Document:

Exhibit 10.1

 

THIRD AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

THIS THIRD AMENDMENT
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), dated as of September 28, 2018, is entered into by and between BIOANALYTICAL
SYSTEMS, INC., an Indiana corporation (“Borrower”), and FIRST INTERNET BANK OF INDIANA, an Indiana state
bank (“Bank”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H   T H A T:

 

WHEREAS, Borrower
and Bank entered into certain loan documents, including but not limited to that certain Credit Agreement dated June 23, 2017, as
amended by that certain First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated July 2, 2018, as amended by that certain Second Amendment to
Credit Agreement dated September 6, 2018 (the “Loan Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, Borrower
has applied to Bank for modifications to the Loan Agreement and for the extension of a construction loan in the principal amount
of Four Million Four Hundred Forty-Five Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($4,445,000.00) and an equipment loan in the principal amount
of One Million Four Hundred Twenty-Nine Thousand Two Hundred Fifty and No/100 Dollars ($1,429,250.00); and

 

WHEREAS, Bank
is willing to make such modifications to the Loan Agreement and extend such additional loans on the terms and conditions stated
herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE,
in consideration of these premises and the undertakings of the parties hereto, Borrower and Bank hereby agree as follows:

 

A.       Effect of Amendment. This Amendment shall not change, modify, amend or revise the terms, conditions and provisions
of the Loan Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference, except as expressly provided herein
and agreed upon by the parties hereto. This Amendment is not intended to be nor shall it constitute a novation or accord and satisfaction
of the outstanding instruments by and between the parties hereto. Borrower and Bank agree that, except as expressly provided herein,
all terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement shall remain and continue in full force and effect. Borrower acknowledges and agrees
that the indebtedness under the Loan Agreement remains outstanding and is not extinguished, paid or retired by this Amendment,
or any other agreements between the parties hereto prior to the date hereof, and that Borrower is and continues to be fully liable
for all obligations to Bank contemplated by or arising out of the Loan Agreement. Except as expressly provided otherwise by this
Amendment, the credit facilities contemplated by this Amendment shall be made according to and pursuant to all conditions, covenants,
representations and warranties contained in the Loan Agreement, as amended hereby.

 

B.       Definitions. Terms defined in the Loan Agreement which are used herein shall have the same meaning as set forth
in the Loan Agreement unless otherwise specified herein.

 

C.       Additional Obligations of Borrower. In addition to the fees stated in the Loan Agreement, Borrower shall also
pay: (i) all reasonable costs and expenses incidental to this Amendment, including, but not limited to, reasonable fees and out-of-pocket
expenses of Bank’s counsel; and (ii) a non-refundable commitment fee in the amount of Ten Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($10,000.00),
which fee shall be due and payable concurrently herewith related to the extension of a construction loan, and (iii) a non-refundable
commitment fee in the amount of Four Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($4,000.00), which fee shall be due and payable concurrently herewith
related to the extension of an equipment loan.

     

     

    

 

D.       Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties. Borrower hereby reaffirms all representations and warranties
contained in Section 3 of the Loan Agreement and within Section 3 of the Loan Agreement, all references to the Loan Agreement shall
be deemed to include this Amendment.

 

E.       Reaffirmation of Covenants. Borrower hereby reaffirms its duty to comply with the covenants contained in Sections
4 and 5 of the Loan Agreement, as the same are modified herein.

 

F.       Reaffirmation of Events of Default and Rights of Bank. Borrower hereby reaffirms the events of default and rights
of Bank contained in Section 6 of the Loan Agreement, as amended by this Amendment.

 

G.        Amendments.

 

(a)       Section
2.4 is hereby added to the Loan Agreement as follows:

 

2.4       Construction
Loan. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Bank shall lend to Borrower a construction draw loan (the “Construction
Loan”) on September 28, 2018 in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Maximum Amount. Subject to the terms of Section 2.6
set forth herein and so long as no Event of Default has occurred, Borrower may obtain advances under the Construction Loan until
the Term-Out Date, at which time Borrower’s right to obtain advances under the Construction Loan shall terminate and the
unpaid principal balance, together with all accrued but unpaid interest and reimbursable expenses, shall be payable in accordance
with the terms of that certain Construction Loan Note issued by Borrower to Bank dated September 28, 2018, as amended, modified
or restated from time to time (the “Construction Loan Note”). The term of the Construction Loan shall expire on March
28, 2025 (the “Construction Loan Maturity Date”), unless the Construction Loan is sooner paid pursuant to the terms
hereof.

 

(b)       The
proceeds of the Construction Loan will be used to fund construction of an 11,300 square foot building expansion on Premises #2
(the “Project”).

 

(c)       Borrower
shall have the right to prepay the principal of the Construction Loan in accordance with the provisions and prepayment penalties
set forth in the Construction Loan Note. Early principal payments will not, unless agreed to by Bank in writing, relieve Borrower
of Borrower’s obligation to continue to make regular monthly payments required by the Construction Loan Note. Rather, early
payments will reduce the principal balance due and may result in Borrower’s making fewer payments. Borrower agrees not to
send Bank payments marked “paid in full”, “without recourse” or similar language. If Borrower sends such
a payment, Bank may accept it without losing any of Bank’s rights under the Construction Loan Note, and Borrower will remain
obligated to pay any further amount owed to Bank.

 

(b)       Section
2.5 is hereby added to the Loan Agreement as follows:

 

2.5       Equipment
Loan. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Bank shall lend to Borrower an equipment draw loan (the “Equipment
Loan”) on September 28, 2018 in an aggregate amount of One Million Four Hundred Twenty-Nine Thousand Two Hundred Fifty and
No/100 Dollars ($1,429,250.00). So long as no Event of Default has occurred, Borrower may obtain advances under the Equipment Loan
until the Term-Out Date, at which time Borrower’s right to obtain advances under the Equipment Loan shall terminate and the
unpaid principal balance, together with all accrued but unpaid interest and reimbursable expenses, shall be payable in accordance
with the terms of that certain Equipment Loan Note issued by Borrower to Bank dated September 28, 2018, as amended, modified or
restated from time to time (the “Equipment Loan Note”). The term of the Equipment Loan shall expire on March 28, 2025
(the “Equipment Loan Maturity Date”), unless the Equipment Loan is sooner paid pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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(b)       The
proceeds of the Equipment Loan will be used to fund equipment needs for the Project.

 

(c)       Borrower
shall have the right to prepay the principal of the Equipment Loan in accordance with the provisions and prepayment penalties set
forth in the Equipment Loan Note. Early principal payments will not, unless agreed to by Bank in writing, relieve Borrower of Borrower’s
obligation to continue to make regular monthly payments required by the Equipment Loan Note. Rather, early payments will reduce
the principal balance due and may result in Borrower’s making fewer payments. Borrower agrees not to send Bank payments marked
 “paid in full”, “without recourse” or similar language. If Borrower sends such a payment, Bank may accept
it without losing any of Bank’s rights under the Equipment Loan Note, and Borrower will remain obligated to pay any further
amount owed to Bank.

 

(c)       Section
2.6 is hereby added to the Loan Agreement as follows:

 

2.6       Disbursement
Requirements.

 

(a) General
Disbursement Requirements. In addition to the requirements of Section 2.6(b)-(c) hereof, all requests for disbursements of
Construction Loan proceeds, including payments to be made to the Contractor or pursuant to any construction management agreement
to be approved by the Bank pursuant to this Agreement, shall be made in accordance with the following requirements. These procedures
are solely for the benefit of the Bank and do not constitute the Bank as the agent of the Borrower. The Borrower has no right to
rely on these procedures for the protection of its interests. All disbursement requests shall be submitted to the Bank shall include
a standard AIA Document G702 and G703, or such other form as shall be approved by the Bank, shall be approved by the Inspecting
Architect, shall be certified as accurate by the Contractor and the Borrower, and shall indicate thereon the total cost of the
Site Improvements authorized by the Bank and commenced by the Borrower, the total value of work in place or stored on Premises
#2 for the Project, the total amounts previously disbursed by category of work for the Project, the amounts for which disbursement
is then being requested and the cost of completing the Project. Each request for disbursement shall be subject to approval by the
Bank and, following such approval, the Bank shall cause to be transferred by (i) direct deposit to the Borrower’s account
with the Bank, or (ii) to such other person or entity as the Borrower may direct and as may be acceptable to the Bank, an
amount not to exceed the approved amount of disbursement. The funds shall be either paid directly to the person or entity as directed
by the Borrower or transferred by direct deposit or check to the Borrower’s checking account within not more than five (5)
days following the date of approval of the disbursement by the Bank. The Borrower shall be responsible for advising the Bank of
any delays in receiving any disbursement and shall allow the Bank a reasonable opportunity to cure any defect or deficiency in
such transfer. Each disbursement request by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a request and consent to the disbursement of Construction
Loan proceeds up to the amount of such request, plus any unpaid interest, fees and expenses, which may be then owed by the Borrower,
and each transfer of Construction Loan proceeds in accordance herewith shall, as of the day of such transfer by the Bank, be deemed
to be an authorized disbursement of Construction Loan proceeds, thereby increasing the principal balance due under the Construction
Loan Note. Except for payment by the Bank of Inspecting Architect’s fees, disbursements shall be made not more frequently
than monthly.

 

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(b)       Requirements
for Interim Disbursements. Unless waived in whole or in part by the Bank or the Bank’s representative, the Borrower shall
submit the following items to the Bank prior to or together with each request for disbursement of Construction Loan proceeds:

 

(i)       A current endorsement to the title commitment by the appropriate title insurance company in which the title insurance company
shall increase the amount of the title insurance coverage to the total principal amount then outstanding under the Construction
Loan.

 

(ii)       Such certificates by the Contractor and the Borrower as shall be requested by the Bank.

 

(iii)       Disbursement requests on Form AIA G702 and AIA G703 and photocopies of all bills and invoices from all contractors, subcontractors,
suppliers and materialmen requesting payment.

 

(iv)       Lien waivers from the Contractor with respect to disbursements as set forth in Section 2.6(b)(iii) and from all contractors,
subcontractors, suppliers and materialmen (“Subcontractors”) with contracts over $25,000.00 with respect to the immediately
prior disbursements.

 

(v)       A revised and updated Cost Breakdown reflecting the effects of approved change orders (not to exceed $25,000 without Bank’s
consent), detailing the amount of any costs savings or overruns, and indicating the amount, if any, of additional equity required
from the Borrower to maintain a loan-to-value of not greater than eighty-five percent (85%).

 

(vi)       The Borrower shall submit monthly and before each disbursement of Construction Loan proceeds the revised budgets of the
Project indicating all amounts previously spent and projected to be spent for Site Improvements and Building, proceeds received,
interest, architectural fees, engineering fees, legal fees, accounting fees, commitment fees, title insurance, inspection fees,
recording fees, and release fees through the termination of the Project certified by the authorized representative of the Borrower,
in form and substance acceptable to the Bank, including that such budgets and cash flow projections have been prepared on a basis
consistent with those previously provided to the Bank and that the assumptions upon which they were prepared are reasonable and
have not been changed from previous submissions except as indicated therein.

 

(vii)       The Inspecting Architect shall have physically inspected the Project and approved the disbursement request.

 

(viii)       If the Borrower shall not have included any interest, fees or expenses then payable to the Bank or for which the Bank shall
require immediate reimbursement, the Borrower shall so indicate to the Bank and shall pay such amount to the Bank and if not paid
when due and after any applicable cure period, the Bank is authorized to disburse such interest to itself and add such amount to
the principal outstanding hereunder.

 

(c)       Requirements
For Final Disbursement. In addition to the requirements set forth hereinabove for interim disbursements, the following conditions
shall be satisfied and the following additional items shall be required for the final disbursement of Construction Loan proceeds:

 

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(i)       The
Project shall be substantially completed in accordance with the provisions set forth herein and shall be ready for use in the Borrower’s
business. Substantial completion of the Site Improvements shall be evidenced by such proof as the Bank may in its reasonable discretion
require, which proof shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

 

(a)       Inspection
by a representative or agent of the Bank and certification of completion by the Inspecting Architect;

 

(b)       An
affidavit by the Contractor certifying that construction of the Site Improvements and Building has been completed in accordance
with the Plans and Specifications previously approved by Bank and all governmental authorities, that the Contractor has been (or
will be with proceeds of the final disbursement) paid in full for such work, that all subcontractors, laborers, materialmen and
suppliers of labor or material to the Project at the request of the Contractor have been paid in full and that no such person or
entity claims or has a right to claim a valid mechanic’s or materialmen’s lien on Premises #2 or any part thereof,
and containing such other customary representations as the Bank shall deem reasonably appropriate;

 

(c)       An
updated as-built survey showing that all Site Improvements and Building are complete and indicating all easements, rights-of-way
and all other encumbrances and exceptions. Such as-built survey shall be accompanied by a certificate from the surveyor indicating
compliance with the ALTA Minimum Standard Detail Requirements. Such certificate shall be addressed to the Borrower, the Bank and
the appropriate title company;

 

(d)       Original
waivers of lien from the Contractor and from all subcontractors who will receive any of such proceeds;

 

(e)       Satisfactory
evidence of connection of all public utilities to the Project; and

 

(f)       An
affidavit by the Borrower certifying that to its knowledge construction of the Site Improvements and the Building is substantially
complete in all material respects and has been performed in accordance with the plans and specifications previously approved by
all governmental authorities, that all necessary occupancy, drainage and zoning licenses, certificates, approvals and/or permits
have been issued, that all contractors and suppliers for the Project have been (or will be with proceeds of the final disbursement)
fully paid and no one has currently filed or has a right to file a valid mechanic’s or materialmen’s lien on the Project
or any part thereof, that there are no liens or encumbrances on all or any part of the Project other than those in favor of the
Bank or those which have been approved in writing by the Bank, that all utilities are provided by governmental or public utility
entities and have been connected to the Building, as appropriate, that Premises #2 is not located in a flood hazard area, that
Premises #2 is not in violation of federal or state law provisions regarding the removal of hazardous waste from Premises #2, and
certifying to all other customary matters which may reasonably be requested by the Bank.

 

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(ii)       The
appropriate title company shall issue a final endorsement to its policy, agreeing to delete all standard exceptions, including
survey exceptions, from its final title insurance policy, and including a 3.1 zoning endorsement thereto. The title insurance commitment
shall indicate that there are no recorded liens or encumbrances on or security interests in Premises #2 or the Borrower’s
interest in Premises #2 or any collateral defined in this Agreement other than (i) utility easements, (ii) any items that have
been approved by the Bank, and (iii) any other items permitted under the Loan Documents.

 

(d)           Section
5.10(a) of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

 

(a) Borrower
shall not permit the Minimum Debt Service Coverage Ratio, tested quarterly and measured on a trailing twelve (12) month basis,
to be less than 1.25 to 1.0, for the quarter ending June 30, 2018 and each quarter thereafter.

 

The “Minimum
Debt Service Coverage Ratio” means, for any computation period, the ratio of: (a) the sum of Borrower’s (i) consolidated
pre-tax net income for such period plus (ii) consolidated interest expense for such period, plus (iii) consolidated amortization
expense during such period, plus (iv) consolidated depreciation expense during such period, plus (v) consolidated stock compensation
expense during such period, plus (vi) non-recurring transaction costs of up to $525,000 related to the acquisition of Seventh Wave
Laboratories, LLC and/or expansion of Premises #2, as approved by Bank (the sum of items (i) through (vi) “EBITDA”)
less (vii) distributions/dividends paid by Borrower in cash during such period, less (viii) consolidated unfunded capital expenditure
expenses during such period, excluding unfunded capital expenditures related to building expansion costs of up to $400,000 incurred
during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 and up to $400,000 incurred during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, divided
by (b) the sum of Borrower’s (i) scheduled or required principal payments during such period, plus (ii) consolidated cash
interest payments made during such period.

 

H.            Exhibit 1 Definitions. The following provisions shall be new or amended definitions in Exhibit 1 of the Loan
Agreement:

 

“Advance” means any
disbursement of proceeds of the Construction Loan or Equipment Loan, as applicable.

 

“Architect” means
any architect engaged for the Project.

 

“Building” means
the buildings and other improvements to be constructed on Premises #2 as part of the Project.

 

“Construction Amount”
means the means the amount, in the aggregate, incurred from time to time by the Borrower in connection with the construction of
the Project, including, without limitation, amounts payable to suppliers, materialmen, laborers, engineers and the Contractor.

 

“Construction Loan”
has the meaning assigned to that term in section 2.4 of the Agreement.

 

“Construction Loan Note”
has the meaning assigned to that term in section 2.4 of the Agreement.

 

“Construction Loan Maturity
Date” has the meaning assigned to that term in section 2.4 of the Agreement.

 

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“Contractor” means
the general contractor engaged for the Project.

 

“Equipment Loan”
has the meaning assigned to that term in section 2.5 of the Agreement.

 

“Equipment Loan Note”
has the meaning assigned to that term in section 2.5 of the Agreement.

 

“Equipment Loan Maturity
Date” has the meaning assigned to that term in section 2.5 of the Agreement.

 

“Initial Closing”
means the date of the first Advance of the Construction Loan.

 

“Inspecting Architect”
means such architect, architectural firm or project inspector as the Bank may designate from time to time.

 

“Loans” means the
Term Loan, Term Loan #2, Construction Loan, Equipment Loan, and the Revolving Loans.

 

“Maximum Amount”
means the maximum amount available under the Construction Loan, which is the lesser of (a) Four Million Four Hundred Forty-Five
Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($4,445,000.00), and (b) eighty-five percent (85%) of the Project’s “as complete”
appraised value as determined by a state licensed certified general appraiser engaged by Bank (and whose value determination is
concurred with by Bank’s designated review appraiser).

 

“Notes” means the
Term Note, Term Note #2, Construction Loan Note, Equipment Loan Note and Revolving Note, together with any renewals, amendments,
restatements and extensions thereof.

 

“Project”
has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.4 of the Agreement.

 

“Site Improvements”
means all improvements and appurtenances to Premises #2 and the Building hereafter constructed as part of the Project.

 

“Term-Out Date” means
March 28, 2020.

 

“Third Amendment”
means that certain Third Amendment to Credit Agreement executed by and between Borrower and Bank dated as of September 28, 2018.

 

 

I.              Necessary Documents/Conditions to Initial Closing. The obligation of Bank to make the initial Advance under the
Construction Loan is subject to the receipt by Bank on or before the date of the Initial Closing of all of the following, each
dated as of the date of the Initial Closing or another date acceptable to Bank and each to be in the form and substance approved
by Bank on the date on which the Initial Closing occurs:

 

(1)          This Amendment executed by Borrower.

 

(2)          Construction Loan Note executed by Borrower.

 

(3)          Equipment Loan Note executed by Borrower.

 

(4)          Consent and Confirmation of Guaranty executed by Entity Guarantors.

 

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(5)          Amended and Restated Mortgage (Premises #2) executed by BAS Evansville, Inc.

 

(6)          Mortgagor’s Affidavit (Premises #2) executed by BAS Evansville, Inc.

 

(7)          Second Modification of Mortgage (Premises #1) executed by Borrower.

 

(8)          Third Amended and Restated Environmental Indemnity Agreement executed by Borrower, BAS Evansville, Inc., and Seventh Wave
Indiana.

 

(9)          Assignment of Contracts executed by Borrower.

 

(10)        Borrower’s Certificate executed by Borrower.

 

(11)        Receipt of a preliminary commitment for a mortgage policy of title insurance on a standard ALTA form in an amount not less
than the Maximum Amount in form and substance and with such special endorsements as shall be acceptable to the Bank and counsel
to the Bank relating to the Borrower’s interest in Premises #2.

 

(12)        Receipt of Loss Payee and Mortgagee Endorsements for Insurance relating to the collateral and copies of the insurance policies,
including a builder’s risk insurance policy.

 

(13)        A complete project budget or cost breakdown (“Cost Breakdown”) certified by Borrower to be true, correct and
complete and in form, scope and content acceptable to and approved in writing by the Bank, of all financing costs, costs of constructing
the Project and the Building and other items of costs incidental to such construction (including site costs), which breakdown is
incorporated into this Agreement as the basis upon which advances hereunder shall be made on account of each of the categories
set forth in the cost breakdown.

 

(14)        Receipt of proof that the plans and specifications to be used for construction have been approved by all applicable local,
state and federal authorities as well as the Bank and the Inspecting Architect and any material change, alteration or modification
to the Plans and Specifications must be approved by the Bank, the Inspecting Architect and all necessary local, state and federal
authorities prior to incorporation into the Project.

 

(15)        If any mechanics’ or materialmens’ liens on the Premises #2 shall have been filed prior to the date hereof or
of any disbursement, the Borrower shall do all things necessary to either release such liens or to cause the appropriate title
insurance company to grant affirmative insurance to the Bank that the Bank will not suffer any loss by reason of the foreclosure
of such liens.

 

(16)        Receipt and approval of an ALTA survey of Premises #2 prepared by a registered professional engineer or land surveyor acceptable
to the Bank which shows the dimensions of the Premises #2 with distances, degrees and angles, the total square foot area and a
complete metes and bounds description of Premises #2 with reference to the beginning point and all adjoining or abutting streets
and alleys, and showing the distances to the nearest intersecting streets. The survey shall also locate all improvements to Premises
#2 and all front, rear and side building setback lines, easements and rights-of-way by specific description and any other matters
which are the subject of recorded instruments affecting Premises #2. The survey shall be accompanied by a certificate by such engineer
or surveyor indicating that the survey complies with the Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/ASCM Surveys, which certificate
shall be addressed to the Bank, the Borrower, and the appropriate title company. The survey and certificate shall bear a date not
earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the Initial Closing. The survey shall indicate the location of any flood plain
or floodway affecting the Real Estate or the preparer shall certify that both (i) Premises #2 is not subject to flooding and (ii)
Premises #2 is not located in a Special or Designated Flood Hazard Area. At the Initial Closing, Borrower shall provide proof that
the surveyor has at such time been paid in full or that payment in full is being provided for as a part of the Initial Closing.

 

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(17)        Receipt of an appraisal valuing the Project and Premises #2 (as a going concern) at not less than Five Million One Hundred
Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($5,100,00.00) and review thereof by the Bank or its selected agent.

 

(18)        Such other documents, information, opinions, etc., as Bank may reasonably request.

 

J.             Representations and Warranties of Borrower. Borrower hereby represents and warrants, in addition to any other
representations and warranties contained herein, in the Loan Agreement, the Loan Documents (as defined in the Loan Agreement) or
any other document, writing or statement delivered or mailed to Bank or its agent by Borrower, as follows:

 

(1)          This Amendment constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Borrower enforceable in accordance with its terms. Borrower
has taken all necessary and appropriate corporate action for the approval of this Amendment and the authorization of the execution,
delivery and performance thereof.

 

(2)          There is no Event of Default under the Loan Agreement, this Amendment or the Loan Documents.

 

(3)          Borrower hereby specifically confirms and ratifies its obligations, waivers and consents under each of the Loan Documents.

 

(4)          Except as specifically amended herein, all representations, warranties and other assertions of fact contained in the Loan
Agreement and the Loan Documents continue to be true, accurate and complete.

 

(5)          Except as provided in writing to Bank prior to the date hereof, there have been no changes to the Articles of Incorporation,
By-Laws, the identities of the named executive officers of Borrower, or the composition of the board of directors of Borrower since
execution of the Loan Agreement.

 

(6)          Borrower acknowledges that the definition “Loan Documents” shall include this Amendment and all the documents
executed contemporaneously herewith.

 

K.            Governing Law. This Amendment has been executed and delivered and is intended to be performed in the State of
Indiana and shall be governed, construed and enforced in all respects in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Indiana.

 

L.            Headings. The section headings used in this Amendment are for convenience only and shall not be read or construed
as limiting the substance or generality of this Amendment.

 

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M.           Counterparts. This Amendment may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be considered an
original, with the same effect as if the signatures were upon the same instrument.

 

N.            Modification. This Amendment may be amended, modified, renewed or extended only by written instrument executed
in the manner of its original execution.

 

O.            Waiver of Certain Rights. Borrower waives acceptance or notice of acceptance hereof and agrees that the Loan
Agreement, this Amendment, and all of the other Loan Documents shall be fully valid, binding, effective and enforceable as of the
date hereof, even though this Amendment and any one or more of the other Loan Documents which require the signature of Bank, may
be executed by an on behalf of Bank on other than the date hereof.

 

P.             Waiver of Defenses and Claims. In consideration of the financial accommodations provided to Borrower by Bank
as contemplated by this Amendment, Borrower hereby waives, releases and forever discharges Bank from and against any and all rights,
claims or causes of action against Bank arising under Bank’s actions or inactions with respect to the Loan Documents or any
security interest, lien or collateral in connection therewith as well as any and all rights of set off, defenses, claims, causes
of action and any other bar to the enforcement of the Loan Documents which exist as of the date hereof.

 

Q.            Force and Effect. Except as otherwise modified herein, all other terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement remain
in full force and effect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE
INTENTIONALLY BLANK – SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

 

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[SIGNATURE PAGE –
THIRD AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have caused this Third Amendment to Credit Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of
the day and year first above written.

 

	 	Bioanalytical Systems, Inc.
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	By: 	/s/ Jill C Blumhoff
	 	 	Jill C. Blumhoff, Chief Financial Officer, VP Finance
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	FIRST INTERNET BANK OF INDIANA
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	By: 	/s/ Katrina McWilliams
	 	 	Katrina McWilliams, Vice President

 

 

	STATE OF INDIANA	)	
		)SS:	 
	COUNTY OF 	)	 

 

Before me the undersigned,
a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared Jill C. Blumhoff, the Chief Financial Officer and VP Finance
of Bioanalytical Systems, Inc., an Indiana corporation, who acknowledged the execution of the above and foregoing Second Amendment
to Credit Agreement on behalf of said entity.

 

Witness my hand and
Notarial Seal this ___ day of ______________, 2018.

 

 

		 	    
		 	Notary Public
	 	 	 
		 	     
		 	Printed
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	My Commission Expires:	 	My County of Residence:EX-4.2

 Exhibit 4.2 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 
 To 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION 

(successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank)) 

Trustee 
  

 
 SUPPLEMENTAL
INDENTURE NO. 10 
 Dated as of October 5, 2018 
  

 
 $500,000,000
3.60% Senior Notes due 2021 
 $500,000,000 3.85% Senior Notes due 2024 

$500,000,000 4.25% Senior Notes due 2028 

 CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 10 

$500,000,000 3.60% Senior Notes due 2021 

$500,000,000 3.85% Senior Notes due 2024 

$500,000,000 4.25% Senior Notes due 2028 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE No. 10, dated as of October 5, 2018, between CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a Texas corporation (the
“Company”), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank)), as Trustee (the “Trustee”). 

RECITALS 
 The Company has
heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (the “Original Indenture” and, as hereby supplemented and amended, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance from time to time
of one or more series of the Company’s Securities. 
 Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company desires to provide for the
establishment of three new series of Securities to be designated as the “3.60% Senior Notes due 2021” (the “2021 Notes”), the “3.85% Senior Notes due 2024” (the “2024 Notes”) and the “4.25%
Senior Notes due 2028” (the “2028 Notes” and, together with the 2021 Notes and the 2024 Notes, the “Notes”), the form and substance of such Notes and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth
as provided in the Original Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture No. 10. 
 Section 301 of the Original Indenture provides
that various matters with respect to any series of Securities issued under the Indenture may be established in an indenture supplemental to the Indenture. 

Subparagraph (7) of Section 901 of the Original Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may enter into an indenture
supplemental to the Indenture to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301 of the Original Indenture. 

For and in consideration of the premises and the issuance of the series of Securities provided for herein, it is mutually covenanted and
agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, as follows: 

  
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 ARTICLE I 

Relation to Indenture; Additional Definitions 

Section 101 Relation to Indenture. This Supplemental Indenture No. 10 constitutes an integral part of the Original
Indenture. 
 Section 102 Additional Definitions. For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture No. 10: 

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning specified herein or in the Original Indenture, as the case may be; 

“2021 Notes” has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof; 

“2024 Notes” has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof; 

“2028 Notes” has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof; 

“2021 Notes Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof; 

“2024 Notes Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof; 

“2028 Notes Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof; 

“2024 Par Call Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 301 hereof; 

“2028 Par Call Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 301 hereof; 

“Affiliate” of, or a Person “affiliated” with, a specific Person means a Person that directly, or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and
“under common control with”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting shares, by contract, or otherwise;

 “Business Day” means, with respect to any Note, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which
banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close. If any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Redemption Date of a Note falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the
required payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the relevant date that the payment was due and no interest 

  
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will accrue on such payment for the period from and after the Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, to the date of that payment on the next succeeding
Business Day. The definition of “Business Day” in this Supplemental Indenture No. 10 and the provisions described in the preceding sentence shall supersede the definition of Business Day in the Original Indenture and
Section 113 of the Original Indenture; 
 “Capital Lease” means a lease that, in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, would be recorded as a capital lease on the balance sheet of the lessee; 

“CERC Corp.” means CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto;
provided, that at any given time, there shall not be more than one such successor; 
 “Comparable Treasury
Issue” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof; 
 “Comparable Treasury Price” has the
meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof; 
 “Corporate Trust Office” means the principal office of the
Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office as of the date hereof is located at: 601 Travis Street, 16th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention: Global Corporate Trust; telephone: (713) 483-6817; telecopy: (713) 483-7038; 

“Houston Electric” means CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and any
successor thereto; provided, that at any given time, there shall not be more than one such successor; 
 The term
“Indebtedness” as applied to any Person, means bonds, debentures, notes and other instruments or arrangements representing obligations created or assumed by such Person, in respect of: (i) obligations for money borrowed
(other than unamortized debt discount or premium); (ii) obligations evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any business, properties or assets of any kind; (iii) obligations as lessee under a
Capital Lease; and (iv) any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness or obligations listed in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above. All indebtedness of such type, secured by a lien upon
property owned by such Person although such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness, shall also for all purposes hereof be deemed to be indebtedness of such Person. All indebtedness for borrowed money
incurred by any other Persons which is directly guaranteed as to payment of principal by such Person shall for all purposes hereof be deemed to be indebtedness of any such Person, but no other contingent obligation of such Person in respect of
indebtedness incurred by any other Persons shall for any purpose be deemed to be indebtedness of such Person; 

“Independent Investment Banker” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof; 

  
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 “Interest Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in
Section 204(a) hereof; 
 “Issue Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 204(a) hereof; 

“Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof; 

“Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 21, 2018, by and among
CenterPoint Energy, Vectren, and Merger Sub; 
 “Merger Sub” means Pacer Merger Sub, Inc., an Indiana
corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company; 
 “Notes” has the meaning set forth in the second
paragraph of the Recitals hereof; 
 “Original Indenture” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph
of the Recitals hereof; 
 “Par Call Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 301 hereof; 

“Reference Treasury Dealer” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof; 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof; 

“Regular Record Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 204(a) hereof; 

“Remaining Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof; 

“Special Mandatory Redemption” has the meaning set forth in Section 501 hereof; 

“Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger” has the meaning set forth in Section 501 hereof; 

“Special Optional Redemption” has the meaning set forth in Section 601 hereof; 

“Treasury Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof; 

“Vectren” means Vectren Corporation, an Indiana corporation; 

“Vectren Merger” means the merger of Merger Sub with and into Vectren pursuant to the Merger Agreement, with
Vectren continuing as the surviving corporation in the Vectren Merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company; 

All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of
this Supplemental Indenture No. 10; and 

  
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 The terms “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and
other words of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture No. 10. 
 ARTICLE II 

The Series of Securities 

Section 201 Title of the Securities. The 2021 Notes shall be designated as the “3.60% Senior Notes due
2021,” the 2024 Notes shall be designated as the “3.85% Senior Notes due 2024” and the 2028 Notes shall be designated as the “4.25% Senior Notes due 2028.” 

Section 202 Limitation on Aggregate Principal Amount. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver (i) the 2021 Notes for
original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000, (ii) the 2024 Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000 and (iii) the 2028 Notes for original issue on the
Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000, upon a Company Order for the authentication and delivery thereof and satisfaction of Sections 301 and 303 of the Original Indenture. Such order shall specify the amount of the Notes
to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and the name or names of the initial Holder or Holders. The aggregate principal amount of 2021 Notes, 2024 Notes and 2028 Notes that may initially be
outstanding shall not exceed $500,000,000, $500,000,000 and $500,000,000, respectively; provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of any series of the Notes may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to
such effect. 
 Section 203 Stated Maturity. The Stated Maturity of the 2021 Notes shall be November 1, 2021 (the
“2021 Notes Maturity Date”), the Stated Maturity of the 2024 Notes shall be February 1, 2024 (the “2024 Notes Maturity Date”), and the Stated Maturity of the 2028 Notes shall be November 1, 2028 (the
“2028 Notes Maturity Date”; each of the 2021 Notes Maturity Date, the 2024 Notes Maturity Date and the 2028 Notes Maturity Date, a “Maturity Date”). 

Section 204 Interest and Interest Rates. 

(a) The 2021 Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 3.60% per year, from and including October 5, 2018 (the “Issue Date”)
to, but excluding, the 2021 Notes Maturity Date. The 2024 Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 3.85% per year, from and including the Issue Date to, but excluding, the 2024 Notes Maturity Date. The 2028 Notes shall bear interest at a rate of
4.25% per year, from and including the Issue Date to, but excluding, the 2028 Notes Maturity Date. Such interest shall be payable semiannually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, in the case of the 2021 Notes and the 2028
Notes, or February 1 and August 1 of each year, in the case of the 2024 Notes (each an “Interest Payment Date”), beginning May 1, 2019, in the case of the 2021 Notes and the 2028 Notes, or
February 1, 2019, in the case of the 2024 Notes, to the persons in whose names the Notes (or one or more Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on April 15 and October 15, in the case of the 2021 Notes and the
2028 Notes, or January 15 and July 15, in the case of the 2024 Notes (each a “Regular Record Date”) (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. 

  
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 (b) Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to
be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and shall either (i) be paid to the Person in whose name such Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Special Record Date for the payment of
such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of the Notes of such series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or (ii) be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not
inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes of such series may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, all as
more fully provided in the Indenture. 
 (c) The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months and the days elapsed in any partial month. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on a Note is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on such
date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable. 

(d) Any principal and premium, if any, and any installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 3.60% per annum (to
the extent permitted by law), in the case of the 2021 Notes, 3.85% per annum (to the extent permitted by law), in the case of the 2024 Notes, or 4.25% per annum (to the extent permitted by law), in the case of the 2028 Notes, in each case from the
dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand. 

Section 205 Paying Agent; Place of Payment. The Trustee shall initially serve as the Paying Agent for the Notes. The
Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts without notice, other than notice to the Trustee. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates may act as
Paying Agent. The Place of Payment where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. At the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to
the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in writing by the Person entitled
thereto as specified in the Security Register. 
 Section 206 Place of Registration or Exchange; Notices and Demands With Respect to
the Notes. The place where the Holders of the Notes may present the Notes for registration of transfer or exchange and may make notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee. 
 Section 207 Percentage of Principal Amount. The 2021 Notes, the 2024 Notes and the 2028 Notes shall be
initially issued at 99.971%, 99.928% and 99.599% of their principal amount, respectively, plus accrued interest, if any, from the Issue Date. 

  
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 Section 208 Global Securities. The Notes of each series shall be issuable in
whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities. Such Global Securities shall be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, which shall act as Depositary with respect to the Notes. Such
Global Securities shall bear the legends set forth in the form of Security attached as Exhibit A, Exhibit B and Exhibit C hereto, as applicable. 

Section 209 Form of Securities. The 2021 Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto, the
2024 Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto and the 2028 Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C hereto. 

Section 210 Securities Registrar. The Trustee shall initially serve as the Security Registrar for the Notes. 

Section 211 Sinking Fund Obligations. The Company shall have no obligation to redeem or purchase any Notes pursuant to any
sinking fund or analogous requirement or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of a Holder thereof. 
 Section 212
Defeasance and Discharge; Covenant Defeasance 
 (a) Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture, including without limitation
Sections 1402 and 1403 thereof (as modified by Section 212(b) hereof), shall apply to Notes of each series. 
 (b) Solely with
respect to Notes of each series issued hereby, the first sentence of Section 1403 of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof: 

“Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section 1403 applied to any Securities or any series of
Securities, as the case may be, (1) the Company shall be released from its obligations under Article Eight and under any covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(20), 901(2) or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such
Securities and (2) the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 501(4) (with respect to Article Eight and to any such covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(20), 901(2) or 901(7)) and 501(7) shall be deemed not to be or
result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section 1403 on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Covenant
Defeasance”).” 

  
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 ARTICLE III 

Optional Redemption of the Notes 

Section 301 Redemption Price. The Notes of each series shall be redeemable, at the option of the Company, at any time and from
time to time, in whole or in part, (1) in the case of the 2021 Notes, at any time, (2) in the case of the 2024 Notes, on any date prior to January 1, 2024 (the “2024 Par Call Date”) and (3) in the case of
the 2028 Notes, on any date prior to August 1, 2028 (the “2028 Par Call Date,” the 2024 Par Call Date and the 2028 Par Call Date, each, a “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100%
of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed that would be due if the Notes of such series matured
(i) in the case of the 2021 Notes, on the 2021 Notes Maturity Date or (ii) in the case of the 2024 Notes and the 2028 Notes, on the applicable Par Call Date, in each case, but for the redemption (not including any portion of such payments
of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the
applicable Treasury Rate plus 12.5 basis points for the 2021 Notes, 15 basis points for the 2024 Notes and 20 basis points for the 2028 Notes plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but
excluding, the Redemption Date. On or after the 2024 Par Call Date or the 2028 Par Call Date, as applicable, the Company may redeem the 2024 Notes or the 2028 Notes, as the case may be, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, by
paying 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the calculation of
such amount. 
 Section 302 Calculation. The Treasury Rate will be calculated by the Independent Investment Banker on the third
Business Day preceding the Redemption Date. For purposes of this Article III, the following terms shall mean as follows: 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield calculated on the third business day preceding the
redemption date, as follows: for the latest day that appears in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any
successor publication) under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities—Nominal”, the independent investment banker shall select two yields – one for the maturity immediately before and one for the maturity immediately after the
remaining maturity of the Notes to be redeemed (in the case of the 2024 Notes and the 2028 Notes, assuming the 2024 Notes and the 2028 Notes matured on the applicable Par Call Date) – and shall interpolate on a straight-line basis using such
yields; if there is no such maturity either before or after, the independent investment banker shall select the maturity closest to the 2021 Notes Maturity Date, in the case of the 2021 Notes, or the applicable Par Call Date, in the case of the 2024
Notes and the 2028 Notes, that appears on the release; or if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual
equivalent yield to maturity of the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated by the Independent Investment Banker using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable
Treasury Price for such Redemption Date. 

  
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 “Comparable Treasury Issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an
Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term (“Remaining Term”) of the Notes to be redeemed (in the case of the 2024 Notes and the 2028 Notes, assuming for this purpose
that the 2024 Notes and the 2028 Notes matured on the applicable Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable
maturity to the Remaining Term of such Notes. 
 “Comparable Treasury Price” means (1) the average of four Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the
average of all such quotations. 
 “Independent Investment Banker” means one of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan
Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc. or RBC Capital Markets, LLC as specified by the Company, or if these firms are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent
investment banking institution of national standing selected by the Company. 
 “Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of
(1) Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC and a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States of America (a “Primary Treasury
Dealer”) designated by MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and their respective affiliates or successors, each of which is a Primary Treasury Dealer, provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer,
the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer and (2) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Company after consultation with the Independent Investment Banker. 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the
average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date. 
 Section 303 Partial
Redemption. If fewer than all of the Notes of a series are to be redeemed by the Company pursuant to this Article III, not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, the particular Notes or portions thereof for redemption will be
selected from the outstanding Notes of such series not previously called by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee may select for redemption Notes of such series and portions of Notes of such series in minimum amounts of
$2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note shall be issued upon the cancellation of the original Note. In the case of a partial redemption of Notes of a series
registered in the name of Cede & Co, the Notes of such series to be redeemed will be determined in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company. 

  
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 Section 304 Notice of Optional Redemption. The Trustee, at the written
direction of the Company, will send a notice of redemption prepared by the Company to each holder of Notes of the series to be redeemed by first-class mail (or in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company with respect to Notes
registered in the name of Cede & Co.) at least 15 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. Unless the Company defaults on payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions
thereof called for redemption on the Redemption Date. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount to be redeemed. 

ARTICLE IV 
 Remedies 

Section 401 Additional Events of Default; Acceleration of Maturity 

(a) Solely with respect to the Notes of each series issued hereby, Section 501(5) of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its
entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof as an Event of Default in addition to the other events set forth in Section 501 of the Original Indenture: 

“(5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the
Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston
Electric a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric under any applicable federal or state law, or
appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric or of any substantial part of its respective property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation
of its respective affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; provided that any specified event in (A) or (B) involving CERC
Corp. or CenterPoint Houston shall not constitute an Event of Default if, at the time such event occurs, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric, as the case may be, shall no longer be an Affiliate of the Company; or” 

(b) Solely with respect to the Notes of each series issued hereby, Section 501(6) of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its
entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof as an Event of Default in addition to the other events set forth in Section 501 of the Original Indenture: 

  
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 “(6) the commencement by the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric of
a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by any of them to the entry
of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement
of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against any of them, or the filing by any of them of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law, or the consent by any of them to the
filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric or of any substantial part of its
respective property, or the making by any of them of an assignment of a substantial part of its respective property for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by any of them in writing of the inability of any of the Company, CERC Corp. or
Houston Electric to pay its respective debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric in furtherance of any such action; provided that any such specified event involving CERC
Corp. or Houston Electric shall not constitute an Event of Default if, at the time such event occurs, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric, as the case may be, shall no longer be an Affiliate of the Company; or” 

(c) Solely with respect to the Notes of each series issued hereby, and pursuant to Section 501(7) of the Original Indenture,
Section 501(7) of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof, as an “Event of Default” in addition to the other events set forth in Section 501 of the Original
Indenture: 
 “(7) The default by the Company in a scheduled payment at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, in the
aggregate principal amount of $125 million or more, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, of any Indebtedness or the acceleration of any Indebtedness of the Company in such aggregate principal amount so that it becomes due and
payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable and such payment default is not cured or such acceleration is not rescinded within 30 days after notice to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Indebtedness.” 

  
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 Section 402 Amendment of Certain Provisions. Solely with respect to the
Notes of each series issued hereby, references to “25%” in Article Five of the Indenture are hereby deleted in their entirety and “33%” is substituted in lieu thereof. 

ARTICLE V 
 Special Mandatory
Redemption 
 Section 501 Special Mandatory Redemption.

(a) Upon the first to occur of either (i) 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019, if the Vectren Merger is not consummated on
or prior to such time on such date, or (ii) the date on which the Merger Agreement is terminated (each, a “Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger”), the Company shall
redeem the Notes, in whole, at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date (the
“Special Mandatory Redemption”). 
 (b) Within five Business Days after the occurrence
of the Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger, the Trustee, at the Company’s written direction, shall send a notice of the Special Mandatory Redemption to each holder of Notes to be redeemed by first-class mail (or in accordance with the
procedures of The Depository Trust Company with respect to the Notes registered in the name of Cede & Co.) stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Original Indenture, that a Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger has occurred
and that all of the Notes being redeemed will be redeemed on the Redemption Date set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given). 

(c) This Section 501 shall apply to the Special Mandatory Redemption of the Notes of each series in lieu of Section 1102,
Section 1103, the first sentence of Section 1104 and Section 1107 of the Original Indenture. 
 (d) Upon the occurrence of the
closing of the Vectren Merger, this Section 501 shall cease to apply to the Notes. 
 ARTICLE VI 

Special Optional Redemption 

Section 601 Special Optional Redemption.

(a) The Notes of each series may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole but not in part, at any time before October 31, 2019,
at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date, if the Company determines, in its reasonable judgment, that the Vectren Merger will not
be consummated on or before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019 (the “Special Optional Redemption”). 

  
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 (b) If the Company exercises the Special Optional Redemption right provided in clause
(a) above, the Trustee, at the Company’s written direction, shall send a notice of the Special Optional Redemption to each holder of Notes to be redeemed by first-class mail (or in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust
Company with respect to the Notes registered in the name of Cede & Co.) stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Original Indenture, the exercise of the Special Optional Redemption right and that all of the Notes being
redeemed will be redeemed on the redemption date set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given). 

(c) This Section 601 shall apply to the Special Optional Redemption of the Notes of each series in lieu of Section 1102,
Section 1103, the first sentence of Section 1104 and Section 1107 of the Original Indenture. 
 (d) Upon the occurrence of the
closing of the Vectren Merger, this Section 601 shall cease to apply to the Notes. 
 ARTICLE VII 

Miscellaneous Provisions 

Section 701 The Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture No. 10, is in all respects hereby adopted,
ratified and confirmed. 
 Section 702 This Supplemental Indenture No. 10 may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. 
 Section 703 THIS
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 10 AND EACH NOTE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES THEREOF. 
 Section 704 If any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 10 limits, qualifies or conflicts with
another provision hereof which is required to be included herein by any provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control. 

Section 705 In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 10 or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. 

  
 13 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture No. 10
to be duly executed, as of the day and year first written above. 
  

			
	CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
		
	By:	 	  

		 	William D. Rogers
		 	Executive Vice President and
		 	Chief Financial Officer

  

	
	 Attest:
  

	  
 Vincent A. Mercaldi

	Corporate Secretary
	
	(SEAL)

  

			
	THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
	As Trustee
		
	By:	 	  

		 	Name:
		 	Title:

  
 14 

 Exhibit A 

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY] 
 [IF THIS SECURITY IS
TO BE A GLOBAL SECURITY -] THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF
THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. 
 [FOR AS LONG AS THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS DEPOSITED WITH OR ON BEHALF OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY IT SHALL BEAR THE FOLLOWING LEGEND.] UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO
CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN. 
 CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 

3.60% Senior Notes due 2021 
  

			
	 Original Interest Accrual Date: October 5, 2018

Stated Maturity: November 1, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”)

Interest Rate: 3.60%
 Interest Payment Dates: May 1 and
November 1
 Initial Interest Payment Date: May 1, 2019

Regular Record Dates: April 15 and October 15 immediately preceding the respective Interest Payment Date
	  	 Redeemable: Yes [X] No [     ]

Redemption Date: At any time.
 Redemption Price: At a price equal
to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of this Security or the portion hereof to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on this Security, or the portion
thereof to be redeemed (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis at the applicable Treasury Rate plus 12.5 basis points; plus, in each case,
accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

 This Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security 

within the meaning of the within-mentioned Indenture. 
  

 
  

			
	 Principal Amount
	  	Registered No. T-1
	
$                 *
	  	CUSIP 15189T AT4

 CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein called the
“Company,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture referred to below), for value received, hereby promises to pay to 

***CEDE & Co.*** 
 , or its registered
assigns, the principal sum of                DOLLARS on the Stated Maturity specified above, and to pay interest thereon from the Original Interest Accrual Date
specified above or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on the Interest Payment Dates specified above in each year, commencing on May 1, 2019, and at Maturity,
at the Interest Rate per annum specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, provided that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate
of 3.60% per annum (to the extent permitted by applicable law), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand. The amount of interest payable for any period
shall be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. The amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the days elapsed in any partial month. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this Security is not a Business Day,
then a payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date the
payment was originally payable. A “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to
close. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered
at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be April 15 or October 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment 

 

	* 	 Reference is made to Schedule A attached hereto with respect to decreases and increases in the aggregate
principal amount of Securities evidenced hereby. 

  
 A-2 

 
Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and shall either be paid to the Person in
whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of
Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the
Securities of this series may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, all as more fully provided in said Indenture. 

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made
(i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in
writing by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register. 
 Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this
Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place. 

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

  
 A-3 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed. 

 

							
	Dated: October         , 2018	 		  	CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
				
		 		  	By:	  	  

		 		  	Name:	  	William D. Rogers
		 		  	Title:	  	Executive Vice President and
		 		  		  	Chief Financial Officer
				
	(SEAL)	 		  		  	

  

	
	Attest:
	
	  
 Name: Vincent A.
Mercaldi

	Title: Corporate Secretary

 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION 

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

 

							
		 		 	THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
		 		 	As Trustee
				
	Dated: October         , 2018	 		 		 	
				
		 		 	By:	 	  

		 		 		 	        Authorized Signatory

  
 A-4 

 SCHEDULE A 

The initial aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by the Certificate to which this Schedule is attached is
$            . The notations on the following table evidence decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by such Certificate. 

 

									
	 Date of Adjustment
	  	 Decrease in Aggregate
Principal Amount
of
Securities
	  	 Increase in Aggregate
Principal Amount
of
Securities
	  	 Aggregate Principal
Amount of Securities
Remaining After

Such Decrease or
 Increase
	  	 Notation by

Security

Registrar

  
 A-5 

 [FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY] 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 
 3.60%
NOTES DUE 2021 
 This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”),
issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (herein called the “ Indenture,” which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and The Bank of New
York Mellon Trust Company, National Association (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank)), as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the
Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the
Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $500,000,000;
provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Securities may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect. 

Upon the first to occur of either (i) 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019, if the merger of Pacer Merger Sub, Inc. with
and into Vectren Corporation, with Vectren Corporation continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Vectren Merger”) is not consummated on or prior to such time on such date, or (ii) the date on which the Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated April 21, 2018, by and among the Company, Vectren Corporation, and Pacer Merger Sub, Inc. is terminated (each, a “Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger”), the Company shall redeem the Notes, in whole, at a
redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date (the “Special Mandatory Redemption”). 

Within five Business Days after the occurrence of the Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger, the Company will give notice of the Special
Mandatory Redemption to each Holder of the Notes, stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Indenture, that a Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger has occurred and that all such Notes of this series shall be redeemed on the Redemption
Date set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given). 

The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole but not in part, at any time before October 31, 2019, at a redemption
price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date, if the Company determines, in its reasonable judgment, that the Vectren Merger will not be consummated on
or before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019 (the “Special Optional Redemption”). 

  
 A-6 

 If the Company exercises the Special Optional Redemption right, it shall provide notice to
each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed, stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Indenture, that it is exercising such Special Optional Redemption right and that all such Notes of this series shall be redeemed on the redemption date
set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given). 

This Security shall be redeemable, at the option of the Company, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, at a price equal to
the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or the portion hereof to be redeemed) or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Securities to be redeemed
(or the portion hereof to be redeemed) (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year
consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable Treasury Rate plus 12.5 basis points plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the
Redemption Date. 
 The Treasury Rate will be calculated by the Independent Investment Banker on the third Business Day preceding the
Redemption Date. For purposes of calculating the Redemption Price, the following terms shall mean as follows: 
 “Treasury Rate”
means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption date, as follows: for the latest day that appears in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any successor publication) under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities—Nominal”, the independent investment banker shall select two
yields – one for the maturity immediately before and one for the maturity immediately after the remaining maturity of this Security – and shall interpolate on a straight-line basis using such yields; if there is no such maturity either
before or after, the independent investment banker shall select the maturity closest to the Maturity Date that appears on the release; or if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or
does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated by the Independent Investment Banker using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a
percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date. 
 “Comparable Treasury
Issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term (“Remaining Term”) of this Security to be redeemed that would be
utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Term of this Security. 

“Comparable Treasury Price” means (1) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after
excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations. 

  
 A-7 

 “Independent Investment Banker” means one of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC,
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc. or RBC Capital Markets, LLC as specified by the Company, or if these firms are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent
investment banking institution of national standing selected by the Company. 
 “Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of
(1) Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC and a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States of America (a “Primary Treasury
Dealer”) designated by MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and their respective affiliates or successors, each of which is a Primary Treasury Dealer, provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer,
the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer and (2) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Company after consultation with the Independent Investment Banker. 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average,
as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date. 
 In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a
new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof. 

The Securities of this series are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. 

The Indenture contains provisions for satisfaction and discharge of the entire indebtedness of this Security upon compliance by the Company
with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture. 
 The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire
indebtedness of this Security or certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture. 

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series
may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. 
 The Indenture permits, with certain
exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and
the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in
principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the
Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of
transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security. 

  
 A-8 

 As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have
the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event
of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in
respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction
inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this
Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein. 

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

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the
Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by
a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor,
of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. 
 Prior to due presentment of
this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be
overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary. 
 The Securities of this
series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this
series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. 

  
 A-9 

 All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings
assigned to them in the Indenture. 
 THE INDENTURE AND THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF. 

  
 A-10 

 Exhibit B 

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY] 
 [IF THIS SECURITY IS
TO BE A GLOBAL SECURITY -] THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF
THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. 
 [FOR AS LONG AS THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS DEPOSITED WITH OR ON BEHALF OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY IT SHALL BEAR THE FOLLOWING LEGEND.] UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO
CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN. 
 CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 

3.85% Senior Notes due 2024 
  

			
	 Original Interest Accrual Date: October 5, 2018

Stated Maturity: February 1, 2024
 Interest Rate: 3.85%

Interest Payment Dates: February 1 and August 1
 Initial
Interest Payment Date: February 1, 2019
 Regular Record Dates: January 15 and July 15 immediately preceding the respective Interest Payment
Date
	  	 Redeemable: Yes [X] No [ ]
 Redemption Date: At
any time.
 Redemption Price: 1) On any date prior to January 1, 2024 (the “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100%
of the principal amount of this Security or the portion hereof to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on this Security, or the portion thereof to be redeemed, that
would be due if this Security matured on the Par Call Date but for the redemption (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis at the
applicable

			
		  	Treasury Rate plus 15 basis points; plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; or 2) on or after the Par Call Date, at a price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of this Security or the portion thereof to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

 This Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security 

within the meaning of the within-mentioned Indenture. 
  

 
  

			
	 Principal Amount
	  	Registered No. T-1
	
$                   
     2
	  	CUSIP 15189T AU1

 CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein called the
“Company,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture referred to below), for value received, hereby promises to pay to 

***CEDE & Co.*** 
 , or its registered
assigns, the principal sum of                DOLLARS on the Stated Maturity specified above, and to pay interest thereon from the Original Interest Accrual Date
specified above or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on the Interest Payment Dates specified above in each year, commencing on February 1, 2019, and at
Maturity, at the Interest Rate per annum specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, provided that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at
the rate of 3.85% per annum (to the extent permitted by applicable law), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand. The amount of interest payable for any
period shall be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. The amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of
a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the days elapsed in any partial month. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this Security is not a
Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on
the date the payment was originally payable. A “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive
order to close. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly 
  

	2 	 Reference is made to Schedule A attached hereto with respect to decreases and increases in the aggregate
principal amount of Securities evidenced hereby. 

 
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be January 15 and July 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually
paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and shall either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in
any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Securities of this series may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or
automated quotation system, all as more fully provided in said Indenture. 
 Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such
interest on this Security will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided,
however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in
immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in writing by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register. 

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all
purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place. 
 Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed. 

 

			
	Dated: October             , 2018	 	CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
		
		 	By:                                     
                            
		 	Name: William D. Rogers
		 	Title:   Executive Vice President and
		 	           Chief Financial Officer
		
	(SEAL)	 	

  

	
	Attest:
	
	  

	Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi
	Title: Corporate Secretary

 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION 

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

 

			
		 	THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
		 	As Trustee
		
	Dated: October             , 2018	 	
		 	By:                                     
                        
		 	       Authorized Signatory

 SCHEDULE A 

The initial aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by the Certificate to which this Schedule is attached is
$                . The notations on the following table evidence decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by such Certificate.

  

									
	 Date of Adjustment
	  	 Decrease in Aggregate

Principal Amount of

Securities
	  	 Increase in Aggregate

Principal Amount of

Securities
	  	 Aggregate Principal

Amount of Securities
 Remaining
After
 Such Decrease or

Increase
	  	 Notation by

Security

Registrar

 [FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY] 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 
 3.85%
NOTES DUE 2024 
 This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”),
issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (herein called the “ Indenture,” which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and The Bank of New
York Mellon Trust Company, National Association (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank)), as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the
Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the
Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $500,000,000;
provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Securities may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect. 

Upon the first to occur of either (i) 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019, if the merger of Pacer Merger Sub, Inc. with
and into Vectren Corporation, with Vectren Corporation continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Vectren Merger”) is not consummated on or prior to such time on such date, or (ii) the date on which the Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated April 21, 2018, by and among the Company, Vectren Corporation, and Pacer Merger Sub, Inc. is terminated (each, a “Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger”), the Company shall redeem the Notes, in whole, at a
redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date (the “Special Mandatory Redemption”). 

Within five Business Days after the occurrence of the Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger, the Company will give notice of the Special
Mandatory Redemption to each Holder of the Notes, stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Indenture, that a Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger has occurred and that all such Notes of this series shall be redeemed on the Redemption
Date set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given). 

The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole but not in part, at any time before October 31, 2019, at a redemption
price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date, if the Company determines, in its reasonable judgment, that the Vectren Merger will not be consummated on
or before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019 (the “Special Optional Redemption”). 

 If the Company exercises the Special Optional Redemption right, it shall provide notice to
each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed, stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Indenture, that it is exercising such Special Optional Redemption right and that all such Notes of this series shall be redeemed on the redemption date
set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given). 

This Security shall be redeemable, at the option of the Company, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, on any date prior to
January 1, 2024 (the “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or the portion hereof to be redeemed) or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining
scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Securities to be redeemed that would be due if this Security (or the portion hereof to be redeemed) matured on the Par Call Date but for the redemption (not including any portion of such payments
of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the
applicable Treasury Rate plus 15 basis points plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. On or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem this
Security, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, by paying 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or such portion to be redeemed) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but
excluding, the Redemption Date. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the calculation of such amount. 
 The Treasury Rate will be
calculated by the Independent Investment Banker on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date. For purposes of calculating the Redemption Price, the following terms shall mean as follows: 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption
date, as follows: for the latest day that appears in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any successor
publication) under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities—Nominal”, the independent investment banker shall select two yields – one for the maturity immediately before and one for the maturity immediately after the remaining
maturity of this Security (assuming this Security matured on the Par Call Date) – and shall interpolate on a straight-line basis using such yields; if there is no such maturity either before or after, the independent investment banker shall
select the maturity closest to the Par Call Date that appears on the release; or if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to
the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated by the Independent Investment Banker using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable
Treasury Price for such Redemption Date. 
 “Comparable Treasury Issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an
Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term (“Remaining Term”) of this Security to be redeemed (assuming for this purpose that the Securities matured on the Par Call Date)
that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Term of this Security. 

 “Comparable Treasury Price” means (1) the average of four Reference Treasury
Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average
of all such quotations. 
 “Independent Investment Banker” means one of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan
Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc. or RBC Capital Markets, LLC as specified by the Company, or if these firms are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent
investment banking institution of national standing selected by the Company. 
 “Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of
(1) Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC and a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States of America (a “Primary Treasury
Dealer”) designated by MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and their respective affiliates or successors, each of which is a Primary Treasury Dealer, provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer,
the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer and (2) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Company after consultation with the Independent Investment Banker. 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average,
as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date. 
 In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a
new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof. 

The Securities of this series are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. 

The Indenture contains provisions for satisfaction and discharge of the entire indebtedness of this Security upon compliance by the Company
with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture. 
 The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire
indebtedness of this Security or certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture. 

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series
may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. 

 The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof
and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at
the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent
or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof,
whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security. 
 As provided in and subject to the provisions of the
Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously
given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written
request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of
this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to
any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein. 

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

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the
Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by
a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor,
of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. 
 Prior to due presentment of
this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be
overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary. 

 The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of
Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. 
 All
terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture. 
 THE INDENTURE
AND THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF. 

 Exhibit C 

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY] 
 [IF THIS SECURITY IS
TO BE A GLOBAL SECURITY -] THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF
THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. 
 [FOR AS LONG AS THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS DEPOSITED WITH OR ON BEHALF OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY IT SHALL BEAR THE FOLLOWING LEGEND.] UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO
CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN. 
 CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 

4.25% Senior Notes due 2028 
  

			
	 Original Interest Accrual Date: October 5, 2018

Stated Maturity: November 1, 2028
 Interest Rate: 4.25%

Interest Payment Dates: May 1 and November 1
 Initial
Interest Payment Date: May 1, 2019
 Regular Record Dates: April 15 and October 15 immediately preceding the respective Interest Payment
Date
	  	 Redeemable: Yes ☒ No ☐
 Redemption
Date: At any time.
 Redemption Price: 1) On any date prior to August 1, 2028 (the “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to the greater of
(i) 100% of the principal amount of this Security or the portion hereof to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on this Security, or the portion thereof to be
redeemed, that would be due if this Security matured on the Par Call Date but for the redemption (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis at the
applicable

			
		  	Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points; plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; or 2) on or after the Par Call Date, at a price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of this Security or the portion thereof to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

 This Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security 

within the meaning of the within-mentioned Indenture. 
  

 
  

			
	 Principal Amount
	  	Registered No. T-1
	
$                   
         ‡
	  	CUSIP 15189T AV9

 CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein called the
“Company,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture referred to below), for value received, hereby promises to pay to 

***CEDE & Co.*** 

        , or its registered assigns, the principal sum of
             DOLLARS on the Stated Maturity specified above, and to pay interest thereon from the Original Interest Accrual Date specified above or from the most recent Interest Payment
Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on the Interest Payment Dates specified above in each year, commencing on May 1, 2019, and at Maturity, at the Interest Rate per annum specified above, until
the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, provided that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 4.25% per annum (to the extent permitted by
applicable law), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand. The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. The amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months and the days elapsed in any partial month. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this Security is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on
such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable. A
“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close. The interest so payable, and
punctually paid or duly 
  

	‡ 	 Reference is made to Schedule A attached hereto with respect to decreases and increases in the aggregate
principal amount of Securities evidenced hereby. 

 
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be April 15 and October 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually
paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and shall either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in
any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Securities of this series may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or
automated quotation system, all as more fully provided in said Indenture. 
 Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such
interest on this Security will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided,
however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in
immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in writing by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register. 

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all
purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place. 
 Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed. 

 

							
	Dated: October         , 2018	 		 	CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
				
		 		 	By:	 	  

		 		 	Name:	 	William D. Rogers
		 		 	Title:	 	Executive Vice President and
		 		 		 	    Chief Financial Officer

 (SEAL) 
  

	
	Attest:
	
	  

	Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi
	Title: Corporate Secretary

 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION 

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

 

							
		 		 	 THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
 TRUST
COMPANY, NATIONAL
 ASSOCIATION
 As Trustee

				
	Dated: October         , 2018	 		 		 	
		 		 	By:	 	  

		 		 		 	Authorized Signatory

 SCHEDULE A 

The initial aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by the Certificate to which this Schedule is attached is
$                . The notations on the following table evidence decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by such Certificate.

  

									
	 Date of

Adjustment
	  	Decrease in Aggregate
Principal Amount of
Securities	  	Increase in Aggregate
Principal Amount of
Securities	  	Aggregate Principal
Amount of Securities
Remaining After
Such Decrease or Increase	  	Notation by
Security
Registrar

 [FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY] 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 
 4.25%
NOTES DUE 2028 
 This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”),
issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (herein called the “ Indenture,” which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and The Bank of New
York Mellon Trust Company, National Association (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank)), as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the
Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the
Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $500,000,000;
provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Securities may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect. 

Upon the first to occur of either (i) 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019, if the merger of Pacer Merger Sub, Inc. with
and into Vectren Corporation, with Vectren Corporation continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Vectren Merger”) is not consummated on or prior to such time on such date, or (ii) the date on which the Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated April 21, 2018, by and among the Company, Vectren Corporation, and Pacer Merger Sub, Inc. is terminated (each, a “Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger”), the Company shall redeem the Notes, in whole, at a
redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date (the “Special Mandatory Redemption”). 

Within five Business Days after the occurrence of the Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger, the Company will give notice of the Special
Mandatory Redemption to each Holder of the Notes, stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Indenture, that a Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger has occurred and that all such Notes of this series shall be redeemed on the Redemption
Date set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given). 

The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole but not in part, at any time before October 31, 2019, at a redemption
price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date, if the Company determines, in its reasonable judgment, that the Vectren Merger will not be consummated on
or before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 31, 2019 (the “Special Optional Redemption”). 

 If the Company exercises the Special Optional Redemption right, it shall provide notice to
each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed, stating, together with other matters prescribed in the Indenture, that it is exercising such Special Optional Redemption right and that all such Notes of this series shall be redeemed on the redemption date
set forth in such notice (which will be no earlier than three Business Days and no later than 30 days from the date such notice is given). 

This Security shall be redeemable, at the option of the Company, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, on any date prior to
August 1, 2028 (the “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or the portion hereof to be redeemed) or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining
scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Securities to be redeemed that would be due if this Security (or the portion hereof to be redeemed) matured on the Par Call Date but for the redemption (not including any portion of such payments
of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the
applicable Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. On or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem this
Security, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, by paying 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or such portion to be redeemed) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but
excluding, the Redemption Date. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the calculation of such amount. 
 The Treasury Rate will be
calculated by the Independent Investment Banker on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date. For purposes of calculating the Redemption Price, the following terms shall mean as follows: 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption
date, as follows: for the latest day that appears in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any successor
publication) under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities—Nominal”, the independent investment banker shall select two yields – one for the maturity immediately before and one for the maturity immediately after the remaining
maturity of this Security (assuming this Security matured on the Par Call Date) – and shall interpolate on a straight-line basis using such yields; if there is no such maturity either before or after, the independent investment banker shall
select the maturity closest to the Par Call Date that appears on the release; or if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to
the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated by the Independent Investment Banker using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable
Treasury Price for such Redemption Date. 
 “Comparable Treasury Issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an
Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term (“Remaining Term”) of this Security to be redeemed (assuming for this purpose that the Securities matured on the Par Call Date)
that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Term of this Security. 

 “Comparable Treasury Price” means (1) the average of four Reference Treasury
Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average
of all such quotations. 
 “Independent Investment Banker” means one of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan
Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc. or RBC Capital Markets, LLC as specified by the Company, or if these firms are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent
investment banking institution of national standing selected by the Company. 
 “Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of
(1) Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC and a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States of America (a “Primary Treasury
Dealer”) designated by MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and their respective affiliates or successors, each of which is a Primary Treasury Dealer, provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer,
the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer and (2) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Company after consultation with the Independent Investment Banker. 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average,
as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date. 
 In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a
new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof. 

The Securities of this series are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. 

The Indenture contains provisions for satisfaction and discharge of the entire indebtedness of this Security upon compliance by the Company
with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture. 
 The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire
indebtedness of this Security or certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture. 

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series
may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. 

 The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof
and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at
the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent
or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof,
whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security. 
 As provided in and subject to the provisions of the
Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously
given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written
request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of
this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to
any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein. 

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

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the
Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by
a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor,
of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. 
 Prior to due presentment of
this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be
overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary. 

 The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of
Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. 
 All
terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture. 
 THE INDENTURE
AND THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

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