EXECUTION VERSION
EXHIBIT (10.10)
EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
This Exchange
Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and
entered into as of May 21, 2009 by and between Albany International
Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”),
and Citadel Equity Fund Ltd., a company organized under the laws of
the Cayman Islands (the “ Noteholder ”). The
Company and the Noteholder are sometimes collectively referred to
herein as the “ Parties ” and individually as a
“ Party .”
WHEREAS, the
Noteholder is the beneficial owner of $40,000,000 in aggregate
principal amount of the Company’s 2.25% Convertible Senior
Notes due 2026 (the “ Convertible Notes
”);
WHEREAS, the
Noteholder has requested that the Company exchange, and the Company
is willing to exchange certain principal amounts of the
Convertibles Notes beneficially owned by the Noteholder for (i)
equal aggregate principal amounts of the Company’s 2.25%
Senior Notes due 2026 (the “ New Notes ”), in
the form attached as Annex A hereto plus (ii) the Cash
Payment (as defined below) available from cash on hand at the
Company (each such transaction, an “ Exchange
”); and
WHEREAS, on each
of the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date (as defined
below), immediately following each Exchange, the Noteholder desires
to sell, and the Company desires to purchase, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in a Securities Purchase
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “ Securities
Purchase Agreement ”), between the Noteholder and the
Company, in the form attached as Annex B hereto, $20,000,000
in aggregate principal amount of New Notes beneficially owned by
the Noteholder for certain purchase prices per New Note set forth
in the Securities Purchase Agreement, which purchase prices will be
paid from cash on hand and/or a borrowing under the Company’s
$460,000,000 Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, dated
as of April 14, 2006, among the Company, the lenders party thereto,
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and J.P. Morgan
Europe Limited, as London Agent, as amended from time to
time.
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the mutual covenants, agreements and
understandings herein contained, the Parties hereby agree as
follows:
SECTION 1. Exchange of
Notes .
1.1
The Exchange . On and subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement, on each Closing Date (as defined
below), the Noteholder shall sell, assign and transfer to the
Company, free and clear of any and all Encumbrances, all right,
title and interest in and to, and any and all claims in respect of
or arising or having arisen as a result of, $20,000,000 in
aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes beneficially owned
by the Noteholder in exchange for (i) the issuance by the Company
of an equal aggregate principal amount of the New Notes and (ii)
the payment by the Company of an amount in cash equal to $150,000,
plus any accrued but unpaid interest through the relevant
Closing Date on the
Convertible Notes delivered for
Exchange (the “ Cash Payment ”), payable from
cash on hand at the Company available for general corporate
purposes.
1.2
Closing Date . The transactions contemplated hereunder shall
take place at 10:00a.m. (New York City time) on each of July 1,
2009 and October 1, 2009, or at such other time or on such other
date as the parties may mutually agree upon in writing (each such
date, a “ Closing Date ”). On each Closing
Date:
(a)
the Noteholder shall deliver to the Company $20,000,000 in
aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes via book-entry
delivery to the following account:
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DTC Participant
Name: Bank of New York
DTC Participant Number: 901
ID Agent: Citizens Bank #80901
ID Agent Account No.: 101400
Further Credit: Albany International Corp. #7011536
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(b)
the Company shall deliver to the Noteholder $20,000,000 in
aggregate principal amount of New Notes via physical
delivery.
(c)
the Company shall make the Cash Payment by wire transfer in
immediately available funds to the following bank account (or to
such other account as the Noteholder shall indicate to the Company
in writing no less than three (3) business days before the relevant
Closing Date):
Account Name: Citadel Equity
Fund
Bank: Bank of New York
Attention: Joe Franklin
Account Number: 8900-472-545
ABA Number: 021000018
SECTION 2.
Conditions to the Obligations of the Noteholder . The
obligations of the Noteholder to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction as of each
Closing Date of the following conditions:
2.1
Representations and Warranties . The representations and
warranties contained in Section 4 hereof shall be true and
correct at and as of each Closing Date as though made on each
Closing Date.
2.2
Compliance with Covenants . The Company shall have complied
with all of its covenants and agreements contained herein to be
performed by it on or prior to each Closing Date.
2.3
Securities Purchase Agreement . The Securities Purchase
Agreement shall (i) have been duly executed and delivered by the
Company, (ii) be in full force and effect and (iii) not have been
modified, amended or terminated as of each Closing Date.
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SECTION 3.
Conditions to the Obligations of the Company . The
obligations of the Company to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction as of each
Closing Date of the following conditions:
3.1
Representations and Warranties . The representations and
warranties contained in Section 5 hereof shall be true and
correct at and as of each Closing Date as though made on each
Closing Date.
3.2
Compliance with Covenants . The Noteholder shall have
complied with all of its covenants and agreements contained herein
to be performed by it on or prior to each Closing Date.
3.3
Securities Purchase Agreement . The Securities Purchase
Agreement shall (i) have been duly executed and delivered by the
Noteholder, (ii) be in full force and effect and (iii) not have
been modified, amended or terminated as of each Closing
Date.
SECTION 4.
Representations and Warranties of the Company . As a
material inducement to the Noteholder to enter into this Agreement,
the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Noteholder that
the following statements are true and correct as of the date of
this Agreement.
4.1
Organization; Requisite Authority . The Company is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company possesses all
requisite power and authority necessary to enter into this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, to own and operate its properties, and to conduct its
business as described in the Company’s statements, reports,
schedules, forms and other documents filed by the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”)
since January 1, 2008 (the “ SEC Documents ”)
and as now being conducted.
4.2
Authorization; No Breach . The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by the
Company. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Company
in accordance with the terms hereof, shall constitute a valid,
binding and enforceable obligation of the Company. The execution of
this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company
of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i)
require the consent, approval, authorization, order, registration
or qualification of, or filing with, any governmental authority or
court, or body or arbitrator having jurisdiction over the Company;
and (ii) constitute or result in a breach, violation or default
under any material note, bond, mortgage, deed, indenture, lien,
instrument, contract, agreement, lease or license, whether written
or oral, express or implied, or the Company’s charter, bylaws
or other organizational document, or any statute, law, ordinance,
decree, order, injunction, rule, directive, judgment or regulation
of any court, administrative or regulatory body, governmental
authority, arbitrator, mediator or similar body having jurisdiction
over the Company or cause the acceleration or termination of any
obligation or right of the Company under any such
document.
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4.3
Reports and Financial Statements . The Company has filed all
reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, Form 8-K and all other reports
required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act
”), since January 1, 2008, and all such filings, as may have
been amended, complied in all material respects with the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder as of the
date filed with the SEC or amended, as the case may be. None of the
SEC Documents, as of their respective dates (as amended through the
date hereof), contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
4.4
Broker’s Fees . Neither the Company nor any person
acting on behalf of the Company has retained or authorized any
investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary to act on
behalf of the Company or incurred any liability for any
banker’s, broker’s or finder’s fees or
commissions in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
4.5
New Notes . The New Notes have been duly and validly
authorized and, when executed and delivered to and paid for by the
Noteholder under this Agreement, will constitute legal, valid and
binding obligations of the Company (subject, as to enforcement
remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights
generally and by general equitable principles).
4.6
Private Placement . The Company acknowledges and agrees that
the New Notes have not been and will not be registered under the
U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities
Act ”), and may not be offered, sold, transferred or
otherwise disposed of at any time except (i) to the Company or a
subsidiary thereof or (ii) pursuant to another available exemption
under the Securities Act. The Company has not made and will not
make, directly or indirectly, offers or sales of the New Notes or
any other securities, or solicit offers to buy the New Notes or any
other securities, under circumstances that would require the
registration of any of the New Notes under the Securities Act in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
SECTION 5.
Representations and Warranties of the Noteholder . As a
material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement,
the Noteholder hereby represents and warrants to the Company that
the following statements are true and correct as of the date of
this Agreement.
5.1
Organization; Requisite Authority . The Noteholder is a
company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Noteholder has full power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.
5.2
Authorization; No Breach . The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by the
Noteholder. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by the
Noteholder in accordance with the terms hereof, shall constitute a
valid,
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binding and enforceable
obligation of the Noteholder. The execution of this Agreement by
the Noteholder and the consummation by the Noteholder of the
transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) require
the consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or
qualification of, or filing with, any governmental authority or
court, or body or arbitrator having jurisdiction over the
Noteholder; and (ii) constitute or result in a breach, violation or
default under any material note, bond, mortgage, deed, indenture,
lien, instrument, contract, agreement, lease or license, whether
written or oral, express or implied, or the Noteholder’s
charter, bylaws or other organizational document, or any statute,
law, ordinance, decree, order, injunction, rule, directive,
judgment or regulation of any court, administrative or regulatory
body, governmental authority, arbitrator, mediator or similar body
having jurisdiction over the Noteholder or cause the acceleration
or termination of any obligation or right of the Noteholder under
any such document.
5.3
Ownership . The Noteholder is the beneficial owner of the
aggregate principal amount of, and any and all accrued and unpaid
interest on, the Convertible Notes, and such Convertible Notes are
owned free and clear of all Encumbrances (other than Encumbrances
that the Noteholder may have created in the ordinary course of its
business in connection with financing its holdings). There are no
proceedings relating to the Convertible Notes pending or, to the
Noteholder’s knowledge, threatened before any court,
arbitrator or administrative or governmental body that would
adversely affect the Noteholder’s right to transfer the
Convertible Notes to the Company and the Convertible Notes will be
transferred to the Company, free and clear of any and all
Encumbrances. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Encumbrance” means any pledge, hypothecation,
assignment, lien, restriction, charge, claim, security interest,
option, preference, priority or other preferential arrangement of
any kind or nature whatsoever.
5.4
Broker’s Fees . Neither the Noteholder nor any person
acting on behalf of the Noteholder has retained or authorized any
investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary to act on
behalf of the Noteholder or incurred any liability for any
banker’s, broker’s or finder’s fees or
commissions in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
5.5
Qualified Institutional Buyer . The Noteholder is a
“qualified institutional buyer,” as defined in Rule
144A under the Securities Act, purchasing the New Notes for its own
account or the account of such a qualified institutional buyer. The
Noteholder has not communicated with and will not communicate with
any person in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Securities Purchase Agreement. The Noteholder is
a sophisticated institutional investor and has such knowledge and
experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of
evaluating the merits and risks of the Exchange and an investment
in the New Notes.
5.6
Private Placement . The Noteholder acknowledges and agrees
that the New Notes have not been and will not be registered under
the Securities Act and may not be offered, sold, transferred or
otherwise disposed of at any time except (i) to the Company or a
subsidiary thereof or (ii) in accordance with another available
exemption under the Securities Act. The Noteholder has not made and
will not make directly or indirectly offers or sales of the New
Notes, or solicit offers to buy the New Notes, under circumstances
that would require the
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registration of any of the New
Notes under the Securities Act in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
5.7
Reporting Obligations . The Noteholder has no obligation to,
and will not, report the Exchange in a manner that would result in
contemporaneous public disclosure of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and the Securities Purchase Agreement.
SECTION 6.
Disclosure . The Company shall disclose to the public
generally, no later than four business days immediately following
the date of this Agreement, such of the Confidential Information as
is necessary to permit the Noteholder (including its affiliates and
representatives) to purchase and sell (without contravening
applicable securities or other law) any securities of the Company.
For purposes of this Section 6, “Confidential
Information” shall mean any non-public information that the
Company or any of its representatives may have furnished to the
Noteholder (including its affiliates and representatives), in
either case whether oral, written, electronic or in some other
form, including – without limitation – the existence of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Securities
Purchase Agreement. In the event of the failure of the Company to
make the disclosure contemplated by the first sentence of this
Section 6, the Noteholder shall be authorized to make any such
disclosure.
SECTION 7.
Termination .
7.1
Conditions of Termination . This Agreement may be terminated
at any time prior to October 1, 2009 (or such other date designated
in writing by the Parties to be the second Closing
Date):
(a)
by the mutual written consent of the Parties;
(b)
by the Company if there has been a material misrepresentation or a
material breach of warranty by the Noteholder in the
representations and warranties set forth in this
Agreement;
(c)
by the Noteholder if there has been a material misrepresentation or
a material breach of warranty by the Company in the representations
and warranties set forth in this Agreement;
(d)
by either Party if the Securities Purchase Agreement is terminated
for any reason; or
(e)
by either Party in the event that the First Closing Date hereunder
has not occurred for any reason by July 10, 2009, or the First
Closing Date and the Second Closing Date hereunder have not
occurred for any reason by October 10, 2009;
provided
, however , that insofar as
termination under Section 7(d) or 7(e) is concerned, the Party
seeking to terminate this Agreement pursuant to such Section shall
not have such right if its failure to (i) fulfill any obligation
under this Agreement or the Securities Purchase Agreement or (ii)
act in good faith has been a significant cause of, or resulted in,
the failure of the transactions
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contemplated by this Agreement
and/or the Securities Purchase Agreement to have occurred by such
date.
SECTION 8.
Miscellaneous .
8.1
Further Assurances . In case at any time after each Closing
Date any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the
purposes of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby,
each of the Parties will take such further action (including the
execution and delivery of such further instruments and documents)
as any other Party may reasonably request.
8.2
Severability . If any provision of this Agreement shall be
held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the other provisions hereof shall not be affected
thereby.
8.3
Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.
8.4
Descriptive Headings; Interpretation . The headings and
captions used in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and
shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
8.5
Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the agreements and
documents referred to herein contain the entire agreement and
understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings, whether written or oral, relating to such subject
matter in any way.
8.6
Amendment, Waiver . This Agreement may be amended, modified
or supplemented but only in a writing signed by the Noteholder and
the Company. No waiver of any of the provisions or conditions of
this Agreement or any of the rights of a party hereto shall be
effective or binding unless such waiver shall be in writing and
signed by the Party claimed to have given or consented
thereto.
8.7
Expenses . Each Party will bear its own expenses in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
8.8
Notices . Any notice, request, instruction or other document
to be given hereunder by a party hereto shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been given, (a) when received if given in
person or by a courier or a courier service or (b) on the date of
transmission if sent by facsimile transmission:
If
to the Company, addressed as follows:
Albany
International Corp.
1373
Broadway
Menands,
NY 12204
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Attention:
Charles J. Silva, Jr.
Telephone:
518-445-2277
Facsimile:
518-447-6575
If to
the Noteholder, addressed as follows:
Citadel
Solutions LLC
131 S.
Dearborn Street
Chicago,
IL 60603
Attention:
Kevin Newstead
Telephone:
312-443-5497
Facsimile:
312-267-7764
8.9
APPLICABLE LAW; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL
BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO
AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE. THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE TO
WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY DISPUTE ARISING FROM OR
RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.
8.10
Submission to Jurisdiction . Each Party agrees that any
suit, action or proceeding brought by it against the other Party
arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby may be instituted in any state or federal court
in The City of New York, New York, and waives any objection which
it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such
proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive
jurisdiction of such courts in any suit, action or
proceeding.
8.11
Specific Performance. The Parties acknowledge that money
damages will not be a sufficient remedy for breach of this
Agreement and that the Parties hereto may obtain specific
performance or other injunctive relief, without the necessity of
posting a bond or security therefor.
8.12
No Construction Against Draftsperson . The Parties have
participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this
Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or
interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if
drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of
proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of
the authorship of any of the provisions of this
Agreement.
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Exchange
Agreement on the date first written above.
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ALBANY
INTERNATIONAL CORP.
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By:
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/s/ Michael C.
Nahl
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Name: Michael
C. Nahl
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Title:
Executive Vice President
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and Chief Financial Officer
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CITADEL
EQUITY FUND LTD.
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By:
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/s/ Christopher
Ramsey
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Name:
Christopher Ramsey
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Title:
Authorized Signatory
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Signature Page
Exchange Agreement
ANNEX A
FORM OF NEW NOTE
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN AND
WILL NOT BE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT
BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (I) TO THE COMPANY
OR A SUBSIDIARY THEREOF OR (II) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE
EXEMPTION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE
HOLDER AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE
SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY EXCEPT AS AFORESAID.
ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
2.25% Senior Notes due 2026
Albany
International Corp., a corporation duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the
“ Company ,” which term includes any successor
corporation), for value received hereby promises to pay to the
order of Citadel Equity Fund Ltd. (the “ Holder
”), or registered assigns, the principal amount of $[•]
on March 15, 2026, as evidenced by this senior note.
This Note shall
bear interest at the rate of 2.25% per year from [•], 2009, or
from the most recent date to which interest had been paid or
provided for to, but excluding, the next scheduled Interest Payment
Date until March 15, 2013. As of March 15, 2013, this Note shall
bear interest at the rate of 3.25% per year from March 15, 2013,
to, but excluding, the next scheduled Interest Payment Date until
the principal hereof shall have been paid or made available for
payment. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on each March
15 and September 15, commencing September 15, 2009, to the holder
of record at the close of business on the preceding March 1 and
September 1 (whether or not such day is a Business Day),
respectively. Interest on the Note shall be computed on the basis
of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
Payment of the
principal of and premium, if any (including the Redemption Price,
Repurchase Price or Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, as the
case may be), and accrued and unpaid interest on this Note shall be
paid by wire transfer in immediately available funds in accordance
with the wire transfer instruction supplied by the Holder to the
Company.
Reference is made
to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse
hereof and in the attached Annex of Terms (the “ Annex
”). Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the
same effect as though fully set forth at this place. Any
capitalized term used and not otherwise defined herein shall have
the meaning assigned to such term in the Annex.
This Note shall be
deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of New
York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with
and governed by the laws of said State (without regard to the
conflicts of laws provisions thereof).
[Remainder of page intentionally left
blank]
F-1
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly
executed.
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ALBANY
INTERNATIONAL CORP.
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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Dated:
_______________________
REVERSE OF NOTE
ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
2.25% Senior Notes due 2026
This Note is a
duly authorized issue of securities of the Company, designated as
its 2.25% Senior Notes due 2026 in the principal amount of
$[•] (the“ Notes ”).
Subject to the
terms and conditions set forth in the Annex, the Company will make
all payments in respect of the Redemption Price, Repurchase Price,
the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, and the principal amount
on the Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the Holder if it
surrenders this Note to the Company to collect such payments in
respect of the Note. The Company will pay in money of the United
States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of
public and private debts.
No
reference herein to the Annex and no provision of this Note or of
the Annex shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company,
which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of,
premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on this Note at
the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the lawful
money herein prescribed.
In
case an Event of Default, as defined in the Annex, shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on the Note may be declared, by the Holder, and upon said
declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the
effect and subject to the conditions provided in the
Annex.
The
Annex contains provisions permitting the Holder to waive any past
Default or Event of Default under the Notes and its consequences
except as provided in the Annex.
The
Notes are issuable in definitive, registered form without coupons
in denominations of $1,000 principal