•Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on February 26, 2025 (including those portions of our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A relating to our 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed on March 7, 2025, incorporated by reference therein); •Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on April 30, 2025; | • | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 29, 2025, February 27, 2025, April 28, 2025 and June 27, 2025 (in each case, excluding Items 2.02 and 7.01 on Form 8-K and Item 9.01 related thereto); and |
• | The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on December 12, 2002 together with any amendment or reports filed with the SEC subsequent thereto updating that description. |
You may obtain any of these incorporated documents from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in such documents, by requesting them from us in writing or by telephone at the following address: Central Pacific Financial Corp.
220 South King Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
(808) 544-0500
Attention: Corporate Secretary In addition, we maintain a corporate website at https://www.cpb.bank/. We make available through our website, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. This reference to our website is for the convenience of investors as required by the SEC and shall not be deemed to incorporate any information on the website into this registration statement, prospectus or any prospectus supplement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT CENTRAL PACIFIC FINANCIAL CORP. Central Pacific Financial Corp., a Hawaii corporation and bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”), was organized on February 1, 1982. Our principal business is to serve as a holding company for our bank subsidiary, Central Pacific Bank, which was incorporated in its present form in the state of Hawaii on March 16, 1982 in connection with the holding company reorganization. Its predecessor entity was incorporated in the state of Hawaii on January 15, 1954. We provide financial results based on a fiscal year ending December 31 as a single reportable segment. As of March 31, 2025, we had total assets of $7.41 billion, total loans of $5.33 billion, total deposits of $6.60 billion and shareholders' equity of $557.4 million. Through our Bank and its subsidiaries, we offer full-service commercial banking with 27 bank branches and 55 ATMs located throughout the state of Hawaii. Our administrative and main offices are located in Honolulu and we have 20 branches on the island of Oahu. We operate 4 branches on the island of Maui, 2 branches on the island of Hawaii and 1 branch on the island of Kauai. Central Pacific Bank is a full-service commercial bank offering traditional deposit and lending products and services to consumer and business customers, such as accepting demand, money market, savings and time deposits, originating loans, including commercial loans, construction loans, commercial real estate loans, residential mortgage loans, and consumer loans and fiduciary and investment management services. Our Bank’s deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to applicable limits. The Bank became a member of the Federal Reserve System in January 2025. We derive our income primarily from interest and fees on loans, interest on investment securities and fees received in connection with deposit and other services. Our major operating expenses are the interest paid by our Bank on deposits and borrowings, salaries and employee benefits and general operating expenses. Our Bank relies substantially on a foundation of locally generated deposits. Our principal executive offices are located at 220 South King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 and our telephone number is (808) 544-0500. Our internet address is www.cpb.bank. Information on, or accessible through, our website is not part of this prospectus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS THE OFFERING We may offer up to $300,000,000 of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, purchase contracts, warrants, rights or units in one or more offerings and in any combination. A prospectus supplement, which we will provide each time we offer securities, will describe the amounts, prices and detailed terms of the securities and may describe risks associated with an investment in the securities. We will also include in the prospectus supplement, where applicable, information about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities. We may sell the securities to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers. We, as well as any agents acting on our behalf, reserve the sole right to accept or to reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of our securities. Each prospectus supplement will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of our securities described in that prospectus supplement and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them as required by applicable law. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS USE OF PROCEEDS Unless we specify otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from our sale of securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include: •organic growth; •repaying indebtedness; | • | repurchasing or redeeming outstanding securities; |
• | making additions to our working capital; |
• | funding future acquisitions; or |
• | for any other purpose we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
Until we use the proceeds for any purpose, we expect to invest them in interest bearing securities or hold them in deposit accounts at the Bank or another depository institution. We cannot predict whether the proceeds invested will yield a favorable return.
TABLE OF CONTENTS DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK WE MAY OFFER Please note that in this section entitled “Description of Common Stock We May Offer,” references to “holders” mean those who own shares of common stock, registered in their own names, on the books that the registrar or we maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in shares registered in street name or in shares issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries. Owners of beneficial interests in shares of common stock should also read the section entitled “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance.” The following summary description of our common stock is based on the provisions of our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the “Articles of Incorporation”), and amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”), and the applicable provisions of the Hawaii Business Corporation Act (the “HBCA”). This description is not complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws (each of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part) and the applicable provisions of the HBCA. For information on how to obtain copies of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” Authorized Capital Common Stock Our authorized Common Stock consists of 185,000,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value per share, of which 27,061,589 shares are outstanding as of March 31, 2025. The issued Common Stock is not federally insured. Dividend Rights Holders of our Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors, out of any funds legally available for dividends. The ability to pay dividends depends on the amount of dividends paid to the Company by Central Pacific Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company’s payment of dividends, and the Bank’s payment of dividends to the Company, are subject to extensive government regulation, in that regulatory authorities may invoke their authority to prohibit banks and their holding companies from paying dividends for a number of reasons, including, for example, a determination that such payments would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice or a determination that such payments would reduce the amount of either entity’s capital below that necessary to meet minimum applicable regulatory capital requirements. Our ability to pay dividends is also subject to restrictions set forth under Hawaii law and restrictions and covenants set forth in various agreements we are a party to, including covenants set forth in our subordinated debentures. Under Hawaii law, no dividend may be made if, after giving it effect, (i) we would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the usual course of business, or (ii) our assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed if we were to be dissolved at the time of the dividend, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the dividend. The Bank, in addition to obtaining approval from the Federal Reserve Board and Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions, if required, is not permitted under Hawaii law to pay dividends except out of retained earnings as defined under Hawaii banking law. Liquidation and Dissolution In the event of our liquidation or dissolution, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive proportionately all assets available for distribution to shareholders after the payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any outstanding preferred stock. Holders of Common Stock are not entitled to a liquidation preference in respect of those shares. No Preemptive or Conversion Rights Holders of Common Stock generally do not have preemptive rights to purchase additional Common Stock or conversion or redemption rights under our Restated Articles of Incorporation or the HBCA. Voting Rights Holders of our Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders and do not have cumulative voting rights. An election of directors by our shareholders shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to vote on the election.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Restrictions on Ownership-Bank Regulatory Restrictions The Bank Holding Company Act generally would prohibit any company that, together with its affiliates, is not solely engaged in activities that are permissible for a bank holding company or a financial holding company from acquiring control of us. For these purposes, “control” is generally defined as ownership, control or the ability to vote 25% or more of any class of voting stock of, control of the election of a majority of the directors of or other exercise of a controlling influence over a bank holding company. In addition, any existing bank holding company would need the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before acquiring 5% or more of our voting stock. Furthermore, the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, prohibits a person or group of persons “acting in concert” from acquiring “control” of a bank holding company unless the Federal Reserve Board has been given prior written notice of such proposed acquisition and within that time period the Federal Reserve has not issued a notice disapproving the proposed acquisition or extending for up to another statutory period during which such a disapproval may be issued. Under a rebuttable presumption established by regulations of the Federal Reserve, the acquisition of 10% or more of a class of voting stock of a bank holding company with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, such as us, is presumed to constitute acquisition of control of the bank holding company for purposes of the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978. An acquisition may be made prior to the expiration of the disapproval period if the Federal Reserve issues written notice of its intent not to disapprove the action. Whether or not a party is presumed to have acquired control or have a controlling influence over a bank holding company depends on, among other things, its percentage of voting ownership, the number of director representatives such party has and overall business relationships with the bank holding company. Similarly, the Hawaii Commissioner of Financial Institutions is required to approve any acquisition of control of the Bank or the Company. Anti-Takeover Effects of Hawaii Law The Hawaii Control Share Acquisitions Act (the “CSA Act”) is applicable to the Company and is designed to inhibit hostile acquisitions by restricting Control Share Acquisitions. A Control Share Acquisition is the acquisition of shares of an issuer resulting in beneficial ownership of a new range of voting power (with thresholds for the ranges starting at 10% and set at 10% intervals up to a majority) for the election of directors. Certain acquisitions are exempt from the CSA Act, including acquisitions from the issuer or where the issuer's prior approval has been obtained. The CSA Act prohibits the consummation of a Control Share Acquisition unless each such acquisition is separately approved by a majority of the corporation's outstanding shares (excluding shares beneficially owned by the acquiring person) and imposes certain state law disclosure and timing requirements. If a Control Share Acquisition is made without the requisite shareholder approval, then, for a period of one year after the acquisition, the shares acquired by the acquiring person will (i) be denied voting rights, (ii) be non-transferable, and (iii) be subject to redemption at the option of the corporation either at the price at which the shares were acquired or at book value per share as of the last day of the fiscal quarter ended prior to the date of the call for redemption. Thus, under certain circumstances, the CSA Act may make it more difficult for an acquiring person to exercise control over the Company due to the limitations placed on that person's ability to vote the shares so acquired and the right of the Company to acquire the subject shares. In addition, the HBCA requires certain mergers and share exchanges to be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of ¾ (three-fourth’s) of all the Company’s issued and outstanding shares having voting power. Anti-Takeover Provisions in our Restated Articles and Amended Bylaws The following discussion is a general summary of certain provisions of the Restated Articles of Incorporation, and Amended Bylaws of the Company which may be deemed to have an “anti-takeover” effect. Advance Notice Requirement for Director Nominations and Shareholder Proposals; Procedural Requirements. Our Amended Bylaws provide that shareholder nominations for the election of directors and other shareholder proposals may not be brought before a meeting of shareholders unless the shareholder has given timely written notice in proper form of such nomination or proposal to the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive office. Such proposals or nominations may be made only by persons who are shareholders of record on the date on which such notice is given and on the record date for determination of shareholders
TABLE OF CONTENTS entitled to vote at that meeting. To be timely, a shareholder's notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the executive office of the corporation not less than 90 calendar days nor more than 120 calendar days prior to the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year; provided, however, if and only if the annual meeting is not scheduled to be held within a period that commences 30 days before such anniversary date and ends 30 days after such anniversary date, the shareholder's notice shall be given in the manner provided herein by the later of (i) the close of business on the date 90 days prior to the meeting date or (ii) the tenth day following the date the meeting is first publicly announced or disclosed, and (iii) in the case of a special meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting is publicly announced or disclosed. In addition, shareholders proposing any action to be brought before a meeting of shareholders and shareholders proposing any nominee for election must meet certain procedural requirements set forth in our Bylaws, including information relating to the noticing shareholder and information relating to the proposed nominee for director, in the case of a shareholder proposing a director nominee. No person nominated by a shareholder is eligible for election to the Board of Directors and no proposal shall be considered properly submitted unless in accordance with the foregoing procedures, and thus such procedures could make it more difficult for dissident shareholders to nominate and elect their candidates. Supermajority Shareholder Vote to Call a Special Shareholders Meeting to Amend Bylaws. Subject to repeal or change at any regular meeting of the shareholders, or at any special meeting called for that purpose by the vote of the holders of eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at such meeting, the power to alter, amend or repeal our Amended Bylaws or adopt new bylaws is vested in the Board of Directors. The supermajority vote required to call a special meeting of shareholders to amend the bylaws could have the effect of discouraging a tender offer or other takeover attempt where the ability to make fundamental changes through bylaw amendments adopted by the shareholders at a special meeting is an important element of the takeover strategy. Fair Price Provisions Involving Business Combinations. Our Restated Articles of Incorporation contain a “fair price” provision that applies to certain business combination transactions involving any interested shareholder, which is (i) any person that beneficially owns more than 10% of our voting stock or (ii) any affiliate of the Company that within the past five years beneficially owned more than 10% of our voting stock. This provision requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of our voting stock to approve specified transactions between an interested shareholder or its affiliate and us or our subsidiaries, including: •any merger or consolidation; •any sale, lease, license, exchange, pledge, transfer or other disposition of assets (in one transaction or a series of transactions) having a fair market value of $2 million or more; | • | the issuance or transfer of any of our securities or any of our subsidiaries' securities by us or any of our subsidiaries to an interested shareholder or its affiliates having a fair market value of $2 million or more; |
• | the adoption of a plan or proposal for our liquidation or dissolution proposed by or on behalf of an interested shareholder or its affiliate; and |
• | any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), recapitalization, merger or consolidation of our company with any of our subsidiaries or other transaction (whether or not involving an interested shareholder) that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of our equity or convertible securities or those of our subsidiaries owned by an interested shareholder or its affiliate. |
This voting requirement will not apply to any particular transaction approved by a majority vote of the directors who are unaffiliated with the interested shareholder and who were members of the Board of Directors before the latter of the first public announcement of the terms of the proposed business combination and the day the interested shareholder became a shareholder and any successor to such directors who were unaffiliated with
TABLE OF CONTENTS the interested shareholder and recommended to the Board of Directors by a majority of such directors. This voting requirement will also not apply to any transaction involving the payment of consideration to holders of our outstanding Common Stock in which certain minimum “fair price” and procedural requirements are met. This “fair price” provision could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company in a transaction of series of transactions that does not satisfy the stated criteria. Preferred Stock. Our Restated Articles of Incorporation allow the Board of Directors to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share. The Board of Directors also has the authority to designate the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preferred stock, including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any series. The issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change of control of our company without further action by the shareholders. The issuance of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights may also adversely affect the voting power of the holders of Common Stock. In certain circumstances, an issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our Common Stock.
TABLE OF CONTENTS DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK WE MAY OFFER Please note that in this section entitled “Description of Preferred Stock We May Offer,” references to “holders” mean those who own shares of preferred stock registered in their own names, on the books that the registrar or we maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in shares registered in street name or in shares issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries. Owners of beneficial interests in shares of preferred stock should also read the section entitled “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance.” The following description summarizes the material provisions of the preferred stock we may offer. This description is not complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and the applicable provisions of the HBCA. The specific terms of any series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any series of preferred stock we issue will be governed by our Articles of Incorporation (as amended and in effect as of the date of such issuance) and by any articles of amendment related to that series. We will file any articles of amendment with the SEC and incorporate it by reference as an exhibit to our registration statement at or before the time we issue any preferred stock of that series of authorized preferred stock. General Under our Articles of Incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without any further vote or action by our shareholders, to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share, in one or more series and to fix, determine or amend the relative rights and preferences of the shares of any series so established, within the limitations set forth in the HBCA, relating to the preferences, limitations, voting powers and relative rights thereof, including, but not limited to: •dividend rights; •conversion or exchange rights; | • | redemption or sinking fund terms; |
• | liquidation preferences; and |
• | the number of shares constituting each such series. |
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific dividend, liquidation, redemption, voting and any conversion rights relating to the particular series of the preferred stock it offers, including among other things dividend rates; dividend periods; whether dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative; the terms upon which we may, or must, redeem such preferred stock; rights upon liquidation; and voting rights. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement specifies otherwise, the preferred stock will have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities that we may issue in the future, which means that holders of shares of preferred stock will have no right, as holders of shares of preferred stock, to buy any portion of those issued securities.
TABLE OF CONTENTS DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES WE MAY OFFER Please note that in this section entitled “Description of the Depositary Shares We May Offer,” references to “holders” mean those who own depositary shares registered in their own names, on the books that the registrar or we maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in shares registered in street name or in shares issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries. Owners of beneficial interests in depositary shares should also read the section entitled “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance.” This section outlines some of the provisions of the deposit agreement to govern any depositary shares, the depositary shares themselves and the depositary receipts. This information may not be complete in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to the relevant deposit agreement and depositary receipts with respect to the depositary shares related to any particular series of preferred stock. The specific terms of any series of depositary shares will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If so described in the prospectus supplement, the terms of that series of depositary shares may differ from the general description of terms presented below. General We may offer fractional interests in shares of our preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we will provide for the issuance by a depositary to the public of receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest in a share of a particular series of preferred stock. The shares of any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company having its principal office in the U.S. and having a combined capital and surplus of such amount as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, which we refer to in this section as the depositary. We will name the depositary in the applicable prospectus supplement. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will have a fractional interest in all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying the depositary share. Those rights include any dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under the deposit agreement. Purchasers of fractional interests in shares of the related series of preferred stock will receive depositary receipts as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, purchasers will not be entitled to receive the whole shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. While the deposit agreement relating to a particular series of preferred stock may have provisions applicable solely to that series of preferred stock, all deposit agreements relating to preferred stock we issue will include the following provisions except as described in any applicable prospectus supplement: Dividends and Other Distributions Each time we pay a cash dividend or make any other type of cash distribution with regard to preferred stock of an applicable series, the depositary will distribute to the holder of record of each depositary share relating to that series of preferred stock an amount equal to the dividend or other distribution per depositary share the depositary receives. If there is a distribution of property other than cash, the depositary either will distribute the property to the holders of depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by each of them, or the depositary will, if we approve, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by them. Withdrawal of Preferred Stock A holder of depositary shares will be entitled to receive, upon surrender of depositary receipts representing depositary shares, the number of whole or fractional shares of the applicable series of preferred stock, and any money or other property, to which the depositary shares relate. Redemption of Depositary Shares Whenever we redeem shares of applicable preferred stock held by a depositary, the depositary will be required to redeem, on the same redemption date, depositary shares constituting, in total, the number of shares of
TABLE OF CONTENTS preferred stock held by the depositary which we redeem, subject to the depositary’s receiving the redemption price of those shares of preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares relating to a series are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or by another method we determine to be equitable. Voting Any time we send a notice of meeting or other materials relating to a meeting to the holders of an applicable series of preferred stock to which depositary shares relate, we will provide the depositary with sufficient copies of those materials so they can be sent to all holders of record of the applicable depositary shares, and the depositary will send those materials to the holders of record of the depositary shares on the record date for the meeting. The depositary will solicit voting instructions from holders of depositary shares and will vote or not vote the applicable preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate in accordance with those instructions. Liquidation Preference Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holder of each depositary share will be entitled to what the holder of the depositary share would have received if the holder had owned the number of shares (or fraction of a share) of applicable preferred stock which is represented by the applicable depositary share. Conversion If shares of an applicable series of preferred stock are convertible into common stock or other of our securities or property, holders of depositary shares relating to that series of preferred stock will, if they surrender depositary receipts representing depositary shares and appropriate instructions to convert them, receive the shares of common stock or other securities or property into which the number of shares (or fractions of shares) of applicable preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate could at the time be converted. Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement We and the depositary may amend a deposit agreement and the form of depositary receipt, except that an amendment which materially and adversely affects the rights of holders of depositary shares, or would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the applicable preferred stock to which they relate, must be approved by holders of at least a majority of the outstanding depositary shares. No amendment will impair the right of a holder of depositary shares to surrender the depositary receipts evidencing those depositary shares and receive the applicable preferred stock to which they relate, except as required to comply with law. We may terminate a deposit agreement at any time, as long as the depositary mails notice of termination to the record holders of depositary shares then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for termination. Upon termination, the depositary shall deliver to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts, together with any other property held by the depositary with respect to such depositary receipt. A deposit agreement will automatically terminate if: •All outstanding depositary shares to which it relates have been redeemed. •Each share of applicable preferred stock has been converted into or exchanged for common stock. | • | The depositary has made a final distribution to the holders of the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER Please note that in this section entitled “Description of Debt Securities We May Offer,” references to “holders” mean those who own debt securities registered in their own names on the books that we or the trustee maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in debt securities registered in street name or in debt securities issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries. Owners of beneficial interests in the debt securities should also read the section entitled “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance.” The following description summarizes the material provisions of the senior debt indenture, the subordinated debt indenture and the debt securities to be issued under the senior debt indenture and subordinated debt indenture, respectively. This description is not complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the indenture under which the debt securities are issued and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The specific terms of any series of debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, and may differ from the general description of the terms presented below. The senior debt security indenture and the form of subordinated debt security indenture have been filed as exhibits to our SEC registration statement relating to this prospectus. References to our senior debt indenture and subordinated debt indenture in this section mean the forms of indenture filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, such forms of indenture not having been executed as of the date of this prospectus. Debt Securities May Be Senior or Subordinated We may issue senior or subordinated debt securities. Except as otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, neither the senior debt securities nor the subordinated debt securities will be secured by any property or assets of ours or any of our subsidiaries. Thus, by owning a debt security, you are an unsecured creditor of Central Pacific. The senior debt securities will be issued under a senior debt indenture described below (a form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part), as it may be supplemented or amended from time-to-time, and will rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated debt indenture described below (a form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part), as it may be supplemented or amended from time-to-time, and will be subordinate in right of payment to all of our “senior debt,” as defined in the subordinated debt indenture, as it may be supplemented or amended from time-to-time. The prospectus supplement for any series of subordinated debt securities or the information incorporated in this prospectus by reference will indicate the approximate amount of senior debt outstanding as of the end of our most recent fiscal quarter. Neither indenture will limit our ability to incur additional senior debt, unless otherwise described in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities. Our senior debt is, and any additional senior debt will be, structurally subordinated to the indebtedness of our subsidiaries. See “—Our Debt Securities Are Structurally Subordinated to Indebtedness of Our Subsidiaries” below. When we refer to “debt securities” in this prospectus, we mean both the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities. The Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities will each be governed by a document called an indenture – the senior debt indenture, in the case of the senior debt securities, and the subordinated debt indenture, in the case of the subordinated debt securities. Each indenture will be a contract between us and the trustee under the indentures. The indentures will be substantially identical, except for the provisions relating to subordination, which will be included only in the subordinated debt indenture. At or prior to the time of offering of our debt securities, we will appoint a trustee under the applicable indenture. We will identify who that trustee is in the applicable prospectus supplement. The trustee under each indenture has two main roles: •First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, which we describe below under “—Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default”; and •Second, the trustee performs administrative duties for us, such as sending interest payments and notices. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS When we refer to the indenture or the trustee with respect to any debt securities, we mean the indenture under which those debt securities will be issued and the trustee under that indenture. We May Issue Many Series of Debt Securities We may issue as many distinct series of debt securities under either debt indenture as we wish. This section of the prospectus summarizes terms of the securities that will apply generally to all series. The provisions of each indenture will allow us not only to issue debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities previously issued under that indenture, but also to “reopen” a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series. We will describe most of the financial and other specific terms of a series, whether it be a series of the senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, in the applicable prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus. Those terms may vary from the terms described here. As you read this section of the prospectus, please remember that the specific terms of your debt security will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement relating to your debt security and, if applicable, modify or replace the general terms described in this section. If there are any differences between the accompanying prospectus supplement and this prospectus, the prospectus supplement will control. Thus, the statements we make in this section may not apply to your debt security. When we refer to a series of debt securities, we mean a series issued under the applicable indenture. When we refer to the prospectus supplement, we mean the prospectus supplement describing the specific terms of the debt security you purchase. Amounts That We May Issue Neither indenture will limit the aggregate amount of debt securities that we may issue or the number of series or the aggregate amount of any particular series. We may issue debt securities and other securities up to the aggregate amount authorized by us for each series, at any time without your consent and without notifying you. The indentures and the debt securities will not limit our ability to incur other indebtedness or to issue other securities, unless otherwise described in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities. Also, we will not be subject to financial or similar restrictions by the terms of the debt securities, unless otherwise described in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities. Principal Amount, Stated Maturity and Maturity The principal amount of a debt security means the principal amount payable at its stated maturity, unless that amount is not determinable, in which case the principal amount of a debt security is its face amount. Any debt securities owned by us or any of our affiliates will not be deemed to be outstanding for certain determinations under the indenture. The term “stated maturity” with respect to any debt security means the day on which the principal amount of the debt security is scheduled to become due. The principal may become due sooner, by reason of redemption or acceleration after a default or otherwise in accordance with the terms of the debt security. The day on which the principal actually becomes due, whether at the stated maturity or earlier, is called the “maturity” of the principal. We also use the terms “stated maturity” and “maturity” to refer to the days when other payments become due. For example, we refer to a regular interest payment date when an installment of interest is scheduled to become due as the “stated maturity” of that installment. When we refer to the “stated maturity” or the “maturity” of a debt security without specifying a particular payment, we mean the stated maturity or maturity, as the case may be, of the principal. Our Debt Securities Are Structurally Subordinated to Indebtedness of Our Subsidiaries Because our assets consist principally of ownership interests in Central Pacific Bank, through which we own our assets and conduct our businesses, our right to participate as an equity holder in any distribution of assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or otherwise, and thus the ability of our security holders to benefit from the distribution, is junior to creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that any claims we may have as a creditor of the subsidiary are recognized. If we are recognized as a creditor of a subsidiary, our
TABLE OF CONTENTS claims would still be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of that subsidiary and any indebtedness of that subsidiary senior to that held by us. Claims from creditors (other than us) on subsidiaries may include long-term and medium-term debt and substantial obligations related to deposit liabilities, federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings. We may also guarantee some obligations of our subsidiaries. Any liability we may have for our subsidiaries’ obligations could reduce our assets that are available to satisfy our direct creditors, including investors in our debt securities. This Section Is Only a Summary The indentures and any associated documents, including your debt security, will contain the full legal text of the matters described in this section and the prospectus supplement. Forms of the indentures are filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement on Form S-3 of which this prospectus forms a part. This section and the applicable prospectus supplement summarize the material terms of the indentures and your debt security. They do not, however, describe every aspect of the indentures and your debt security. For example, in this section and the applicable prospectus supplement, we use terms that have been given special meaning in the indentures, but we describe the meaning for only the more important of those terms. Governing Law The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by New York law. Currency of Debt Securities Amounts that become due and payable on a debt security in cash will be payable in a currency, currencies or currency units specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement. We refer to this currency, currencies or currency units as a “specified currency.” The specified currency for a debt security will be U.S. dollars, unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise. Some debt securities may have different specified currencies for principal and interest. You will have to pay for your debt securities by delivering the requisite amount of the specified currency for the principal to us or the underwriters, agents or dealers that we name in the prospectus supplement, unless other arrangements have been made between you and us or you and that firm. We will make payments on a debt security in the specified currency, except as described below under “—Payment Mechanics for Debt Securities.” Form of Debt Securities We will issue each debt security in global—i.e., book-entry—form only, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Debt securities in book-entry form will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary, which we describe below under “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance—What is a Global Security?,” which will be the holder of all the debt securities represented by that global security. Those who own beneficial interests in a global debt security will do so through participants in the depositary’s securities clearance system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its participants. We describe book-entry securities below in the section entitled “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance.” In addition, we will issue each debt security in fully registered form, without coupons, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Information in the Prospectus Supplement A prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of a particular series of debt securities, which will include some or all of the following: •the title of the debt securities; •whether they are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities; | • | any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the same series; |
• | the person to whom any interest on any debt security of the series will be payable, if other than the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date; |
TABLE OF CONTENTS •the stated maturity; •the specified currency, currencies or currency units for principal and interest, if not U.S. dollars; | • | the price at which we originally issue the debt securities, expressed as a percentage of the principal amount and the original issue date; |
• | whether the debt securities are fixed-rate debt securities, floating-rate debt securities or indexed debt securities; |
• | if the debt securities are fixed-rate debt securities, the annual rate at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any, and the interest payment dates; |
• | the regular record date for any interest payable on any interest payment date; |
• | the place or places where the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities will be payable; |
• | the denominations in which the debt securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000; |
• | if the debt securities are floating-rate debt securities, the interest rate benchmark; any applicable index currency or maturity, spread or spread multiplier or initial, maximum or minimum rate; the interest reset, determination, calculation and payment dates; the day count used to calculate interest payments for any period; and the calculation agent; |
• | any index or formula used to determine the amount of payments of principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities; |
• | if the debt securities may be converted into or exchanged for our common stock or preferred stock or other securities, the terms on which the conversion or exchange may occur, including whether exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, the period during which exchange may occur, the initial conversion or exchange rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common stock or preferred stock issuable upon conversion or exchange may be adjusted or calculated according to the market price of our common stock or preferred stock or such other securities; |
• | if the debt securities are also original issue discount debt securities, the yield to maturity; |
• | if other than the principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities of the series which will be payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities; |
• | if applicable, the circumstances under which the debt securities may be mandatorily redeemed by us, redeemed at our option or repaid at the holder’s option before the stated maturity, including any redemption commencement date, repayment date(s), redemption price(s) and redemption period(s); |
• | if the principal amount of the debt securities which will be payable at the maturity of the debt securities will not be determinable as of any date before maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities; |
• | the applicability of any provisions described below under “—Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” ; |
• | the depositary for the debt securities, if other than The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and any circumstances under which the holder may request securities in non-global form; |
• | the applicability of any provisions described below under “—Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default”; |
• | any covenants applicable to the debt securities; |
• | the names and duties of any co-trustees, depositaries, authenticating agents, paying agents, transfer agents or registrars for the debt securities; |
• | the material federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities; and |
• | any other terms of the debt securities, which could be different from those described in this prospectus. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS Redemption and Repayment Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, a debt security will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund—that is, we will not deposit money on a regular basis into any separate custodial account to repay the debt securities. In addition, we will not be entitled to redeem a debt security before its stated maturity unless the applicable prospectus supplement specifies a redemption commencement date. You will not be entitled to require us to buy a debt security from you before its stated maturity unless the applicable prospectus supplement specifies one or more repayment dates. If your applicable prospectus supplement specifies a redemption commencement date or a repayment date, it will also specify one or more redemption prices or repayment prices, which may be expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the debt security. It may also specify one or more redemption periods during which the redemption prices relating to a redemption of debt securities during those periods will apply. If we redeem less than all the debt securities of any series, we will, at least 60 days before the redemption date set by us or any shorter period that is satisfactory to the trustee, notify the trustee of the redemption date, of the principal amount of debt securities to be redeemed and if applicable, of the tenor of the debt securities to be redeemed. The trustee will select from the outstanding securities of the series the particular debt securities to be redeemed not more than 60 days before the redemption date. If the applicable prospectus supplement specifies a redemption commencement date, the debt security will be redeemable at our option at any time on or after that date or at a specified time or times. If we redeem the debt security, we will do so at the specified redemption price, together with interest accrued to the redemption date. If different prices are specified for different redemption periods, the price we pay will be the price that applies to the redemption period during which the debt security is redeemed. If the applicable prospectus supplement specifies a repayment date, the debt security will be repayable at the holder’s option on the specified repayment date at the specified repayment price, together with interest accrued to the repayment date. If we exercise an option to redeem any debt security, we will give to the holder written notice of the principal amount of the debt security to be redeemed, except as otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days before the applicable redemption date. We will give the notice in the manner described below under “—Notices.” If a debt security represented by a global debt security is subject to repayment at the holder’s option, the depositary or its nominee, as the holder, will be the only person that can exercise the right to repayment. Any indirect owners who own beneficial interests in the global debt security and wish to exercise a repayment right must give proper and timely instructions to their banks or brokers through which they hold their interests, requesting that they notify the depositary to exercise the repayment right on their behalf. Different firms have different deadlines for accepting instructions from their customers, and you should take care to act promptly enough to ensure that your request is given effect by the depositary before the applicable deadline for exercise. Street name and other indirect owners should contact their banks or brokers for information about how to exercise a repayment right in a timely manner. We or our affiliates may purchase debt securities from investors who are willing to sell from time-to-time, either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Debt securities that we or they purchase may, at our discretion, be held, resold or canceled. Mergers and Similar Transactions We will generally be permitted to merge or consolidate with another entity. We will also be permitted to sell our assets substantially as an entirety to another entity. With regard to any series of debt securities, however, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not be permitted to take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met: •If the successor entity in the transaction is not us, the successor entity must be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and must assume our obligations under the debt securities of that series and the indenture with respect to that series.
TABLE OF CONTENTS •Immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default under the debt securities of that series has occurred and is continuing. For this purpose, “default under the debt securities of that series” means an event of default with respect to that series or any event that would be an event of default with respect to that series if the requirements for giving us a default notice and for our default having to continue for a specific period of time were disregarded. We describe these matters below under “—Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default.” •We have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and opinion of counsel, each stating that the transaction complies with the indenture. | If the conditions described above are satisfied with respect to the debt securities of any series, we will not need to obtain the approval of the holders of those debt securities in order to merge or consolidate or to sell our assets. Also, these conditions will apply only if we wish to merge or consolidate with another entity or sell our assets substantially as an entirety to another entity. We will not need to satisfy these conditions if we enter into other types of transactions, including any transaction in which we acquire the stock or assets of another entity, any transaction that involves a change of control of us but in which we do not merge or consolidate and any transaction in which we sell assets in an amount that does not constitute a sale of our assets substantially as an entirety. Subordination Provisions Holders of subordinated debt securities should recognize that contractual provisions in the subordinated debt indenture may prohibit us from making payments on those securities. Our obligations under subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the claims of all of our then-existing general creditors other than trade creditors, including claims of holders of the senior debt securities and Central Pacific’s other senior creditors. Subject to applicable law, in any voluntary or involuntary insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceeding involving us or our assets or any liquidation or winding-up of or relating to us, to the extent applicable, the rights of the holder of any subordinated debt security shall be subordinated in right of payment to the claims of holders of senior debt. The subordinated debt indenture defines “senior debt” as all amounts due on obligations to general creditors, whether outstanding or subsequently incurred or created, including: (i)
| any of the Company’s indebtedness for borrowed or purchased money, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other written instruments, including any obligations of the Company to general creditors or trade creditors, |
(ii)
| the Company’s obligations under letters of credit, |
(iii)
| any of the Company’s indebtedness or other obligations with respect to commodity contracts, interest rate and currency swap agreements, cap, floor, and collar agreements, currency spot and forward contracts, and other similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect against fluctuations in currency exchange or interest rates, and |
(iv)
| any guarantees, endorsements (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), or other similar contingent obligations in respect of obligations of others of a type described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), whether or not such obligation is classified as a liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, |
in each case whether outstanding on the date of execution of the subordinated date indenture or incurred later, other than obligations ranking on a parity with the subordinated debt securities or ranking junior to the subordinated debt securities issued thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve (or other competent regulatory agency or authority) promulgates any rule or issues any interpretation that defines general creditor(s), the main purpose of which is to establish a criteria for determining whether the subordinated debt of a bank holding company is to be included in its capital, then the term “general creditors” as used in the definition of “senior debt” will have the meaning as described in that rule or interpretation. Even if the subordination provisions prevent us from making any payment when due on the subordinated debt securities of any series, we will be in default on our obligations under that series if we do not make the
TABLE OF CONTENTS payment when due. This means that the trustee under the subordinated debt indenture and the holders of that series will be able to take action against us, but they will not receive any money until the claims of the holders of senior debt have been fully satisfied. Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance The provisions for full defeasance and covenant defeasance described below will apply to each senior and subordinated debt security if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Full Defeasance. If there is a change in federal income tax law, as described below, we will be able to legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on any debt securities. This is called full defeasance. For us to do so, each of the following must occur: •We must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of those debt securities a combination of (a) money and (b) U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on those debt securities on their various due dates; •(a) No event of default under the indenture may have occurred and be continuing and (b) no event of default described in the fifth bullet point under “—Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default—Events of Default” may have occurred and be continuing at any time during the 90 days following the deposit in trust; | • | There must be a change in current federal income tax law or an Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) ruling that lets us make the above deposit without causing the holders to be taxed on those debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid those debt securities ourselves. Under current federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from your debt security would be treated as though we took back your debt security and gave you your share of the cash and notes or bonds deposited in trust. In that event, you would recognize gain or loss on your debt security; and |
• | We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming the tax law change described above. |
If we ever fully defeased your debt security, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for payments on your debt security. You would not be able to look to us for payment if there was any shortfall. Covenant Defeasance. Under current federal income tax law, we will be able to make the same type of deposit described above and be released from the restrictive covenants relating to your debt security listed in the bullets below and any additional restrictive covenants that may be described in the prospectus supplement. This is called covenant defeasance. In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants. In order to achieve covenant defeasance for any debt securities, we must take the same steps as are required for full defeasance. If we accomplish covenant defeasance with regard to your debt security, the following provisions of the applicable indenture and your debt security would no longer apply: • | Any covenants that the prospectus supplement states are applicable to your debt security; and |
• | The events of default resulting from a breach of covenants, described below in the fourth, fifth and sixth bullet points under “—Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default—Events of Default.” |
If we accomplish covenant defeasance on your debt security, we must still repay your debt security if there is any shortfall in the trust deposit. You should note, however, that if one of the remaining events of default occurred, such as our bankruptcy, and your debt security became immediately due and payable, there may be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall. Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default You will have special rights if an event of default with respect to your series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, as described in this subsection.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Events of Default and Certain Remedies under the Senior Indenture. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement says otherwise, when we refer to an event of default with respect to any series of senior debt securities, we mean any of the following: •We do not pay interest on any debt security of that series within 30 days after the due date; •We do not pay the principal or any premium of any debt security of that series on the due date; | • | We do not deposit a sinking fund payment with regard to any debt security of that series on the due date, but only if the payment is required under the applicable prospectus supplement; |
• | We remain in breach of any covenant we make in the indenture for the benefit of the relevant series for 90 days after written notice to us by the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the relevant series of debt securities; |
• | We file for bankruptcy or other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us occur; or |
• | If the prospectus supplement states that any additional event of default applies to the series, that event of default occurs. |
If an event of default described in any of the bullet point paragraphs (other than the fifth bullet point paragraph) above occurs and is continuing, then and in each such case either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the senior debt securities of any such series then outstanding (each such series treated as a separate class), may declare the principal amount (or, if the senior debt securities of such series are original issue discount securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all the senior debt securities of such series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable. If an event of default described in the fifth bullet point paragraph above occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount (or, if the senior debt securities of such series are original issue discount securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all senior debt securities of such series shall be and become immediately due and payable, without any notice or other action by the trustee or any holder, to the fullest extent permitted by law. Events of Default and Certain Remedies Under the Subordinated Indenture. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement says otherwise, when we refer to an event of default with respect to any series of subordinated debt securities, we mean any of the following: • | We do not pay interest on any debt security of that series within 30 days after the due date; |
• | We do not pay the principal or any premium of any debt security of that series on the due date; |
• | We do not deposit a sinking fund payment with regard to any debt security of that series on the due date, but only if the payment is required under the applicable prospectus supplement; |
• | We remain in breach of any covenant we make in the indenture for the benefit of the relevant series for 90 days after written notice to us by the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the relevant series of debt securities; |
• | We file for bankruptcy or other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us occur; or |
• | If the prospectus supplement states that any additional event of default applies to the series, that event of default occurs. |
If an event of default described in the fifth bullet point paragraph above occurs and is continuing, then, and in each such case, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the subordinated debt securities of any such series then outstanding (each such series treated as a separate class), may declare the principal amount (or, if the subordinated debt securities of any such series are original issue discount securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all the subordinated debt securities of such series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, there is no right of acceleration under the subordinated indenture upon the occurrence of an event of default described in any of the bullet point paragraphs (other than the fifth bullet point paragraph) above. However, if a default occurs, the trustee may proceed to enforce any covenant and other rights of the holders of the subordinated debt securities. Certain Remedies If an Event of Default Occurs. If you are the holder of a subordinated debt security, all the remedies available upon the occurrence of an event of default under the subordinated debt indenture will be subject to the restrictions on the subordinated debt securities described above under “—Subordination Provisions.” The situations described above are called an acceleration of the maturity of the affected series of debt securities. If the maturity of any series is accelerated, a judgment for payment has not yet been obtained, we pay or deposit with the trustee an amount sufficient to pay all amounts due on the securities of the series, and all events of default with respect to the series, other than the nonpayment of the accelerated principal, have been cured or waived, then the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may cancel the acceleration for the entire series. If an event of default occurs, the trustee will have special duties. In that situation, the trustee will be obligated to use those of its rights and powers under the relevant indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in so doing, that a prudent person would use in that situation in conducting his or her own affairs. Except as described in the prior paragraph, the trustee will not be required to take any action under the relevant indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability. This is called an indemnity. If the trustee is provided with an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it, the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee with respect to that series. These majority holders may also direct the trustee in performing any other action under the applicable indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series. Before you are permitted to bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to any debt security, all of the following must occur: •The holder of your debt security must give the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default; •The holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all debt securities of your series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default, and they or other holders must offer to the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action; | • | The trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after the above steps have been taken; and |
• | During those 60 days, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of your series must not have given the trustee directions that are inconsistent with the written request of the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of your series. |
You will be entitled at any time, however, to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt security on or after its due date. Waiver of Default. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may waive a default for all debt securities of that series. If this happens, the default will be treated as if it has not occurred. No one can waive a payment default on your debt security or a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series, however, without the approval of the particular holder of that debt security. We Will Give the Trustee Information About Defaults Annually. We will furnish to each trustee every year a written statement of two of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the applicable indenture and the debt securities issued under it, or else specifying any default under the indenture.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and how to declare or cancel an acceleration of the maturity. Book-entry and other indirect owners are described below in the section entitled “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance.” Changes of the Indentures Requiring Each Holder’s Approval There are certain changes that will not be permitted without the approval of each holder of a debt security affected by the change under a particular indenture. Here is a list of those types of changes: •changing the stated maturity for any principal or interest payment on a debt security; •reduction in the principal amount or the interest rate or the premium payable upon the redemption of any debt security; | • | reduction in the amount of principal of an original issue discount security or any other debt security payable upon acceleration of its maturity; |
• | changing the currency of any payment on a debt security; |
• | changing the place of payment on a debt security; |
• | changes that would impair a holder’s right to sue for payment of any amount due on its debt security; |
• | reduction in the percentage in principal amount of the debt securities of any series, the approval of whose holders is needed to change the applicable indenture or those debt securities; |
• | reduction in the percentage in principal amount of the debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is needed to waive our compliance with the applicable indenture or to waive defaults; and |
• | change in the provisions of the applicable indenture dealing with modification and waiver in any other respect, except to increase any required percentage referred to above or to add to the provisions that cannot be changed or waived without approval of the holder of each affected debt security. |
Modification of Subordination Provisions We will not be permitted to amend the subordinated debt indenture to alter the subordination of any outstanding subordinated debt securities without the written consent of each holder of senior debt then outstanding who would be adversely affected. In addition, we will not be permitted to modify the subordination provisions of the subordinated debt indenture in a manner that would adversely affect the outstanding subordinated debt securities of any one or more series in any material respect, without the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all affected series, voting together as one class. Changes of the Indentures Not Requiring Approval Other types of changes will not require any approval by holders of the debt securities of an affected series. These changes include modifications or amendments for the following purposes: • | to evidence the succession of another person to us as obligor under the applicable indenture or to evidence the addition or release of any guarantor in accordance with the applicable indenture or any supplemental indenture; |
• | to add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the applicable indenture; |
• | to add events of default for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities; |
• | to add or change any provisions of the applicable indenture to facilitate the issuance of, or to liberalize specific terms of, debt securities in bearer form, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form, provided that the action will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities of any series in any material respect; |
• | to change or eliminate any provisions of an indenture, if the change or elimination becomes effective only when there are no debt securities outstanding of any series created prior to the change or elimination that are entitled to the benefit of the changed or eliminated provision; |
TABLE OF CONTENTS •to secure or provide for the guarantee of the debt securities; •to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series and any related coupons; | • | to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under an indenture by more than one trustee; |
• | to cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency in an indenture provided that the cure or correction does not adversely affect the holders of the debt securities of any series in any material respect; |
• | to supplement any of the provisions of an indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities, provided that the supplement does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities of any series in any material respect; |
• | to make provisions with respect to the conversion or exchange terms and conditions applicable to the debt securities of any series; |
• | to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations or restrictions on issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities; |
• | to conform any provision in an indenture to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act; or |
• | to make any change that does not adversely affect the legal rights under an indenture of any holder of debt securities of any series issued under that indenture. |
Changes of the Indentures Requiring Majority Approval Any other change to a particular indenture and the debt securities issued under that indenture will require the following approval: • | If the change affects only the debt securities of a particular series, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series. |
• | If the change affects the debt securities of more than one series of debt securities issued under the applicable indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of each series affected by the change. |
The same majority approval would be required for us to obtain a waiver of any of our covenants in either indenture. Our covenants include the promises we make about merging and similar transactions, which we describe above under “—Mergers and Similar Transactions.” If the requisite holders approve a waiver of a covenant, we will not have to comply with it. The holders, however, will not be permitted to approve a waiver of any provision in a particular debt security, or in the applicable indenture as it affects that debt security, that we cannot change without the approval of the holder of that debt security as described above under “—Changes of the Indentures Requiring Each Holder’s Approval,” unless that holder approves the waiver. Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change an indenture or any debt securities or request a waiver. Special Rules for Action by Holders When holders take any action under either debt indenture, such as giving a notice of default, declaring an acceleration, approving any change or waiver or giving the trustee an instruction, we will apply the following rules. Only Outstanding Debt Securities Are Eligible. Only holders of outstanding debt securities of the applicable series will be eligible to participate in any action by holders of debt securities of that series. Also, we will count only outstanding debt securities in determining whether the various percentage requirements for taking action have been met. For these purposes, a debt security will not be “outstanding”: • | if it has been surrendered for cancellation or cancelled; |
• | if we have deposited or set aside, in trust for its holder, money for its payment or redemption; |
• | if we have fully defeased it as described above under “—Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance—Full Defeasance;” |
TABLE OF CONTENTS •if it has been exchanged for other debt securities of the same series due to mutilation, destruction, loss or theft; or •if we or one of our affiliates is the owner, unless the debt security is pledged under certain circumstances described in the indenture. | Eligible Principal Amount of Some Debt Securities. In some situations, we may follow special rules in calculating the principal amount of a debt security that is to be treated as outstanding for the purposes described above. This may happen, for example, if the principal amount is payable in a non-U.S. dollar currency, increases over time or is not to be fixed until maturity. For any debt security of the kind described below, we will decide how much principal amount to attribute to the debt security as follows: • | For an original issue discount debt security, we will use the principal amount that would be due and payable on the action date if the maturity of the debt security were accelerated to that date because of a default; |
• | For a debt security whose principal amount is not determinable, we will use any amount that we indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement for that debt security. The principal amount of a debt security may not be determinable, for example, because it is based on an index that changes from time-to-time and the principal amount is not to be determined until a later date; or |
• | For debt securities with a principal amount denominated in one or more non-U.S. dollar currencies or currency units, we will use the U.S. dollar equivalent, which we will determine. |
Determining Record Dates for Action by Holders. We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders that are entitled to take action under either indenture. In certain limited circumstances, only the trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders. If we or the trustee set a record date for an approval or other action to be taken by holders, that vote or action may be taken only by persons or entities who are holders on the record date and must be taken during the period that we specify for this purpose, or that the trustee specifies if it sets the record date. We or the trustee, as applicable, may shorten or lengthen this period from time-to-time. This period, however, may not extend beyond the 180th day after the record date for the action. In addition, record dates for any global debt security may be set in accordance with procedures established by the depositary from time-to-time. Accordingly, record dates for global debt securities may differ from those for other debt securities. Form, Exchange and Transfer of Debt Securities. Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued: • | only in fully registered form; and |
• | in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. |
Holders will be permitted to exchange their debt securities for debt securities of the same series in any authorized denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed. Holders will be permitted to exchange or transfer their debt securities at the office of the trustee. They will also be permitted to replace lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated debt securities at that office. We anticipate appointing the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders and transferring and replacing debt securities. Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their debt securities, but they may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated with the registration, exchange or transfer. The transfer or exchange, and any replacement, will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership. The transfer agent may require an indemnity before replacing any debt securities. If a debt security is issued as a global debt security, only the depositary—e.g., DTC, Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking S.A. (“Clearstream”)—will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection, since the depositary will be the sole holder of the debt security.
TABLE OF CONTENTS The rules for exchange described above apply to exchange of debt securities for other debt securities of the same series and kind. If a debt security is convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or preferred stock, the rules governing that type of exchange will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Payment Mechanics for Debt Securities. Who Receives Payment? If interest is due on a debt security on an interest payment date, we will pay the interest to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date relating to the interest payment date as described below under “—Payment and Record Dates for Interest.” If interest is due at maturity but on a day that is not an interest payment date, we will pay the interest to the person entitled to receive the principal of the debt security. If principal or another amount besides interest is due on a debt security at maturity, we will pay the amount to the holder of the debt security against surrender of the debt security at a proper place of payment or, in the case of a global debt security, in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary, DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, as applicable. Payment and Record Dates for Interest The dates on which interest will be payable will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The regular record date relating to an interest payment date for any fixed-rate debt security or floating-rate debt security will be on or about the 15th calendar day before that interest payment date. These record dates will apply regardless of whether a particular record date is a “business day,” as defined below. For the purpose of determining the holder at the close of business on a regular record date when business is not being conducted, the close of business will mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on that day. Business Day. The term “business day” will mean, with respect to the debt securities of a series, a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in the place of payment for the debt securities of that series are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close and that satisfies any other criteria specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. How We Will Make Payments Due in U.S. Dollars We will follow the practice described in this subsection when paying amounts due in U.S. dollars. Payments of amounts due in other currencies will be made as described in the next subsection. Payments on Global Debt Securities. We will make payments on a global debt security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time-to-time. Under those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect owners who own beneficial interests in the global debt security. An indirect owner’s right to receive those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants, as described below in the section entitled “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance—What Is a Global Security?” Payments on Non-Global Debt Securities. We will make payments on a debt security in non-global, registered form as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date. We will make all other payments by check to the paying agent described below, against surrender of the debt security. All payments by check will be made in next-day funds—i.e., funds that become available on the day after the check is cashed. Alternatively, if a non-global debt security has a face amount of at least $1,000,000 and the holder asks us to do so, we will pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date. To request a wire payment, the holder will be required to give the paying agent appropriate wire transfer instructions at least five business days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions will be required to be given by the person or entity who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. In the case of any other payment, payment will be made only after the debt security is surrendered to the paying agent. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities. How We Will Make Payments Due in Other Currencies We will follow the practice described in this subsection when paying amounts that are due in a specified currency other than U.S. dollars. Payments on Global Debt Securities. We will make payments on a global debt security in accordance with the applicable policies as in effect from time-to-time of the depositary, which will be DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, DTC will be the depositary for all debt securities in global form. We understand that DTC’s policies, as currently in effect, are as follows. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, if you are an indirect owner of global debt securities denominated in a specified currency other than U.S. dollars and if you have the right to elect to receive payments in that other currency and do so elect, you will be required to notify the participant through which your interest in the global debt security is held of your election: •on or before the applicable regular record date, in the case of a payment of interest; or •on or before the 16th day before the stated maturity, or any redemption or repayment date, in the case of payment of principal or any premium. | Your participant will be required, in turn, to notify DTC of your election on or before the third DTC business day after that regular record date, in the case of a payment of interest, and on or before the 12th DTC business day prior to the stated maturity, or on the redemption or repayment date if your debt security is redeemed or repaid earlier, in the case of a payment of principal or any premium. DTC, in turn, will notify the paying agent of your election in accordance with DTC’s procedures. If complete instructions are received by the participant and forwarded by the participant to DTC, and by DTC to the paying agent, on or before the dates noted above, the paying agent, in accordance with DTC’s instructions, will make the payments to you or your participant by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the country issuing the specified currency or in another jurisdiction acceptable to us and the paying agent. If the foregoing steps are not properly completed, we expect DTC to inform the paying agent that payment is to be made in U. S. dollars. In that case, we or our agent will convert the payment to U.S. dollars in the manner described below under “—Conversion to U.S. Dollars.” We expect that we or our agent will then make the payment in U.S. dollars to DTC, and that DTC in turn will pass it along to its participants. Indirect owners of a global debt security denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to request payment in the specified currency. Payments on Non-Global Debt Securities. Except as described in the last paragraph under this heading, we will make payments on debt securities in non-global form in the applicable specified currency. We will make these payments by wire transfer of immediately available funds to any account that is maintained in the applicable specified currency at a bank designated by the holder and which is acceptable to us and the trustee. To designate an account for wire payment, the holder will be required to give the paying agent appropriate wire instructions at least five business days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions will be required to be given by the person or entity who is the holder on the regular record date. In the case of any other payment, the payment will be made only after the debt security is surrendered to the paying agent. Any instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are properly given in the manner described above. If a holder fails to give instructions as described above, we will be required to notify the holder at the address in the trustee’s records and will make the payment within five business days after the holder provides appropriate instructions. Any late payment made in these circumstances will be treated under the applicable indenture as if made on the due date, and no interest will accrue on the late payment from the due date to the date paid. Although a payment on a debt security in non-global form may be due in a specified currency other than U.S. dollars, we will make the payment in U.S. dollars if the holder asks us to do so. To request U.S. dollar
TABLE OF CONTENTS payment, the holder will be required to provide appropriate written notice to the trustee at least five business days before the next due date for which payment in U.S. dollars is requested. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the request will be required to be made by the person or entity who is the holder on the regular record date. Any request, once properly made, will remain in effect unless and until revoked by notice properly given in the manner described above. Book-entry and other indirect owners of a debt security with a specified currency other than U.S. dollars should contact their banks or brokers for information about how to receive payments in the specified currency or in U.S. dollars. Conversion to U.S. Dollars. When we are asked by a holder to make payments in U.S. dollars of an amount due in another currency, either on a global debt security or a non-global debt security as described above, the exchange rate agent described below will calculate the U.S. dollar amount the holder receives in the exchange rate agent’s discretion. A holder that requests payment in U.S. dollars will bear all associated currency exchange costs, which will be deducted from the payment. When the Specified Currency is Not Available. If we are obligated to make any payment in a specified currency other than U.S. dollars and the specified currency or any successor currency is not available to us due to circumstances beyond our control—such as the imposition of exchange controls or a disruption in the currency markets—we will be entitled to satisfy our obligation to make the payment in that specified currency by making the payment in U.S. dollars, on the basis of the exchange rate determined by the exchange rate agent described below, in its discretion. The foregoing will apply to any debt security, whether in global or non-global form, and to any payment, including a payment at maturity. Any payment made under the circumstances and in a manner described above will not result in a default under any debt security or the applicable indenture. Exchange Rate Agent. If we issue a debt security in a specified currency other than U. S. dollars, we will appoint a financial institution to act as the exchange rate agent and will name the institution initially appointed when the debt security is originally issued in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may change the exchange rate agent from time-to-time after the original issue date of the debt security without your consent and without notifying you of the change. All determinations made by the exchange rate agent will be in its sole discretion unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement that any determination requires our approval. In the absence of manifest error, those determinations will be conclusive for all purposes and binding on you and us, without any liability on the part of the exchange rate agent. Payment When Offices Are Closed If any payment is due on a debt security on a day that is not a business day, we will make the payment on the next day that is a business day. Payments postponed to the next business day in this situation will be treated under the applicable indenture as if they were made on the original due date. Postponement of this kind will not result in a default under any debt security or the applicable indenture, and no interest will accrue on the postponed amount from the original due date to the next day that is a business day. The term business day has a special meaning, which we describe above under “—Payment and Record Dates for Interest.” Paying Agent We may appoint one or more financial institutions to act as our paying agents, at whose designated offices debt securities in non-global entry form may be surrendered for payment at their maturity. We call each of those offices a paying agent. We may add, replace or terminate paying agents from time-to-time. We may also choose to act as our own paying agent. Initially, we anticipate appointing the trustee, at its corporate trust office in New York City, as the paying agent. We must notify the trustee of changes in the paying agents. Unclaimed Payments Regardless of who acts as paying agent, all money paid by us to a paying agent that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount is due to a holder will be repaid to us. After that two-year period, the holder may look only to us for payment and not to the trustee, any other paying agent or anyone else.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Notices Notices to be given to holders of a global debt security will be given only to the depositary, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time-to-time. Notices to be given to holders of debt securities not in global form will be sent by mail to the respective addresses of the holders as they appear in the trustee’s records. Neither the failure to give any notice to a particular holder, nor any defect in a notice given to a particular holder, will affect the sufficiency of any notice given to another holder. Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive notices.
TABLE OF CONTENTS DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS WE MAY OFFER Please note that in this section entitled “Description of Purchase Contracts We May Offer,” references to “holders” mean those who own purchase contracts registered in their own names, on the books that we or our agent maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in purchase contracts registered in street name or in purchase contracts issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries. Owners of beneficial interests in the purchase contracts should read the section below entitled “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance.” This section outlines some of the provisions of the purchase contracts. This information may not be complete in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to the purchase contract agreement with respect to the purchase contracts of any particular series. The specific terms of any series of purchase contracts will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If so described in a particular prospectus supplement, the specific terms of any series of purchase contracts may differ from the general description of terms presented below. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to the holders, a number of shares of our common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares, debt securities, rights or warrants, at a future date or dates. Alternatively, the purchase contracts may obligate use to purchase from holders, and obligate holders to sell to us, a specified or varying number of shares of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants or other security or property. The price per purchase contract security may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the purchase contracts. Under the purchase contracts, we may be required to make periodic payments to the holders of the units or vice versa. These payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis to be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the contracts in a specified manner and, in specified circumstances, we may deliver newly issued prepaid purchase contracts, or prepaid securities, when we transfer to a holder any collateral securing the holder’s obligations under the original purchase contract. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a purchase contract and one or more other securities, which may include our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants or debt obligations or government securities, and which may secure the holder’s obligations to purchase the purchase contract security under the purchase contract. The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any purchase contracts we are offering will specify the material terms of the purchase contracts, whether they will be issued separately or as part of units, and any applicable pledge or depository arrangements.
TABLE OF CONTENTS DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS WE MAY OFFER Please note that in this section entitled “Description of Rights We May Offer,” references to “holders” mean those who own units registered in their own names, on the books that we or our agent maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in units registered in street name or in units issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries. Owners of beneficial interests in the units should read the section below entitled “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance.” This section outlines some of the provisions of the rights. This information may not be complete in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to the rights agreement with respect to the rights. The specific terms of any rights will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If so described in a particular prospectus supplement, the specific terms of any series of rights may differ from the general description of terms presented below. We may issue rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, or any combination thereof. The rights may be issued independently, as part of a unit, and/or together with any other securities and may be attached or separate from the other securities. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between a rights agent and us. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with the holders or beneficial owners of rights. Rights may be issued independently or together with any other security and may or may not be transferable. As part of any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement under which the underwriters or any other person would purchase any securities that are not purchased in such rights offering. The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any rights we offer will describe the specific terms of the offering and the rights, including: •the title of the rights; •the record date for determining security holders entitled to the rights distribution; | • | the number of rights issued and the number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the rights; |
• | the identity of the rights agent; |
• | the designation and terms of the underlying securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights and the number of such underlying securities initially issuable upon exercise of the rights; |
• | if applicable, the designation and terms of the other securities with which the rights are issued and the number of such securities issued together with such rights; |
• | the date, if any, on and after which the rights will be separately transferable; |
• | if applicable, the minimum or maximum number of rights that may be exercised at any one time; |
• | the exercise price of the rights; |
• | the steps required to exercise the rights; |
• | the conditions to the completion of the offering, if any; |
• | the withdrawal, termination and cancellation rights, if any; |
• | the date on which the rights will become effective and the date on which the rights will expire; |
• | whether the rights will include oversubscription rights, so that the holder may purchase more securities if other holders do not purchase their full allotments; |
• | whether we intend to sell the shares of common stock or other securities underlying such rights that are not purchased in the offering to an underwriter or other purchaser under a contractual standby commitment or other arrangement; |
• | our ability to withdraw or terminate the rights offering prior to the expiration date of the rights; |
• | any material U.S. federal income tax consequences; or |
• | any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of the rights. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS Each right will entitle the holder thereof to purchase for cash the principal amount of shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities underlying such rights at the exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights will be issued in registered form only. Prior to the exercise of their rights, holders of rights will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon the exercise of the rights, and will not be entitled to, among other things, vote or receive dividend payments or other distributions on the securities purchasable upon exercise. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any rights. The preceding description and any description of rights in the applicable prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms of any agreements relating to the rights.
TABLE OF CONTENTS DESCRIPTION OF UNITS WE MAY OFFER Please note that in this section entitled “Description of Units We May Offer,” references to “holders” mean those who own units registered in their own names, on the books that we or our agent maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in units registered in street name or in units issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries. Owners of beneficial interests in the units should read the section below entitled “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance.” This section outlines some of the provisions of the units and the unit agreements. This information may not be complete in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to the unit agreement with respect to the units of any particular series. The specific terms of any series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If so described in a particular prospectus supplement, the specific terms of any series of units may differ from the general description of terms presented below. As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus or the securities of third parties in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe: •the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or transferred separately; •a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; | • | a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units; and |
• | whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS WE MAY OFFER Please note that in this section entitled “Description of Warrants We May Offer,” references to “holders” mean those who own warrants or other rights registered in their own names, on the books that we or any applicable trustee or warrant or rights agent maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in warrants or rights registered in street name or in warrants or rights issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries. Owners of warrants or rights or beneficial interests in warrants or rights should also read the section entitled “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance.” This section outlines some of the provisions of each warrant agreement pursuant to which warrants may be issued, the warrants or rights, and any warrant or rights certificates. This information may not be complete in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to any warrant agreement with respect to the warrants or rights of any particular series. The specific terms of any series of warrants or rights will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If so described in the prospectus supplement, the terms of that series of warrants or rights may differ from the general description of terms presented below. General We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, rights or units, or any combination thereof, in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, rights and/or units, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities. We will evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we may issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into a warrant agreement with a warrant agent. Each warrant agent may be a bank that we select which has its principal office in the United States. We may also choose to act as our own warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of any such warrant agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of any particular series of warrants, including: |
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