Exhibit
4(f)
EIGHTH AMENDED AND
RESTATED
FISCAL AND PAYING AGENCY
AGREEMENT
GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL
CORPORATION
GE CAPITAL AUSTRALIA FUNDING
PTY. LTD. (A.B.N. 67 085 675 467)
GE CAPITAL CANADA FUNDING
COMPANY
GE CAPITAL EUROPEAN
FUNDING
GE CAPITAL UK
FUNDING
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
N.A.
J.P. MORGAN BANK LUXEMBOURG
S.A.
Euro Medium-Term Notes and
Other Debt Securities Due
9 Months or More from Date
of Issue
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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Appointment of Paying Agents
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1
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2
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Execution and Authentication of Notes; Date and
Denomination of Notes
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4
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Exchange and Registration of Transfer of
Notes
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8
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Payments of Principal, Premium and Interest;
Paying Agents
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10
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Redemption; Sinking Funds; Repayment at the
Option of the Holder
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14
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Mutilated, Destroyed, Stolen or Lost
Notes
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17
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18
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Additional Payments; Tax Redemption
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22
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Covenant of the Issuers and the
Guarantor
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32
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Obligations of the Fiscal and Paying
Agent
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32
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Maintenance and Resignation of Fiscal and Paying
Agent
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34
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35
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Merger, Consolidation, Sale or
Conveyance
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36
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Meetings of Holders of the Notes
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37
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39
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40
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Modifications and Amendments
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40
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Accession of Additional Issuers
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41
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41
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Notices to and by Holders of the
Notes
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43
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44
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Central Bank Reporting Requirements
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44
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44
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44
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44
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44
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45
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Provisions Binding on Successors
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45
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Official Acts by Successor
Corporation
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45
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45
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EIGHTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
FISCAL AND PAYING AGENCY AGREEMENT , dated as of May 12, 2006 between GENERAL
ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (?GE
Capital?), GE CAPITAL AUSTRALIA FUNDING PTY. LTD. (A.B.N. 67 085
675 467), a company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth
of Australia (?GEC Australia Funding?), GE CAPITAL CANADA FUNDING
COMPANY, a company incorporated under the laws of the Province of
Nova Scotia, Canada (?GEC Canada Funding?), GE CAPITAL EUROPEAN
FUNDING (?GECEF?) and GE CAPITAL UK FUNDING (?GECUKF?, and together
with GECEF, the ?Irish Issuers? and each an ?Irish Issuer?, each of
which was incorporated as a public unlimited liability company
under the Irish Companies Acts 1963-2003) (GEC Australia Funding,
GEC Canada Funding, the Irish Issuers and each Additional Issuer
(as defined herein) acceding hereto pursuant to Section 19
hereof, each an ?Issuer? and collectively, the ?Issuers?) and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as fiscal and principal paying agent,
J.P. MORGAN BANK LUXEMBOURG S.A. as initial registrar and transfer
agent (such agreement, as further amended and supplemented from
time to time, the ?Agreement?).
Pursuant to the Eighth Amended and Restated
Distribution Agreement, dated May 12, 2006, among the Issuers
(including GE Capital in its capacity as guarantor (the
?Guarantor?) of Notes issued by an Issuer other than GE Capital)
and the agents named therein (the ?Agents?) (as further amended
from time to time, the ?Distribution Agreement?), each Issuer has
agreed to issue from time to time its Euro Medium-Term Notes
(?Medium Term Notes?) and other debt securities (?Other Debt
Securities?) having maturities from 9 months or more from date of
issue (collectively, Medium Term Notes and Other Debt Securities
are referred to herein as the "Notes"). The Guarantor has agreed to
guarantee Notes issued pursuant to this Agreement by each Issuer
other than GE Capital in the form of the guarantee attached hereto
as Exhibit D-1 (the "Guarantee"). Administrative procedures, which
have been agreed to by the Issuers (including GE Capital in its
capacity as Guarantor) and the Agents as of the date hereof, are
attached as Exhibit A hereto (such procedures, as amended from time
to time pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, are hereinafter
referred to as the "Administrative Procedures").
Pursuant to this Agreement, the Seventh Amended
and Restated Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated July 1,
2005 (the "Prior Agency Agreement") shall be amended and restated
on the terms of this Agreement. Any Notes issued on or after the
date of this Agreement shall be issued pursuant to this Agreement,
but this shall not affect any Notes issued prior to the date of
this Agreement. Subject to such amendment and restatement, the
Prior Agency Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
B
1. Appointment of Paying Agents . Each
Issuer and (in the case of Notes issued by an Issuer other than GE
Capital) the Guarantor hereby appoint JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,
acting through its London Branch located at Trinity Tower, 9 Thomas
More Street, London E1W 1YT, England, as the fiscal agent and as
the principal paying agent (in such capacities and including any
successor fiscal and paying agent appointed hereunder, the "Fiscal
and Paying Agent", and, together with any other paying agents
appointed by the relevant Issuer and the Guarantor, the "Paying
Agents"), in respect of the Notes, upon the terms and subject to
the conditions stated herein and in the Notes certified from time
to time pursuant to Section 2 hereof. The Fiscal and Paying
Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees, upon such terms
and subject to such conditions, to perform its obligations under
this Agreement, the Notes certified from time to time pursuant to
Section 2 hereof and the Administrative Procedures. In
addition, unless otherwise agreed by the parties hereto, the Fiscal
and Paying Agent agrees to appoint its local branch or affiliate
located in the jurisdiction of the country where any Notes are
listed from time to time as an additional paying agent, to the
extent required by the rules and regulations of the applicable
exchange and to the extent the Fiscal and Paying Agent has a branch
or affiliate located in such jurisdiction.
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2. Notes Issuable in Series .
(a) Each Issuer may issue Notes hereunder in one
or more series of Notes, each series (a "Series") having identical
terms but for authentication date, effectuation date (in the case
of a NGN) (as defined below) and public offering price; provided
that a Series of Notes may not comprise Notes in bearer form
("Bearer Notes") and Notes in registered form ("Registered Notes").
Each such Series may contain one or more tranches of Notes, each
such tranche (a "Tranche") having identical terms, including
authentication date and public offering price; provided that a
Tranche of Notes may not comprise Bearer Notes and Registered
Notes.
(b) Notes issued hereunder shall be issued
pursuant to authority granted by the Board of Directors of the
relevant Issuer and (in the case of Notes issued by an Issuer other
than GE Capital) the Guarantor or any duly authorized committee
thereof and shall be in such form as shall be certified to the
Fiscal and Paying Agent from time to time by any one authorized
person, as specified in Section 3(a) hereof.
(c) Prior to the issue of the first Tranche of
Notes of a Series hereunder, the relevant Issuer and (in the case
of Notes issued by an Issuer other than GE Capital) the Guarantor
shall advise the Fiscal and Paying Agent in writing of the
following terms which shall be applicable to such Series of Notes
(each such set of written instructions shall be provided by such
persons as are designated by an Issuer Authorized Representative
(as defined in Section 3(a)) from time to time in an
incumbency certificate delivered to the Fiscal and Paying Agent and
shall hereinafter be referred to as a "Corporate
Order"):
(1) the title of the Series (which shall
distinguish the Notes of such Series from all other Notes),
including identifying whether such series will be issued as Medium
Term Notes or Other Debt Securities;
(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal
amount of the Notes of such Series which may be authenticated and
effectuated (as applicable) and delivered under this Agreement
(except for Notes authenticated and effectuated (as applicable) and
delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or
in lieu of, other Notes of the Series pursuant to Sections 3, 4, 6
and 7);
(3) the date or dates on which the principal of
and premium, if any, on the Notes of the Series are
payable;
(4) the rate or rates, or the method of
determination thereof, at which the Notes of the Series shall bear
interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall
accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be
payable and, in the case of any Registered Note, if other than as
set forth in Section 3, the record dates for the determination
of holders to whom interest is payable;
(5) the place or places where the principal of,
and premium, if any, and interest on Notes of the Series shall be
payable;
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(6) the currency or composite currency in which
the Notes of such Series are denominated (the "Specified
Currency");
(7) the currency or currencies in which payments
on the Notes of such Series are payable, if other than the
Specified Currency;
(8) the price or prices at which, the period or
periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the
Notes of such Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the
option of the relevant Issuer, pursuant to any sinking fund or
otherwise;
(9) the obligation, if any, of the relevant
Issuer or the Guarantor to redeem, purchase or repay the Notes of
such Series pursuant to any right to do so contained in the Notes
or pursuant to sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the
option of a holder thereof and the price or prices at which and the
period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon
which the Notes of such Series shall be redeemed, purchase or
repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such
obligation;
(10) the denominations in which the Notes of
such Series shall be issuable, in all cases subject to compliance
with all applicable laws and regulations;
(11) if other than the principal amount thereof,
the portion of the principal amount of the Notes of such Series
which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the
maturity thereof pursuant to Section 8;
(12) if the principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on the Notes of such Series are to be payable, at the
election of the relevant Issuer or the Guarantor or a holder
thereof, in a currency other than the Specified Currency, the
period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon
which, such election may be made;
(13) if the amount of payments of principal, of
premium, if any, and of interest on the Notes of such Series may be
determined with reference to an index based on currency other than
the Specified Currency, the manner in which such amounts shall be
determined;
(14) if other than as provided in Sections 3, 4
and 5 hereof, whether the Notes of such Series will be issuable as
Registered Notes or Bearer Notes (with or without coupons), or any
combination of the foregoing, any restriction applicable to the
offer, sale or delivery of Bearer Notes or the payment of interest
thereon and the terms upon which Bearer Notes of any Series may be
exchanged for Registered Notes of such Series, except that the
Notes of such Series shall only be issuable as Bearer Notes unless
otherwise provided in such Corporate Order;
(15) whether the temporary global Note and
permanent global Note to be issued are intended to be issued in new
global note ("NGN") form or classic global note ("CGN") form and
whether a NGN is intended to be held in a manner which would allow
Eurosystem eligibility (a "Eurosystem-eligible NGN");
(16) any Events of Default with respect to the
Notes of such Series, if not set forth herein;
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(17) if other than those named herein, any other
depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or
registrars or any other agents with respect to such
Series;
(18) the stock exchange, competent authority
and/or market, if any, on or by which the Notes will be listed
and/or admitted to trading and related information;
(19) any applicable restrictions on the transfer
of any of the Notes of such Series;
(20) whether Notes of such Series and/or the
related Guarantee, if any, are senior or subordinated and, if such
Notes and/or Guarantee are subordinated, the terms of such
subordination; and
(21) any other terms of the Series (which terms
shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this
Agreement).
All Notes of any one Series and coupons, if any,
appertaining thereto, shall be substantially identical except as to
denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant
to such Corporate Order. The Notes and the coupons, if any,
appertaining thereto shall be in substantially such form as shall
be established pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors
of the relevant Issuer and the Guarantor, in each case with such
appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other
variations as are required or permitted by this Agreement, and may
have such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the officers
executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive
evidence of such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with
the directions of Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. as operator of the
Euroclear System ("Euroclear"), Clearstream Banking, soci?t?
anonyme ("Clearstream, Luxembourg") or any other clearance system
specified for a particular Tranche or Series of Notes, or any
successors thereto, or with any law or with any rule or regulation
made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock
exchange, competent authority and/or market on or by which such
Notes may be listed and/or admitted to trading or to conform to
usage.
(d) An additional Tranche of the same Series may
be issued subsequent to the original issue date of any Notes of
such Series (hereinafter called "Additional Notes") following the
receipt by the Fiscal and Paying Agent of a Corporate Order
pertaining to such Tranche, which Corporate Order will identify the
Series to which such Tranche belongs and the issue date and
aggregate principal amount of the Notes of such Tranche. Any such
Additional Notes shall be issued initially as provided in
Section 3. In the event Additional Notes are issued prior to
the Exchange Date (as hereinafter defined) for a temporary global
Bearer Note representing a prior Tranche of Notes of the same
Series, the Exchange Date for such prior Tranche of Notes may be
extended to a date not less than 40 days after the issue date of
such Additional Notes; provided however, in no event shall the
Exchange Date for any Tranche of Notes be extended to a date more
than 160 days after their issue date. Additional Notes, together
with each prior and subsequent Tranche of Notes of the same Series,
shall constitute one and the same Series of Notes for all purposes
under this Agreement.
3. Execution and Authentication of Notes;
Date and Denomination of Notes
(a) Execution, delivery and safekeeping of
Notes . The Notes and, if applicable, coupons appertaining
thereto in the form certified to the Fiscal and Paying Agent
pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(b) shall each be
executed (i) in the case of Notes issued by GE Capital, by any
one of GE
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Capital's
Chairman, one of its Presidents, its Vice Chairman and Chief
Financial Officer, its Senior Vice President-Corporate Treasury and
Global Funding Operation or by a duly authorized attorney-in-fact
of GE Capital or (ii) in the case of Notes issued by an Issuer
other than GE Capital, by a duly authorized officer of such Issuer
or a duly authorized attorney-in-fact of such Issuer (each an
"Issuer Authorized Representative"). Such signatures may be the
manual or facsimile signatures of any person who, at the time of
such execution, holds any such office or of a duly authorized
attorney-in-fact. Any signature in facsimile may be imprinted or
otherwise reproduced on the Notes or the coupons. Each definitive
Note shall have imprinted thereon a facsimile of the corporate seal
of the relevant Issuer attested by the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary of such Issuer. In case any authorized officer of such
Issuer or attorney-in-fact who shall have signed any Note or coupon
shall cease to hold such office or be such attorney-in-fact before
the Note so signed (or the Note to which the coupon so signed is
attached) shall be authenticated and delivered by the Fiscal and
Paying Agent or disposed of by such Issuer, such Note or coupon
nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as
though the person who signed such Note or coupon had not ceased to
hold such office or be such attorney-in-fact; and any Note or
coupon may be signed on behalf of such Issuer by any person who, as
at the actual date of the execution of such Note or coupon, shall
hold such office or be an attorney-in-fact, although at the date of
the execution and delivery of this Agreement any such person did
not hold such office or was not an attorney-in-fact.
The relevant Issuer will furnish the Fiscal and
Paying Agent with an adequate supply of Notes having attached
thereto appropriate coupons, if any, in the forms approved in
accordance with Section 2(b) of this Agreement, bearing
consecutive control numbers. Such Notes shall have been executed by
an Issuer Authorized Representative and attested by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of such Issuer in accordance with this
Section. The Fiscal and Paying Agent or its designated agent will
hold such blank Notes in safekeeping in accordance with its
customary practice and shall issue such Notes in the order of the
control numbers imprinted thereon. The Fiscal and Paying Agent will
permit the relevant Issuer and its agents, at all reasonable times
and upon reasonable notice, to examine the Notes and all books,
records and other materials and information of the Fiscal and
Paying Agent relating thereto.
(b) Execution of Guarantee . The
Guarantee endorsed on Notes issued by an Issuer other than GE
Capital shall be executed on behalf of the Guarantor by any one of
its Chairman, one of its Presidents, its Vice Chairman and Chief
Financial Officer, its Senior Vice President-Corporate Treasury and
Global Funding Operation or by a duly authorized attorney-in-fact.
Such signatures may be the manual or facsimile signatures of any
person who, at the time of such execution, holds any such office or
of a duly authorized attorney-in-fact. Any signature in facsimile
may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Guarantee endorsed
on such Notes. Each Guarantee endorsed on each definitive Note
shall have imprinted thereon a facsimile of the corporate seal of
the Guarantor. In case any authorized officer of the Guarantor or
attorney-in-fact who shall have signed any Guarantee shall cease to
hold such office or be such attorney-in-fact before the Note
endorsed with the Guarantee so signed shall be authenticated and
delivered by the Fiscal and Paying Agent or disposed of by the
relevant Issuer, such Note or coupon nevertheless may be
authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who
signed such Guarantee endorsed on such Note had not ceased to hold
such office or be such attorney-in-fact; and any Guarantee may be
signed on behalf of the Guarantor by any person who, as at the
actual date of the execution of such Guarantee, shall hold such
office or be an attorney-in-fact, although at the date of the
execution and delivery of this Agreement any such person did not
hold such office or was not an attorney-in-fact.
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(c) Authentication of temporary global
Notes . Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Corporate
Order or by the relevant Agent or Agents, each Tranche of Notes,
including any Tranche of Additional Notes issued prior to the
Exchange Date for a prior Tranche of Notes of the same Series,
shall initially be issued in the form of a single temporary global
Note. The temporary global Notes shall be authenticated by the
Fiscal and Paying Agent or by a duly authorized officer or
attorney-in-fact of the Fiscal and Paying Agent, upon the same
conditions, in substantially the same manner and with the same
effect as the definitive Notes, and shall be deposited with a
common depositary (the "Common Depositary") (if the temporary
global Note is a CGN) or specified common safekeeper (the "Common
Safekeeper") (if the temporary global Note is a NGN) for the
accounts of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg or any other
recognized and agreed clearing system (in the case of a CGN). In
the case of the temporary global Note which is a
Eurosystem-eligible NGN, the Fiscal and Paying Agent will instruct
the Common Safekeeper to effectuate the same. The Fiscal and Paying
Agent shall instruct Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg to make
appropriate entries in their records to reflect the initial
outstanding aggregrate principal amount of the relevant Tranche of
Notes (if the temporary global Note is an NGN) and credit the
respective securities clearance accounts of the relevant Agents (or
to such other accounts as they may have directed) maintained with
Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg or other recognized and agreed
clearing system. For purposes of this Agreement "Exchange Date" for
any Series of Notes shall mean the first Business Day that is at
least 40 days after the issue date of such Series; provided that in
the event a Tranche of Additional Notes of the same Series is
issued prior to the Exchange Date of a prior Tranche of such Series
(as such Exchange Date may have been extended pursuant to this
sentence), such Exchange Date shall be extended (or further
extended, as the case may be) to a date not earlier than 40 days
after the issue date of such subsequent Tranche; provided however,
in no event shall the Exchange Date for any Tranche of Notes be
extended to a date more than 160 days after their issue date. No
such exchange will be made on a day that is not a London Business
Day, but shall instead be made on the next succeeding day that is a
London Business Day. For the purposes of this Clause 3(c) "London
Business Day" means a day upon which banks are generally open for
business (including dealings in foreign currency) in London,
England.
(d) Exchange of temporary global Notes;
certification requirements. On or up to 10 days prior to the
Exchange Date for any Series of Notes held in temporary global
form, the holders of such temporary global Note shall deliver to
Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg or other recognized and agreed
clearance system, as the case may be, a certificate substantially
in the form set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, copies of which
certificate shall be available at the offices of Euroclear,
Clearstream, Luxembourg or other clearance system, the Fiscal and
Paying Agent, and each other paying agent of the relevant Issuer
and (in the case of Notes issued by an Issuer other than GE
Capital) the Guarantor. On or after the Exchange Date for any
Series of Notes, upon the request of the Common Depositary (in the
case of a CGN) or the common service provider as described in
Appendix 1 hereto (a "Common Service Provider") (in the case of a
NGN), acting on behalf of Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg or
other clearance system (in the case of a CGN), acting in turn on
behalf of such holders, the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall
authenticate a permanent global Note in bearer form or (if
specified in the applicable Corporate Order) definitive Bearer
Notes and/or definitive Registered Notes in the amounts requested
in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal
amount of the temporary global Note beneficially owned by such
owners, but only upon delivery by Euroclear, Clearstream,
Luxembourg and/or other clearance system, acting on behalf of such
owners, to the Fiscal and Paying Agent or its duly authorized
attorney-in-fact of a certificate or certificates substantially in
the form set forth in Exhibit B-2 hereto. Such permanent global
Note, if any, shall be authenticated by the Fiscal and Paying Agent
or by a duly authorized officer or attorney-in-fact of the Fiscal
and Paying Agent, upon the same conditions, in substantially the
same manner and with the same effect as the definitive Notes, and
shall be deposited
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with the Common
Depositary (if the permanent global Note is a CGN) or the Common
Safekeeper (if the permanent global Note is a NGN) for the accounts
of Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg and/or other clearance system
(in the case of a CGN) for credit to the respective accounts of
such holders. In the case of a permanent global Note which is a
Eurosystem-eligible NGN, the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall instruct
the Common Safekeeper to effectuate the same.
Upon any such exchange of all or a portion of a
temporary global Note for a permanent global Note or definitive
Notes, the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall (i) in the case of a
permanent global Note which is a NGN, instruct Euroclear and
Clearstream, Luxembourg to make appropriate entries in their
records to reflect such exchange or (ii) in the case of any
global Note which is a CGN, procure that the relevant global Note
be endorsed by the Fiscal and Paying Agent or its duly authorized
attorney-in-fact to reflect the reduction of its principal amount
by an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of such
permanent global Note or definitive Notes as to which certification
has been provided as set forth in the preceding
paragraph.
(e) Delivery of authenticated global Note by
electronic means . Where the Fiscal and Paying Agent delivers
any authenticated global Note which is a NGN to a Common Safekeeper
for effectuation using electronic means, it is authorised and
instructed to destroy the global Note retained by it following its
receipt of confirmation from the Common Safekeeper that the
relevant global Note has been effectuated.
(f) Exchange of permanent global Note;
certification requirements . Holders of Notes desiring to
exchange their interests in any permanent global Note for
definitive Notes in bearer form or (if the relevant Corporate Order
so allows) for definitive Notes in registered form shall instruct
Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg or other clearance system, as
the case may be, to request such exchange on their behalf and shall
deliver to Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg or such other
clearance system, as the case may be, a certificate substantially
in the form set forth in Exhibit C-1 hereto, copies of which
certificate shall be available at the offices of Euroclear,
Clearstream, Luxembourg or other clearance system, the Fiscal and
Paying Agent and each other paying agent of the relevant Issuer and
(in the case of Notes issued by an Issuer other than GE Capital)
the Guarantor. Upon the request of the Common Depositary (in the
case of a CGN) or the Common Service Provider (in the case of a
NGN), acting on behalf of Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg and/or
other clearance system (in the case of a CGN), acting in turn on
behalf of such holders, the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall, upon 30
days' written notice, authenticate and deliver outside the United
States and outside the jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization of the relevant Issuer (except in compliance with the
securities and other laws and regulations of such jurisdiction,
including any applicable laws and regulations of any political
subdivision thereof) to or for the account of such holders,
definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of such permanent global Note, but only
upon delivery by Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg and/or other
clearance system, acting on behalf of such owners, to the Fiscal
and Paying Agent or its duly authorized attorney-in-fact of a
certificate or certificates substantially in the form set forth in
Exhibit C-2 hereto. All expenses incurred as a result of any such
exchange shall be paid by the relevant Issuer or (in the case of
Notes issued by an Issuer other than GE Capital) the Guarantor.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
subsection 3(e), the Fiscal Agent shall not be required to exchange
the entire aggregate principal amount of a permanent global Note
for definitive Bearer Notes in the event holders of less than the
entire aggregate principal amount of the permanent global Note have
requested definitive Bearer Notes, provided the operating rules and
regulations of the clearance system then in effect would permit
less than the entire aggregate principal amount of the permanent
global Note to be so exchanged.
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Each permanent global Note shall in all respects
be entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as definitive
Notes authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Any certification referred to in
Section 3(c) or (d) above which is delivered to the
Fiscal and Paying Agent by Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg or
other clearance system, as the case may be, may be relied upon by
the Fiscal and Paying Agent as conclusive evidence that the
corresponding certification or certifications of the holder or
holders have been delivered to Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg
or such other clearance system, as the case may be, pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Notes.
(g) Authentication of Registered Notes .
If so specified in the applicable Corporate Order, Notes of any
Series may be issued in fully registered form. Such Corporate Order
will specify whether Registered Notes of such Series may be issued
in exchange for Bearer Notes of such Series and whether the Notes
of such Series may initially be issued in permanent global or
definitive form. Registered Notes shall be authenticated by the
Fiscal and Paying Agent or by a duly authorized officer or
attorney-in-fact of the Fiscal and Paying Agent and, in the case of
permanent global Registered Notes, registered in the name of a
nominee for and deposited with the Common Depositary for the
accounts of Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg, and/or another
recognized clearance system, for credit to the respective
securities clearance accounts of the relevant Agents (or to such
other accounts as they may have directed) maintained with
Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg, another clearance system or The
Depository Trust Company in New York City for credit to the
respective accounts of the relevant Agents (or to such other
accounts as they may have directed) maintained with The Depository
Trust Company or such other clearance and settlement organization
as is specified in the applicable Corporate Order.
4. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of
Notes .
(a) Exchange of Registered Notes .
Registered Notes of any Series may be exchanged for a like
aggregate principal amount of Registered Notes of the same Series
of other authorized denominations. Bearer Notes will not be
issuable in exchange for Registered Notes.
If so provided in the relevant Corporate Order,
Bearer Notes of any Series (with all unmatured coupons, if any, and
all matured coupons, if any, then in default, attached thereto)
will be exchangeable (upon the terms, set forth in Section 3)
for Registered Notes of the same Series of any authorized
denominations and in an equal aggregate principal amount. Bearer
Notes surrendered in exchange for Registered Notes after the close
of business on (i) any record date with respect to any regular
payment of interest and before the opening of business at such
office on the relevant interest payment date or (ii) any
record date to be established for the payment of defaulted interest
and before the opening of business on the related proposed date for
payment of defaulted interest, shall be surrendered without the
coupon relating to such date for payment of interest.
Notes to be exchanged pursuant to the preceding
two paragraphs shall be surrendered, at the option of the holders
thereof, either at the office or agency designated and maintained
by the relevant Issuer and (in the case of Notes issued by an
Issuer other than GE Capital) the Guarantor for such purpose in
accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or at any of such
other offices or agencies as may be designated and maintained by
such Issuer and the Guarantor for such purpose in accordance with
the provisions of Section 5, and such Issuer shall execute and
register, the Guarantor shall cause the Guarantee to be endorsed
thereon and the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall authenticate and
deliver in exchange therefor the Note or Notes which the Noteholder
making the exchange shall be entitled to
8
receive. The
term "Noteholder," "holder of Notes," or other similar terms, shall
mean, (a) with respect to any Registered Note, the person in
whose name at the time such Registered Note is registered on the
books of the relevant Issuer kept for that purpose in accordance
with the terms hereof or (b) with respect to any Bearer Note,
the bearer thereof. Each person designated by the relevant Issuer
as a person authorized to register and register transfer of the
Notes is sometimes herein referred to as a "Registrar." In no event
shall such Issuer designate more than one Registrar for each Series
of Registered Notes. No person shall at any time be designated as
or act as a Registrar unless such person is at such time empowered
under applicable law to act as such and duly registered to act as
such under and to the extent required by applicable law and
regulations.
(b) Transfers of Registered Notes . Each
Registrar shall keep, at each such office or agency outside of the
United Kingdom, a register for each Series of Notes (for which it
has been appointed Registrar) issuable in registered form (the
registers of all Registrars being herein sometimes collectively
referred to as the "Register") in which, subject to such reasonable
regulations as it may prescribe, the Registrar shall register
Registered Notes and shall register the transfer of Registered
Notes as herein provided. The Register shall be in written form or
in any other form capable of being converted into written form
within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times the Register
shall be open for inspection by the relevant Issuer, the Guarantor,
the Fiscal and Paying Agent and any Registrar. Upon due presentment
for registration of transfer of any Registered Note of any Series
at any designated office or agency, such Issuer shall execute, the
Guarantor shall (in the case of Notes issued by an Issuer other
than GE Capital) cause the Guarantee to be endorsed thereon, the
Registrar shall register and the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall
authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or
transferees a new Registered Note or Registered Notes of the same
Series for an equal aggregate principal amount. Registration or
registration of transfer of any Registered Note by any Registrar in
the Register maintained by such Registrar, and delivery of such
Registered Note, duly authenticated, shall be deemed to complete
the registration or registration of transfer of such Registered
Note.
All Registered Notes presented for registration
of transfer or for exchange, redemption, repayment or payment shall
(i) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written
instrument or instruments of transfer or exchange in form
satisfactory to the Issuer, the Guarantor (in the case of Notes
issued by an Issuer other than GE Capital) and the Registrar duly
executed by, the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing
and (ii) be accompanied by a duly completed Form W-8BEN or
other applicable form required by the United States Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, of the transferee.
If so specified in the applicable Corporate
Order, the transfer of some or all of the Registered Notes of any
Series may be subject to the restrictions set forth therein. If so
specified in such Corporate Order, the Registrar for such Notes
shall not register the transfer of any such Notes absent compliance
with such restrictions.
(c) Exchange and transfer of Bearer Notes
. Bearer Notes in definitive form of any Series will be
exchangeable for Bearer Notes in definitive form of the same Series
in other authorized denominations, in an equal aggregate principal
amount. Bearer Notes to be so exchanged shall be surrendered, at
the option of the holders thereof, at the office of any Paying
Agent appointed by the relevant Issuer and (in the case of Notes
issued by an Issuer other than GE Capital) the Guarantor to perform
such service in accordance with the provisions of Section 5,
and such Issuer shall execute, the Guarantor shall cause the
Guarantee to be endorsed thereon and such Paying Agent shall
authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Bearer Note or
Notes which the Noteholder making the exchange shall be entitled to
receive. Bearer Notes and any coupons appertaining thereto will be
transferable by delivery.
9
(d) Repository of master list of holders of
Registered Notes . The relevant Issuer will at all times
designate one person (who may be such Issuer and who need not be
the Registrar of any Series) to act as repository of a master list
of names and addresses of the holders of the Registered Notes. J.P.
Morgan Bank Luxembourg S.A. shall act as such repository unless and
until some other person is, by written notice from such Issuer to
J.P. Morgan Bank Luxembourg S.A., copied to the fiscal and paying
agent and each Registrar, designated by such Issuer to act as such.
Such Issuer shall cause each Registrar to furnish to such
repository, on a current basis, such information as to all
registrations of transfer and exchanges effected by such Registrar,
as may be necessary to enable such repository to maintain such
master list on as current a basis as is practicable.
(e) Miscellaneous . Except as provided in
Section 3(d), no service charge shall be made for any exchange
or registration of transfer of Notes, but the relevant Issuer and
(in the case of Notes issued by an Issuer other than GE Capital)
the Guarantor may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
transfer taxes or other governmental charge that may be imposed in
connection therewith.
The relevant Issuer shall not be required
(i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Notes to be
redeemed for a period of fifteen calendar days preceding the first
publication of the relevant notice of redemption, or if Registered
Notes are outstanding and there is no publication, the mailing of
the relevant notice of redemption, or (ii) to register the
transfer of or exchange any Registered Notes selected for
redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of
any such Registered Notes being redeemed in part, or (iii) to
exchange any Bearer Notes selected for redemption, except that such
Bearer Notes may be exchanged for Registered Notes of like tenor,
provided that such Registered Notes shall be simultaneously
surrendered for redemption or (iv) to register transfer of or
exchange any Notes surrendered for optional repayment, in whole or
in part.
Notwithstanding anything herein or in the terms
of any Notes to the contrary, none of the relevant Issuer, the
Fiscal and Paying Agent or any agent of such Issuer or the Fiscal
and Paying Agent shall be required to exchange any Bearer Note for
a Registered Note if such exchange would result in adverse income
tax consequences to such Issuer (such as, for example, the
inability of such Issuer to deduct from its income, as computed for
income tax purposes, the interest payable on the Bearer Notes)
under (i) then applicable United States Federal income tax
laws, or (ii) in the case of an Issuer other than GE Capital,
then applicable income tax laws or regulations of the jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization of the Issuer or any political
subdivision thereof or therein.
5. Payments of Principal, Premium and
Interest; Paying Agents .
(a) Payment generally . In order to
provide for the payment of the principal of, premium and interest
on each Series of Notes as the same shall become due and payable on
any payment date, the relevant Issuer hereby agrees to pay to the
Fiscal and Paying Agent at the place and in the manner specified
below or to such account or at such offices of any paying agent
outside of the United States and, in the case of Notes issued by an
Issuer other than GE Capital, outside the jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization of the relevant Issuer, as the Fiscal
and Paying Agent shall specify in writing to such Issuer and (in
the case of Notes issued by an Issuer other than GE Capital) the
Guarantor, such writing to be delivered not less than five calendar
days prior to the payment date, in such currency or currency units
as shall be required to make the payment due on such payment date,
on each interest payment date and on
10
the maturity
date of such Series of Notes or any date fixed for redemption or
acceleration of such Series of Notes (in each case determined in
accordance with the terms of such Notes), in immediately available
funds available on such interest payment, maturity, redemption or
acceleration date, as the case may be, in an aggregate amount which
(together with any funds then held by the Fiscal and Paying Agent
and available for the purpose) shall be sufficient to pay the
entire amount of the principal of, premium and interest on such
Series of Notes (including Additional Amounts (as defined below),
if any, becoming due on such interest payment, maturity, redemption
or acceleration date), and the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall hold
such amount in trust and apply it to the payment of any such
principal, premium or interest on such interest payment, maturity,
redemption or acceleration date. Nothing contained herein shall be
construed to require the Fiscal and Paying Agent or any other
paying agent to make any payment to the holder of a Note until
funds have been received from the relevant Issuer pursuant to this
Section.
(b) Payments on temporary global Notes;
certification requirements . Holders of any temporary global
Note may receive interest payments prior to the Exchange Date of
such temporary global Note; provided such holders deliver a
certificate or certificates to Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg
or, if specified in the Corporate Order, other recognized clearing
system substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B-1 and
instruct Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg or other clearance
system, as the case may be, to request such interest payment on
their behalf. Upon the request of the Common Depositary (in the
case of a CGN) or the Common Service Provider (in the case of a
NGN), acting on behalf of Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg or
other clearance system, acting in turn on behalf of holders of
Notes, the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall make payments of interest
to the holders of interests in temporary global Notes, but only
upon delivery by Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg, or other
clearance system, acting on behalf of such owners, to the Fiscal
and Paying Agent or its duly authorized attorney-in-fact of a
certificate or certificates substantially in the form set forth in
Exhibit B-2 hereto.
In the event of redemption or acceleration of
all or any part of any temporary global Note prior to its Exchange
Date, holders will be entitled to receive payment on or after the
date fixed for such redemption or on which such acceleration occurs
upon compliance by such holders and Euroclear, Clearstream,
Luxembourg or other clearance system, as applicable, with the
provisions of the preceding paragraph of this Section.
(c) Payments on Registered Notes . The
person in whose name any Registered Note of a particular Series is
registered at the close of business or on any Record Date (as
hereinafter defined) with respect to any interest payment date for
such Series shall be entitled to receive the interest payable on
such interest payment date notwithstanding the cancellation of such
Registered Note upon any registration of transfer or exchange
subsequent to the Record Date and prior to such interest payment
date; provided however, that (i) if and to the extent that the
relevant Issuer shall default in the payment of the interest on
such interest payment date, such defaulted interest shall be paid
to the persons in whose names outstanding Registered Notes of such
Series are registered on a subsequent Record Date established by
notice given by mail by or on behalf of such Issuer to the holders
of such Registered Notes not less than 15 calendar days preceding
such subsequent Record Date, such Record Date to be not less than
five calendar days preceding the date or payment of such defaulted
interest and (ii) interest payable at maturity, redemption or
repayment of such Registered Note shall be payable to the person to
whom principal shall be payable. The term "Record Date" as used in
this Section with respect to any regular interest payment date,
shall mean the fifteenth calendar day preceding such interest
payment date, whether or not such fifteenth calendar day shall be a
Business Day (as defined in Section 22).
11
Interest on Registered Notes may at the option
of the relevant Issuer be paid by check mailed to the persons
entitled thereto at their respective addresses as such appear in
the Register, or, at the option of any holder of $5,000,000 (or the
equivalent thereof in one or more foreign or composite currencies)
or more aggregate principal amount of Registered Notes of any
Series and subject to applicable laws and regulations, be made by
transfer to an account denominated in the currency in which such
payment is to be made, maintained by such holder, if appropriate
wire transfer instructions have been received by such Issuer or its
agent not less than 10 calendar days prior to the applicable
interest payment date.
(d) Payments on Bearer Notes . Payments
on Bearer Notes or the coupons appertaining thereto will, upon
presentation of such Notes or coupons at a designated office
outside of the United States, at the holder's option and subject to
applicable laws and regulations, be made by check or wire transfer
to an account denominated in the Specified Currency (unless
otherwise provided in the applicable Corporate Order) in which such
payment is to be made, maintained by such holder with a bank
outside the United States and (in the case of Notes issued by an
Issuer other than GE Capital) outside the jurisdiction of
organization of the Issuer, if appropriate wire transfer
instructions have been received by the relevant Issuer or its agent
not less than 10 calendar days prior to the applicable interest
payment date.
The relevant Issuer will maintain one or more
offices or agencies in a city or cities located outside the United
States and (in the case of Notes issued by an Issuer other than GE
Capital) outside the country of incorporation or organization of
the relevant Issuer (including any city or country in which such an
agency is required to be maintained under the rules of any stock
exchange on which any of the Notes are listed) where any Bearer
Notes issued hereunder and coupons, if any, appertaining thereto
may be presented for payment. No payment on any Bearer Note or
coupon will be made upon presentation of such Bearer Note or coupon
at an agency of the relevant Issuer or the Guarantor within the
United States or (in the case of Notes issued by an Issuer other
than GE Capital) within the country of incorporation or
organization of the relevant Issuer nor will any payment be made by
transfer to an account in, or by check mailed to an address in, the
United States or (in the case of Notes issued by an Issuer other
than GE Capital) in the country of incorporation or organization of
the relevant Issuer unless pursuant to applicable United States law
or the laws or regulations of the country of incorporation or
organization of the relevant Issuer or any political subdivision
thereof or therein (in the case of Notes issued by an Issuer other
than GE Capital) then in effect, such payment can be made without
adverse tax consequences to such Issuer. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, (a) payments in U.S. dollars on Bearer Notes and
coupons appertaining thereto may be made at an agency of such
Issuer maintained in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York
if such payment in U.S. dollars at each agency maintained by such
Issuer outside the United States for payment on such Bearer Notes
is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other
similar restrictions, (b) payments in Canadian dollars on
Bearer Notes and Coupons appertaining thereto may be made at an
agency of such Issuer maintained in the City of Toronto if such
payment in Canadian dollars at each agency maintained by such
Issuer outside Canada for payment on such Bearer Notes is illegal
or effectively precluded by exchange controls or similar
restrictions, and (c) (in the case of Notes issued by an
Issuer other than GE Capital) payments in such other currencies on
Bearer Notes and Coupons appertaining thereto may be made at such
location within the country of incorporation or organization of the
relevant Issuer (other than the United States) as may be specified
in the applicable Corporate Order or otherwise as permitted by
applicable laws and regulations of such country or any political
subdivision thereof or therein.
(e) Place of payment . As long as any
Registered Notes remain outstanding hereunder, the relevant Issuer
will designate and maintain in London, England an office or agency
where such Registered Notes may be presented for payment, and where
such Notes may be presented for registration
12
of transfer and
for exchange as provided in this Agreement and, for so long as any
Registered Notes are listed and/or admitted to trading on or by any
stock exchange, competent authority and or market there will at all
times be an office or agency for such purposes with a specified
office in each location required by the rules and regulations of
the relevant stock exchange(s), competent authority(ies) and/or
market(s), provided always that the Register for such Registered
Notes shall be maintained outside of the United Kingdom.
The relevant Issuer may from time to time
designate one or more additional offices or agencies where Notes
and any coupons appertaining thereto may be presented for payment,
where Notes may be presented for exchange as provided in this
Agreement and where Registered Notes may be presented for
registration of transfer as in this Agreement provided, and such
Issuer may from time to time rescind any such designation, as such
Issuer may deem desirable or expedient; provided, however, that no
such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve such
Issuer of its obligation to maintain the agencies provided for in
this Section. Such Issuer will give to the Fiscal and Paying Agent
prompt written notice of any such designation or rescission
thereof.
The relevant Issuer will give to the Fiscal and
Paying Agent written notice of the location of each such office or
agency and of any change of location thereof. In case such Issuer
shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in
the location thereof, presentations and demands may be made and
notices may be served at the principal office of the Fiscal and
Paying Agent in London, England.
The relevant Issuer and (in the case of Notes
issued by an Issuer other than GE Capital) the Guarantor hereby
initially designates the offices of J.P. Morgan Bank Luxembourg
S.A. as the office or agency where Registered Notes may be
presented for payment, for registration of transfer and for
exchange as in this Agreement provided. Such office of J.P. Morgan
Bank Luxembourg S.A. is also designated as repository pursuant to
Section 4 for the master list of the names and addresses of
the holders of Registered Notes.
(f) Payments by the Guarantor . If the
relevant Issuer shall fail to provide for the amounts payable on
any Notes issued by an Issuer other than GE Capital, or coupons
appertaining thereto, if any, the Guarantor shall, subject to its
right to avail itself of defenses under all relevant laws for the
prescription of actions in respect of such Notes and coupons
appertaining thereto, forthwith upon receipt of notice of such
failure from the Fiscal and Paying Agent (who shall give such
notice forthwith upon such failure) deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Fiscal and Paying Agent the amount thereof (to the
extent that the same has not then been delivered by the relevant
Issuer), which amount shall be held and applied in payment of such
amounts by the Fiscal Agent and Paying Agent in all respects as if
received from the relevant Issuer under this Agreement.
(g) Taxes; foreign exchange clearance .
The Fiscal Agent hereby agrees to use its best efforts to obtain,
prior to any payment date on the Notes, any tax or foreign exchange
clearance or other authorization required under the laws of the
United States or of the country of incorporation or organization of
the relevant Issuer (in the case of Notes issued by an Issuer other
than GE Capital) or any political subdivision thereof or therein or
any applicable foreign country or other authority with respect to
the payment to be made on the Notes on such date.
13
6. Redemption; Sinking Funds; Repayment at
the Option of the Holder .
(a) The provisions of this Section shall be
applicable, as the case may be, (i) to any Notes which are
redeemable or subject to repayment at the option of the holder
before their maturity and (ii) to any sinking fund for the
retirement of any Notes, in either case except as otherwise
specified as contemplated by Section 2 for any Series of
Notes.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment
provided for by the terms of any Notes is herein referred to as a
?mandatory sinking fund payment,? and any payment in excess of such
minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Notes is herein
referred to as an ?optional sinking fund payment.?
In case the relevant Issuer shall desire to
exercise any right to redeem all, or, as the case may be, any part
of, the Notes of any Series in accordance with their terms, it
shall fix a date for redemption. Notice of redemption to the
holders of Registered Notes to be redeemed in whole or in part at
the option of such Issuer shall be given by mailing notice of such
redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days
and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to
such holders at their last addresses as they shall appear in the
Register. Notice of redemption to holders of Bearer Notes shall be
published in one leading English language daily newspaper with
general circulation in London, England or, if publication in London
is not practical, elsewhere in Western Europe. Notice of redemption
to holders of Bearer Notes that have been listed on any stock
exchange, competent authority and/or market shall be published in
accordance with the applicable rules and regulations promulgated by
such exchange, competent authority and/or market. The term "daily
newspaper" shall mean a newspaper customarily published on each
business day in morning editions, whether or not it shall be
published in Saturday, Sunday or holiday editions. Such notice is
expected to be published in the Financial Times, and shall be
published at least once a week for three successive weeks prior to
the date fixed for redemption, the first such publication to be not
less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for
redemption. If by reason of the temporary or permanent suspension
of publication of any newspaper or by reason of any other cause, it
shall be impossible to make publication of such notice in a daily
newspaper as herein provided, then such publication or other notice
in lieu thereof as shall be made by the Fiscal and Paying Agent
shall constitute sufficient publication of such notice, if such
publication or other notice shall, so far as may be possible,
approximate the terms and conditions of the publication in lieu of
which it is given. The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall promptly
furnish to the relevant Issuer and to each other paying agent of
such Issuer a copy of each notice of redemption so published. Any
notice if given in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively
presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder
receives such notice. In any case, failure to give notice or any
defect in the notice to the holder of any Note of a Series
designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the
validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note of
such Series.
Each such notice of redemption shall specify the
date fixed for redemption, the redemption price at which the Notes
of such Series are to be redeemed, the place or places of payment,
that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such
Notes and, in the case of Notes issued with coupons, of all coupons
appertaining thereto maturing after the date fixed for redemption,
that any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be
paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date
any interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will
cease to accrue. If less than all the Notes of a Series are to be
redeemed the notice of redemption shall specify the number or
numbers of the Notes to be redeemed. In case any Note is to be
redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the
portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall
state that on and after the date fixed for
14
redemption,
upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes of the same Series
in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof,
together with any unmatured coupons appertaining thereto, will be
issued.
On or prior to the redemption date specified in
the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the
relevant Issuer will deposit with the Fiscal and Paying Agent or
with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to
redeem on the redemption date all the Notes or portions thereof so
called for redemption, together with accrued interest to the date
fixed for redemption. If less than all the Notes of a Series are to
be redeemed such Issuer will give the Fiscal and Paying Agent
notice not less than 60 days prior to the redemption date as to the
aggregate principal amount of Notes of such Series to be redeemed
and the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall select or cause to be
selected, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem
appropriate and fair, the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed.
Notes of a Series may be redeemed in part only in multiples of the
smallest authorized denomination of that Series.
(b) If notice of redemption has been given as
provided in this Section, the Notes or portions of Notes of the
Series with respect to which such notice has been given shall
become due and payable on the date and at the place or places
stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price together
with any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on
and after said date (unless the relevant Issuer shall default in
the payment of Notes or portions of such Notes, together with any
interest accrued to said date) any interest on the Notes or
portions of Notes of such Series so called for redemption shall
cease to accrue, and the unmatured coupons, if any, appertaining
thereto shall be void. On presentation and surrender of such Notes
at a place of payment in said notice specified, together with all
coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the date fixed
for redemption, the said Notes or the specified portions thereof
shall be paid and redeemed by the relevant Issuer at the applicable
redemption price, together with any interest accrued thereon to the
date fixed for redemption; provided, however, that payment of
interest becoming due on the date fixed for redemption shall be
payable in the case of Notes with coupons attached thereto, to the
holders of the coupons for such interest upon surrender thereof,
and in the case of Registered Notes, to the persons to whom the
principal thereof shall be payable.
If any Note issued with coupons is surrendered
for redemption and is not accompanied by all appurtenant coupons
maturing after the date fixed for redemption, the surrender of such
missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the relevant Issuer and
the Fiscal and Paying Agent, if there be furnished to each of them
such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them
harmless.
Upon presentation of any Note redeemed in part
only, the relevant Issuer shall execute and the Fiscal and Paying
Agent shall authenticate and deliver to the holder thereof, at the
expense of such Issuer, a new Note or Notes of the same Series, of
authorized denominations, together with all unmatured coupons, if
any, appertaining thereto, in aggregate principal amount equal to
the unredeemed portion of the Note so presented.
In lieu of making all or any part of any
mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any Notes in cash
the relevant Issuer may at its option (a) deliver to the
Fiscal and Paying Agent Notes, together with all unmatured coupons,
if any, appertaining thereto, of the same Series theretofore
purchased or otherwise acquired by such Issuer, or (b) receive
credit for the principal amount of Notes of the same Series which
have been redeemed either at the election of such Issuer pursuant
to the terms of such Notes or through the application of permitted
optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Notes;
provided that such Notes have not previously been so credited. Such
Notes shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Fiscal
and Paying Agent at the redemption price specified in such Notes
for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount
of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced
accordingly.
15
Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund
payment date for any Notes, the relevant Issuer will deliver to the
Fiscal and Paying Agent a certificate signed by an Issuer
Authorized Representative specifying the amount of the next ensuing
sinking fund payment for such Notes pursuant to the terms thereof,
the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of
cash (which cash may be deposited with the Fiscal and Paying Agent
or with one or more paying agents) and the portion thereof, if any,
which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Notes of the
same Series pursuant to this Section (which Notes, if not
theretofore delivered, will accompany such certificate) and whether
such Issuer intends to exercise its right to make a permitted
optional sinking fund payment with respect to such Notes. Such
certificate shall also state that no Event of Default (as defined
in Section 8 below) has occurred and is continuing with
respect to such Notes. Such certificate shall be irrevocable and
upon its delivery the relevant Issuer shall be obligated to make
the cash payment or payments therein referred to, if any, on or
before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. In the case
of the failure of the relevant Issuer to deliver such certificate
(or to deliver the Notes specified in this paragraph), the sinking
fund payment due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date
for such Notes shall be paid entirely in cash and shall be
sufficient to redeem the principal amount of such Notes subject to
a mandatory sinking fund payment without the option to deliver or
credit Notes as provided in this Section and without the right to
make any optional sinking fund payment, if any, with respect to
such Notes.
Any sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory
or optional) made in cash plus any unused balance of any preceding
sinking fund payments made in cash which shall equal or exceed
100,000 units of the Specified Currency with respect to the
particular Series (or a lesser sum if the relevant Issuer shall so
request or determine) with respect to any Notes shall be applied by
the Fiscal and Paying Agent on the sinking fund payment date on
which such payment is made (or, if such payment is made before a
sinking fund payment date, on the next sinking fund payment date
following the date of such payment) to the redemption of such Notes
at the redemption price specified in such Notes for operation of
the sinking fund together with accrued interest, if any, to the
date fixed for redemption. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied
or allocated by the Fiscal and Paying Agent to the redemption of
Notes shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment received
by the Fiscal and Paying Agent for such Notes and, together with
such payment (or such amount so segregated) shall be applied in
accordance with the provisions of this Section. Any and all sinking
fund moneys with respect to any Notes held by the Fiscal and Paying
Agent on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to such
Notes and not held for the payment or redemption of particular
Notes of such Series shall be applied by the Fiscal and Paying
Agent, together with other moneys, if necessary, to be deposited
(or segregated) sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the
principal of the Notes of that Series at maturity.
The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall select or
cause to be selected the Notes to be redeemed upon such sinking
fund payment date in the manner specified in the last paragraph of
subsection (a) and the relevant Issuer shall cause notice of
the redemption thereof to be given in the manner provided in
subsection (b) except that the notice of redemption shall also
state that the Notes are being redeemed by operation of the sinking
fund. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such
Notes shall be made upon any Series of Notes the terms and in the
manner stated in subsection (b).
On or before each sinking fund payment date, the
relevant Issuer shall pay to the Fiscal and Paying Agent in cash a
sum equal to any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption
of Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed on such sinking fund
payment date pursuant to this Section.
16
Neither the Fiscal and Paying Agent nor the
relevant Issuer shall redeem any Notes of any Series with sinking
fund moneys or give any notice of redemption of such Notes by
operation of the sinking fund for such Series during the
continuance of a default in payment of interest, if any, on such
Notes or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default
occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) with respect to Notes
of such Series, except that if the notice of redemption of any such
Notes shall theretofore have been given in accordance with the
provisions hereof, the Fiscal and Paying Agent shall redeem such
Notes if cash sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with
the Fiscal and Paying Agent for that purpose in accordance with the
terms of this Section. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the
sinking fund for Notes of such Series at the time when any such
default or Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter
paid into such sinking fund shall, during the continuance of such
default or Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of
such Notes; provided, however, that in case such default or Event
of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such
moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment
date for Notes of such Series on which such moneys may be applied
pursuant to the provisions of this Section.
(c) Any Series of Notes may be made, by
provision contained in or established pursuant to a Corporate Order
pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof, subject to repayment, in
whole or in part, at the option of the holder on a date or dates
specified prior to maturity, at a price equal to 100% of the
principal amount thereof, together with accrued interest to but
excluding the date of repayment, on such notice as may be required,
provided, however, that the holder of a Note of such Series may
only elect partial repayment in an amount that will result in the
portion of such Note that will remain outstanding after such
repayment constituting an authorized denomination, or combination
thereof, of Notes of such Series.
7. Mutilated, Destroyed, Stolen or Lost
Notes .
(a) The Fiscal and Paying Agent is hereby
authorized to authenticate (and instruct the Common Safekeeper to
effectuate any Eurosystem-eligible NGN) and deliver from time to
time Notes of any Series, with all unmatured coupons attached, in
exchange for or in lieu of Notes of such Series which become
mutilated, defaced, destroyed, stolen or lost or Notes of such
Series to which mutilated, defaced, destroyed, stolen or lost
coupons appertain. In every case the applicant for a substituted
Note of such Series or coupon appertaining thereto shall furnish to
the relevant Issuer, the Guarantor (in the case of Notes issued by
an Issuer other than GE Capital) and to the Fiscal and Paying Agent
such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each
of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft,
the applicant shall also furnish to such Issuer, the Guarantor and
to the Fiscal and Paying Agent evidence to their satisfaction of
the destruction, loss or theft of such Note or coupon and of the
ownership thereof. Each Note authenticated, effectuated (as
applicable) and delivered in exchange for or in lieu of any such
Note shall carry all the rights to interest accrued and unpaid and
to accrue which were carried by such Note and shall have attached
thereto coupons such that neither gain nor loss in interest shall
result from such exchange or substitution.
Upon the issuance of any substituted Note or
coupon, the relevant Issuer may require the payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may
be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected
therewith. In case any Note or coupon which has matured or is about
to mature shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen,
the relevant Issuer may, instead of issuing a substituted Note, pay
or authorized the payment of the same (without surrender thereof
except in the case of a mutilated Note or coupon) if the applicant
for such payment shall furnish to such Issuer, the Guarantor and to
the Fiscal and Paying Agent such security or indemnity as may be
required by them to save each of them harmless and, in case of
destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to such Issuer,
the Guarantor and the Fiscal and Paying Agent of the destruction,
loss or theft of such Note or coupon and the ownership
thereof.
17
(b) All Notes and coupons surrendered for
payment, redemption, repayment, exchange or registration of
transfer or for credit against any sinking fund shall be delivered
to, or to the order of, the Fiscal and Paying Agent for
cancellation. The Fiscal and Paying Agent shall cancel and destroy,
or procure the cancellation and destruction of, all such Notes and
coupons and shall deliver a certificate of destruction to the
relevant Issuer and (in the case of Notes issued by an Issuer other
than GE Capital) the Guarantor. In the case of any global Note
initially issued in temporary global form, which shall be destroyed
by the Fiscal and Paying Agent upon exchange in full, the
certificate of destruction shall state that a certification in the
form required pursuant to the terms of such global Note was
received with respect to each portion thereof exchanged for an
interest in a Note in permanent global form or in definitive form.
The Fiscal and Paying Agent is authorized by the relevant Issuer
and instructed to, in the case of any Global Note which is a NGN,
instruct Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg to make appropriate
entries in their records to reflect any such cancellation, as the
case may be.
8. Events of Default . The term "Events
of Default" whenever used herein with respect to Notes of any
Series which are expressed in the relevant Final Terms or
Securities Note, as the case may be, as being senior and
unsubordinated notes means any one of the following events and such
other events as may be established with respect to the Notes of
such Series as contemplated by Section 2 hereof, continued for
the period of time, if any, and after the giving of notice, if any,
designated in this Agreement or as may be established with respect
to such Notes as contemplated by Section 2 hereof, as the case
may be, unless it is either inapplicable or is specifically deleted
or modified in the applicable Corporate Order under which such
Series of Notes is issued, as the case may be, as contemplated by
Section 2:
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(i)
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default in the
payment of any installment of interest (including Additional
Amounts) upon any Note of such Series as and when the same shall
become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a
period of 30 days; or
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(ii)
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default in the
payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, on any Note of
such Series as and when the same shall become due and payable
whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration, repayment or
otherwise; or
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(iii)
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default in the
making or satisfaction of any sinking fund payment or analogous
obligation as and when the same shall become due and payable by the
terms of any Notes of such Series; or
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(iv)
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failure on the
part of the relevant Issuer and (in the case of Notes issued by an
Issuer other than GE Capital) the Guarantor duly to observe or
perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of
such Issuer or the Guarantor in respect of the Notes of such Series
contained in such Notes or this Agreement (other than a covenant or
agreement in respect of the Notes of such Series a default in whose
observance or performance is elsewhere in this Section specifically
dealt with) continued for a period of 60 days after the date on
which written notice of such failure, requiring such Issuer or the
Guarantor to remedy the same, shall have been given to such Issuer,
the Guarantor and the Fiscal and Paying Agent by the holders of at
least twenty-five percent in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes of such Series at the time outstanding; or
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18
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(v)
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an event of
default with respect to any other Series of Notes issued or
hereafter issued pursuant to this Agreement or as defined in any
indenture or instrument evidencing or under which GE Capital has at
the date of this Agreement or shall hereafter have outstanding any
indebtedness for borrowed money shall happen and be continuing and
such other Series of Notes or such indebtedness, as the case may
be, shall have been accelerated so that the same shall be or become
due and payable prior to the date on which the same would otherwise
have become due and payable, and such acceleration shall not be
rescinded or annulled within ten calendar days after written notice
thereof shall have been given to the relevant Issuer, the Guarantor
and the Fiscal and Paying Agent by the holders of at least
twenty-five percent in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of
such Series at the time outstanding; provided, however, that if
such event of default with respect to such other Series of Notes or
under such indenture or instrument, as the case may be, shall be
timely remedied or cured by GE Capital, or timely waived by the
holders of such other Series of Notes or of such indebtedness, as
the case may be, then the Event of Default hereunder by reason
thereof shall be deemed likewise to have been thereupon remedied,
cured or waived without further action upon the part of either the
Fiscal and Paying Agent or any of the Noteholders of such Series;
or
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(vi)
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in the case of
Notes issued by GEC Australia Funding, an event of default with
respect to any other Series of Notes issued or hereafter issued by
GEC Australia Funding pursuant to this Agreement or as defined in
any indenture or instrument evidencing or under which GEC Australia
Funding has at the date of this Agreement or shall hereafter have
outstanding any indebtedness for borrowed money in the aggregate
principal amount of at least A$10,000,000 (or the equivalent
thereof in one or more foreign or composite currencies) shall
happen and be continuing and such other Series of Notes or such
indebtedness, as the case may be, of GEC Australia Funding shall
have been accelerated so that the same shall be or become due and
payable prior to the date on which the same would otherwise have
become due and payable, and such acceleration shall not be
rescinded or annulled within ten calendar days after written notice
thereof shall have been given to GEC Australia Funding, as the case
may be, the Guarantor and the Fiscal and Paying Agent by the
holders of at least twenty-five percent in aggregate principal
amount of the Notes of such Series at the time outstanding;
provided, however, that if such event of default with respect to
such other Series of Notes or under such indenture or instrument,
as the case may be, shall be timely remedied or cured by GEC
Australia Funding or the Guarantor, or timely waived by the holders
of such other Series of Notes or of such indebtedness, as the case
may be, then the Event of Default hereunder by reason thereof shall
be deemed likewise to have been thereupon remedied, cured or waived
without further action upon the part of either the Fiscal and
Paying Agent or any of the Noteholders of such Series;
or
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19
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(vii)
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in the case of
Notes issued by GEC Canada Funding, an event of default with
respect to any other Series of Notes issued or hereafter issued by
GEC Canada Funding pursuant to this Agreement or as defined in any
indenture or instrument evidencing or under which GEC Canada
Funding has at the date of this Agreement or shall hereafter have
outstanding any indebtedness for borrowed money in the aggregate
principal amount of at least C$10,000,000 (or the equivalent
thereof in one or more foreign or composite currencies) shall
happen and be continuing and such other Series of Notes or such
indebtedness, as the case may be, of GEC Canada Funding shall have
been accelerated so that the same shall be or become due and
payable prior to the date on which the same would otherwise have
become due and payable, and such acceleration shall not be
rescinded or annulled within ten calendar days after written notice
thereof shall have been given to GEC Canada Funding, as the case
may be, the Guarantor and the Fiscal and Paying Agent by the
holders of at least twenty-five percent in aggregate principal
amount of the Notes of such Series at the time outstanding;
provided, however, that if such event of default with respect to
such other Series of Notes or under such indenture or instrument,
as the case may be, shall be timely remedied or cured by GEC Canada
Funding or the Guarantor, or timely waived by the holders of such
other Series of Notes or of such indebtedness, as the case may be,
then the Event of Default hereunder by reason thereof shall be
deemed likewise to have been thereupon remedied, cured or waived
without further action upon the part of either the Fiscal and
Paying Agent or any of the Noteholders of such Series;
or
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(viii)
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in the case of
Notes issued by an Irish Issuer, an event of default with respect
to any other Series of Notes issued or hereafter issued by such
Irish Issuer pursuant to this Agreement or as defined in any
indenture or instrument evidencing or under which such Irish Issuer
has at the date of this Agreement or shall hereafter have
outstanding any indebtedness for borrowed money in the aggregate
principal amount of at least U.S.$10,000,000 (or the equivalent
thereof in one or more foreign or composite currencies) shall
happen and be continuing and such other Series of Notes or such
indebtedness, as the case may be, of such Irish Issuer shall have
been accelerated so that the same shall be or become due and
payable prior to the date on which the same would otherwise have
become due and payable, and such acceleration shall not be
rescinded or annulled within ten calendar days after written notice
thereof shall have been given to such Irish Issuer, as the case may
be, the Guarantor and the Fiscal and Paying Agent by the holders of
at least twenty-five percent in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes of such Series at the time outstanding; provided, however,
that if such event of default with respect to such other Series of
Notes or under such indenture or instrument, as the case may be,
shall be timely remedied or cured by such Irish Issuer or the
Guarantor, or timely waived by the holders of such other Series of
Notes or of such indebtedness, as the case may be, then the Event
of Default hereunder by reason thereof shall be deemed likewise to
have been thereupon remedied, cured or waived without further
action upon the part of either the Fiscal and Paying Agent or any
of the Noteholders of such Series; or
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(ix)
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a decree or
order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall have
been entered adjudging GE Capital bankrupt or insolvent, or
approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization of GE
Capital under the United States Federal Bankruptcy Code or any
other similar applicable United States Federal or State law, and
such decree and order shall have continued undischarged and
unstayed for a period of 60 days; or a decree or order of a court
having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a
receiver or liquidator or trustee or assignee (or other similar
official) in bankruptcy or insolvency of GE Capital or of all or
substantially all of its property, or for the winding up or
liquidation of its affairs, shall have been entered, and such
decree and order shall have continued undischarged and unstayed for
a period of 60 days; or
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(x)
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GE Capital
shall institute proceedings to be adjudicated voluntarily bankrupt,
or shall consent to the filing of a bankruptcy proceeding against
it, or shall file a petition or answer or consent seeking
reorganization under the United States Federal Bankruptcy Code or
any other similar applicable United States Federal or State law, or
shall consent to the filing of any such petition, or shall consent
to the appointment of a receiver or liquidator or trustee or
assignee (or other similar official) in bankruptcy or insolvency of
it or of its property, or shall make an assignment for the benefit
or creditors, or shall admit in writing its inability to pays its
debts generally as they become due; or
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(xi)
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in the case of
Notes issued by GEC Australia Funding, GEC Australia Funding shall
be declared bankrupt, or a liquidator, a receiver, manager,
receiver and manager, administrator or any other officer with
similar powers shall be appointed with respect to GEC Australia
Funding or all or substantially all of the property of GEC
Australia Funding, and, in all such cases, continues both
undischarged and unstayed for a period of 90 days; or
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(xii)
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in the case of
Notes issued by GEC Canada Funding, any of the following events
shall occur: (A) an order shall be made or an effective
resolution be passed for the winding-up or liquidation or
dissolution of GEC Canada Funding by operation of law, except in
the course of carrying out, or pursuant to, a reconstruction,
reorganization, consolidation, merger, amalgamation, transfer,
sale, conveyance, lease or other disposition contemplated in or
permitted under this Agreement; (B) GEC Canada Funding shall
make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or a
proposal under applicable bankruptcy legislation, or if an
effective resolution be passed by GEC Canada Funding to give effect
to any of the foregoing; or (C) GEC Canada Funding shall be
declared bankrupt, or if a custodian or sequestrator or a receiver
and manager or any other officer with similar powers shall be
appointed of GEC Canada Funding or of all or substantially all of
the property of GEC Canada Funding, and, in all such cases, such
continues both undischarged and unstayed for a period of 90 days;
or
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(xiii)
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in the case of
Notes issued by an Irish Issuer, such Irish Issuer shall be
declared bankrupt, or a liquidator, a receiver, manager, receiver
and manager, administrator, examiner or any other official with
similar powers shall be appointed with respect to such Irish Issuer
or all or substantially all of the property of such Irish Issuer,
and, in all such cases, continues both undischarged and unstayed
for a period of 90 days; or
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(xiv)
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any other Event
of Default provided in the applicable Corporate Order under which
such Series of Notes is issued as contemplated by
Section 2(c); or
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(xiii)
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with respect to
each Additional Issuer acceding hereto pursuant to Section 19
hereof, such Events of Default to the foregoing effect as are
provided in the form of Notes certified to the Fiscal and Paying
Agent in accordance with Section 2(b) hereof and any other
Events of Default provided in the applicable Corporate Order under
which a Series of Notes is issued by such Additional Issuer as
contemplated by Section 2(c) hereof.
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If an Event of Default with respect to Notes of
any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then
and in each and every case, unless the principal of the Notes of
such Series shall have already become due and payable, each Note of
such Series shall, at the option of and upon written notice to the
relevant Issuer, the Guarantor and the Fiscal and Paying Agent by
the then holder thereof, mature and become due and payable upon the
date that such written notice is received by such Issuer, the
Guarantor and the Fiscal and Paying Agent at a price equal to 100%
of the principal amount thereof (or, if such Note provides for an
amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable
upon redemption or a declaration of acceleration of the maturity
thereof pursuant to this Section (hereinafter an "Original Issue
Discount Note"), such portion of the principal amount as may be
specified in the terms of such Note), together with accrued
interest to such date, upon presentation and surrender of such Note
and all coupons appertaining thereto maturing after such date,
unless prior to such date all Events of Default in respect of all
such Notes of such Series shall have been cured.
9. Additional Payments; Tax Redemption
.
(a) U.S. Additional Amounts . The
relevant Issuer or (in the case of Notes issued by an Issuer other
than GE Capital) the Guarantor will, subject to certain exceptions
and limitations set forth below, pay such additional amounts (the
"U.S. Additional Amounts" and, together with the Australian
Additional Amounts, the Canadian Additional Amounts, the Irish
Additional Amounts and Other Additional Amounts (as such terms are
hereinafter defined), the "Additional Amounts") to the holder of
any Note of any Series or of any interest coupon appertaining
thereto who is a United States Alien (as defined below) as may be
necessary in order that every net payment of the principal of,
premium and interest, including original issue discount, on such
Note and any other amounts payable on such Note, after withholding
for or on account of any present or future tax, assessment or other
governmental charge imposed upon or as a result of such payment by
the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority
thereof or therein), will not be less than the amount provided for
in such Note or coupon to be then due and payable. However, the
relevant Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be, will not be
required to make any payment of U.S. Additional Amounts to any such
holder for or on account of:
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(i)
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any such tax,
assessment or other governmental charge which would not have been
so imposed but for (1) the existence of any present or former
connection between such holder (or between a fiduciary, settlor,
beneficiary, member or shareholder of such holder, if such holder
is an estate, a trust, a partnership or a corporation) and the
United States, including, without limitation, such holder (or such
fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder) being or
having been
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22
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a citizen or
resident thereof or being or having been engaged in a trade or
business or present therein or having, or having had, a permanent
establishment therein or (2) the presentation by the holder of
any such Note or coupon for payment on a date more than 15 calendar
days after the date on which such payment became due and payable or
the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever
occurs later;
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(ii)
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any estate,
inheritance, gift, sales, transfer or personal property tax or any
similar tax, assessment or governmental charge;
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(iii)
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any tax,
assessment or other governmental charge imposed by reason of such
holder's past or present status as a personal holding company or
foreign personal holding company or controlled foreign corporation
or passive foreign investment company with respect to the United
States or as a corporation which accumulates earnings to avoid
United States federal income tax or as a private foundation or
other tax-exempt organization;
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(iv)
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any tax,
assessment or other governmental charge which is payable otherwise
than by withholding from payments on or in respect of any
Note;
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(v)
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any tax,
assessment or other governmental charge which would not have been
imposed but for the failure to comply with certification,
information or other reporting requirements concerning the
nationality, residence or identity of the holder or beneficial
owner of such Note, if such compliance is required by statute or by
regulation of the United States or of any political subdivision or
taxing authority thereof or therein as a precondition to relief or
exemption from such tax, assessment or other governmental
charge;
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(vi)
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any tax,
assessment or other governmental charge imposed by reason of such
holder's past or present status as the actual or constructive owner
of 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock entitled to vote of the relevant Issuer or of the Guarantor
or as a direct or indirect subsidiary of the relevant Issuer or of
the Guarantor;
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(vii)
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any tax,
assessment or other governmental charge required to be deducted or
withheld by any Paying Agent from a payment on a Note or coupon, if
such payment can be made without such deduction or withholding by
any other Paying Agent; or
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(viii)
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any combination
of any of items (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and
(vii);
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nor shall U.S. Additional Amounts be paid with
respect to any payment on any such Note to a United States Alien
who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial
owner of such payment to the extent such payment would be required
by the laws of the United States (or any political subdivision
thereof) to be included in the income, for tax purposes, of a
beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member
of such partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been
entitled to the U.S. Additional Amounts had such beneficiary,
settlor, member or beneficial owner been the holder of such
Note.
23
The term ?United States Alien? means a
beneficial owner of a Note that is not, for United States federal
income tax purposes, (i) a citizen or resident of the United
States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity
created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or
any political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate whose
income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of
its source, or (iv) a trust if a court within the United
States is able to exercise primary supervision over the
administration of the trust and one or more United States persons
have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the
trust or if such trust has a valid election in effect under
applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a United
States person.
(b) Australian Additional Amounts . All
payments of principal and interest in respect of Notes issued by
GEC Australia Funding and any coupons relating thereto will be made
without withholding of or deduction for, or on account of, any
present or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental
charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of the
Commonwealth of Australia or any political subdivision thereof or
any authority or agency therein or thereof having power to tax
unless the withholding or deduction of such taxes, duties,
assessments or charges is required by law or the application,
administration or interpretation thereof. In that event, GEC
Australia Funding or the Guarantor (if the Guarantor is required to
make payments under the Guarantee) shall pay (subject to the right
of redemption of GEC Australia Funding referred to above in
Section 6 - ?Redemption; Sinking Funds; Repayment at the
Option of the Holder?) such additional amounts (the ?Australian
Additional Amounts?) as may be necessary in order that the net
amounts received by the holders of such Notes or coupons after such
withholding or deduction shall equal the respective amounts of
principal and interest which otherwise would have been received by
them in respect of the Notes or coupons, as the case may be, in the
absence of such withholding or deduction, except that no Australian
Additional Amounts shall be payable with respect to any Note or
coupon presented for payment:
(i) by or on behalf of a holder who is subject
to such taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges by
reason of his being resident or deemed to be resident in Australia
or otherwise than merely by the holding or use or deemed holding or
use outside Australia or ownership as a non-resident of Australia
of such Notes or coupons; or
(ii) by or on behalf of a holder who is a
resident of Australia where no additional amount would have been
required to be paid had a tax file number, Australian business
number or other exemption details been quoted to GEC Australia
Funding in respect of the relevant Note before the due date for
payment in respect of the relevant Note (?resident?, ?tax file
number? and ?Australian business number? having the same meaning
for this purpose as they have in the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936
(the ?Australian Tax Act?), Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and the
Taxation Administrative Act 1953 (each as amended) of Australia);
or
(iii) by or on behalf of a holder who is subject
to such taxes, duties, assessments or government charges which
would not have been so imposed but for the presentation by the
holder of any such Note or coupon for payment on a date more than
15 days after the date on which such payment became due and payable
or the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for,
whichever occurs later; or
(iv) if the holder of such Note or coupon or any
entity which directly or indirectly has an interest in or right in
respect of such Note or coupon is a ?resident of Australia? or a
?non-resident? who is engaged in carrying on business in Australia
at or through a ?permanent
24
establishment"
of that non-resident in Australia (the expressions ?resident of
Australia?, ?non-resident" and ?permanent establishment? having the
meanings given to them by the Australian Tax Act) if, and to the
extent that, Section 126 of the Australian Tax Act (or any
equivalent provision) requires GEC Australia Funding to pay income
tax in respect of interest payable on such Note or coupon and the
income tax would not be payable were the holder or such entity not
such a ?resident of Australia" or ?non-resident"; or
(v) by or on behalf of a holder who is an
associate of GEC Australia Funding within the meaning of
Section 128F of the Australian Tax Act where interest
withholding tax is payable in respect of that payment by reason of
Section 128F(6) of that Act.
(c) Canadian Additional Amounts . All
payments of principal and interest in respect of Notes issued by
GEC Canada Funding and any interest coupons appertaining thereto
will be made without withholding of or deduction for, or on account
of, any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or
governmental charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on
behalf of the Government of Canada or any province or territory or
political subdivision thereof or any authority or agency therein or
thereof having power to tax unless the withholding or deduction of
such taxes, duties, assessments or charges is required by law or
the application, administration or interpretation thereof. In the
event that such withholding or deduction is so required, GEC Canada
Funding (in the case of Notes issued by GEC Canada Funding) or the
Guarantor (if the Guarantor is required to make payments under the
Guarantee) shall pay (subject to the right of redemption of GEC
Canada Funding referred to in paragraph (h) below such
additional amounts (the ?Canadian Additional Amounts") as may be
necessary in order that the net amounts received by the holders of
Notes and coupons appertaining thereto after such withholding or
deduction shall equal the respective amounts of principal and
interest which otherwise would have been received by them in
respect of such Notes or coupons, as the case may be, in the
absence of such withholding or deduction, except that no Canadian
Additional Amounts shall be payable with respect to any such Note
or coupon presented for payment:
(i) by or on behalf of a holder who is subject
to such taxes, duties, assessments or charges otherwise than merely
by the holding or use or deemed holding or use outside Canada or
ownership as a non-resident of Canada of such Note or coupon;
or
(ii) by or on behalf of a holder in respect of
whom such taxes, duties, assessments or charges are required to be
withheld or deducted by reason of the holder being a person with
whom GEC Canada Funding is not dealing at arm's length (within the
meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada)); or
(iii) more than 15 days after the Relevant Date
(as defined below), except to the extent that the holder thereof
would have been entitled to such Canadian Additional Amounts on
presenting such Note or coupon for payment on the last day of such
period of 15 days.
The term ?Relevant Date" means the later of
(i) the date on which payment in respect of the relevant Note
or Coupon becomes due and payable; and (ii) if the full amount
of the moneys payable on such date has not been received by the
Fiscal and Paying Agent on or prior to such date, the date on which
the full amount of such moneys having been so received, notice of
such receipt is duly published in accordance with the terms set out
under Section 20- ?Notices to Parties" below.
25
(d) Irish Additional Amounts . All
payments of principal and interest in respect of Notes issued by an
Irish Issuer will be made without withholding of or deduction for,
or on account of, any present or future taxes, duties, assessments
or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or
on behalf of the Government of Ireland or any authority or agency
therein or thereof having power to tax unless the withholding or
deduction of such taxes, duties, assessments or charges is required
by law or the application, administration or interpretation
thereof. In the event that such withholding or deduction is so
required, the relevant Irish Issuer or the Guarantor (if the
Guarantor is required to make payments under the Guarantee) shall
pay (subject to the Issuer's right of redemption referred to above)
such additional amounts (the ?Irish Additional Amounts") as may be
necessary in order that the net amounts received by the holder of
such Notes and coupons appertaining thereto after such withholding
or deduction shall equal the respective amounts of principal and
interest which otherwise would have been received in respect of
such Notes or the coupons appertaining thereto, as the case may be,
in the absence of such withholding or deduction, except that no
Irish Additional Amounts shall be payable with respect to any such
Note or a coupon appertaining thereto presented for
payment:
(i) by or on behalf of a holder who is subject
to such taxes, duties, assessments or charges otherwise than merely
by the holding or use or deemed holding or use outside Ireland or
ownership as a non-resident of Ireland of such Notes or coupon
appertaining thereto;
(ii) by or on behalf of a holder who is subject
to such taxes, duties, assessments or charges or government charges
which would not have been so imposed but for the presentation by
the holder of any such Note or coupon for payment on a date more
than 15 days after the date on which such payment became due and
payable or the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for,
whichever occurs later; or
(iii) by or on behalf of a holder who is subject
to such taxes, duties, assessments or charges or government
chargers which are deducted or withheld by an Irish paying agent,
if the payment could have been made by another paying agent without
such deduction or withholding.
There is also
no obligation of an Irish Issuer or the Guarantor to pay such Irish
Additional Amounts if such deduction or withholding taxes, duties
or governmental charges could be prevented or reduced by the
fulfillment of information or other obligations.
(e) European Union . The relevant Issuer
or Guarantor, as the case may be, will not be required to make any
payment of Additional Amounts to any such holder for or on the
account of:
(i) any tax, duty, assessment or other
governmental charge required to be withheld by any Paying Agent
from any payment of principal of, or interest on, any Note, if such
payment can be made without such withholding by any other Paying
Agent in a member state of the European Union; or
(ii) any tax, duty, assessment or other
governmental charge required to be imposed or withheld on a payment
to an individual and which is required to be made pursuant to any
European Union Directive on the taxation of savings or any law
implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform
to, such Directive.
26
(f) Other Additional Amounts . In the
case of Notes issued by an Additional Issuer acceding to this
Agreement pursuant to Section 19 hereof, all payments of
principal and interest in respect of Notes issued by such Issuer
and any interest coupons appertaining thereto will be made without
withholding of or deduction for, or on account of, any present or
future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of
whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of the
jurisdiction of organization of such Issuer or any political
subdivision thereof or any authority or agency therein or thereof
having power to tax unless the withholding or deduction of such
taxes, duties, assessments or charges is required by law or the
application, administration or interpretation thereof. In the event
that such withholding or deduction is so required, such Issuer or
the Guarantor (if the Guarantor is required to make payments under
the Guarantee) shall pay such additional amounts (the ?Other
Additional Amounts") as may be necessary in order that the net
amounts received by the holders of Notes and coupons appertaining
thereto after such w
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