6.125% from and including November 22, 2021 to, but excluding, the maturity date or earlier acceleration or redemption and are payable quarterly in arrears on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 of each year, and at maturity, to the holders of record at the close of business on the immediately preceding January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 (and November 15, 2026 immediately preceding the maturity date), as applicable (whether or not a business day).

 

The interest periods are the periods from and including an interest payment date to, but excluding, the next interest payment date or the stated maturity date, as the case may be. The amount of interest payable for any interest period, including interest payable for any partial interest period, is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. If an interest payment date falls on a non-business day, the applicable interest payment will be made on the next business day and no additional interest will accrue as a result of such delayed payment.

 

“Business day” means, for any place where the principal and interest on the Notes is payable, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day in which banking institutions in New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

Optional Redemption 

 

We may, at our option, redeem the Notes, in whole at any time or in part from time to time.

 

On or after November 30, 2023, we may redeem the Notes at a redemption price equal to the prices set forth below per $25.00 principal amount of Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes to, but excluding, the date of redemption:

 

	
			Period

				
			Amount

			
	
			On or after November 30, 2023, but prior to November 30, 2024

				
			$ 25.50

			
	
			On or after November 30, 2024, but prior to November 30, 2025

				
			$ 25.25

			
	
			On or after November 30, 2025

				
			$ 25.00

			

 

At any time prior to November 30, 2023, we may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

 

In each case, the redemption price is subject to the rights of holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

 

“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any redemption date prior to November 30, 2023, the greater of:

 

(1) 1.0% of the principal amount of the Note; and

 

(2) the excess of:

 

(a)         the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Note at November 30, 2023 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing above) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through November 30, 2023 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months), over

 

(b)         the principal amount of the Note.

 

“Treasury Rate” means, as of any redemption date, the yield to maturity as of the time of computation of U.S. Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to November 30, 2023; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to November 30, 2023, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used. Atlanticus will (a) calculate the Treasury Rate on the second business day preceding the applicable redemption date and (b) prior to such redemption date file with the trustee an officers’ certificate setting forth the Applicable Premium and the Treasury Rate and showing the calculation of each in reasonable detail.

 

15

 

 

In each case, redemption shall be upon notice not fewer than 10 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, except that redemption notices may be delivered more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a discharge of the indenture. Notices of redemption may be subject to satisfaction or waiver of one or more conditions precedent specified in the notice of redemption.

 

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the particular Notes to be redeemed will be selected not more than 45 days prior to the redemption date by the trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption, by lot, or in the trustee’s discretion, on a pro-rata basis, provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Notes will be in an authorized denomination (which will not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Notes. The trustee will promptly notify us in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Beneficial interests in any of the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption that are registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company or its nominee will be selected by The Depository Trust Company in accordance with The Depository Trust Company’s applicable procedures.

 

The trustee shall have no obligation to calculate any redemption price or any component thereof, and the trustee shall be entitled to receive and conclusively rely upon an officer’s certificate delivered by Atlanticus that specifies any redemption price.

 

Unless we default on the payment of the redemption price, on and after the date of redemption, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes called for redemption.

 

We may at any time, and from time to time, purchase Notes at any price or prices in the open market or otherwise.

 

Events of Default 

 

Holders of our Notes will have rights if an Event of Default occurs in respect of the Notes and is not cured, as described later in this subsection. The term “Event of Default” in respect of the Notes means any of the following:

 

	 	
			●

				
			we do not pay interest on any Note when due, and such default is not cured within 30 days;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			we do not pay the principal of the Notes when due and payable;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			we breach any covenant or warranty in the indenture with respect to the Notes and such breach continues for 60 days after we receive a written notice of such breach from the trustee or the holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of the Notes; and

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			certain specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur and remain undischarged or unstayed for a period of 90 days.

			

 

The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the Notes of any default, except in the payment of principal or interest, if the trustee in good faith determines the withholding of notice to be in the interest of the holders of the Notes.

 

Each year, we furnish to the trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the indenture and the Notes, or else specifying any default, its status and what actions we are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

 

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes may declare the entire principal amount of the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to us and, if notice is given by the holders of the Notes, the trustee. This is called an “acceleration of maturity.” If the Event of Default occurs in relation to our filing for bankruptcy or certain other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur, the principal amount of the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the trustee or the holders, become immediately due and payable.

 

16

 

 

At any time after a declaration of acceleration of the Notes has been made by the trustee or the holders of the Notes and before any judgment or decree for payment of money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority of the outstanding principal of the Notes, by written notice to us and the trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (i) we have paid or deposited with the trustee all amounts due and owed with respect to the Notes (other than principal that has become due solely by reason of such acceleration) and certain other amounts, and (ii) any other Events of Default have been cured or waived.

 

At our election, the sole remedy with respect to an Event of Default due to our failure to comply with certain reporting requirements under the Trust Indenture Act or under “—Covenants—Reporting” below, for the first 180 calendar days after the occurrence of such Event of Default, consists exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the Notes at an annual rate equal to (1) 0.25% for the first 90 calendar days after such default and (2) 0.50% for calendar days 91 through 180 after such default. On the 181st day after such Event of Default, if such violation is not cured or waived, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes may declare the principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes to be due and payable immediately. If we choose to pay such additional interest, we must notify the trustee and the holders of the Notes by certificate of our election at any time on or before the close of business on the first business day following the Event of Default and we shall deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate (upon which the trustee may rely conclusively) to that effect stating (i) the amount of such additional interest that is payable and (ii) the date on which such additional interest is payable. Unless and until the trustee receives such a certificate, the trustee may assume without inquiry that no such additional interest is payable and the trustee shall not have any duty to verify our calculations of additional interest.

 

Before a holder of the Notes is allowed to bypass the trustee and bring a lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce such holder’s rights relating to the Notes, the following must occur:

 

	 	
			●

				
			such holder must give the trustee written notice that the Event of Default has occurred and remains uncured;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the holders of at least 25% of the outstanding principal of the Notes must have made a written request to the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as trustee;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			such holder or holders must have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the trustee during such 60-day period by holders of a majority of the outstanding principal of the Notes.

			

 

No delay or omission in exercising any right or remedy will be treated as a waiver of that right, remedy or Event of Default.

 

Book-entry and other indirect holders of the Notes should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and how to declare or cancel an acceleration of maturity.

 

Waiver of Defaults. The holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes may on behalf of the holders of all Notes waive any past default with respect to the Notes other than (i) a default in the payment of principal or interest on the Notes when such payments are due and payable (other than by acceleration as described above), or (ii) in respect of a covenant that cannot per the terms of the indenture be modified or amended without the consent of each holder of Notes.

 

17

 

 

Covenants 

 

In addition to standard covenants relating to payment of principal and interest, maintaining an office where payments may be made or securities can be surrendered for payment, payment of taxes by us and related matters, the following covenants apply to the Notes.

 

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets. The indenture provides that we will not merge or consolidate with or into any other person (other than a merger of a wholly owned subsidiary into us), or sell, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all our property in any one transaction or series of related transactions unless:

 

	 	
			●

				
			we are the surviving entity or the entity (if other than us) formed by such merger or consolidation or to which such sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition is made will be a corporation or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the surviving entity (if other than us) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, executed and delivered to the trustee by such surviving entity, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, all the Notes outstanding, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of the indenture to be performed by us;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of related transactions, no default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			in the case of a merger where the surviving entity is other than us, we or such surviving entity will deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the trustee, an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such transaction and the supplemental indenture, if any, in respect thereto, comply with this covenant and that all conditions precedent in the indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with; provided that in giving an opinion of counsel, counsel may rely on an officers’ certificate as to any matters of fact, including as to the satisfaction of the preceding bullet.

			

 

The surviving entity (if other than us) will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, Atlanticus under the Notes and the indenture, and Atlanticus will automatically and unconditionally be released and discharged from its obligations under the Notes and the indenture.

 

Reporting. If, at any time, we are not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act to file any periodic reports with the SEC, we agree to furnish to holders of the Notes and the trustee, for the period of time during which the Notes are outstanding, our audited annual consolidated financial statements, within 90 days of our fiscal year end, and unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, within 45 days of our fiscal quarter end (other than our fourth fiscal quarter). All such financial statements will be prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, as applicable.

 

The posting or delivery of any such information, documents and reports to the trustee is for informational purposes only and the trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including Atlanticus’ compliance with any of the covenants under the indenture (as to which the trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an officer’s certificate). The trustee shall have no duty to review or analyze reports, information and documents delivered to it. Additionally, the trustee shall not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, Atlanticus’ compliance with the covenants or with respect to any reports or other documents filed with any protected online data system or participate on any conference calls.

 

18

 

 

Modification or Waiver 

 

There are three types of changes we can make to the indenture and the Notes:

 

Changes Not Requiring Approval. We can make certain changes to the indenture and the Notes without the specific approval of the holders of the Notes. This type is limited to clarifications and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the Notes in any material respect and include changes:

 

	 	
			●

				
			to evidence the succession of another corporation, and the assumption by the successor corporation of our covenants, agreements and obligations under the indenture and the Notes;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			to add to our covenants such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the holders of the Notes, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			to modify, eliminate or add to any of the provisions of the indenture to such extent as necessary to effect the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, and to add to the indenture such other provisions as may be expressly permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, excluding however, the provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained in the indenture or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with other provisions;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			to secure the Notes;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment of a successor trustee and to add or change any provisions of the indenture as necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trust by more than one trustee; and

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			to make provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under the indenture, so long as such other provisions do not materially affect the interest of any other holder of the Notes.

			

 

Changes Requiring Approval of Each Holder. We cannot make certain changes to the Notes without the specific approval of each holder of the Notes. The following is a list of those types of changes:

 

	 	
			●

				
			changing the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Note;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			reducing the principal amount or rate of interest of any Note;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			changing the place of payment where any Note or any interest is payable;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			impairing the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the date on which it is due and payable;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			reducing the percentage in principal amount of holders of the Notes whose consent is needed to modify or amend the indenture; and

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			reducing the percentage in principal amount of holders of the Notes whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to waive certain defaults.

			

 

19

 

 

Changes Requiring Majority Approval. Any other change to the indenture and the Notes would require the approval by holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

 

Consent from holders to any change to the indenture or the Notes must be given in writing. The consent of the holders of the Notes is not necessary under the indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

 

Further Details Concerning Voting. The amount of Notes deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of voting will include all Notes authenticated and delivered under the indenture as of the date of determination except:

 

	 	
			●

				
			Notes cancelled by the trustee or delivered to the trustee for cancellation;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			Notes for which we have deposited with the trustee or paying agent or set aside in trust money for their payment or redemption and, if money has been set aside for the redemption of the Notes, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to the indenture to the satisfaction of the trustee;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			Notes held by Atlanticus, its subsidiaries or any other entity which is an obligor under the Notes, unless such Notes have been pledged in good faith and the pledgee is not Atlanticus, an affiliate of Atlanticus or an obligor under the Notes;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			Notes which have undergone full defeasance, as described below; and

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			Notes which have been paid or exchanged for other Notes due to such Notes loss, destruction or mutilation, with the exception of any such Notes held by bona fide purchasers who have presented proof to the trustee that such Notes are valid obligations of Atlanticus.

			

 

We generally are entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of the Notes that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indenture, and the trustee generally is entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of the Notes that are entitled to join in the giving or making of any Notice of Default, any declaration of acceleration of maturity of the Notes, any request to institute proceedings or the reversal of such declaration. If we or the trustee set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by the holders of the Notes, that vote or action can only be taken by persons who are holders of the Notes on the record date and, unless otherwise specified, such vote or action must take place on or prior to the 180th day after the record date. We may change the record date at our option, and we will provide written notice to the trustee and to each holder of the Notes of any such change of record date.

 

20

 

 

Defeasance

 

The following defeasance provisions are applicable to the Notes. “Defeasance” means that, by irrevocably depositing with the trustee an amount of cash denominated in U.S. dollars and/or U.S. government obligations sufficient to pay all principal and interest, if any, on the Notes when due and satisfying any additional conditions noted below, we will be deemed to have been discharged from our obligations under the Notes. In the event of a “covenant defeasance,” upon depositing such funds and satisfying similar conditions discussed below we would be released from certain covenants under the indenture governing the Notes. The consequences to the holders of the Notes would be that, while they would no longer benefit from certain covenants under the indenture, and while the Notes could not be accelerated for any reason, the holders of the Notes nonetheless would be guaranteed to receive the principal and interest owed to them.

 

Covenant Defeasance. Under the indenture, we have the option to take the actions described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants under the indenture under which the Notes were issued. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, holders of the Notes would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay the Notes. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, the following must occur:

 

	 	
			●

				
			we must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds for the benefit of all holders of the Notes cash, U.S. government obligations or a combination of cash and U.S. government obligations sufficient, without reinvestment, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm, to generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other applicable payments on the Notes on their various due dates;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that under U.S. federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit and covenant defeasance without causing holders to be taxed on the Notes differently than if those actions were not taken;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			we must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the Notes, if then listed on any securities exchange, will not be delisted as a result of the deposit;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			no default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing, and no defaults or Events of Defaults related to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs during the 90 days following the deposit;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the covenant defeasance must not cause the trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the covenant defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture or any other material agreements or instruments to which we are a party;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the covenant defeasance must not result in the trust arising from the deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), unless such trust will be registered under the Investment Company Act or exempt from registration thereunder; and

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			we must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that all conditions precedent with respect to the covenant defeasance have been complied with.

			

 

21

 

 

Full Defeasance. If there is a change in U.S. federal income tax law, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the Notes if we take the following actions below:

 

	 	
			●

				
			we must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds for the benefit of all holders of the Notes cash, U.S. government obligations or a combination of cash and U.S. government obligations sufficient, without reinvestment, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm, of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm, to generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other applicable payments on the Notes on their various due dates;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel confirming that there has been a change to the current U.S. federal income tax law or an Internal Revenue Service ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing holders to be taxed on the Notes any differently than if we did not make the deposit;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			we must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the Notes, if then listed on any securities exchange, will not be delisted as a result of the deposit;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			no default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing and no defaults or Events of Defaults related to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs during the 90 days following the deposit;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the full defeasance must not cause the trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the full defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture or any other material agreements or instruments to which we are a party;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			the full defeasance must not result in the trust arising from the deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act unless such trust will be registered under the Investment Company Act or exempt from registration thereunder; and

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			we must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that all conditions precedent with respect to the full defeasance have been complied with.

			

 

In the event that the trustee is unable to apply the funds held in trust to the payment of obligations under the Notes by reason of a court order or governmental injunction or prohibition, then those of our obligations discharged under the full defeasance or covenant defeasance will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit of funds had occurred, until such time as the trustee is permitted to apply all funds held in trust under the procedure described above to the payment of obligations under the Notes. However, if we make any payment of principal or interest on the Notes to the holders, we will have the right to receive such payments from the trust in the place of the holders.

 

Counsel may rely on an officers’ certificate as to any matters of fact in giving an opinion of counsel in connection with the full defeasance or covenant defeasance provisions.

 

22

 

 

Listing

 

The Notes are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “ATLCL.” The Notes trade “flat,” meaning that purchasers will not pay and sellers will not receive any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes that is not included in the trading price thereof.

 

Governing Law

 

The indenture and the Notes are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

Global Notes; Book-Entry Issuance 

 

The Notes were issued in the form of two global certificates, or “Global Notes,” registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, or “DTC.” DTC’s nominee is Cede & Co.

 

Accordingly, Cede & Co. is the registered holder of the Notes. No person that acquires a beneficial interest in the Notes will be entitled to receive a certificate representing that person’s interest in the Notes except as described herein. Unless and until definitive securities are issued under the limited circumstances described below, all references to actions by holders of the Notes refer to actions taken by DTC upon instructions from its participants, and all references to payments and notices to holders refer to payments and notices to DTC or Cede & Co., as the registered holder of these securities.

 

DTC has informed us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments from over 100 countries that DTC’s participants, or “Direct Participants,” deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or “DTCC.”

 

DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants” and, together with Direct Participants, “Participants”). DTC has an S&P rating of AA+ and a Moody’s rating of Aaa. The DTC Rules applicable to its participants are on file with the SEC. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com.

 

Purchases of the Notes under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Notes on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each Note, or the “Beneficial Owner,” is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants’ records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the Notes are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the Notes, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the Notes is discontinued.

 

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Notes deposited by Direct Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of the Notes with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Notes; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts the Notes are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

 

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

 

23

 

 

Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the Notes are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in the Notes to be redeemed.

 

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the Notes unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an Omnibus Proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts the Notes are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).

 

Redemption proceeds, distributions and interest payments on the Notes will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit Direct Participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us or the applicable trustee or depositary on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with the Notes held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC nor its nominee, the applicable trustee or depositary, or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions and interest payments to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is the responsibility of us or the applicable trustee or depositary. Disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners is the responsibility of Direct Participants and Indirect Participants.

 

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

 

None of Atlanticus, the trustee, any depositary, or any agent of any of them will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of DTC’s or any participant’s records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Note, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests.

 

Termination of a Global Note 

 

If a Global Note is terminated for any reason, interest in it will be exchanged for certificates in non-book-entry form as certificated securities. After such exchange, the choice of whether to hold the certificated Notes directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in a Global Note transferred on termination to their own names, so that they will be holders of the Notes. See “—Form, Exchange and Transfer of Certificated Registered Securities.”

 

Payment and Paying Agents 

 

We pay interest to the person listed in the trustee’s records as the owner of the Notes at the close of business on the record date for the applicable interest payment date, even if that person no longer owns the Note on the interest payment date. Because we pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling the Notes must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the Notes to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period.

 

Payments on Global Notes. We will make payments on the Notes so long as they are represented by Global Notes in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interest in the Global Notes. An indirect holder’s right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants.

 

Payments on Certificated Securities. In the event the Notes become represented by certificates, we will make payments on the Notes as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder of the Note at his or her address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the record date. We will make all payments of principal by check or wire transfer at the office of the trustee in the contiguous United States and/or at other offices that may be specified in the indenture or a notice to holders against surrender of the Note.

 

Payment When Offices Are Closed. If any payment is due on the Notes on a day that is not a business day, we will make the payment on the next day that is a business day. Payments made on the next business day in this situation will be treated under the indenture as if they were made on the original due date. Such payment will not result in a default under the Notes or the indenture, and no interest will accrue on the payment amount from the original due date to the next day that is a business day.

 

24

 

 

Form, Exchange and Transfer of Certificated Registered Securities 

 

Notes in physical, certificated form will be issued and delivered to each person that DTC identifies as a beneficial owner of the related Notes only if:

 

	 	
			●

				
			DTC notified us at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes;

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			DTC ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act; or

			

 

	 	
			●

				
			an Event of Default with respect to such Global Note has occurred and is continuing.

			

 

Holders may exchange their certificated securities for Notes of smaller denominations or combined into fewer Notes of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed and as long as the denomination is equal to or greater than $25.

 

Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated securities at the office of the trustee. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering the Notes in the name of holders transferring Notes. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.

 

Holders will not be required to pay a service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of their certificated securities, but they may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the registration of transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership.

 

If we redeem any of the Notes, we may block the transfer or exchange of those Notes selected for redemption during the period beginning 15 days before the day we deliver the notice of redemption and ending on the day of such delivery, in order to determine or fix the list of holders. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any certificated Notes selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any Note that will be partially redeemed.

 

About the Trustee 

 

U.S. Bank National Association is the trustee under the indenture and is the principal paying agent and registrar for the Notes. The trustee may resign or be removed with respect to the Notes provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to the Notes.

25

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