0001733998false00017339982025-03-182025-03-18

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 
FORM 8-K  
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
March 18, 2025
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
nwholdingsa03.jpg
NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission file number 1-38681  
Oregon   82-4710680
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
250 S.W. Taylor Street, Portland, Oregon 97204
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (503) 226-4211
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Registrant   Title of each class   Trading
Symbol
  Name of each exchange
on which registered
Northwest Natural Holding Company   Common Stock   NWN   New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company  ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐



Item 8.01 Other Events.

On March 12, 2025, Northwest Natural Holding Company (Company) entered into an Underwriting Agreement for the sale of $325,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Junior Subordinated Debentures due September 15, 2055 (Junior Subordinated Debentures). The Company will pay interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures (i) from and including the date of original issuance to, but not including, September 15, 2035, at an annual rate of 7.0% and (ii) from and including September 15, 2035, during each Interest Reset Period at an annual rate equal to the Five-Year Treasury Rate as of the most recent Reset Interest Determination Date plus 2.701%. The sale of the Junior Subordinated Debentures closed on March 18, 2025. The Junior Subordinated Debentures were offered pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-281437), which became effective upon filing. The Junior Subordinated Debentures were issued pursuant to the Company’s Indenture (For Unsecured Subordinated Debt Securities) dated as of March 1, 2025, as supplemented by the Company’s Officer’s Certificate dated as of March 12, 2025, establishing the terms of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, filed herewith respectively as Exhibits 4(a) and 4(b). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Company’s Officer’s Certificate dated as of March 12, 2025, filed herewith as Exhibit 4(b).

Pursuant to the terms of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Company has the right, from time to time, to defer the payment of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures on one or more occasions for up to ten consecutive years. The Company may issue, from time to time, additional junior subordinated debentures or other securities that (i) provide the Company with rights to defer the payment of interest or other payments and (ii) contain dividend restrictions in the event of the exercise of such rights. In the event that the Company were to exercise any right to defer interest or other payments on currently outstanding or future series of junior subordinated debentures or other securities, or if there were to occur certain payment defaults on those securities, the Company would not be able, with limited exceptions, to pay dividends on its common stock during the periods in which such payments were deferred or such payment defaults continued. These provisions are described in the Description of Northwest Natural Holding Company’s Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed herewith as Exhibit 4(c) (which updates and supersedes Exhibit 4p to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024), containing a description of the Company’s common stock.




Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits

See Exhibit Index below.

Exhibit Index
Exhibit Description
1
4(a)
4(b)
4(c)
5(a)
5(b)
23(a)
23(b)
104 Inline XBRL for the cover page of this Current Report on Form 8-K.




Forward-Looking Statements

This report, and other presentations made by NW Holdings from time to time, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “assumes,” “continues,” “could,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following: plans; objectives; assumptions; estimates; timing; goals; strategies; future events; projections; expectations; forecasts; outlooks; expenses; credit ratings and profile; investments; the likelihood, timing, and amount and use of proceeds associated with any transaction; financial results; financial position; targeted or permitted capital structure; revenues and earnings; performance; and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions regarding its business, the economy, geopolitical factors, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. You are therefore cautioned against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future operational, economic or financial performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are discussed by reference to the factors described in Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors", and Part II, Item 7 and Item 7A "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Part I, Items 2 and 3 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk", and Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors", in the quarterly reports filed thereafter, which, among others, outline legal, regulatory and legislative risks, public health risks, financial, macroeconomic and geopolitical risks, growth and strategic risks, operational risks, business continuity and technology risks, environmental risks and risks related to our water and renewables businesses.

All forward-looking statements made in this report and all subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all such factors, nor can they assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.



SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY
  (Registrant)
   
Dated: March 18, 2025   /s/ MardiLyn Saathoff
  General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Senior
Vice President Regulatory


EX-1 2 ex1underwritingagreement.htm EX-1 ex1underwritingagreement
Execution Version NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY $325,000,000 7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2055 UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT Dated: March 12, 2025 i TABLE OF CONTENTS Page SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties .................................................................................2 SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing ............................................................18 SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company ....................................................................................188 SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses .............................................................................................222 SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations ............... Error! Bookmark not defined.3 SECTION 6. Indemnification ......................................................................................................255 SECTION 7. Contribution .............................................................................................................27 SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery .........................29 SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement .......................................................................................29 SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters .......................................................300 SECTION 11. Notices ...................................................................................................................30 SECTION 12. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes ............................................31 SECTION 13. Parties ...................................................................................................................311 SECTION 14. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME .......................................................................322 SECTION 15. Effect of Headings ...............................................................................................322 SECTION 16. Definitions ............................................................................................................322 SECTION 17. Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses ...................................................................355 SECTION 18. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship ......................................................................366 SECTION 19. Research Analyst Independence ............................................................................36 SECTION 20. Trial By Jury ..........................................................................................................37 SECTION 21. Counterparts ...........................................................................................................37 ii EXHIBITS Exhibit A – Underwriters Exhibit B – Significant Subsidiaries of the Company Exhibit C – Form of Opinion of In-House Counsel Exhibit D – Form of Opinion of Company Counsel Exhibit E – Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses Exhibit F – Pricing Term Sheet 1 NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY $325,000,000 7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2055 UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT March 12, 2025 J.P. Morgan Securities LLC Wells Fargo Securities, LLC As Representatives of the several Underwriters c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC 383 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10179 c/o Wells Fargo Securities, LLC 550 South Tryon Street 5th Floor Charlotte, N.C. 28202 Ladies and Gentlemen: Northwest Natural Holding Company, an Oregon corporation (the “Company”), confirms its agreement with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”) and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“Wells Fargo”) and each of the other Underwriters named in Exhibit A hereto (collectively, the “Underwriters,” which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo are acting as representatives (collectively in such capacity, the “Representative”), with respect to the issue and sale by the Company of $325,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures due September 15, 2055 (the “Securities”) to be issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of March 1, 2025 (the “Initial Indenture”) between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as will be supplemented by an officer’s certificate pursuant thereto establishing the terms of the Securities dated as of March 12, 2025 (the “Series Officer’s Certificate” and, together with the Initial Indenture, the “Indenture”) between the Company and the Trustee. Certain terms used in this Underwriting Agreement (“Agreement”) are defined in Section 16 hereof. The Company has prepared and filed, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-281437), which was effective upon filing with the Commission, and a prospectus relating to, among other securities, its junior subordinated debentures. The registration statement, including the financial statements, the documents incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference and the exhibits thereto being


 
2 referred to as the “Registration Statement” and the prospectus, including the documents incorporated or deemed incorporated therein by reference, constituting a part of the Registration Statement, as it was amended or supplemented prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement, but excluding any amendment or supplement relating solely to securities other than the Securities, being herein called the “Basic Prospectus”, and the Basic Prospectus, as amended and supplemented, including documents incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference, together with the preliminary prospectus supplement dated March 12, 2025, immediately prior to the Applicable Time (as defined below), being herein called the “Pre-Pricing Prospectus”, and the Basic Prospectus, as amended and supplemented by a prospectus supplement dated the date hereof to include information relating to the Securities, including the names of the Underwriters, the price and terms of the offering, the interest rate, maturity date and certain other information relating to the Securities, which will be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Commission’s General Rules and Regulations under the 1933 Act (the “1933 Act Regulations”), being herein called the “Prospectus Supplement”. The Basic Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement, including all documents then incorporated or deemed to have been incorporated therein by reference, in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities being herein called the “Prospectus”. For purposes of this Agreement, “Applicable Time” is 4:15 p.m. (New York Time) on the date of this Agreement and the documents listed in Exhibit E issued at or prior to the Applicable Time, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Pricing Term Sheet taken together, collectively being herein referred to as the “General Disclosure Package”. SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties. (a) Representations and Warranties by the Company. The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Applicable Time and as of the Closing Date referred to in Section 2(c) hereof and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows: (1) Status as a Well-Known Seasoned Issuer. (A) At the respective times the Registration Statement or any amendments thereto were filed with the Commission, (B) at the time of the most recent amendment to the Registration Statement for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act (whether such amendment was by post- effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act or form of prospectus), (C) at any time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c)) made any offer relating to the Securities in reliance on the exemption of Rule 163 and (D) at the date hereof, the Company was and is a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405, including not having been and not being an “ineligible issuer” as defined in Rule 405 (without taking into account any determination made by the Commission pursuant to paragraph (2) of the definition of such term in Rule 405). The Registration Statement is an “automatic shelf registration statement,” as defined in Rule 405 and the Securities, since their registration on the Registration Statement, have been and remain eligible for registration by the Company on such an “automatic shelf registration statement.” The Company has not received from the Commission any notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) objecting to the use of the automatic shelf registration statement form. Any written communication that was an offer relating to the Securities made by the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this sentence only, of Rule 163(c)) prior to the filing of the 3 Registration Statement has been filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 163 and otherwise complied with the requirements of Rule 163, including without limitation the legending requirement, to qualify such offer for the exemption from Section 5(c) of the 1933 Act provided by Rule 163. (2) Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act and the Securities have been duly registered under the 1933 Act pursuant to the Registration Statement. The Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto have become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with. The Registration Statement was initially filed with the Commission on August 9, 2024. (3) Registration Statement, Prospectus and Disclosure at Time of Sale. At the respective times that the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto became effective, at each time subsequent to the filing of the Registration Statement that the Company filed an Annual Report on Form 10-K (or any amendment thereto) with the Commission, at each deemed effective date with respect to the Underwriters pursuant to Rule 430B(f)(2), and at the Closing Date, the Registration Statement and any amendments to any of the foregoing complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. At the respective times the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto was filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or issued, at the Closing Date, and at any time when a prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) by applicable law to be delivered in connection with sales of Securities (whether to meet the requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), neither the Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements thereto included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of the Applicable Time (except in the case of clause (z) below) and as of each time prior to the Closing Date that an investor agrees (orally or in writing) to purchase or, if applicable, reconfirms (orally or in writing) an agreement to purchase any Securities from the Underwriters, neither (x) the General Disclosure Package, nor (y) any individual Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, nor (z) any Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses issued subsequent to the Applicable Time, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. 4 Each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing filed as part of the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act, or delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities, complied when so filed or when so delivered, as the case may be, in all material respects with the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The representations and warranties in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 1(a)(3) do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(b) hereof or to any statements in or omissions from that part of the Registration Statement that shall constitute the Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of the Trustee under the Indenture. At the respective times that the Registration Statement or any amendment to any of the foregoing were filed and as of the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement that the Company or any other offering participant made a bona fide offer of the Securities within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2), and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer” as defined in Rule 405, in each case without taking into account any determination made by the Commission pursuant to paragraph (2) of the definition of such term in Rule 405; and without limitation to the foregoing, the Company has at all relevant times met, meets and will at all relevant times meet the requirements of Rule 164 for the use of a free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405) in connection with the offering contemplated hereby. The copies of the Registration Statement and any amendments to any of the foregoing and the copies of each preliminary prospectus, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433 and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, that have been or subsequently are delivered to the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Securities (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise) were and will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T. For purposes of this Agreement, references to the “delivery” or “furnishing” of any of the foregoing documents to the Underwriters, and any similar terms, include, without limitation, electronic delivery. Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (if any), as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offering and sale of the Securities did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus that has not been superseded or modified. 5 (4) The Indenture. As of the Closing Date, the Indenture will have been duly authorized by the Company and duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and, when executed and delivered by the Trustee and the Company, will constitute a legal, valid and binding instrument enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms and the Securities will have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated and, when paid for by the purchasers thereof, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights in general, and except as the availability of the remedy of specific performance is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such remedy is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law), and by an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; and on the Closing Date the Indenture will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act. (5) Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus, at the respective times when they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. (6) Independent Accountants. The accountants who certified the financial statements and any supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are independent public accountants with respect to the Company as required by the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act, the 1934 Act Regulations and the PCAOB. (7) Financial Statements. The financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules (if any) and notes, present fairly the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at the dates indicated and the results of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified; and all such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved and comply with all applicable accounting requirements under the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations, or the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations, as applicable. The supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statement present fairly, in accordance with GAAP, the information required to be stated therein. All “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined in the rules and regulations of the Commission), if any, contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply with Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Commission, to the extent applicable. (8) No Material Adverse Change in Business. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto


 
6 subsequent to the date of this Agreement), (A) there has been no material adverse change or any development that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change, in the condition (financial or other), results of operations, business, properties, management or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (in any such case, a “Material Adverse Effect”); (B) except as otherwise disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred any liability or obligation or entered into any transaction or agreement that, individually or in the aggregate, is material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained any loss or interference with its business or operations from fire, explosion, flood, earthquake or other natural disaster or calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or disturbance or court or governmental action, order or decree which could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and (C) except for regular quarterly cash dividends on the Company’s common stock in amounts per share that are consistent with past practice, there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock. (9) Valid Existence and Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Oregon and has power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except (solely in the case of jurisdictions other than the State of Oregon) where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. (10) Good Standing of Significant Subsidiaries. Each Significant Subsidiary of the Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation, limited or general partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, limited or general partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each such subsidiary that is a corporation, all of the issued and outstanding partnership interests of each such subsidiary that is a limited or general partnership and all of the issued and outstanding 7 limited liability company interests, membership interests or other similar interests of each such subsidiary that is a limited liability company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and (except in the case of general partnership interests) non- assessable and are owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any Lien; and none of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of any such subsidiary that is a corporation, none of the issued and outstanding partnership interests of any such subsidiary that is a limited or general partnership, and none of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests, membership interests or other similar interests of any such subsidiary that is a limited liability company was issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any securityholder of such subsidiary or any other person. Exhibit 21 to the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission accurately sets forth the name of each subsidiary of the Company and its jurisdiction of organization, other than subsidiaries omitted from such exhibit in accordance with the first sentence of clause (ii) of Section 21 of Item 601 of Regulation S-K of the Commission. The term “Significant Subsidiary” means any subsidiaries of the Company which are “significant subsidiaries” as defined by Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X. The Company has no Significant Subsidiaries other than the Significant Subsidiaries that are listed on Exhibit B hereto under the caption “Significant Subsidiaries of the Company.” (11) Capitalization. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company as of December 31, 2024, is as set forth under the caption “Capitalization” in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus. The shares of issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and were issued in compliance with all applicable foreign, state and federal securities and “blue-sky” laws; and none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company was issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company or any other person. (12) Authorization of Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. (13) Authorization of Securities. The Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and, when duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as provided in the Indenture and paid for as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued and outstanding and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights in general, and except as the availability of the remedy of specific performance is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such remedy is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law), and by an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. (14) Description of Securities and Indenture. The Securities and the Indenture conform in all material respects to the respective statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. 8 (15) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of its Organizational Documents or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any Company Document, except for such defaults that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) and compliance by the Company with its obligations under this Agreement do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default, Termination Event or Repayment Event under, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, any Company Documents, except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or Liens that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect or materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Organizational Documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or except for such violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect or materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective assets, properties or operations. (16) Absence of Labor Dispute. No general labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of the principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries which might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect. (17) Absence of Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus (other than as disclosed therein), or (other than as disclosed therein) which might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or to materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement; the aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their respective property or assets is the subject which are not described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing 9 Prospectus and the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect. (18) Accuracy of Descriptions and Exhibits. The information in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the captions “Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures,” and “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences” and the information in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 under the captions “Business—Regulation and Rates,” “Risk Factors—Legal, Regulatory and Legislative Risks—Regulation, Compliance and Taxing Authority Risk,” “Legal Proceedings,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition—Liquidity and Capital Resources,” in each case to the extent that it constitutes matters of law, summaries of legal matters, summaries of provisions of the Company’s charter or bylaws or any other instruments or agreements, summaries of legal proceedings, or legal conclusions, is correct in all material respects; all descriptions in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus of any other Company Documents are accurate in all material respects; and there are no franchises, contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements, bonds, notes, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, leases or other instruments, agreements or documents required to be described or referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus or the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein which have not been so described and filed as required. (19) Possession of Intellectual Property. Except as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, (A) the Company and its subsidiaries own and possess or have valid and enforceable licenses to use, all patents, patent rights, patent applications, licenses, copyrights, inventions, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trade marks, service marks, trade names, service names, software, internet addresses, domain names and other intellectual property (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) that is described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or that is necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted, as proposed to be conducted and as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (B) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice or is otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict with rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interests of the Company or any of its subsidiaries therein; there are no third parties who have or, to the knowledge of the Company, will be able to establish rights to any Intellectual Property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except for, and to the extent of, the ownership rights of the owners of the Intellectual Property which the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus disclose is licensed to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (C) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others


 
10 challenging the Company’s or any subsidiary’s rights in or to any such Intellectual Property, or challenging the validity, enforceability or scope of any such Intellectual Property, or asserting that the Company or any subsidiary infringes or otherwise violates, or would, upon the commercialization of any product or service described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, infringe or violate, any Intellectual Property of others, and the Company is unaware of any facts which could form a reasonable basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or claim, (D) the Company and its subsidiaries have complied with the terms of each agreement pursuant to which any Intellectual Property has been licensed to the Company or any subsidiary, all such agreements are in full force and effect, and no event or condition has occurred or exists that gives or, with notice or passage of time or both, would give any person the right to terminate any such agreement and (E) there is no patent or patent application that contains claims that interfere with the issued or pending claims of any such Intellectual Property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or that challenges the validity, enforceability or scope of any such Intellectual Property. 20. Cybersecurity; Data Protection. The Company and its subsidiaries’ information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (collectively, “IT Systems”) are adequate for, and operate and perform in all material respects as required in connection with the operation of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted, and to the Company’s knowledge, free and clear of all material bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants. The Company and its subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards reasonably designed to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all material IT Systems and data (including all personal, personally identifiable, sensitive, confidential or regulated data (“Personal Data”)) used in connection with their businesses, and to the Company’s knowledge, there have been no breaches, violations, outages or unauthorized uses of or accesses to same, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability or the duty to notify any other person, nor any material incidents under internal review or investigations relating to the same. The Company and its subsidiaries are presently in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Personal Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Personal Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification, except for such noncompliance as would not, individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect. (21) Absence of Further Requirements. (A) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, (B) no authorization, approval, vote or consent of any holder of capital stock or other securities of the Company or creditor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (C) no authorization, approval, waiver or consent under any Company Document, and (D) no authorization, approval, vote or consent of any other person or entity, is necessary or required for the authorization, execution, delivery or 11 performance by the Company of this Agreement, for the offering of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement, for the issuance, sale or delivery of the Securities to be sold by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, or for the consummation of any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in each case on the terms contemplated by the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations and except that no representation is made as to such as may be required under state or foreign securities laws. (22) Possession of Licenses and Permits. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “Governmental Licenses”) issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them; and the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, all such Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses. 23. Title to Property. Except such as (a) are described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or (b) are not, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and are not required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, (A) the Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by any of them (if any) and good title to all other properties and assets owned by any of them, in each case, free and clear of all Liens, (B) all real property, buildings and other improvements, and all equipment and other property held under lease or sublease by the Company or any of its subsidiaries is held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases or subleases, as the case may be, with, solely in the case of leases or subleases relating to real property, buildings or other improvements, such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such property and buildings or other improvements by the Company or its subsidiaries, as applicable, and all such leases and subleases are in full force and effect, and (C) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of any claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises or to the continued use of the leased or subleased equipment or other property except for such claims which would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. (24) Investment Company Act. The Company is not, and upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and the receipt and application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds,” will not be, required to register as an “investment 12 company” or “controlled” by an entity required to register as an “investment company” as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act. (25) Environmental Laws. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, (A) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), (B) the Company and its subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (C) there are no pending or threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, Liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (D) there are no events or circumstances that might reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws. (26) FINRA Matters. The Company was, at the time the Registration Statement was first filed with the Commission, and at all times thereafter has been, an “experienced issuer” as defined under FINRA Rule 5110(j)(6). (27) Tax Returns. The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all foreign, federal, state and local tax returns that are required to be filed as of the Applicable Time or Closing Date, as applicable, or have obtained extensions thereof, except where the failure so to file would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, and have paid all taxes (including, without limitation, any estimated taxes) required to be paid and any other assessment, fine or penalty, to the extent that any of the foregoing is due and payable, except for (i) any such tax, assessment, fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate actions and for which appropriate reserves have been established and (ii) such taxes, assessments, fines or penalties the nonpayment of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. (28) Insurance. The Company and its subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, (A) all 13 policies of insurance and any fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Company or any of its subsidiaries or their respective businesses, assets, employees, officers and directors are in full force and effect; the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects, (B) there are no claims by the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause and (C) neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers at a cost that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. (29) Accounting and Disclosure Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain and have established and maintained effective “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15 of the 1934 Act Regulations). The Company and its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. There has not been (1) at any time during the Company’s five consecutive fiscal years ended with and including the Company’s most recent fiscal year for which audited financial statements are included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or at any time subsequent thereto, any material weakness (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X of the Commission) in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated), or (2) any fraud, whether or not material, involving management or other employees who have a role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and, since the end of the Company’s most recent fiscal year for which audited financial statements are included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company and its subsidiaries have established, maintained and periodically evaluate the effectiveness of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the 1934 Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the 1934 Act and the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement are recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.


 
14 The Company’s independent public accountants and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors have been advised of all material weaknesses, if any, and significant deficiencies (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X of the Commission), if any, in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and of all fraud, if any, whether or not material, involving management or other employees who have a role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, in each case that occurred or existed, or was first detected, at any time during the Company’s five consecutive fiscal years ended with and including the Company’s most recent fiscal year for which audited financial statements are included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or at any time subsequent thereto. (30) Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply in all material respects with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with which any of them is required to comply, including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications. (31) Pending Proceedings and Examinations; Comment Letters. The Registration Statement is not the subject of a pending proceeding or examination under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the 1933 Act, and the Company is not the subject of a pending proceeding under Section 8A of the 1933 Act. The Company has provided the Representative with true, complete and correct copies of any written comments received from the Commission by the Company or its legal counsel or accountants, and of any transcripts made by the Company, its legal counsel or accountants of any oral comments received from the Commission, with respect to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein and of all written responses thereto (in each case other than comment letters or written responses that are publicly available on EDGAR), and no such comments remain unresolved. (32) Absence of Manipulation. The Company has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities. (33) Statistical and Market-Related Data. Any statistical, demographic, market- related and similar data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus is based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate and accurately reflect the materials upon which such data is based or from which it was derived, and the Company has delivered true, complete and correct copies of such materials to the Representative to the extent requested by the Representative. (34) No Unlawful Payments. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor any director, officer, or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any agent, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, 15 directly or indirectly, that has resulted or would result in (i) the use of any funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) the making or taking of an act in furtherance of an offer, promise or authorization of any direct or indirect unlawful payment or benefit to any foreign or domestic government or regulatory official or employee, including of any government- owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office; (iii) a violation by any such person of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any applicable law or regulation implementing the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, or committed an offence under the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption laws; or (iv) the making, offering, requesting or taking of, or the agreement to take, an act in furtherance of any unlawful bribe or other unlawful benefit, including, without limitation, any rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful or improper payment or benefit. The Company and its subsidiaries have instituted, maintain and enforce, and will continue to maintain and enforce policies and procedures designed to promote and ensure compliance with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws. (35) Compliance with Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the applicable money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental or regulatory agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental or regulatory agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is, threatened. (36) No Conflicts with Sanctions Laws. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, directors, officers or employees, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any agent, employee or affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently the subject or the target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Government, (including, without limitation, OFAC or the U.S. Department of State and including, without limitation, the designation as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person”), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is the Company or any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or the target of Sanctions, including, without limitation, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic, or the Crimea, Kherson or Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria (each, a “Sanctioned Country”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use any of the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity (i) 16 to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject or the target of any Sanctions, (ii) to fund or facilitate any activities of or any business in any Sanctioned Country or (iii) in any other manner that could result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of any Sanctions. Since April 24, 2019, the Company and its subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in, are not now knowingly engaged in, and will not engage in, any dealings or transactions with any person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of any Sanctions or with any Sanctioned Country. (37) ERISA Compliance. None of the following events has occurred or exists: (i) a failure to fulfill the obligations, if any, under the minimum funding standards of Section 302 of ERISA with respect to a Plan (as defined below) determined without regard to any waiver of such obligations or extension of any amortization period; (ii) an audit or investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any other federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory agency with respect to the employment or compensation of employees by the Company or any of its subsidiaries that might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or (iii) any breach of any contractual obligation, or any violation of law or applicable qualification standards, with respect to the employment or compensation of employees by the Company or any of its subsidiaries that might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the following events has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur: (i) a material increase in the aggregate amount of contributions required to be made to all Plans in the current fiscal year of the Company and its subsidiaries compared to the amount of such contributions made in the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year that might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) a material increase in the “accumulated post-retirement benefit obligations” (within the meaning of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 106) of the Company and its subsidiaries compared to the amount of such obligations in the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year that might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) any event or condition giving rise to a liability under Title IV of ERISA that might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or (iv) the filing of a claim by one or more employees or former employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries related to its or their employment that might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this paragraph and the definition of ERISA, the term “Plan” means a plan (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA) with respect to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries may have any liability. (38) Lending and Other Relationships. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any lending or similar relationship with any Underwriter or any bank or other lending institution affiliated with any Underwriter; (ii) the Company will not, directly or indirectly, use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities by the Company hereunder to reduce or retire the balance of any loan or credit facility extended 17 by any Underwriter or any of its “affiliates” or “associated persons” (as such terms are used in FINRA Rule 5121) or otherwise direct any such proceeds to any Underwriter or any of its “affiliates” or “associated persons” (as so defined); and (iii) there are and have been no transactions, arrangements or dealings between the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any Underwriter or any of its “affiliates” or “associated persons” (as so defined), on the other hand, that, under FINRA Rule 5110 or 5121, must be disclosed in a submission to FINRA in connection with the offering of the Securities contemplated hereby or disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or Prospectus. (39) Transfer Taxes. There are no stock or other transfer taxes, stamp duties, capital duties or other similar duties, taxes or charges payable in connection with the execution or delivery of this Agreement by the Company or the issuance or sale by the Company of the Securities to be sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder. (40) Related Party Transactions. There are no business relationships or related party transactions involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other person that are required to be described in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus that have not been described as required. (41) Offering Materials. Without limitation to the provisions of Section 17 hereof, the Company has not distributed and will not distribute, directly or indirectly (other than through the Underwriters), any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) or other offering materials in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities, other than the Pre-Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing that are filed with the SEC and any Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses (as defined in Section 17). (42) No Restrictions on Dividends. The Company is not a party to or otherwise bound by any instrument or agreement that limits or prohibits or could limit or prohibit, directly or indirectly, the Company from paying any dividends or making other distributions on its capital stock, except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. (43) Brokers. There is not a broker, finder or other party that is entitled to receive from the Company any brokerage or finder’s fee or other fee or commission as a result of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for underwriting discounts and commissions in connection with the sale of the Securities to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement. (44) Interactive Data. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.


 
18 (b) Certificates. Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company (whether signed on behalf of such officer or the Company) and delivered to the Representative or to counsel for the Underwriters pursuant to or relating to this Agreement shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby. SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing. a. Securities. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, the Securities, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase the respective principal amount of Securities set forth opposite its name in Exhibit A hereto in each case at a price equal to 99.0% of the principal amount (the “Purchase Price”). (b) Payment. Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, the Securities shall be made at the offices of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, 600 Travis Street, Suite 5400, Houston, TX 77002, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company, at 9:00 A.M. (New York City time) on March 18, 2025 (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such other time not later than five business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called the “Closing Date”). Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a single bank account designated by the Company against delivery to the Representative for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representative, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Securities which it has agreed to purchase. J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo individually and not as Representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Securities to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Date but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder. (c) Delivery of Securities. Delivery of the Securities shall be made through the facilities of DTC unless the Representative shall otherwise instruct. SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows: (i) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests. The Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430B and Rule 433 and will notify the Representative immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall be declared or become effective, or when any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission (and shall promptly furnish the Representative with a copy of any comment letters and any transcript of oral comments, and shall furnish the Representative with copies of any written responses thereto a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed filing 19 thereof with the Commission and will not file any such response to which the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall object), (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or any notice from the Commission objecting to the use of the form of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the loss or suspension of any exemption from any such qualification, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes, or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1933 Act concerning the Registration Statement and (v) if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the 1933 Act in connection with the offering of the Securities. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and the suspension or loss of any qualification of the Securities for offering or sale and any loss or suspension of any exemption from any such qualification, and if any such stop order is issued, or any such suspension or loss occurs, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment. The Company shall pay the required Commission filing fees relating to the Securities within the time period required by Rule 456(b)(1)(i) of the 1933 Act Regulations without regard to the proviso therein and otherwise in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the 1933 Act Regulations, except to the extent such filing fees have been paid prior to the date hereof. (ii) Filing of Amendments. The Company will give the Representative notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment, supplement or revision to any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, whether pursuant to the 1933 Act or otherwise, and the Company will furnish the Representative with copies of any such documents within a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall object. The Company has given the Representative notice of any filings made pursuant to the 1934 Act or the 1934 Act Regulations within 48 hours prior to the Applicable Time. The Company will give the Representative notice of its intention to make any filing pursuant to the 1934 Act or the 1934 Act Regulations from the Applicable Time through the Closing Time (or, if later, through the end of the period during which the Prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) to be delivered by applicable law (whether to meet the requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise)) and will furnish the Representative with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall object. (iii) Delivery of Registration Statements. The Company has furnished or will deliver to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, copies of 20 the Registration Statement and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein and documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein or otherwise deemed to be a part thereof) and copies of all consents and certificates of experts. (iv) Delivery of Prospectuses. The Company has delivered to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when the Prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) to be delivered by applicable law (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), such number of copies of the Pre-Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing as such Underwriter may reasonably request. (v) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws. The Company will comply with the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) by the applicable law to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary (or if the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Company that, in their judgment, it is necessary) to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus so that the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or then prevailing, not misleading or if it is necessary (or, if the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Company that, in their judgment, it is necessary) to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act or the 1934 Act Regulations, the Company will promptly notify the Representative of such event or condition and of its intention to file such amendment or supplement (or, if the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall have notified the Company as aforesaid, the Company will promptly notify the Representative of its intention to prepare such amendment or supplement) and will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such untrue statement or omission or to comply with such requirements, and, in the case of an amendment or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, the Company will use its best efforts to have such amendment declared or become effective as soon as practicable, and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request. If at any time an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement or if an event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of 21 which it is necessary (or, if the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Company that, in their judgment, it is necessary) to amend or supplement such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus so that it will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or then prevailing, not misleading, or if it is necessary (or, if the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Company that, in their judgment, it is necessary) to amend or supplement such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, the Company will promptly notify the Representative of such event or condition and of its intention to file such amendment or supplement (or, if the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall have notified the Company as aforesaid, the Company will promptly notify the Representative of its intention to prepare such amendment or supplement) and will promptly prepare and, if required by the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission or to comply with such requirements, and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request. (vi) Blue Sky and Other Qualifications. The Company will use its best efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale, or to obtain an exemption for the Securities to be offered and sold, under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate and to maintain such qualifications and exemptions in effect for so long as required for the distribution of the Securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. In each jurisdiction in which the Securities have been so qualified or exempt, the Company will file such statements and reports as may be required by the laws of such jurisdiction to continue such qualification or exemption, as the case may be, in effect for so long as required for the distribution of the Securities. (vii) Rule 158. The Company will timely file such reports pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the purposes of, and to provide to the Underwriters the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act. (viii) Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds.” (ix) Restriction on Sale of Securities. During the period from the date hereof through and including the Closing Date, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo, directly or indirectly issue, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of


 
22 any debt securities that are substantially similar to the Securities issued or guaranteed by the Company. (x) Reporting Requirements. The Company, during the period when the Prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) by applicable law to be delivered (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations within the time periods required by the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations. (xi) Preparation of Prospectus. Immediately following the execution of this Agreement, the Company will, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, prepare the Prospectus, which shall contain the selling terms of the Securities, the plan of distribution thereof and such other information as may be required by the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations or as the Representative and the Company may deem appropriate, and will prepare a final term sheet, containing a description of the final terms of the Securities and the offering thereof, dated the date hereof, filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the 1933 Act relating to the Securities (the “Pricing Term Sheet”) which shall be previously approved by the Representative and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F, and file the Pricing Term Sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the 1933 Act within the time period prescribed and will file or transmit for filing with the Commission the Prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430B and in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)) and any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 433. (xii) DTC. The Company will assist the Underwriters in arranging for the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC. SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses (a) Expenses. The Company will pay all out-of-pocket expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto (in each case including exhibits) and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (ii) the word processing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) any fees charged by rating agencies for rating the Securities, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the counsel, accountants and other advisors to the Company, (v) the qualification or exemption of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplements thereto, (vi) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (vii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the Blue Sky Survey and any Canadian “wrapper” and any supplements thereto and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (viii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any 23 paying agent (including related fees and expenses of any counsel to such parties), (ix) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters, such fees and disbursements together with the fees and disbursements described in clause (v) above, not to exceed $15,000, and the approval of the Securities for book-entry transfer by DTC, in connection with, the review, if any, by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Securities, (x) the costs and expenses of the Company and any of its officers, directors, counsel or other representatives in connection with presentations or meetings undertaken in connection with the offering of the Securities, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics and the production and hosting of any electronic road shows, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with road show presentations, and travel, lodging, transportation, and other expenses of the officers, directors, counsel and other representatives of the Company incurred in connection with any such presentations or meetings, and (xi) the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the copying and delivery of closing documents and other documents relating to the offering contemplated hereby (and in connection with the preparation and delivery of any electronic versions or compilations of such documents) to the Company, the Company’s accountants and counsel and the Underwriters. It is understood, however, that except as provided in this Section 4, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of Underwriters’ Counsel. (b) Termination of Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated by the Representative in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5, 9(a)(i), 9(a)(iii)(A) or 9(a)(v) hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters. SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement, or in certificates signed by any officer of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company (whether signed on behalf of such officer, the Company or such subsidiary) delivered to the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters, to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions: (a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Registration Statement and any post- effective amendments thereto shall have become effective and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission, any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representative and the Commission shall not have notified the Company of any objection to the use of the form of the Registration Statement. The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance upon Rule 424(b)(8)) and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus required to be filed with the Commission shall have been filed in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 433, and, prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have provided evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Representative of such timely filings. 24 (b) Opinion of Counsel for Company. At the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinions and 10b-5 statements, as applicable, dated as of the Closing Date, of (i) MardiLyn Saathoff, Esquire, Senior Vice President – Regulation and General Counsel of the Company, together with signed or reproduced copies of such opinion for each of the other Underwriters, to the effect set forth in Exhibit C hereto, and (ii) Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, counsel for the Company (“Company Counsel”), together with signed or reproduced copies of such opinion for each of the other Underwriters, to the effect set forth in Exhibit D hereto. (c) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters. At the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion and 10b-5 statement, dated as of the Closing Date, of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, counsel for the Underwriters (“Underwriters’ Counsel”), together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, with respect to the Securities to be sold by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and such other matters as the Representative may reasonably request. (d) Officers’ Certificate. At the Closing Date, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), any material adverse change or any development that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the condition (financial or other), results of operations, business, properties, management or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and, at the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received a certificate, signed on behalf of the Company by the President or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct at and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Date, (iii) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to Closing Date under or pursuant to this Agreement, and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission and the Commission has not notified the Company of any objection to the use of the form of the Registration Statement. (e) Accountant’s Comfort Letter. At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representative shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP a letter, dated the date of this Agreement and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information of the Company contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses (other than any electronic road show) and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing. 25 (f) Bring-down Comfort Letter. At the Closing Date the Representative shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP a letter, dated as of Closing Date and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to Closing Date. (g) DTC. The Securities shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC. (h) Indenture and Securities. The Indenture shall have been duly executed and delivered by a duly authorized office of the Company and the Trustee, and the Securities shall have been duly executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Company and duly authenticated by the Trustee. (i) Additional Documents. At the Closing Date counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, contained in this Agreement, or as the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters may otherwise reasonably request; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and in connection with the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative. (j) Termination of Agreement. If any condition specified in this Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representative by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to Closing Date and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof and except that, in the case of any such termination of this Agreement, Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 and 20 hereof shall survive such termination of this Agreement and remain in full force and effect. SECTION 6. Indemnification (a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, and its and their officers, directors, employees, partners and members and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows: (i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or any “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433), or any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433) that does not constitute an Issuer


 
26 Free Writing Prospectus, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company; and (iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing for or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above, provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or in any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or in any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(b) hereof. (b) Indemnification by the Underwriters. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section 6, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or in any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use therein. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that the information furnished to the Company by the Underwriters through the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or in any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), consists exclusively of the following information appearing under the caption “Underwriting” in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus: (i) the information regarding the concession and reallowance appearing under the caption “Underwriting—Discounts and Commissions” and (ii) the information regarding 27 stabilization, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids appearing under the caption “Underwriting—Stabilization” (but only insofar as such information concerns the Underwriters). (c) Actions against Parties; Notification. Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder or otherwise. Counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected as follows: counsel to the Underwriters and the other indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(a) above shall be selected by the Representative, and counsel to the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall be selected by the Company. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying party be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for the Underwriters and the other indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(a) above and the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, in each case in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party. (d) Settlement Without Consent if Failure to Reimburse. If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this Section 6, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. SECTION 7. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect 28 the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Securities as set forth on such cover. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or by the Underwriters on the other hand and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing for or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 7, each affiliate of any Underwriter, each officer, director, employee, partner and member of any Underwriter or any such affiliate, and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of 29 the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company. The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the number of Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Exhibit A hereto and not joint. SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery. All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates signed by any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (whether signed on behalf of such officer, the Company or such subsidiary) and delivered to the Representative or counsel to the Underwriters, shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, any officer, director, employee, partner, member or agent of any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter, or by or on behalf of the Company, any officer, director or employee of the Company or any person controlling the Company, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement. (a) Termination; General. The Representative may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time on or prior to Closing Date (i) if there has been, at any time on or after the date of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), any material adverse change or any development that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change, in the condition (financial or other), results of operations, business, properties, management or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions (including, without limitation, as a result of terrorist activities), in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representative, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, or (iii) if (A) trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or the NYSE, or (B) trading generally on the NYSE, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the NYSE American, the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade has been suspended or limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by order of the Commission, FINRA or any other governmental authority, or (C) a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States or in Europe, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities or (v) if there shall have occurred, at any time on or after the date of this Agreement, any downgrading in the rating of any debt securities of or guaranteed by the Company by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the 1934 Act) or any public announcement that


 
30 any such organization has placed its rating on the Company or any such debt securities under surveillance or review or on a so-called “watch list” (other than an announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading, and no implication of a possible downgrading, of such rating) or any announcement by any such organization that the Company or any such debt securities or other securities has been placed on negative outlook. (b) Liabilities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 9, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof and except that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 and 20 hereof shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect. SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters. If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at the Closing Date to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the “Defaulted Securities”), the non-defaulting Representative(s) shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the non-defaulting Representative(s) shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then: (1) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be purchased on such date, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount of such Defaulted Securities in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters; or (2) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be purchased on such date, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter. No action taken pursuant to this Section 10 shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default. In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement the non-defaulting Representative(s) shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10. SECTION 11. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be effective only upon receipt and shall be mailed, delivered by hand or overnight courier, or transmitted by fax (with the receipt of such fax to be confirmed by telephone). Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to the Representative at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179, Attention: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk, fax no. 212-834-6081 and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 550 South Tryon Street, 5th Floor, Charlotte, N.C. 28202, Attention: Transaction Management, email: tmgcapitalmarkets@wellsfargo.com; 31 notices to the Company shall be directed to it at Northwest Natural Holding Company, 250 S.W. Taylor Street, Portland, Oregon 97204, Attention of Brody J. Wilson, fax no. 503-220-2584 (with such fax to be confirmed by telephone to 503-721-2524), with a copy to Northwest Natural Holding Company, 250 S.W. Taylor Street, Portland, Oregon 97204, Attention of MardiLyn Saathoff, fax no. 503-220-2584 (with such fax to be confirmed by telephone to 503-721-2524). SECTION 12. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes. In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. b. In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. “BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k). “Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as the term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b). “Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable. “U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. SECTION 13. Parties. This Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters, the Company and their respective successors and the controlling persons and other indemnified parties referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their successors, heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or 32 in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters, the Company and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and other indemnified parties and their successors, heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person or entity. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase. SECTION 14. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME. THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE RELATING TO OR ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME. SECTION 15. Effect of Headings. The Section and Exhibit headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof. SECTION 16. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below: “Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission. “Company Documents” means (i) all Subject Instruments and (ii) all other contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements, bonds, notes, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, swap agreements, hedging agreements, leases or other instruments or agreements to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject. “DTC” means The Depository Trust Company. “EDGAR” means the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System. “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder. “Existing Credit Agreements” means (i) the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 3, 2021 among the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other parties thereto, as amended as of January 20, 2023 (ii) the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2021, among Northwest Natural Gas Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other parties thereto, as amended as of January 20, 2023, (iii) the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2021, among NW Natural Water Company, LLC, the Company, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other parties thereto, (iv) the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2021, among Northwest Natural Gas Company, U.S. Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the other parties thereto, (v) the Credit Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2022, among the Company, the lenders party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as administrative agent and (vi) the Credit Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2022 among NW 33 Natural Water Company, LLC, the Company, the lenders party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as administrative agent, in each case, as amended, supplemented or restated, if applicable, and including any promissory notes, pledge agreements, security agreements, mortgages, guarantees and other instruments or agreements in connection therewith or pursuant thereto, in each case as amended, supplemented or restated, if applicable. “Existing Indenture” means the Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated as of July 1, 1946 between Northwest Natural Gas Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (formerly Bankers Trust Company), as trustee, as amended or supplemented. “FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or both, as the context shall require. “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, relating to the offering of the Securities that (i) is required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (ii) is a “road show” that is a “written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i), whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (iii) is exempt from filing pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Securities or of the offering that does not reflect the final terms, and any free writing prospectus that is listed in Exhibit E hereto in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g). “Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors, as evidenced by its being specified in Exhibit E hereto. “Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not an Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus. “Lien” means any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity. “NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange. “OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department. “Organizational Documents” means (a) in the case of a corporation, its charter and by-laws; (b) in the case of a limited or general partnership, its partnership certificate, certificate of formation or similar organizational document and its partnership agreement; (c) in the case of a limited liability company, its articles of organization, certificate of formation or similar organizational documents and its operating agreement, limited liability company agreement, membership agreement or other similar agreement; (d) in the case of a trust, its certificate of trust, certificate of formation or similar organizational document and its trust agreement or other similar agreement; and (e) in the case of any other entity, the organizational and governing documents of such entity. “PCAOB” means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).


 
34 “preliminary prospectus” means any prospectus used in connection with the offering of the Securities that omitted the public offering price of the Securities or that was captioned “Subject to Completion,” together with the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act. The term “preliminary prospectus” includes, without limitation, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus. “Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form S–3 (Registration No. 333-258792) as amended (if applicable), including the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S–3 under the 1933 Act and the Rule 430B Information; provided that any Rule 430B Information shall be deemed part of the Registration Statement only from and after the time specified pursuant to Rule 430B. “Regulation S-T” means Regulation S-T of the Commission. “Repayment Event” means any event or condition which, either immediately or with notice or passage of time or both, (i) gives the holder of any bond, note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or (ii) gives any counterparty (or any person acting on such counterparty’s behalf) under any swap agreement, hedging agreement or similar agreement or instrument to which the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is a party the right to liquidate or accelerate the payment obligations, or designate an early termination date under such agreement or instrument, as the case may be. “Rule 163,” “Rule 164,” “Rule 172,” “Rule 173,” “Rule 401,” “Rule 405,” “Rule 424(b),” “Rule 424(b)(8),” “Rule 430B,” “Rule 430B(f),” “Rule 433,” and “Rule 433(d)” refer to such rules under the 1933 Act. “Rule 430B Information” means the information included in any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) that was omitted from the Registration Statement at the time it first became effective but is deemed to be part of and included in the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430B. “Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof. “Subject Instruments” means the Existing Credit Agreements, the Existing Indenture and all other instruments, agreements and documents filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the Commission; provided that if any instrument, agreement or other document filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement as aforesaid has been redacted or if any portion thereof has been deleted or is otherwise not included as part of such exhibit (whether pursuant to a request for confidential treatment or otherwise), the term “Subject Instruments” shall nonetheless mean such instrument, agreement or other document, as the case may be, in its entirety, including any portions thereof which shall have been so redacted, deleted or otherwise not filed. 35 “Termination Event” means any event or condition which gives any person the right, either immediately or with notice or passage of time or both, to terminate or limit (in whole or in part) any Company Documents or any rights of the Company or any of its subsidiaries thereunder, including, without limitation, upon the occurrence of a change of control of the Company or other similar events. “UNSC” means the United Nations Security Council. “1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. “1933 Act Regulations” means the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act. “1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. “1934 Act Regulations” means the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1934 Act. “1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the version thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR and all versions thereof delivered (physically or electronically) to the Representative or the Underwriters. All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed by 1933 Act Regulations to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of any document under the 1934 Act which is incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed by 1933 Act Regulations to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement, such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be. SECTION 17. Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company represents, warrants and agrees that it has not made and, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representative, it will not make, any offer relating to the Securities that constitutes or would constitute an “issuer free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 433) or that otherwise constitutes or would constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) or portion thereof required to be filed with the Commission or required to be retained by the Company pursuant to Rule 433; provided that the prior written consent of the Representative shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, listed on Exhibit E hereto and, to any electronic road show in the form previously provided by the Company to and approved by the Representative. Any such free writing prospectus consented to or deemed to have been consented 36 to as aforesaid is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents, warrants and agrees that it has treated and will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. For the purposes of clarity, the parties hereto agree that all free writing prospectuses, if any, listed in Exhibit E hereto are Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses. Each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees that, without the consent of the Company and the Representative, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute a free writing prospectus that would be required to be filed with the Commission other than a Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, if any. SECTION 18. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and agrees that: (a) each of the Underwriters is acting solely as an underwriter in connection with the sale of the Securities and no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company, on the one hand, and any of the Underwriters, on the other hand, has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether or not any of the Underwriters has advised or is advising the Company on other matters; (b) it is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (c) it is aware that the Underwriters and their respective affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and that none of the Underwriters has any obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship or otherwise; and (d) it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against any of the Underwriters for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that none of the Underwriters shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to it in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on its behalf or in right of it or the Company or any stockholders, employees or creditors of Company. SECTION 19. Research Analyst Independence. The Company acknowledges that the Underwriters’ respective research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Underwriters’ respective research analysts and research departments may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company and/or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriters with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by their respective research analysts and research departments may be different from or 37 inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Company by such Underwriters’ respective investment banking divisions. The Company acknowledges that each of the Underwriters is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the Company and other entities that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. SECTION 20. Trial By Jury. The Company (on its own behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. SECTION 21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed Agreement by one party to the other may be made by facsimile or email transmission. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement or any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper- based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means. [Signature Page Follows]


 
[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement] If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement between the Underwriters and the Company in accordance with its terms. Very truly yours, NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY By: /s/ Brody J. Wilson Title: Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Controller CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, as of the date first above written: J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC By: /s/ Som Bhattacharyya Title: Executive Director WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC By: /s/ Carolyn Hurley Title: Managing Director In each case, for itself and as Representative of the Underwriters named in Exhibit A hereto. A-1 EXHIBIT A Name of Underwriter Principal Amount of Securities J.P. Morgan Securities LLC .......................................................................... $97,500,000 Wells Fargo Securities, LLC ........................................................................ $45,500,000 BofA Securities, Inc. ..................................................................................... $45,500,000 U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. ..................................................................... $45,500,000 BMO Capital Markets Corp. ......................................................................... $22,750,000 CIBC World Markets Corp. .......................................................................... $22,750,000 RBC Capital Markets, LLC ........................................................................... $22,750,000 TD Securities (USA) LLC ............................................................................. $22,750,000 Total .............................................................................. $325,000,000 B-1 EXHIBIT B SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY Northwest Natural Gas Company C-1 EXHIBIT C FORM OF OPINION OF MARDILYN SAATHOFF J.P. Morgan Securities LLC Wells Fargo Securities, LLC As Representatives of the several Underwriters c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC 383 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10179 c/o Wells Fargo Securities, LLC 550 South Tryon Street 5th Floor Charlotte, N.C. 28202 Ladies and Gentlemen: I am Senior Vice President, Regulation and General Counsel of Northwest Natural Holding Company, an Oregon corporation (the “Company”), and have acted as counsel to the Company in connection with the issue and sale by the Company of $325,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures due September 15, 2055 (the “Securities”) to be issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of March 1, 2025 (the “Initial Indenture”) between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), between the Company and the Trustee and in accordance with an Underwriting Agreement between the Company and the several underwriters named therein, for whom you are acting as representatives, dated March 12, 2025 (the “Underwriting Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Underwriting Agreement. This opinion is rendered to you pursuant to Section 5(b) of the Underwriting Agreement. In my capacity as such counsel, I have either participated in the preparation of or have examined and am familiar with: (a) the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended and restated through September 26, 2018, and the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended and restated through February 24, 2022 (the “Bylaws”); (b) the Underwriting Agreement; (c) the Registration Statement; (d) the General Disclosure Package; (e) the Prospectus; (f) the Indenture; and


 
C-2 (g) the records of various corporate proceedings relating to the authorization and issuance of the Securities by the Company and the authorization, execution and delivery by the Company of the Indenture and the Underwriting Agreement. I have also examined or caused to be examined such other documents and have satisfied myself as to such other matters as I have deemed necessary in order to render this opinion. In such examination, I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, and the conformity to the originals of the documents submitted to me as certified or electronic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. I have not examined the Securities, except a specimen thereof. As to questions of fact material to the opinions expressed herein, I have relied upon certifications and representations of responsible officers of the Company, the Company’s transfer agent and registrar, you and appropriate public officials and upon information set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, in each case without independent verification of such matters, except as otherwise described herein. Subject to the foregoing and to the further exceptions and qualifications set forth below, I am of the opinion that: (1) The Company is validly existing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Oregon. (2) The Company has corporate power and authority to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and in the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under the Indenture and the Underwriting Agreement. (3) The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. (4) The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. (5) The Securities have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. (6) To my knowledge, except as otherwise disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending or threatened, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries which is required to be disclosed in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be, or which might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or to materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Underwriting Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder. (7) The information in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 under the captions “Business—Regulation and Rates” and “Legal Proceedings”, in each case to the extent that it constitutes matters of law, summaries of legal matters, summaries of provisions of the Company’s Organizational Documents, summaries of legal proceedings, or legal conclusions, is correct in all material respects. C-3 (8) All descriptions in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus of any Company Documents are accurate in all material respects. (9) To my knowledge, there are no franchises, contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements, bonds, notes, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, leases or other instruments or agreements required to be described or referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus or the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein or to be filed as exhibits thereto which have not been so described and filed as required. (10) (A) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency (other than under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the Trust Indenture Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder, which have been obtained or made, ) under the federal laws of the United States of America or the laws of the State of Oregon that in my experience are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, but without my having made any special investigation with respect to any other law (including charters, ordinances, bylaws and other laws enacted by political subdivisions of the State of Oregon) and other than any state securities or “blue sky” laws or the antifraud laws of any jurisdiction, as to which I express no opinion, and (B) no authorization, approval, waiver or consent under any Subject Instrument,is necessary or required for the authorization, execution or delivery of the Underwriting Agreement by the Company for the offering of the Securities as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement or for the issuance, sale or delivery of the Securities. (11) The execution, delivery and performance of the Underwriting Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Underwriting Agreement, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Securities by the Company and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) and compliance by the Company with its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default, Termination Event or Repayment Event under, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, (x) any Subject Instrument or (y) any other Company Document, except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or Liens that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Organizational Documents of the Company or any Subsidiary or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree, known to me, of any government, government instrumentality or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective assets, properties or operations. In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, I have participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent public accountants and counsel for the Company and representatives of the Underwriters, at which conferences the contents of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and any supplements or amendments to any of the foregoing, and related matters were discussed. Although, other than with respect to the opinions C-4 expressed in paragraphs (8) and (9), I am not passing upon and do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any supplements and amendments to any of the foregoing, and have made no independent check or verification thereof, nothing has come to my attention that would lead me to believe that: (i) the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendments thereto, at the respective times they first were declared or became effective or at any subsequent time that the Company filed an Annual Report on Form 10-K or any amendment thereto, or the Registration Statement (including the Rule 430B Information), at each deemed new effective date with respect to the Underwriters pursuant to Rule 430B(f)(2), contained an 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 not misleading; (ii) the General Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or (iii) the Prospectus and any supplements thereto, as of the date of the Prospectus, as of the date of any such supplement or the date of this letter, included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except in each case that I make no statement nor express any belief with respect to financial statements and schedules and other financial or statistical data included or incorporated by reference in or omitted from the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or as to any information contained therein furnished to the Company in writing by any of you expressly for use therein. This opinion is limited to matters arising under the federal laws of the United States and the laws of the State of Oregon. This opinion is solely for your benefit and the benefit of the other Underwriters in connection with the Underwriting Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder and it may not be relied upon in any manner by any other person or for any other purpose, without my prior written consent, except that Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP may rely on this opinion as to all matters of Oregon law in rendering its opinion required to be delivered under the Underwriting Agreement. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and I do not assume any obligation to update or supplement it to reflect any fact or circumstance that hereafter comes to my attention, or any change in law that hereafter occurs. Very truly yours, D-1 EXHIBIT D FORM OF OPINION OF MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP J.P. Morgan Securities LLC Wells Fargo Securities, LLC As Representatives of the several Underwriters c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC 383 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10179 c/o Wells Fargo Securities, LLC 550 South Tryon Street 5th Floor Charlotte, N.C. 28202 Ladies and Gentlemen: We have acted as counsel to Northwest Natural Holding Company, an Oregon corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the issue and sale by the Company of $325,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures due September 15, 2055 (the “Securities”) to be issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of March 1, 2025 (the “Initial Indenture”)] between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), between the Company and the Trustee and in accordance with an Underwriting Agreement between the Company and the several underwriters named therein, for whom you are acting as representatives, dated March 12, 2025 (the “Underwriting Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Underwriting Agreement. This opinion is rendered to you pursuant to Section 5(b) of the Underwriting Agreement. In our capacity as such counsel, we have either participated in the preparation of or have examined and are familiar with: (a) the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended and restated through September 26, 2018, and the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended and restated through February 24, 2022 (the “Bylaws”); (b) the Underwriting Agreement; (c) the Registration Statement; (d) the General Disclosure Package; (e) the Prospectus; (f) the Indenture; and


 
D-2 (g) the records of various corporate proceedings relating to the authorization and issuance of the Securities by the Company and the authorization, execution and delivery by the Company of the Indenture and the Underwriting Agreement. We have also examined or caused to be examined such other documents and have satisfied ourselves as to such other matters as we have deemed necessary in order to render this opinion. In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to the originals of the documents submitted to us as certified or electronic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. We have not examined the Securities, except a specimen thereof. As to questions of fact material to the opinions expressed herein, we have relied upon certifications and representations of responsible officers of the Company, the Company’s transfer agent and registrar, you and appropriate public officials and upon information set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, in each case without independent verification of such matters, except as otherwise described herein. Subject to the foregoing and to the further exceptions and qualifications set forth below, we are of the opinion that: (1) Assuming the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee, the Indenture constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions; and the Indenture conforms in all material respects with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission applicable to an indenture that is qualified thereunder. (2) Assuming the Securities have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, when duly authenticated as provided in the Indenture and paid for as provided in the Underwriting Agreement, the Securities will be duly and validly issued and outstanding and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture. (3) Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto has been declared effective under the 1933 Act and the Indenture was qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) (without reference to Rule 424(b)(8)); any required filing of each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus pursuant to Rule 433 has been made in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 433(d); and, to our knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted by or are pending before the Commission. D-3 (4) The Registration Statement, any post-effective amendments thereto, as of their respective effective dates, and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, as of their respective dates (in each case other than the financial statements and schedules and other financial and statistical data included therein or omitted therefrom, as to which we have not been called upon to express an opinion), complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations; and the Indenture complies as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act. (5) The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus (other than the financial statements and schedules and other financial and statistical data included therein or omitted therefrom, as to which we have not been called upon to express an opinion), when they were filed with the Commission, complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations. (6) The information in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the captions “Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures” insofar as they purport to constitute summaries of the documents referred to therein, or of the benefits purported to be afforded by such documents, constitute accurate summaries of the terms of such documents and of such benefits in all material respects. (7) The statements set forth in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequence,” insofar as such statements purport to describe certain federal income or estate tax laws and regulations of the United States, are accurate in all material respects. (8) (A) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency (other than under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the Trust Indenture Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder, which have been obtained or made) under the federal laws of the United States of America or the laws of the State of New York that in our experience are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, but without our having made any special investigation with respect to any other law (including charters, ordinances, bylaws and other laws enacted by political subdivisions of the State of New York) and other than any state securities or “blue sky” laws or the antifraud laws of any jurisdiction, as to which we express no opinion, and (B) no authorization, approval, waiver or consent under any Subject Instrument, is necessary or required for the authorization, execution or delivery of the Underwriting Agreement by the Company for the offering of the Securities as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement or for the issuance, sale or delivery of the Securities. (9) The Company is not and, upon the issuance and sale of the Securities to be sold by the Company as contemplated in the Underwriting Agreement and the receipt and application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds,” will not be required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the 1940 Act. D-4 In acting as counsel to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, we have participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent public accountants and counsel for the Company and representatives of the Underwriters, at which conferences the contents of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and any supplements or amendments to any of the foregoing, and related matters were discussed. Although, other than with respect to the opinions expressed in paragraphs (6) and (7), we are not passing upon and do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any supplements and amendments to any of the foregoing, and have made no independent check or verification thereof, nothing has come to our attention that would lead us to believe that: (1) the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendments thereto, at the respective times they first were declared or became effective or at any subsequent time that the Company filed an Annual Report on Form 10-K or any amendment thereto, or the Registration Statement (including the Rule 430B Information), at each deemed new effective date with respect to the Underwriters pursuant to Rule 430B(f)(2), contained an 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 not misleading; (2) the General Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or (3) the Prospectus and any supplements thereto, as of the date of the Prospectus, as of the date of any such supplement or the date of this letter, included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except in each case that we make no statement nor express any belief with respect to financial statements and schedules and other financial or statistical data included or incorporated by reference in or omitted from the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or as to any information contained therein furnished to the Company in writing by any of you expressly for use therein. This opinion is limited to matters arising under the federal laws of the United States and the laws of the State of New York. As to all matters involving the application of the laws of the State of Oregon, we have relied upon the opinion of even date herewith addressed to you of MardiLyn Saathoff, Senior Vice President, Regulation and General Counsel of the Company. This opinion is solely for your benefit and the benefit of the other Underwriters in connection with the Underwriting Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereunder and it may not be relied upon in any manner by any other person or for any other purpose, without our prior written consent. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any D-5 obligation to update or supplement it to reflect any fact or circumstance that hereafter comes to our attention, or any change in law that hereafter occurs. Very truly yours,


 
E-1 EXHIBIT E ISSUER GENERAL USE FREE WRITING PROSPECTUSES Pricing Term Sheet substantially in the form of Exhibit F. F-1 EXHIBIT F PRICING TERM SHEET [Attached]


 
EX-4.(A) 3 ex4aindenture.htm EX-4.(A) ex4aindenture
DB1/ 154080392.9 _____________________________________________________ NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY TO U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Trustee _________ Indenture (For Unsecured Subordinated Debt Securities) Dated as of March 1, 2025 _____________________________________________________ DB1/ 154080392.9 TABLE OF CONTENTS RECITAL OF THE COMPANY............................................................................................................... 1 ARTICLE ONE Definitions and Other Provisions of General Application ................................................. 1 SECTION 101. Definitions. ......................................................................................................... 1 “Act” ................................................................................................................... 2 “Affiliate” ........................................................................................................... 2 “Applicable Tax Law” ........................................................................................ 2 “Authenticating Agent” ...................................................................................... 2 “Authorized Officer” .......................................................................................... 2 “Board of Directors” ........................................................................................... 2 “Board Resolution” ............................................................................................ 2 “Business Day” ................................................................................................... 2 “Commission” .................................................................................................... 3 “Company” ......................................................................................................... 3 “Company Order” or “Company Request”......................................................... 3 “Corporate Trust Office” .................................................................................... 3 “Corporation” ..................................................................................................... 3 “Defaulted Interest” ............................................................................................ 3 “Depositary” ....................................................................................................... 3 “Discount Security” ............................................................................................ 3 “Dollar” or “$” ................................................................................................... 3 “Electronic Means”............................................................................................. 3 “Eligible Obligations” ........................................................................................ 3 “Event of Default” .............................................................................................. 4 “Exchange Act” .................................................................................................. 4 “Execution Date” ................................................................................................ 4 “Government Obligations” ................................................................................. 4 “Governmental Authority” ................................................................................. 4 “Holder” ............................................................................................................. 4 “Indenture” ......................................................................................................... 4 “Instructions” ...................................................................................................... 4 “Interest Payment Date” ..................................................................................... 4 “Investment Securities” ...................................................................................... 4 “Maturity” ........................................................................................................... 5 “Notice of Default” ............................................................................................. 5 “Officer’s Certificate” ........................................................................................ 5 “Opinion of Counsel” ......................................................................................... 5 “Outstanding” ..................................................................................................... 5 “Pari Passu Securities” ....................................................................................... 7 “Paying Agent” ................................................................................................... 7 “Periodic Offering”............................................................................................. 7 “Person” .............................................................................................................. 7 “Place of Payment” ............................................................................................. 7 “Predecessor Security” ....................................................................................... 7 “Redemption Date”............................................................................................. 7 “Redemption Price” ............................................................................................ 7 “Regular Record Date” ....................................................................................... 7 “Required Currency” .......................................................................................... 7 DB1/ 154080392.9 “Responsible Officer”......................................................................................... 7 “Securities” ......................................................................................................... 8 “Securities Act” .................................................................................................. 8 “Security Register” and “Security Registrar” ..................................................... 8 “Senior Indebtedness” ........................................................................................ 8 “Special Record Date” ........................................................................................ 8 “Stated Interest Rate” ......................................................................................... 8 “Stated Maturity” ................................................................................................ 8 “Tranche” ........................................................................................................... 9 “Trust Indenture Act” ......................................................................................... 9 “Trustee” ............................................................................................................. 9 “United States” ................................................................................................... 9 SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions. .............................................................. 9 SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. ......................................................... 9 SECTION 104. Acts of Holders. ................................................................................................ 10 SECTION 105. Notices, etc. to Trustee and Company. ............................................................. 12 SECTION 106. Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver. .......................................................... 14 SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. ................................................................... 14 SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents........................................................ 14 SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns. ................................................................................... 14 SECTION 110. Separability Clause. .......................................................................................... 14 SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture. ....................................................................................... 14 SECTION 112. Governing Law. ................................................................................................ 15 SECTION 113. Legal Holidays. ................................................................................................ 15 SECTION 114. Force Majeure. .................................................................................................. 15 SECTION 115. Waiver of Jury Trial. ........................................................................................ 15 SECTION 116. USA Patriot Act. ............................................................................................... 16 SECTION 117. Compliance with Applicable Tax Law. ............................................................ 16 ARTICLE TWO Security Forms ................................................................................................................ 16 SECTION 201. Forms Generally. .............................................................................................. 16 SECTION 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. ............................................. 17 ARTICLE THREE The Securities .............................................................................................................. 17 SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. ............................................................. 17 SECTION 302. Denominations. ................................................................................................. 20 SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. ............................................. 21 SECTION 304. Global or Temporary Securities. ...................................................................... 23 SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange. ...................................... 24 SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. ........................................... 25 SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved................................................. 25 SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners. ................................................................................. 26 SECTION 309. Cancellation. ..................................................................................................... 26 SECTION 310. Computation of Interest. ................................................................................... 27 SECTION 311. Payment to Be in Proper Currency. .................................................................. 27 SECTION 312. Extension of Interest Payment. ......................................................................... 27 SECTION 313. CUSIP Numbers. .............................................................................................. 28 DB1/ 154080392.9 ARTICLE FOUR Redemption of Securities .............................................................................................. 28 SECTION 401. Applicability of Article..................................................................................... 28 SECTION 402. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. ............................................................ 28 SECTION 403. Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed. .......................................................... 28 SECTION 404. Notice of Redemption. ..................................................................................... 29 SECTION 405. Securities Payable on Redemption Date. .......................................................... 30 SECTION 406. Securities Redeemed in Part. ............................................................................ 30 ARTICLE FIVE Sinking Funds .................................................................................................................. 30 SECTION 501. Applicability of Article..................................................................................... 30 SECTION 502. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. .................................. 31 SECTION 503. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. .................................................... 31 ARTICLE SIX Covenants .......................................................................................................................... 32 SECTION 601. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. ................................................... 32 SECTION 602. Maintenance of Office or Agency. ................................................................... 32 SECTION 603. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust. ....................................... 32 SECTION 604. Corporate Existence. ........................................................................................ 34 SECTION 605. Annual Officer’s Certificate as to Compliance. ............................................... 34 SECTION 606. Waiver of Certain Covenants. .......................................................................... 34 SECTION 607. Restrictions on Dividends and Debt Payments................................................. 34 ARTICLE SEVEN Satisfaction and Discharge .......................................................................................... 35 SECTION 701. Satisfaction and Discharge of Securities. ......................................................... 35 SECTION 702. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. .......................................................... 37 SECTION 703. Application of Trust Money. ............................................................................ 38 ARTICLE EIGHT Events of Default; Remedies ........................................................................................ 38 SECTION 801. Events of Default. ............................................................................................. 38 SECTION 802. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. .................................... 40 SECTION 803. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. ................. 41 SECTION 804. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. ................................................................... 41 SECTION 805. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities. ..................... 42 SECTION 806. Application of Money Collected. ..................................................................... 42 SECTION 807. Limitation on Suits. .......................................................................................... 42 SECTION 808. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest. ............................................................................................................. 43 SECTION 809. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. ............................................................... 43 SECTION 810. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. ................................................................... 43 SECTION 811. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. ....................................................................... 44 SECTION 812. Control by Holders of Securities. ..................................................................... 44 SECTION 813. Waiver of Past Defaults. ................................................................................... 44 SECTION 814. Undertaking for Costs. ..................................................................................... 45 SECTION 815. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws. ...................................................... 45 ARTICLE NINE The Trustee ..................................................................................................................... 45


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 SECTION 901. Certain Duties and Responsibilities. ................................................................. 45 SECTION 902. Notice of Defaults. ........................................................................................... 46 SECTION 903. Certain Rights of Trustee.................................................................................. 47 SECTION 904. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. ................................... 48 SECTION 905. May Hold Securities. ........................................................................................ 49 SECTION 906. Money Held in Trust. ....................................................................................... 49 SECTION 907. Compensation and Reimbursement. ................................................................. 49 SECTION 908. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests. ............................................................ 50 SECTION 909. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. .......................................................... 50 SECTION 910. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. ................................... 51 SECTION 911. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. ...................................................... 52 SECTION 912. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. ...................... 53 SECTION 913. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. ...................................... 53 SECTION 914. Co-trustee and Separate Trustees. .................................................................... 54 SECTION 915. Appointment of Authenticating Agent. ............................................................ 55 ARTICLE TEN Holders’ Lists and Reports by Trustee and Company ...................................................... 56 SECTION 1001. Lists of Holders. ............................................................................................... 56 SECTION 1002. Reports by Trustee and Company. ................................................................... 57 ARTICLE ELEVEN Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance or Other Transfer ........................................... 57 SECTION 1101. Company May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms. ............................... 57 SECTION 1102. Successor Entity Substituted. ........................................................................... 58 SECTION 1103. Limitation. ........................................................................................................ 58 ARTICLE TWELVE Supplemental Indentures.......................................................................................... 58 SECTION 1201. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. ................................... 58 SECTION 1202. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders. ........................................ 60 SECTION 1203. Execution of Supplemental Indentures. ............................................................ 62 SECTION 1204. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. .................................................................. 62 SECTION 1205. Conformity With Trust Indenture Act. ............................................................. 62 SECTION 1206. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. ....................................... 62 SECTION 1207. Modification Without Supplemental Indenture. ............................................... 62 ARTICLE THIRTEEN Meetings of Holders; Action Without Meeting .................................................... 63 SECTION 1301. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called. ................................................ 63 SECTION 1302. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings. ................................................................. 63 SECTION 1303. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings. .............................................................. 63 SECTION 1304. Quorum; Action. ............................................................................................... 64 SECTION 1305. Attendance at Meetings; Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings................................................................................. 64 SECTION 1306. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings. ....................................... 65 SECTION 1307. Action Without Meeting. .................................................................................. 66 DB1/ 154080392.9 ARTICLE FOURTEEN Subordination of Securities ................................................................................. 66 SECTION 1401. Securities Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness. ................................................ 66 SECTION 1402. Payment Over of Proceeds of Securities. ......................................................... 66 SECTION 1403. Disputes with Holders of Certain Senior Indebtedness. ................................... 68 SECTION 1404. Subrogation. ..................................................................................................... 68 SECTION 1405. Obligation of the Company Unconditional. ..................................................... 68 SECTION 1406. Priority of Senior Indebtedness Upon Maturity. .............................................. 69 SECTION 1407. Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness; Preservation of Trustee’s Rights................................................................................................................ 69 SECTION 1408. Notice to Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. ................................................ 69 SECTION 1409. Modification, Extension, etc. of Senior Indebtedness. ..................................... 70 SECTION 1410. Trustee and Paying Agent Have No Duty and No Fiduciary Duty to Holders of Senior Indebtedness. ....................................................................... 70 SECTION 1411. Paying Agents Other Than the Trustee. ........................................................... 70 SECTION 1412. Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness Not Impaired. ................................. 71 SECTION 1413. Effect of Subordination Provisions; Termination. ............................................ 71 ARTICLE FIFTEEN Immunity of Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors ........................... 71 SECTION 1501. Liability Solely Corporate. ............................................................................... 71 DB1/ 154080392.9 NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Indenture, dated as of March 1, 2025 Trust Indenture Act Section Indenture Section §310 (a)(1) ........................................................................................................... 909 (a)(2) ........................................................................................................... 909 (a)(3) ........................................................................................................... 914(b) (a)(4) ........................................................................................................... Not Applicable (b) .............................................................................................................. 908 .............................................................................................................. 910 §311 (a) .............................................................................................................. 913 (b) .............................................................................................................. 913 §312 (a) .............................................................................................................. 1001 (b) .............................................................................................................. 1001 (c) .............................................................................................................. 1001 §313 (a) .............................................................................................................. 1002 (b) .............................................................................................................. 1002 (c) .............................................................................................................. 1002 (d) .............................................................................................................. 1002 §314 (a) .............................................................................................................. 1002 (a)(4) ........................................................................................................... 605 (b) .............................................................................................................. Not Applicable (c)(1) ........................................................................................................... 102 (c)(2) ........................................................................................................... 102 (c)(3) ........................................................................................................... Not Applicable (d) .............................................................................................................. Not Applicable (e) .............................................................................................................. 102 §315 (a) .............................................................................................................. 901 .............................................................................................................. 903 (b) .............................................................................................................. 902 (c) .............................................................................................................. 901 (d) .............................................................................................................. 901 (e) .............................................................................................................. 814 §316 (a) .............................................................................................................. 812 .............................................................................................................. 813 (a)(1)(A) ...................................................................................................... 802 .............................................................................................................. 812 (a)(1)(B) ...................................................................................................... 813 (a)(2) ........................................................................................................... Not Applicable (b) .............................................................................................................. 808 §317 (a)(1) ........................................................................................................... 803 (a)(2) ........................................................................................................... 804 (b) .............................................................................................................. 603 §318 (a) .............................................................................................................. 107 Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of this Indenture. DB1/ 154080392.9 INDENTURE (For Unsecured Subordinated Debt Securities), dated as of March 1, 2025 (the “Execution Date”), among NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Oregon (herein called the “Company”), having its principal office at 250 SW Taylor Street, Portland, Oregon 97204, and U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association having its principal corporate trust office at 100 Wall Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10005, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”). RECITAL OF THE COMPANY The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued in one or more series as contemplated herein; and all acts necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been performed. For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided herein or unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in Article One of this Indenture. NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH: For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof, as follows: ARTICLE ONE Definitions and Other Provisions of General Application SECTION 101. Definitions. For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires: (a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular; (b) all terms used herein without definition which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act as in effect on the Execution Date, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein; (c) all terms used herein without definition which are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code of New York as in effect on the Execution Date shall have the meanings assigned to them therein; (d) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States at the date of such computation or, at the election of the Company from time to time, at the Execution Date;


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -2- provided, however, that in determining generally accepted accounting principles applicable to the Company, effect shall be given, to the extent required, to any order, rule or regulation of any administrative agency, regulatory authority or other governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (e) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and (f) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article” or a “Section” refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Indenture. Certain terms, used principally in Article Nine, are defined in that Article. “Act,” when used with respect to any Holder of a Security, has the meaning specified in Section 104. “Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct generally the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. “Applicable Tax Law” has the meaning specified in Section 116. “Authenticating Agent” means any Person (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 915 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate one or more series of Securities or any Tranche thereof. “Authorized Officer” means the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Vice Chairman, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer or any other officer, manager or agent of the Company duly authorized pursuant to a Board Resolution to act in respect of matters relating to this Indenture. “Board of Directors” means either the board of directors, board of managers or similar governing body of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act in respect of matters relating to this Indenture. “Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution or resolutions certified by the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or an Authorized Officer of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee. “Business Day,” when used with respect to a Place of Payment or any other particular location specified in the Securities or this Indenture, means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, which is not a day on which banking institutions or trust companies in such Place of Payment or other location are generally authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed or which is not a day on which the Corporate Trust Office is closed for business, except as may be otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301. DB1/ 154080392.9 -3- “Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the Execution Date such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body, if any, performing such duties at such time. “Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person. “Company Order” or “Company Request” means, respectively, a written order or request, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Company by an Authorized Officer and delivered to the Trustee. “Corporate Trust Office” means the corporate trust office of the Trustee in the Place of Payment for Securities at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the Execution Date is located at 100 Wall Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10005, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time, with the consent of the Company, by notice to the Holders and the Company; provided that copies of all notices and any other documents delivered to the Corporate Trust Office shall also be sent to the Trustee pursuant to the requirements of Section 105. “Corporation” means a corporation, association, company, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, joint stock company, statutory trust, or other business entity, and references to “corporate” and other derivations of “corporation” herein shall be deemed to include appropriate derivations of such entities. “Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307. “Depositary” means The Depository Trust Company or other clearing corporation or securities intermediary that holds Securities of the applicable series in its name, or in the name of its nominee, for its participants, entitlement holders or beneficial owners. “Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 802. The term “interest” with respect to a Discount Security means interest, if any, borne by such Security at a Stated Interest Rate. “Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts. “Electronic Means” means the following communications methods: e-mail, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified in writing by the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder. “Eligible Obligations” means: (a) with respect to Securities denominated in Dollars, Government Obligations or, if specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities, other Investment Securities; or DB1/ 154080392.9 -4- (b) with respect to Securities denominated in a currency other than Dollars or in a composite currency, such other obligations or instruments as shall be specified with respect to such Securities, as contemplated by Section 301. “Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 801. “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. “Execution Date” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture. “Government Obligations” means securities which are (a) (i) direct obligations of the United States where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States or (b) depository receipts issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, which may include the Trustee or any Paying Agent) as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt. “Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or of any State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia or of any county, municipality or other political subdivision of any of the foregoing, or any department, agency, authority or other instrumentality of any of the foregoing. “Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register. “Indenture” means this instrument, as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this Indenture and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” shall also include the provisions or terms of particular series of Securities established in any Officer’s Certificate, Board Resolution or Company Order delivered pursuant to Sections 201, 301, 303 and 1207. “Instructions” has the meaning specified in Section 105. “Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security. “Investment Securities” means any of the following obligations or securities on which neither the Company, any other obligor on the Securities nor any Affiliate of either is the obligor: (a) Government Obligations; (b) interest-bearing deposit accounts (which may be represented by certificates of deposit) in any national or state bank (which may include the Trustee or any Paying Agent) or savings and loan association which has outstanding securities rated by a nationally-recognized rating organization in either of the two (2) highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for short-term securities or DB1/ 154080392.9 -5- in any of the three (3) highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for long-term securities; (c) bankers’ acceptances drawn on and accepted by any commercial bank (which may include the Trustee or any Paying Agent) which has outstanding securities rated by a nationally-recognized rating organization in either of the two (2) highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for short-term securities or in any of the three (3) highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for long-term securities; (d) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, any State or Territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, or any political subdivision of any of the foregoing, which are rated by a nationally-recognized rating organization in either of the two (2) highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for short-term securities or in any of the three (3) highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for long-term securities; (e) bonds or other obligations of any agency or instrumentality of the United States; (f) corporate debt securities which are rated by a nationally-recognized rating organization in either of the two (2) highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for short-term securities or in any of the three (3) highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for long-term securities; (g) repurchase agreements with respect to any of the foregoing obligations or securities with any banking or financial institution (which may include the Trustee or any Paying Agent) which has outstanding securities rated by a nationally-recognized rating organization in either of the two (2) highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for short-term securities or in any of the three (3) highest rating categories (without regard to modifiers) for long-term securities; (h) securities issued by any regulated investment company (including any investment company for which the Trustee or any Paying Agent is the advisor), as defined in Section 851 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor section of such Code or successor federal statute, provided that the portfolio of such investment company is limited to obligations or securities of the character and investment quality contemplated in clauses (a) through (f) above and repurchase agreements which are fully collateralized by any of such obligations or securities; and (i) any other obligations or securities which may lawfully be purchased by the Trustee in its capacity as such. “Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in such Security or in this Indenture, whether at the Stated Maturity, by declaration of acceleration, upon call for redemption or otherwise. “Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 801(c). “Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer and delivered to the Trustee. “Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, or an individual who is an employee of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, and who shall be acceptable to the Trustee. “Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except: (a) Securities theretofore paid, redeemed, canceled or delivered to the Security Registrar for cancellation; (b) Securities deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this Indenture in accordance with Section 701 (whether or not the Company’s indebtedness in respect thereof shall be satisfied and discharged for any other purpose) or deemed to have been paid in accordance with the terms of the Securities; and


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -6- (c) Securities, the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on which have been fully paid pursuant to the third paragraph of Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it and the Company that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser or purchasers, as this term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York as in effect on the Execution Date, in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company; provided, however, that in determining whether or not the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Securities Outstanding under this Indenture, or the Outstanding Securities of any series or Tranche, have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or whether or not a quorum is present at a meeting of Holders of Securities, (x) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor (unless the Company, such Affiliate or such obligor owns all Securities Outstanding under this Indenture or all Outstanding Securities of all such series and Tranches, as the case may be, determined without regard to this clause (x)) shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver or upon any such determination as to the presence of a quorum, only Securities which the Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded; provided, however, that Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee that the pledgee, and not the Company, or any such other obligor or Affiliate of either thereof, has the right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor; (y) the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 802; and (z) the principal amount of any Security which is denominated in a currency other than Dollars or in a composite currency that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of Dollars which could have been purchased by the principal amount (or, in the case of a Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date determined as set forth below of the amount determined as provided in (y) above) of such currency or composite currency evidenced by such Security, in each such case (A) based (i) on the average of the mean of the buying and selling spot rates quoted by three banks which are members of the New York Clearing House Association selected by the Company in effect at 11:00 A.M. (New York time) in The City of New York on the fifth Business Day preceding any such determination or (ii) if on such fifth Business Day it shall not be possible or practicable to obtain such quotations from such three banks, on such other quotations or alternative methods of determination which shall be as consistent as practicable with the method set forth in (i) above and (B) certified to the Trustee in an Officer’s Certificate (on which the Trustee may conclusively rely); provided, further, that, in the case of any Security the principal of which is payable from time to time without presentment or surrender, the principal amount of such Security that shall be deemed to be DB1/ 154080392.9 -7- Outstanding at any time for all purposes of this Indenture shall be the original principal amount thereof less the aggregate amount of principal thereof theretofore paid. “Pari Passu Securities” means (i) indebtedness and other securities that, among other things, by its terms ranks equally with the Securities of any series, in right of payment and upon liquidation; (ii) guarantees of indebtedness or other securities described in clause (i), and (iii) trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business of the Company, with respect to the Securities of any series. “Paying Agent” means any Person, including the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, authorized by the Company to pay the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Securities on behalf of the Company. “Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time any or all of the specific terms of which Securities, including without limitation the rate or rates of interest or formula for determining the rate or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the Stated Maturity or Maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company or its agents from time to time subsequent to the initial request for the authentication and delivery of such Securities by the Trustee, as contemplated in Section 301 and clause (b) of Section 303. “Person” means any individual, Corporation, partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, trust or unincorporated organization or any Governmental Authority. “Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, means the place or places, specified as contemplated by Section 301, at which, subject to Section 602, principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of such series or Tranche are payable. “Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed (to the extent lawful) to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security. “Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture. “Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture, exclusive of accrued and unpaid interest. “Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301. “Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 311. “Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee (or any similar or successor group of the Trustee), including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, senior associate, associate, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred DB1/ 154080392.9 -8- because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture. “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. “Securities Act” means, as of any time, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor statute, as in effect at such time. “Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305. “Senior Indebtedness” except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the Securities of a series, means all of the Company’s obligations, as the case may be, whether presently existing or from time to time hereafter incurred, created, assumed or existing, to pay principal, premium, interest, penalties, fees and any other payment in respect of any of the following: (a) obligations for borrowed money, including without limitation, such obligations as are evidenced by credit agreements, notes, debentures, bonds or other securities or instruments; (b) capitalized lease obligations; (c) all obligations of the types referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above of others which the Company has assumed, endorsed, guaranteed, contingently agreed to purchase or provide funds for the payment of, or otherwise becomes liable for, under any agreement; or (d) all renewals, extensions or refundings of obligations of the kinds described in any of the preceding categories. unless, in the case of any particular obligation, indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding, the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee of the same expressly provides that such obligation, indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding is not superior in right of payment to or is pari passu with the Securities; and provided further that trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business shall not be deemed to be Senior Indebtedness. “Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307. “Stated Interest Rate” means a rate (whether fixed or variable) at which an obligation by its terms is stated to bear simple interest. Any calculation or other determination to be made under this Indenture by reference to the Stated Interest Rate on a Security shall be made without regard to the effective interest cost to the Company of such Security and without regard to the Stated Interest Rate on, or the effective cost to the Company of, any other indebtedness in respect of which the Company’s obligations are evidenced or secured in whole or in part by such Security. “Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any other obligation, or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date on which the principal of such Security or other obligation, or such installment of principal or interest, is stated to be due and payable (without regard to any provisions for redemption, prepayment, acceleration, purchase or extension). DB1/ 154080392.9 -9- “Tranche” means a group of Securities which (a) are of the same series and (b) have identical terms except as to principal amount and/or date of issuance. “Trust Indenture Act” means, as of any time, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or any successor statute, as in effect at such time. “Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have been appointed pursuant to Section 910 or otherwise have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series. “United States” means the United States of America, its Territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction. SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that in the opinion of the Authorized Officer executing such Officer’s Certificate all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action (including any covenants compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent) have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished. Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include: (a) a statement that each Person signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto; (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such Person, such Person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with. SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -10- Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based (without further examination or investigation), insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which such certificate or opinion are based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous. Any Opinion of Counsel may be rendered, insofar as it relates to matters of New York law, in reliance on an opinion of New York counsel, which may be an opinion contemporaneously delivered to a third party or parties and shall expressly permit such reliance. Where (i) any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, or (ii) two or more Persons are each required to make, give or execute any such application, request, consent, certificate, statement, opinion or other instrument under this Indenture, any such applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument. Whenever, subsequent to the receipt by the Trustee of any Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate, Opinion of Counsel or other document or instrument, a clerical, typographical or other inadvertent or unintentional error or omission shall be discovered therein, a new document or instrument may be substituted therefor in corrected form with the same force and effect as if originally filed in the corrected form and, irrespective of the date or dates of the actual execution and/or delivery thereof, such substitute document or instrument shall be deemed to have been executed and/or delivered as of the date or dates required with respect to the document or instrument for which it is substituted. Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, if any such corrective document or instrument indicates that action has been taken by or at the request of the Company which could not have been taken had the original document or instrument not contained such error or omission, the action so taken shall not be invalidated or otherwise rendered ineffective but shall be and remain in full force and effect, except to the extent that such action was a result of willful misconduct or bad faith. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Securities issued under the authority of such defective document or instrument shall nevertheless be the valid obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of this Indenture equally and ratably with all other Outstanding Securities, except as aforesaid. SECTION 104. Acts of Holders. (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing or, alternatively, may be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Thirteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments and so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing DB1/ 154080392.9 -11- appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 901) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1306. (b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof or may be proved in any other manner which the Trustee and the Company deem sufficient. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The Trustee may in any instance require further proof with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section. (c) The ownership, principal amount (except as otherwise contemplated in clause (y) of the first proviso to the definition of Outstanding) and serial numbers of Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register. (d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other Act of a Holder shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security. (e) Until such time as written instruments shall have been delivered to the Trustee with respect to the requisite percentage of principal amount of Securities for the action contemplated by such instruments, any such instrument executed and delivered by or on behalf of a Holder may be revoked with respect to any or all of such Securities by written notice to the Trustee by such Holder or any subsequent Holder, proven in the manner in which such instrument was proven. (f) Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, authenticated and delivered after any Act of Holders may, and shall, if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any action taken by such Act of Holders. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Company, to such action may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranche. (g) If the Company shall solicit from Holders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, with written notice to the Trustee (upon which the Trustee may conclusively rely), fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite percentage of the Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, DB1/ 154080392.9 -12- direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of the record date. Any such Act, given as aforesaid, shall be effective whether or not the Holders which authorized or agreed or consented to such Act remain Holders after such record date and whether or not the Securities held by such Holders remain Outstanding after such record date. SECTION 105. Notices, etc. to Trustee and Company. Except as otherwise provided herein, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with, the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company, or the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder, shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise expressly provided herein) if in writing and delivered personally to an officer or other responsible employee of the addressee, or transmitted by direct written electronic means (such means of delivery being acceptable to the Trustee) to such telephone number or other electronic communications address set forth for such party below or such other address as the parties hereto shall from time to time designate, or delivered by registered or certified mail or reputable overnight courier, charges prepaid, to the applicable address set forth for such party below or to such other address as either party hereto may from time to time designate by written notice: If to the Trustee, to: U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association 100 Wall Street, 6th Floor New York, New York 10005 Attention: Shannon Matthews, Client Manager Telephone: 412-297-0317 Email: shannon.matthews@usbank.com If to the Company, to: Northwest Natural Holding Company 250 SW Taylor Street Portland, Oregon 97294 Attention: Brody Wilson, Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer Telephone: 503-610-7176 Email: brody.wilson@nwnatural.com With a copy (which will not constitute notice) to: Attention: Darren Nakata, Chief Legal Counsel Telephone: 503-610-7073 Email: darren.nakata@nwnatural.com Any communication contemplated herein shall be deemed to have been made, given, furnished and filed if personally delivered, on the date of delivery, if transmitted by direct written electronic means, on the date of transmission, and if transmitted by registered or certified mail or reputable overnight courier, on the date of receipt. DB1/ 154080392.9 -13- As between the parties hereto, the Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions given pursuant to this Indenture (“Instructions”) and delivered using Electronic Means; provided, however, that the Company shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing the Authorized Officers. In the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Trustee, if the Company elects to give the Trustee Instructions using Electronic Means and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such Instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such Instructions shall be deemed controlling; provided, however, that Instructions involving outgoing wires and/or outgoing transfers of funds must be confirmed by the Trustee by telephonic communication with the Authorized Officer providing such Instructions (and the Trustee may assume that the person on the phone is the Authorized Officer if the person on the phone purports, or appears to be, the Authorized Officer and the Trustee shall have no obligation to determine that the person on the phone is the Authorized Officer) (such confirmation by telephonic communication, (the “Transfer of Funds Telephonic Confirmation”). Subject to the sentence immediately above, the Company understands and agrees that the Trustee cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, Instructions that purport to have been sent by or on behalf of an Authorized Officer listed on the incumbency certificate provided to the Trustee have been sent by such Authorized Officer. The Company shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit or direct the transmission of such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Company and all Authorized Officers are solely responsible for safeguarding the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Company. Subject to the requirement regarding the Transfer of Funds Telephonic Confirmation, when applicable, the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured email, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however, that (a) the party providing such written instructions, subsequent to such transmission of written instructions, shall provide the executed instructions or directions to the Trustee in a timely manner, and (b) such executed instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions and such party shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing such authorized representative, which incumbency certificate shall be amended whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the party elects to give the Trustee email or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee's understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such Instructions. Subject to the requirement regarding the Transfer of Funds Telephonic Confirmation, when applicable, the Company, by providing electronic Instructions, agrees: (i) (in the absence of the Trustee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized Instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties; (ii) that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the method(s) selected by the Trustee and the Company; (iii) that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of Instructions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances; and (iv) to notify the Trustee immediately upon learning of any compromise or unauthorized use of the security procedures. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, where this Indenture or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, provides for notice of any event or any other communication (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a Holder of a global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with accepted practices at the Depositary.


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -14- SECTION 106. Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver. Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, and except as otherwise expressly provided herein, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given, and shall be deemed given, to Holders if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, if any, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice; provided that the Company, the Trustee and one or more Holders may from time to time agree in writing that notices to such Holders may or shall be given by a different method. In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice to Holders by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Any notice required by this Indenture may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event otherwise to be specified therein, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver. SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by, or is otherwise governed by, any provision of the Trust Indenture Act, such other provision shall control; and if any provision hereof otherwise conflicts with the Trust Indenture Act, the Trust Indenture Act shall control. SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings in this Indenture and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof. SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company and the Trustee shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. SECTION 110. Separability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or the Securities shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, their successors hereunder, the Holders and, so long as the notice described in Section 1413 hereof has not been given, the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the subordination DB1/ 154080392.9 -15- herein, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture; provided, however, that the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall not have any other benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim against the Trustee under this Indenture or otherwise against the Trustee (in any capacity in which the Trustee acts under this Indenture), and the Trustee (in any capacity in which the Trustee acts under this Indenture) shall have no obligation, responsibility, or liability whatsoever to the holders of Senior Indebtedness. SECTION 112. Governing Law. This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York (including without limitation Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations Law or any successor to such statute), without giving effect to its conflicts-of-law principles, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act shall be applicable. SECTION 113. Legal Holidays. Unless otherwise provided with respect to a series of Securities as contemplated in Section 301(u), in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities other than a provision in Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, or in an indenture supplemental hereto, or in the Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or Company Order which establishes the terms of the Securities of such series or Tranche, which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section) payment of interest or principal and premium, if any, need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment, with the same force and effect, and in the same amount, as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, as the case may be, and, if such payment is made or duly provided for on such Business Day, no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, to such Business Day. SECTION 114. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, epidemics or pandemics, recognized public emergencies, quarantine restrictions, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services and hacking, cyber-attacks, or other use or infiltration of the Trustee’s technological infrastructure exceeding authorized access; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances. The Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to maintain its computer (hardware and software) services in good working order. SECTION 115. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE HOLDERS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. DB1/ 154080392.9 -16- SECTION 116. USA Patriot Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act. SECTION 117. Compliance with Applicable Tax Law. In order to comply with applicable tax laws, rules and regulations (inclusive of directives, guidelines and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) in effect from time to time (“Applicable Tax Law”) that the Company, the Trustee or the applicable Paying Agent may be or has agreed in writing to be subject to, if any, the Company and the Trustee each agree to provide the other party with information in its possession about the Holders or other applicable parties and/or transactions (including any modification to the terms of such transactions) that is reasonably requested, in writing, by the other party so the other party can determine whether it or the applicable Paying Agent has any tax related obligations under Applicable Tax Law. In connection with any payments on any Securities issued under this Indenture, the Company, the Trustee and the applicable Paying Agent shall be entitled to withhold or deduct amounts required to be withheld or deducted from such payments by Applicable Tax Law, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor the applicable Paying Agent shall have any obligation to gross-up any such payments or to pay any additional amounts with respect to such withholding or deduction. ARTICLE TWO Security Forms SECTION 201. Forms Generally. The definitive Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form or forms thereof established in the indenture supplemental hereto establishing such series or in a Board Resolution establishing such series, or in an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to such a supplemental indenture or Board Resolution or in a Company Order as contemplated by Section 303(b), in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such notations, legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with applicable law, the rules of any securities exchange or any applicable Depositary, including The Depository Trust Company, or other clearing corporation or securities intermediary, automated quotation system, agreements to which the Company is subject, or usage, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form or forms of Securities of any series are established in a Board Resolution or in an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a supplemental indenture or a Board Resolution, such Board Resolution and Officer’s Certificate, if any, shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303(b) for the authentication and delivery of such Securities. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Sections 301 or 1201(g), the Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons. The definitive Securities shall be produced in such manner as shall be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. DB1/ 154080392.9 -17- SECTION 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the form set forth below: This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within- mentioned Indenture. Dated: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee By: Authorized Signatory ARTICLE THREE The Securities SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Subject to the last paragraph of this Section, prior to the authentication and delivery of Securities of any series there shall be established by specification in a supplemental indenture or in a Board Resolution, or in an Officer’s Certificate (which need not comply with Section 102) pursuant to a supplemental indenture or a Board Resolution or in a Company Order as contemplated by Section 303(b): (a) the title of the Securities of such series (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from Securities of all other series); (b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 406 or 1206 and, except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); (c) the Person or Persons (without specific identification) to whom any interest on Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable on any Interest Payment Date, if other than the Persons in whose names such Securities (or one or more Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest; (d) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of such series or any Tranche thereof, is payable or any formulary or other method or other means by which such date or dates shall be determined, by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture or otherwise (without regard to any provisions for redemption, prepayment, acceleration, purchase or extension); and the right, if any, to extend the Stated


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -18- Maturity of the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, and the duration of any such extension; (e) the rate or rates at which the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall bear interest, if any (including the rate or rates at which overdue principal shall bear interest after Maturity if different from the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest prior to Maturity, and, if applicable, the rate or rates at which overdue premium or interest, or interest deferred as contemplated in Section 312, shall bear interest, if any), or any formulary or other method or other means by which such rate or rates shall be determined by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture or otherwise, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue; the Interest Payment Dates and the Regular Record Dates, if any, for the interest payable on such Securities on any Interest Payment Date; the basis of computation of interest, if other than as provided in Section 310; and the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of any such extension, and the consequences thereof, as contemplated in Section 312; (f) the place or places at which and/or methods (if other than as provided in this Indenture) by which (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable, (ii) registration of transfer of Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be effected, (iii) exchanges of Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be effected and (iv) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, and this Indenture may be served; the Security Registrar and any Paying Agent or Agents for such series or Tranche; and, if such is the case, that the principal of such Securities shall be payable without the presentment or surrender thereof; (g) the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and any restrictions on such redemptions, including but not limited to a restriction on a partial redemption by the Company of the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, resulting in delisting of such Securities from any national exchange, or such interdealer quotation system or self-regulatory organization upon which Securities are listed or traded; (h) the obligation or obligations, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase or repay the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, pursuant to any sinking fund or other mandatory redemption provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and applicable exceptions to the requirements of Section 404 in the case of mandatory redemption or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder; (i) the denominations in which Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be issuable if other than denominations of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) and any integral multiple thereof; (j) if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such DB1/ 154080392.9 -19- election may be made and the manner in which the amount of such coin or currency payable is to be determined; (k) the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable (if other than Dollars) and the manner in which the equivalent of the principal amount thereof in Dollars is to be determined for any purpose, including for the purpose of determining the principal amount deemed to be Outstanding at any time; (l) if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, are to be payable, or are to be payable at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in securities or other property, the type and amount of such securities or other property, or the formulary or other method or other means by which such amount shall be determined, and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, any such election may be made; (m) if the amount payable in respect of principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be determined with reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined to the extent not established pursuant to clause (e) of this Section; (n) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 802; (o) any Events of Default, in addition to those specified in Section 801, or any exceptions to those specified in Section 801 with respect to the Securities of such series, and any covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, in addition to those set forth in Article Six, or any exceptions to those set forth in Article Six; (p) the terms, if any, pursuant to which the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be converted into or exchanged for shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company or any other Person; (q) the obligations or instruments, if any, which shall be considered to be Eligible Obligations in respect of the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, denominated in a currency other than Dollars or in a composite currency, whether Eligible Obligations include Investment Securities with respect to Securities of such series, and any provisions for satisfaction and discharge of Securities of any series, in addition to those set forth in Article Seven, or any exceptions to those set forth in Article Seven; (r) if the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, are to be issued in global form, (i) any limitations on the rights of the Holder or Holders of such Securities to transfer or exchange the same or to obtain the registration of transfer thereof, (ii) any limitations on the rights of the Holder or Holders thereof to obtain certificates therefor in definitive form in lieu of global form, (iii) any form of legend or legends to be borne on such global Security, (iv) the Depositary, and (v) any and all other matters incidental to such Securities; DB1/ 154080392.9 -20- (s) if the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, are to be issuable as bearer securities, any and all matters incidental thereto which are not specifically addressed in a supplemental indenture as contemplated by clause (g) of Section 1201; (t) to the extent not established pursuant to clause (r) of this Section, any limitations on the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such Series, or any Tranche thereof, to transfer or exchange such Securities or to obtain the registration of transfer thereof; and if a service charge will be made for the registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, the amount or terms thereof; (u) any exceptions to Section 113, or variation in the definition of Business Day, with respect to the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof; (v) any rights or duties of another Person to assume the obligations of the Company with respect to the Securities of such series (whether as joint obligor, primary obligor, secondary obligor or substitute obligor) and any rights or duties to discharge and release any obligor with respect to the Securities of such series or the Indenture to the extent related to such series; (w) any variation in the definitions of Senior Indebtedness or Pari Passu Securities, with respect to the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof; (x) any collateral security, assurance or guarantee for the Securities of such series; and (y) any other terms of the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof that the Company may elect to specify, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture. With respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, the indenture supplemental hereto or the Board Resolution which establishes such series, or the Officer’s Certificate pursuant to such supplemental indenture or Board Resolution, as the case may be, may provide general terms or parameters for Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be specified in a Company Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Company or its agents in accordance with procedures specified in a Company Order as contemplated by clause (b) of Section 303. All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as to principal amount and date of issue and except as may be set forth in the terms of such series as contemplated above. The Securities of each series shall be subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness as provided in Article Fourteen. Unless otherwise provided with respect to a series of Securities as contemplated in Section 301(b), without the consent of any Holder, the aggregate principal amount of a series of Securities may be increased and additional Securities of such series may be issued up to the maximum aggregate principal amount authorized (if any) with respect to such series as increased. SECTION 302. Denominations. Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, the Securities of each series shall be issuable in denominations of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) and any integral multiple thereof. DB1/ 154080392.9 -21- SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, the Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer, and may have the corporate seal of the Company affixed thereto or reproduced thereon and attested by any other Authorized Officer or by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company. The signature of any or all of these officers on the Securities may be manual, PDF transmission or facsimile. Securities bearing the manual, PDF transmission or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at the time of execution Authorized Officers or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities of a series, for original issue, at one time or from time to time in accordance with the Company Order referred to below, upon receipt by the Trustee of: (a) the instrument or instruments establishing the form or forms and terms of the Securities of such series, as provided in Sections 201 and 301; (b) a Company Order requesting the authentication and delivery of such Securities and to the extent that the terms of such Securities shall not have been established in an indenture supplemental hereto or in a Board Resolution, or in an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a supplemental indenture or a Board Resolution, all as contemplated by Sections 201 and 301, either (i) establishing such terms or (ii) in the case of Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, specifying procedures, acceptable to the Trustee, by which such terms are to be established (which procedures may provide, to the extent acceptable to the Trustee, for authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or any agent or agents thereof, which oral instructions are to be promptly confirmed electronically or in writing), in either case in accordance with the instrument or instruments establishing the terms of the Securities of such series delivered pursuant to clause (a) above; (c) the Securities of such series, each executed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer; (d) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that: (i) (A) the form or forms of such Securities have been duly authorized by the Company, and (B) the form or forms of the Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; (ii) (A) the terms of such Securities have been duly authorized by the Company, and (B) the terms of the Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and (iii) when such Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued and delivered by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, such Securities will have been duly issued under this Indenture and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -22- Company, entitled to the benefits provided by this Indenture, and enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject, as to enforcement, to laws relating to or affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights, including, without limitation, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); provided, however, that, with respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, the Trustee shall be provided with such Opinion of Counsel only once at or prior to the time of the first authentication and delivery of Securities of such series (provided that such Opinion of Counsel addresses the authentication and delivery of all Securities of such series), and that in lieu of the opinions described in clauses (ii) and (iii) above such Opinion of Counsel may, alternatively, state, respectively, (x) that, when the terms of such Securities shall have been established pursuant to a Company Order or Orders, or pursuant to such procedures as may be specified from time to time by a Company Order or Orders, all as contemplated by and in accordance with the instrument or instruments delivered pursuant to clause (a) above, such terms will have been duly authorized by the Company, and will have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and (y) that, such Securities, when (1) executed by the Company, (2) authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture, (3) issued and delivered by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel and (4) paid for as contemplated by and in accordance with the aforesaid Company Order or Orders or specified procedures referred to in paragraph (x) above, as the case may be, will have been duly issued under this Indenture and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits provided by this Indenture, and enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject, as to enforcement, to laws relating to or affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights, including, without limitation, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). With respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the authorization by the Company of any of such Securities, the forms and terms thereof and the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, and compliance of the authentication and delivery thereof with the terms and conditions of this Indenture, upon the Opinion of Counsel and other documents delivered pursuant to Sections 201 and 301 and this Section, as applicable, at or prior to the time of the first authentication of Securities of such series, unless and until such opinion or other documents have been superseded or revoked or expire by their terms. In connection with the authentication and delivery of Securities of a series pursuant to a Periodic Offering, the Trustee shall be entitled to assume that the Company’s instructions to authenticate and deliver such Securities do not violate any applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Company. If the forms or terms of the Securities of any series have been established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, an Officer’s Certificate or a Company Order as permitted by Sections 201, 301 or 303(b), the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issuance of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will materially or adversely affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities DB1/ 154080392.9 -23- under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, no Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized officer thereof, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder to the Company, or any Person acting on its behalf, but shall never have been issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits hereof. SECTION 304. Global or Temporary Securities. The Company may issue some or all of the Securities in temporary or permanent global form. The Company may issue a global Security only to a Depositary or its nominee. A Depositary or its nominee may transfer a Security in global form only to a nominee of a Depositary or to a successor Depositary, but, upon request of such Depositary, the Company shall deliver non- global Securities in exchange for global Securities. A global Security shall represent the principal amount of Securities specified in the global Security. A global Security may have variations that the Depositary requires or that the Company considers appropriate for such a security, including grids for increasing or decreasing the principal amount of such Security. Beneficial owners of part or all of a global Security are subject to the rules of the applicable Depositary as in effect from time to time. The Company, the Trustee and any Registrar and any Paying Agent shall not be responsible or liable for any acts or omissions of a Depositary, for any records of a Depositary with respect to interests of such Depositary’s participants, entitlement holders, or beneficial owners or for any transactions between the Depositary and its participants, entitlement holders or beneficial owners, for any aspect of the Depositary’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership, including the delivery of notices to such participants, entitlement holders or beneficial owners and the selection of security entitlements or beneficial interests for redemption. Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may use temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall deliver definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities. Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and Tranche and of like tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder. DB1/ 154080392.9 -24- SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange. The Company shall cause to be kept in each office designated pursuant to Section 602, with respect to the Securities of each series or any Tranche thereof, a register (all registers kept in accordance with this Section being collectively referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, and the registration of transfer thereof. The Company shall designate one Person to maintain the Security Register for the Securities of each series on a consolidated basis, and such Person is referred to herein, with respect to such series, as the “Security Registrar.” Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may designate one or more of its offices as an office in which a register with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall be maintained, and the Company may designate itself the Security Registrar with respect to one or more of such series. The Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee and the Company at all reasonable times. Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities, the Trustee shall be the initial Security Registrar for each series of Securities. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of such series or Tranche at the office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to Section 602 in a Place of Payment for such series or Tranche, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series and Tranche, of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, any Security of such series or Tranche may be exchanged at the option of the Holder, for one or more new Securities of the same series and Tranche, of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. All Securities delivered upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same obligation, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange. Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee or the Security Registrar) be duly endorsed or shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as the case may be, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, no service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 406 or 1206 not involving any transfer. The Company shall not be required to execute or to provide for the registration of transfer of or the exchange of (a) Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, during a period of fifteen (15) days immediately preceding the date notice is to be given identifying the serial numbers of the Securities of such series or Tranche called for redemption, (b) any Security during the fifteen (15) days before an DB1/ 154080392.9 -25- Interest Payment Date or (c) any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part. SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and Tranche, and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (a) evidence to their satisfaction of the ownership of and the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (b) such security or indemnity as may be reasonably required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, as this term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code of New York as in effect on the Execution Date, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and Tranche, and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security. Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company 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 reasonable expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) in connection therewith. Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone other than the Holder of such new Security, and any such new Security shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series duly issued hereunder. The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities. SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest; provided, that, any interest payable at Maturity shall be paid to the Person to whom the principal of such Security is payable. Subject to Section 312, any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”), other than at Maturity, shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the related Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -26- (a) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a date (a “Special Record Date”) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust (and at the request of the Company, invested or reinvested in Government Obligations designated by the Company and maturing on or before the Special Record Date fixed by the Trustee, any interest accruing on such Government Obligations to be promptly paid over to the Company as received free and clear of any lien) for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than fifteen (15) days and not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than ten (10) days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall promptly cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be sent, to each Holder of Securities of such series at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register, not less than ten (10) days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so sent, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date. (b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security. SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary. SECTION 309. Cancellation. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Security DB1/ 154080392.9 -27- Registrar, be delivered to the Security Registrar and, if not theretofore canceled, shall be promptly canceled by the Security Registrar. The Company may at any time deliver to the Security Registrar for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever or which the Company shall not have issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Security Registrar. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities held by the Security Registrar shall be disposed of in accordance with the customary practices of the Security Registrar at the time in effect, and the Security Registrar shall not be required to destroy any such certificates. The Security Registrar shall promptly deliver a certificate of disposition to the Trustee and the Company unless, by a Company Order, similarly delivered, the Company shall direct that canceled Securities be returned to it. The Security Registrar shall promptly deliver evidence of any cancellation of a Security in accordance with this Section to the Trustee and the Company upon their written request therefor. SECTION 310. Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, or Tranche thereof, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a three hundred sixty (360) day year consisting of twelve (12) thirty (30) day months, and with respect to any period less than a full month, on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed during such period. SECTION 311. Payment to Be in Proper Currency. In the case of any Security denominated in any currency other than Dollars or in a composite currency (the “Required Currency”), except as otherwise specified with respect to such Security as contemplated by Section 301, the obligation of the Company to make any payment of the principal thereof, or the premium or interest thereon, shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender by the Company, or recovery by the Trustee, in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the Trustee timely holding the full amount of the Required Currency then due and payable. If any such tender or recovery is in a currency other than the Required Currency, the Trustee may, but shall not be required to, take such actions as it considers appropriate to exchange such currency for the Required Currency. The costs and risks of any such exchange, including without limitation the risks of delay and exchange rate fluctuation, shall be borne by the Company, the Company shall remain fully liable for any shortfall or delinquency in the full amount of Required Currency then due and payable, and in no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable therefor except in the case of its negligence or willful misconduct. SECTION 312. Extension of Interest Payment. The Company shall have the right at any time, so long as no Event of Default hereunder has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any series, to extend interest payment periods (i.e., defer interest payments) from time to time on all Securities of such series, if so specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to such Securities and upon such terms as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to such Securities. The Company shall give prompt written notice (upon which the Trustee may conclusively rely) to the Trustee in advance of any exercise of the right to extend interest payment periods pursuant to this Section, and such notice shall describe the Securities to which such extension relates and the Interest Payment Date for such Securities following such extension. DB1/ 154080392.9 -28- SECTION 313. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities of any series may use CUSIP, ISIN or other similar identifying numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Company, the Trustee or the Security Registrar may use CUSIP, ISIN or such other identifying numbers in notices or redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, in which case none of the Company or, as the case may be, the Trustee or the Security Registrar, or any agent of any of them, shall have any liability in respect of any CUSIP, ISIN or other number used on any such notice, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee and Security Registrar of any change in the CUSIP, ISIN or other such number. ARTICLE FOUR Redemption of Securities SECTION 401. Applicability of Article. Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series or Tranche) in accordance with this Article. SECTION 402. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate. The Company shall, at least twenty (20) days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of such Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities that are subject to the prior compliance with any restriction or condition on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture (other than the giving of notice of such redemption and the deposit of money for such redemption with the Trustee), the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition. SECTION 403. Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed. If less than all the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, are to be redeemed and if the Securities are held in certificated form, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranche not previously called for redemption, by lot or such method as shall be provided for any particular series or Tranche. In the case of Securities held in book-entry form, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected in accordance with the procedures of the applicable Depositary. With respect to Securities held in certificated form, the Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any such Securities selected to be redeemed in part, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. DB1/ 154080392.9 -29- For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed. SECTION 404. Notice of Redemption. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106 to the Holders of the Securities to be redeemed not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the Redemption Date. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, all notices of redemption shall state: (a) the Redemption Date, (b) the Redemption Price (if then ascertainable), or (if not then ascertainable) the method of calculation or determination thereof, (c) if less than all the Securities of any series or Tranche are to be redeemed, the identification of the particular Securities to be redeemed and the portion of the principal amount of any Security to be redeemed in part, (d) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date, (e) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, unless it shall have been specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to such Securities that such surrender shall not be required, (f) that the redemption is for a sinking or other fund, if such is the case, (g) the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if any, assigned to such Securities; provided, however, that such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, in which case none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall have any liability in respect of the use of any CUSIP, ISIN or other similar number or numbers on such notices, and the redemption of such Securities shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers, and (h) such other matters as the Company shall deem desirable or appropriate. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities in accordance with Section 301, with respect to any notice of redemption of Securities at the election of the Company, unless, at the time such notice is given, such Securities shall be deemed to have been paid in accordance with Section 701, such notice may state that such redemption shall be conditional upon the receipt by the Paying Agent or Agents for such Securities, on or prior to the date fixed for such redemption, of money sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Securities and that if such money shall not have been so received such notice shall be of no force or effect and the Company shall not be required to


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -30- redeem such Securities. In the event that such notice of redemption contains such a condition and such money is not so received, the redemption shall not be made and within a reasonable time thereafter notice shall be given, in the manner in which the notice of redemption was given, that such money was not so received and such redemption was not required to be made, and the Paying Agent or Agents for the Securities otherwise to have been redeemed shall promptly return to the Holders thereof any of such Securities which had been surrendered for payment upon such redemption. Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company, and any notice of non-satisfaction of a condition for redemption as aforesaid, shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. Notice of any mandatory redemption of Securities shall be given by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. SECTION 405. Securities Payable on Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, and the conditions, if any, set forth in such notice having been satisfied, the Securities or portions thereof so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless, in the case of an unconditional notice of redemption, the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued and unpaid interest, if any) such Securities or portions thereof, if interest-bearing, shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with such notice, such Security or portion thereof shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that no such surrender shall be a condition to such payment if so specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to such Security; and provided, further, that except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to such Security, any installment of interest on any Security the Stated Maturity of which installment is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holder of such Security, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the related Regular Record Date according to the terms of such Security and subject to the provisions of Sections 305 and 307. SECTION 406. Securities Redeemed in Part. Upon the surrender of any Security which is to be redeemed only in part at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), the Company may execute, and the Trustee may authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and Tranche, of any authorized denomination requested by such Holder and of like tenor and in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. ARTICLE FIVE Sinking Funds SECTION 501. Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series or Tranche. DB1/ 154080392.9 -31- The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, 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 Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 502. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of the series or Tranche in respect of which it was made as provided for by the terms of such Securities. SECTION 502. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. The Company (a) may deliver to the Trustee Outstanding Securities (other than any previously called for redemption) of a series or Tranche in respect of which a mandatory sinking fund payment is to be made and (b) may apply as a credit Securities of such series or Tranche which have been (i) redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities or (ii) repurchased by the Company in the open market, by tender offer or otherwise, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of such mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series; provided, however, that no Securities shall be applied in satisfaction of a mandatory sinking fund payment if such Securities shall have been previously so applied. Securities so applied shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. SECTION 503. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than twenty (20) days prior to each sinking fund payment date for the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying: (a) the amount of the next succeeding mandatory sinking fund payment for such series or Tranche; (b) the amount, if any, of the optional sinking fund payment to be made together with such mandatory sinking fund payment; (c) the aggregate sinking fund payment; (d) the portion, if any, of such aggregate sinking fund payment which is to be satisfied by the payment of cash; and (e) the portion, if any, of such aggregate sinking fund payment which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of such series or Tranche pursuant to Section 502 and stating the basis for such credit and that such Securities have not previously been so credited, and the Company shall also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. If the Company shall not deliver such Officer’s Certificate and, to the extent applicable, all such Securities, the next succeeding sinking fund payment for such series or Tranche shall be made entirely in cash in the amount of the mandatory sinking fund payment. Not less than ten (10) days before each such sinking fund payment date, the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date shall be DB1/ 154080392.9 -32- selected in the manner specified in Section 403 and the Trustee shall cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 404. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 405 and 406. ARTICLE SIX Covenants SECTION 601. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Company shall pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of each series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture. SECTION 602. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for the Securities of each series, or any Tranche thereof, an office or agency where payment of such Securities shall be made or such Securities shall be surrendered for payment, where the registration of transfer or exchange of such Securities may be effected and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of each such office or agency and prompt notice to the Holders of any such change in the manner specified in Section 106. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency in respect of Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, payment of such Securities may be made, registration of transfer or exchange thereof may be effected and notices and demands in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent for all such purposes in any such event. The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies with respect to the Securities of one or more series, or any Tranche thereof, for any or all of the foregoing purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series or Tranche, no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes in each Place of Payment for such Securities in accordance with the requirements set forth above. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee, and prompt notice to the Holders in the manner specified in Section 106, of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any office or agency required by this Section may be maintained at an office of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, in which event the Company or such Affiliate, as the case may be, shall perform all functions to be performed at such office or agency. SECTION 603. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust. If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any of such Securities, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and premium, if any, or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided. The Company shall DB1/ 154080392.9 -33- promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by the Company (or any other obligor on such Securities) to make any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such Securities. Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Securities, deposit with such Paying Agents sums sufficient (without duplication) to pay the principal and premium or interest so becoming due, such sums to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by it so to act. The Company shall cause each Paying Agent for the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, other than the Company or the Trustee, to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent shall: (a) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such Securities in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided; (b) give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or any other obligor upon such Securities) to make any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such Securities; and (c) at any time during the continuance of any such failure, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent and furnish to the Trustee such information as it possesses regarding the names and addresses of the Persons entitled to such sums. The Company may at any time pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent and, if so stated in a Company Order delivered to the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of Article Seven; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money. Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal and premium, if any, or interest, if any, has become due and payable shall, to the extent permitted by law, be paid to the Company on Company Request, or, if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust; and, upon such payment or discharge, the Holder of such Security shall, as an unsecured general creditor and not as a Holder of an Outstanding Security, look only to the Company for payment of the amount so due and payable and remaining unpaid, unless applicable law provides otherwise, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such payment to the Company, may at the expense of the Company cause to be mailed, on one occasion only, notice to such Holder that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than thirty (30) days from the date of such mailing, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be paid to the Company.


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -34- SECTION 604. Corporate Existence. Subject to the rights of the Company under Article Eleven, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its legal existence as a Corporation. SECTION 605. Annual Officer’s Certificate as to Compliance. Not later than September 1 in each year, commencing September 1, 2025, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate which need not comply with the requirements of Section 102, executed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, as to such officer’s knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture, such compliance to be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture, and making any other statements as may be required by the provisions of Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 606. Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in (a) Sections 602 and 607 or any additional covenant or restriction specified with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, as contemplated by Section 301 or by clause (b) of Section 1201 if before the time for such compliance the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series and Tranches with respect to which compliance with Sections 602 and 607 or such additional covenant or restriction is to be omitted, considered as one class, shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition and (b) Section 604 or 605 (if applicable to all series of Securities Outstanding) or Article Eleven if before the time for such compliance the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities Outstanding under this Indenture shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition; but, in the case of (a) or (b), no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION 607. Restrictions on Dividends and Debt Payments. If the Company shall have elected to extend any interest payment period as provided in Section 312, and any such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then the Company shall not, and will cause its majority-owned subsidiaries not to, (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on any of the Company’s capital stock, (ii) redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to any of the Company’s capital stock, (iii) pay any principal, interest or premium on, or repay, repurchase or redeem any of the Company’s debt securities that are equal or junior in right of payment to the Securities, or (iv) make any payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of debt securities if such guarantee is equal or junior in right of payment to the Securities. The foregoing provisions do not prevent or restrict the Company from making: (1) purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of its capital stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors or agents or a stock purchase or dividend reinvestment plan, or the satisfaction of its obligations pursuant to any contract or security outstanding on the date that the payment of interest is deferred requiring it to purchase, redeem or acquire its capital stock, (2) any payment, repayment, redemption, purchase, DB1/ 154080392.9 -35- acquisition or declaration of dividend described in clauses (i) and (ii) above as a result of a reclassification of its capital stock, or the exchange or conversion of all or a portion of one class or series of its capital stock for another class or series of its capital stock, (3) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of its capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of its capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, or in connection with the settlement of stock purchase contracts, (4) dividends or distributions paid or made in its capital stock (or rights to acquire its capital stock), or repurchases, redemptions or acquisitions of capital stock in connection with the issuance or exchange of capital stock (or of securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of its capital stock) and distributions in connection with the settlement of stock purchase contracts, (5) redemptions, exchanges or repurchases of, or with respect to, any rights outstanding under a shareholder rights plan or the declaration or payment thereunder of a dividend or distribution of or with respect to rights in the future, or (6) payments under any preferred trust securities, subordinated debentures or junior subordinated debentures, or any guarantee thereof, executed and delivered by the Company or any of its majority-owned subsidiaries, in each case that rank equal in right of payment to the series of Securities with respect to which the Company has elected to defer the payment of interest, or the related guarantee (as the case may be), so long as the amount of payments made on account of such securities or guarantees is paid on all such securities and guarantees then outstanding on a pro rata basis in proportion to the full payment to which each series of such securities and guarantees is then entitled if paid in full. ARTICLE SEVEN Satisfaction and Discharge SECTION 701. Satisfaction and Discharge of Securities. Any Security or Securities, or any portion of the principal amount thereof, shall be deemed to have been paid and no longer Outstanding for all purposes of this Indenture, and the entire indebtedness of the Company in respect thereof shall be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged, if there shall have been irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company), in trust: (a) money in an amount which shall be sufficient, or (b) in the case of a deposit made prior to the Maturity of such Securities or portions thereof, Eligible Obligations, which shall not contain provisions permitting the redemption or other prepayment thereof at the option of the issuer thereof, the principal of and the interest on which when due, without any regard to reinvestment thereof, will provide moneys which, together with the money, if any, deposited with or held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, shall be sufficient, or (c) a combination of (a) or (b) which shall be sufficient, to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, due and to become due on such Securities or portions thereof on or prior to Maturity; provided, however, that in the case of the provision for payment or redemption of less than all the Securities of any series or Tranche, such Securities or portions thereof shall have been selected as provided herein and, in the case of a redemption, the notice requisite to the validity of such redemption shall have been given or irrevocable direction shall have been given by the Company to the Trustee to give such notice, under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee; and provided, further, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and such Paying Agent: DB1/ 154080392.9 -36- (x) if such deposit shall have been made prior to the Maturity of such Securities, a Company Order stating that the money and Eligible Obligations deposited in accordance with this Section shall be held in trust, as provided in Section 703; (y) an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for (including, if applicable, the requirements set forth in clause (b) and (c) above) relating to the deemed payment and, if the Officer’s Certificate described in clause (z) below shall have been delivered, satisfaction and discharge of, the Company’s indebtedness in respect of such Securities have been complied with; and (z) if the Company intends such deposit to satisfy and discharge its indebtedness in respect of such Securities or portions thereof prior to the Maturity of such Securities or portion thereof, an Officer’s Certificate stating the Company’s intention that, upon delivery of such Officer’s Certificate, its indebtedness in respect of such Securities or portions thereof will have been satisfied and discharged as contemplated in this Section. Upon the deposit of money or Eligible Obligations, or both, in accordance with this Section, together with the documents required by clauses (x), (y) and (z) above, to the extent applicable, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Request, acknowledge in writing that the Security or Securities or portions thereof with respect to which such deposit was made are deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this Indenture and that the entire indebtedness of the Company in respect thereof has been satisfied and discharged as contemplated in this Section. In the event that all of the conditions set forth in the preceding paragraph shall have been satisfied in respect of any Securities or portions thereof except that, for any reason, the Officer’s Certificate specified in clause (z) shall not have been delivered, such Securities or portions thereof shall nevertheless be deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this Indenture, and the Holders of such Securities or portions thereof shall nevertheless be no longer entitled to the benefits provided by this Indenture or any of the covenants of the Company under Article Six (except the covenants contained in Sections 602 and 603) or any other covenants made in respect of such Securities or portions thereof as contemplated by Section 301 or Section 1201(b), but the indebtedness of the Company in respect of such Securities or portions thereof shall not be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged prior to Maturity for any other purpose, and the Holders of such Securities or portions thereof shall continue to be entitled to look to the Company for payment of the indebtedness represented thereby; and, upon Company Request, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing that such Securities or portions thereof are deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this Indenture. If payment at Stated Maturity of less than all of the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, is to be provided for in the manner and with the effect provided in this Section, such Securities, or portions of principal amount thereof, shall be selected in the manner specified by Section 403 for selection for redemption of less than all the Securities of a series or Tranche. In the event that Securities which shall be deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Indenture, and, if such is the case, the Company’s indebtedness in respect thereof shall have been satisfied and discharged, all as provided in this Section do not mature and are not to be redeemed within the sixty (60) day period commencing with the date of the deposit of moneys or Eligible Obligations, as aforesaid, the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, give a notice, in the same manner as a notice of redemption with respect to such Securities, to the Holders of such Securities to the effect that such deposit has been made and the effect thereof. Notwithstanding that any Securities shall be deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Indenture, as aforesaid, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee in respect of such Securities under DB1/ 154080392.9 -37- Sections 304, 305, 306, 403, 404, 406, 503 (as to notice of redemption), 602, 603, 907, 909, 910 and 915 and this Article shall survive such satisfaction and discharge. The Company shall pay, and shall indemnify the Trustee or any Paying Agent with which Eligible Obligations shall have been deposited as provided in this Section against, any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against such Eligible Obligations or the principal or interest received in respect of such Eligible Obligations, including, but not limited to, any such tax payable by any entity deemed, for tax purposes, to have been created as a result of such deposit. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) if, at any time after a Security would be deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Indenture, and, if such is the case, the Company’s indebtedness in respect thereof would be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged, pursuant to this Section (without regard to the provisions of this paragraph), the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, (i) shall be required to return the money or Eligible Obligations, or combination thereof, deposited with it as aforesaid to the Company or its representative under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or (ii) is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or Governmental Authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, such Security shall thereupon be deemed retroactively not to have been paid and any satisfaction and discharge of the Company’s indebtedness in respect thereof shall retroactively be deemed not to have been effected, and such Security shall be deemed to remain Outstanding and (b) any satisfaction and discharge of the Company’s indebtedness in respect of any Security shall be subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 603. SECTION 702. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter expressly provided), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute such instruments as the Company shall reasonably request to evidence and acknowledge the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when (a) no Securities remain Outstanding hereunder; (b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid, or made provision acceptable to the Trustee for payment of, all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and (c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating, among other things, that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with; provided, however, that if, in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 701, any Security, previously deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Indenture, shall be deemed retroactively not to have been so paid, this Indenture shall thereupon be deemed retroactively not to have been satisfied and discharged, as aforesaid, and to remain in full force and effect, and the Company shall execute and deliver such instruments as the Trustee shall reasonably request to evidence and acknowledge the same. Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as aforesaid, the obligations of the Company and, to the extent applicable, the Trustee under Sections 304, 305, 306, 403, 404, 406, 503 (as to notice of redemption), 602, 603, 907, 909, 910 and 915 and this Article shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -38- Upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as provided in this Section, the Trustee shall assign, transfer and turn over to the Company, subject to the lien provided by Section 907, any and all money, securities and other property then held by the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities (other than money and Eligible Obligations held by the Trustee pursuant to Section 703) and shall execute and deliver to the Company such instruments as, in the judgment of the Company, shall be necessary, desirable or appropriate to effect of evidence the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. SECTION 703. Application of Trust Money. Neither the Eligible Obligations nor the money deposited pursuant to Section 701, nor the principal or interest payments on any such Eligible Obligations, shall be withdrawn or used for any purpose other than, and shall be held in trust for, the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities or portions of principal amount thereof in respect of which such deposit was made, all subject, however, to the provisions of Section 603; provided, however, that so long as there shall not have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, any cash so deposited or received from such principal or interest payments on such Eligible Obligations, if not then needed for such purpose, shall, to the extent practicable and upon Company Request and delivery to the Trustee of the documents referred to in clause (y) in the first paragraph of Section 701, be invested in Eligible Obligations of the type described in clause (b) in the first paragraph of Section 701 maturing at such times and in such amounts as shall be sufficient, together with any other moneys and the proceeds of any other Eligible Obligations then held by the Trustee, to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, due and to become due on such Securities or portions thereof on and prior to the Maturity thereof, and interest earned from such reinvestment shall be paid over to the Company as received, free and clear of any trust, lien or pledge under this Indenture (except the lien provided by Section 907); and provided, further, that, so long as there shall not have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, any moneys held in accordance with this Section on the Maturity of all such Securities in excess of the amount required to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, then due on such Securities shall be paid over to the Company free and clear of any trust, lien or pledge under this Indenture (except the lien provided by Section 907); and provided, further, that if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, moneys to be paid over to the Company pursuant to this Section shall be held until such Event of Default shall have been waived or cured. ARTICLE EIGHT Events of Default; Remedies SECTION 801. Events of Default. “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events, subject to such additions and exceptions as may be provided pursuant to Section 301: (a) failure to pay any interest on any Security of such series within 30 days after the same becomes due and payable (whether or not payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of Article Fourteen); provided, however, that a valid extension of the interest payment period by the Company as contemplated in Section 312 of this Indenture shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose; or (b) failure to pay the principal of or premium, if any, on any Security of such series when it becomes due and payable (whether or not payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of Article Fourteen); provided, however, that no such default shall DB1/ 154080392.9 -39- constitute an “Event of Default” if the Company has made a valid extension of the Maturity of the Securities of such series, if so provided as contemplated by Section 301; or (c) failure to perform, or breach of, any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically addressed or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than such series) and the continuance of such default or breach for a period of ninety (90) days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 33% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder, unless the Trustee, or the Trustee and the Holders of a principal amount of Securities of such series not less than the principal amount of Securities the Holders of which gave such notice, as the case may be, shall agree in writing to an extension of such period prior to its expiration; provided, however, that the Trustee, or the Trustee and the Holders of such principal amount of Securities of such series, as the case may be, shall be deemed to have agreed to an extension of such period if corrective action is initiated by the Company within such period and is being diligently pursued and written notice of the initiation of such corrective action is given to the Trustee within such period; or (d) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (1) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (2) a decree or order adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition by one or more Persons other than the Company seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official for the Company or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order shall have remained unstayed and in effect for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days; or (e) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by the Company to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in a case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against the Company, or the filing by the Company of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or the consent by the Company to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by the Company of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by the Company in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the authorization of such action by the Board of Directors; or (f) any other Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series as shall have been specified in the terms thereof as contemplated by Section 301(o). DB1/ 154080392.9 -40- SECTION 802. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. If an Event of Default, other than the Event of Default described in clause (c) of Section 801, applicable to the Securities of one or more series, but not applicable to all Outstanding Securities, shall have occurred and be continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 33% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each such series may then declare the principal amount of all Securities of such series (or, if any of the Securities of such series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof as contemplated by Section 301) and interest accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately (provided that the payment of principal and interest on such Securities shall remain subordinated to the extent provided in this Indenture), by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and, upon receipt by the Company of notice of such declaration of acceleration, such principal amount (or specified amount) and interest accrued thereon shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default, other than the Event of Default described in clause (c) of Section 801, applicable to all Outstanding Securities shall have occurred and be continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of all Securities then Outstanding (considered as one class), and not the Holders of the Securities of any one of such series, may then declare the principal of all Securities (or, if any of the Securities of such series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof as contemplated by Section 301) and interest accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately (provided that the payment of principal and interest on such Securities shall remain subordinated to the extent provided in this Indenture), by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and, upon receipt by the Company of notice of such declaration of acceleration, such principal amount (or specified amount) and interest accrued thereon shall become immediately due and payable. At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series then Outstanding shall have been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due shall have been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Event or Events of Default giving rise to such declaration of acceleration shall, without further act, be deemed to have been cured, and such declaration and its consequences shall, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled, if (a) the Company shall have paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (1) all overdue interest, if any, on all Securities of such series then Outstanding; (2) the principal of and premium, if any, on any Securities of such series then Outstanding which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities; (3) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities; (4) all amounts due to the Trustee under Section 907; and (b) if, after application of money paid or deposited in accordance with clause (a) of this Section, Securities of such series would remain Outstanding, any other Event or Events of Default, other than the Event of Default described in Section 801(c), with respect to DB1/ 154080392.9 -41- Securities of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of such series which shall have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall have been cured or waived as provided in Section 813. No such rescission or annulment shall affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. SECTION 803. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. If an Event of Default described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 801 shall have occurred and be continuing, the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of the series with respect to which such Event of Default shall have occurred, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, and, to the extent permitted by law, interest on premium, if any, and on any overdue principal and interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover any amounts due to the Trustee under Section 907. If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated. If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy. SECTION 804. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, (a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for amounts due to the Trustee under Section 907) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and (b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -42- and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amounts due it under Section 907. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding. SECTION 805. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders in respect of which such judgment has been recovered. SECTION 806. Application of Money Collected. Any money or other property collected or received by the Trustee pursuant to this Article, or otherwise distributable in respect of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture, shall be applied in the following order, to the extent permitted by law, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or premium, if any, or interest, if any, upon presentation of the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money shall have been collected and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid: First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee (including any predecessor Trustee) under Section 907; Second: Subject to the provisions of Article Fourteen, to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities for principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, respectively; and Third: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct. SECTION 807. Limitation on Suits. No Holder shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or the Securities, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy under or with respect to this Indenture or the Securities, unless: (a) such Holder shall have previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series; DB1/ 154080392.9 -43- (b) the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series in respect of which an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, considered as one class, shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder; (c) such Holder or Holders shall have offered to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request; (d) the Trustee for sixty (60) days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such proceeding; and (e) no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee during such sixty (60)-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series in respect of which an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, considered as one class; it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture or the Securities to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture or the Securities, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders). SECTION 808. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 307 and Section 312) interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder. SECTION 809. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and such Holder shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted. SECTION 810. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The DB1/ 154080392.9 -44- assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy. SECTION 811. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be. SECTION 812. Control by Holders of Securities. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing in respect of a series of Securities, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series; provided, however, that if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to more than one series of Securities, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all such series, considered as one class, shall have the right to make such direction, and not the Holders of the Securities of any one of such series; and provided, further, that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture and, for the avoidance of doubt: (a) the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with any rule of law or with this Indenture, or that the Trustee in good faith determines would involve it in personal liability in circumstances where indemnity would not be adequate, (b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and (c) before proceeding to exercise any right or power hereunder at the direction of such Holders, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive from such Holders security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with any such direction. SECTION 813. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default (a) in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or (b) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Section 1202 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected. DB1/ 154080392.9 -45- Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any and all Events of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon. SECTION 814. Undertaking for Costs. The Company and the Trustee agree, and each Holder by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series in respect of which such suit may be brought, considered as one class, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date). SECTION 815. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted. ARTICLE NINE The Trustee SECTION 901. Certain Duties and Responsibilities. (a) The Trustee undertakes to perform, with respect to Securities, such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. The Trustee shall have and be subject to all the duties and responsibilities specified in this Indenture or specified with respect to an indenture trustee in the Trust Indenture Act, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. For purposes of Sections 315(a) and 315(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, the term “default” is hereby defined as an Event of Default which has occurred and is continuing. (b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -46- (c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that: (i) this Section 901(c) shall not be construed to limit the effect of Section 901(a); (ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; (iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any one or more series, as provided herein, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and (iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. (d) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Indenture to the contrary, the duties and responsibilities of the Trustee under this Indenture shall be subject to the protections, exculpations and limitations on liability afforded to an indenture trustee under the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. For the purposes of Sections 315(b) and 315(d)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act, the term “responsible officer” is defined as a Responsible Officer. (e) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section. (f) In the absence of willful misconduct on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein). SECTION 902. Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall give notice of any default hereunder about which the Trustee shall have knowledge as set forth in Section 903(g) with respect to the Securities of any series to the Holders of Securities of such series in the manner and to the extent required to do so by the Trust Indenture Act, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in DB1/ 154080392.9 -47- withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 801(c), no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least sixty (60) days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section and clause (i) of Section 903, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become, an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series. SECTION 903. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 901 and to the applicable provisions of the Trust Indenture Act: (a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting in good faith upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties; (b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, or as otherwise expressly provided herein, and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution; (c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of willful misconduct on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate; (d) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon; (e) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall (subject to applicable legal requirements) be entitled to examine, during normal business hours, the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney; (f) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, custodian, nominee or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder; (g) the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any default (as defined in Section 902) or Event of Default, or any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, as the case may be, with respect to the Securities of any DB1/ 154080392.9 -48- series for which it is acting as Trustee (other than an interest or principal payment default) unless either (1) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge of such default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such default or Event of Default shall have been given in the manner provided in Section 105 hereof to the Trustee by the Company or any other obligor on such Securities, or by any Holder of such Securities; (h) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, as well as to the Trustee’s employees, officers and directors; (i) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; (j) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action; (k) the Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder; (l) Holders will make their own decisions regarding actions relevant to the trust and will not rely on the Trustee with respect to such decisions; (m) the permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as duties; (n) before taking any action hereunder at the request or direction of the beneficial owners or Holders, the Trustee may require that security or indemnity satisfactory to it be furnished to it for the reimbursement of its fees, costs, liabilities and all expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) which it may incur and to protect it against all liability, except liability which may result from its negligence or willful misconduct, by reason of any action so taken; (o) it shall not be the duty of the Trustee to see that any duties or obligations imposed herein upon the Company or other persons are performed, and the Trustee shall not be liable or responsible for the failure of the Company or such other persons to perform any act required of them by this Indenture; and (p) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified action pursuant to this Indenture. SECTION 904. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities (except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Company and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any DB1/ 154080392.9 -49- Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof. SECTION 905. May Hold Securities. Each of the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 908 and 913, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent. SECTION 906. Money Held in Trust. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds, except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on or investment of any money received by it hereunder except as expressly provided herein or otherwise agreed in writing with, and for the sole benefit of, the Company. SECTION 907. Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company agrees (a) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust); (b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances reasonably incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except to the extent that any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall be determined to have been caused by the Trustee’s own negligence or willful misconduct ; and (c) to indemnify the Trustee (which, for purposes of this subsection, shall include its directors, officers and employees) for, and hold it harmless from and against, any loss, damage, claims, liability or expense (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) and environmental claims, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder or the performance of its duties hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, or in connection with enforcing the provisions of this Section, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense as shall be determined to have been caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee hereunder for any amount owing to it or any predecessor Trustee pursuant to this Section, other than property and funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Securities under Section 703 (except as otherwise provided in Section 703).


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -50- In addition and without prejudice to the rights provided to the Trustee under any of the provisions of this Indenture, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 801(d) or Section 801(e), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law. The provisions of this Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the discharge of the Company’s obligations under Article Seven of this Indenture and/or the termination of this Indenture. “Trustee” for purposes of this Section shall include any predecessor Trustee; provided, however, that the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder. SECTION 908. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests. If the Trustee shall have or acquire any conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, it shall either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign to the extent, in the manner and with the effect, and subject to the conditions, provided in the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. For purposes of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act and to the extent permitted thereby, the Trustee, in its capacity as trustee in respect of the Securities of any series, shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest arising from its capacity as trustee in respect of the Securities of any other series issued under this Indenture. Nothing herein shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the Commission the application referred to in the second to last paragraph of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 909. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be (a) a Corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State or District of Columbia authority, or (b) if and to the extent permitted by the Commission by rule, regulation or order upon application, a Corporation or other Person organized and doing business under the laws of a foreign government, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 or the Dollar equivalent of the applicable foreign currency and subject to supervision or examination by authority of such foreign government or a political subdivision thereof substantially equivalent to supervision or examination applicable to United States institutional trustees, and in either case qualified and eligible under this Article and the Trust Indenture Act. If such Corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of such supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section and the Trust Indenture Act, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article. DB1/ 154080392.9 -51- SECTION 910. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. (a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 911. (b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 911 shall not have been delivered to the resigning or removed (as per Section 910(c) below) Trustee within thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice of resignation or Act of removal delivered to the Trustee as per Section 910(c) below, the resigning or removed Trustee, as applicable, may, at the Company’s expense, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. (c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company at least thirty (30) days prior to such removal. (d) If at any time: (1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 908 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder for at least six months, or (2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 909 or Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or (3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (x) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or (y) subject to Section 814, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees. (e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause (other than as contemplated in clause (y) in subsection (d) of this Section), with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time (subject to Section 914) there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 911. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series DB1/ 154080392.9 -52- shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 911, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 911, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. (f) So long as no event which is, or after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become, an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and except with respect to a Trustee appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section, if the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee (i) a Board Resolution appointing a successor Trustee, effective as of a date specified therein, and (ii) an instrument of acceptance of such appointment, effective as of such date, by such successor Trustee in accordance with Section 911, the Trustee shall be deemed to have resigned as contemplated in subsection (b) of this Section, the successor Trustee shall be deemed to have been appointed by the Company pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section and such appointment shall be deemed to have been accepted as contemplated in Section 911, all as of such date, and all other provisions of this Section and Section 911 shall be applicable to such resignation, appointment and acceptance except to the extent inconsistent with this subsection (f). (g) The Company (or, should the Company fail so to act promptly, the successor trustee at the expense of the Company) shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office. SECTION 911. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. (a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of all series, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of all sums owed to it, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder. (b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series shall execute and deliver an DB1/ 154080392.9 -53- indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of all sums owed to it, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. (c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any instruments that fully vest in and confirm to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be. (d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article. SECTION 912. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any Corporation or other Person into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such Corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. SECTION 913. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. If the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities (other than by reason of a relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act), the Trustee shall be subject to any and all applicable provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company, or such other obligor. For purposes of Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act:


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -54- (a) the term “cash transaction” shall have the meaning provided in Rule 11b-4 under the Trust Indenture Act, and (b) the term “self-liquidating paper” shall have the meaning provided in Rule 11b-6 under the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 914. Co-trustee and Separate Trustees. At any time or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of any applicable jurisdiction, the Company and the Trustee shall have power to appoint, and, upon the written request of the Trustee or of the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, the Company shall for such purpose join with the Trustee in the execution and delivery of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to appoint, one or more Persons approved by the Trustee either to act as co-trustee, jointly with the Trustee, or to act as separate trustee, in either case with such powers as may be provided in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or Persons, in the capacity aforesaid, any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable, subject to the other provisions of this Section. If the Company does not join in such appointment within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by it of a request so to do, or if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee alone shall have power to make such appointment. Should any written instrument or instruments from the Company be required by any co-trustee or separate trustee to more fully confirm to such co-trustee or separate trustee such property, title, right or power, any and all such instruments shall, on request, be executed, acknowledged and delivered by the Company. Every co-trustee or separate trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following conditions: (a) the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered, and all rights, powers, duties and obligations hereunder in respect of the custody of securities, cash and other personal property held by, or required to be deposited or pledged with, the Trustee hereunder, shall be exercised solely, by the Trustee; (b) the rights, powers, duties and obligations hereby conferred or imposed upon the Trustee in respect of any property covered by such appointment shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed either by the Trustee or by the Trustee and such co-trustee or separate trustee jointly, as shall be provided in the instrument appointing such co-trustee or separate trustee, except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act is to be performed, the Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and performed by such co-trustee or separate trustee; (c) the Trustee at any time, by an instrument in writing executed by it, with the concurrence of the Company, may accept the resignation of or remove any co-trustee or separate trustee appointed under this Section, and, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee shall have power to accept the resignation of, or remove, any such co-trustee or separate trustee without the concurrence of the Company. Upon the written request of the Trustee, the Company shall join with the Trustee in the execution and delivery of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to effectuate such resignation or removal. A successor to any co-trustee or separate trustee so resigned or removed may be appointed in the manner provided in this Section; DB1/ 154080392.9 -55- (d) no co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of the Trustee, or any other such trustee hereunder, and the Trustee shall not be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of any such co-trustee or separate trustee; and (e) any Act of Holders delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been delivered to each such co-trustee and separate trustee. SECTION 915. Appointment of Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to the Securities of one or more series, or any Tranche thereof, which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series or Tranche, issued upon original issuance, exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a Corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any State or Territory thereof or the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section. Any Corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such Corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent. An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section. The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section. DB1/ 154080392.9 -56- The provisions of Sections 308, 904 and 905 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent. If an appointment with respect to the Securities of one or more series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series or Tranche may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form: This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within- mentioned Indenture. Dated: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee By: [Name of Authenticating Agent], as Authenticating Agent By: Authorized Signatory If all of the Securities of a series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested by the Company in writing (which writing need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), shall appoint, in accordance with this Section and in accordance with such procedures as shall be acceptable to the Trustee, an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities. ARTICLE TEN Holders’ Lists and Reports by Trustee and Company SECTION 1001. Lists of Holders. Semiannually, not later than March 1 and September 1 in each year, commencing September 1, 2025, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee information as to the names and addresses of the Holders, and the Trustee shall preserve such information and similar information received by it in any other capacity and afford to the Holders access to information so preserved by it, all to such extent, if any, and in such manner as shall be required by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that no such list need be furnished so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar. DB1/ 154080392.9 -57- SECTION 1002. Reports by Trustee and Company. Within sixty (60) days of March 1 of each year, commencing with the year 2025, the Trustee shall transmit to the Holders, the Commission and each securities exchange upon which any Securities are listed, a report, dated as of March 1st, with respect to any events and other matters described in Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, which may have occurred within the previous twelve (12) months (but if no event has occurred within such period no report need be transmitted), in such manner and to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act. The Trustee shall transmit to the Holders, the Commission and each securities exchange upon which any Securities are listed, and the Company shall file with the Trustee (within thirty (30) days after filing with the Commission in the case of reports which pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act must be filed with the Commission and furnished to the Trustee) and transmit to the Holders, such other information, reports and other documents, if any, at such times and in such manner, as shall be required by the Trust Indenture Act. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the listing of any Securities on any securities exchange and of any delisting thereof. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder or set forth in any document establishing a series by specification (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates). ARTICLE ELEVEN Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance or Other Transfer SECTION 1101. Company May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other entity, or convey or otherwise transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless (a) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State or Territory thereof or the District of Columbia, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all Outstanding Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed; (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and (c) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, or other transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied with.


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -58- SECTION 1102. Successor Entity Substituted. Upon any consolidation by the Company with or merger by the Company into any other Person or any conveyance, or other transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 1101, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities Outstanding hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the successor Corporation may execute and deliver to the Trustee, and thereupon the Trustee shall, subject to the provisions of Article Three, authenticate and deliver, Securities. All Securities so executed by the successor Corporation, and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, shall in all respects be entitled to the benefit of this Indenture equally and ratably with all Securities executed, authenticated and delivered prior to the time such consolidation, merger, conveyance or other transfer became effective. SECTION 1103. Limitation. Nothing in this Indenture shall be deemed to prevent or restrict: (a) any consolidation or merger after the consummation of which the Company would be the surviving or resulting entity, (b) any consolidation of the Company with any other Person all of the outstanding voting securities of which are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company; or any merger of any of such Persons into any other of such Persons; or any conveyance or other transfer, or lease, of its properties or assets substantially as an entirety by any thereof to any other thereof, (c) any conveyance or other transfer, or lease, of any part of the properties and/or assets of the Company which does not constitute the entirety, or substantially the entirety, of its properties and assets, (d) the approval by the Company of, or the consent by the Company to, any consolidation or merger to which any direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of the Company may be a party or any conveyance, transfer or lease by any such subsidiary or affiliate of any of its properties or assets, or (e) any other transaction not contemplated by Section 1101. ARTICLE TWELVE Supplemental Indentures SECTION 1201. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any Holders, the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes: DB1/ 154080392.9 -59- (a) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities, all as provided in Article Eleven; or (b) to add one or more covenants of the Company or other provisions for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche, thereof or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or (c) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of Securities Outstanding hereunder (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or (d) to change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture or to add any new provision to this Indenture; provided, however, that if such change, elimination or addition shall adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or Tranche Outstanding on the date of such indenture supplemental hereto in any material respect, such change, elimination or addition shall become effective (i) with respect to such series or Tranche only pursuant to the provisions of Section 1202 hereof or (ii) when no Security of such series or Tranche remains Outstanding; or (e) to provide collateral security for all but not part of the Securities; or (f) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series or Tranche as contemplated by Sections 201 and 301; or (g) to provide for the authentication and delivery of bearer securities and coupons appertaining thereto representing interest, if any, thereon and for the procedures for the registration, exchange and replacement thereof and for the giving of notice to, and the solicitation of the vote or consent of, the holders thereof, and for any and all other matters incidental thereto; or (h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a separate or successor Trustee or co-trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 911(b); or (i) to provide for the procedures required to permit the Company to utilize, at its option, a non-certificated system of registration for all, or any series or Tranche of, the Securities; or (j) to change any place or places where (1) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable, (2) all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, may be surrendered for registration of transfer, (3) all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, may be surrendered for exchange and (4) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, and this Indenture may be served; or DB1/ 154080392.9 -60- (k) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other changes to the provisions hereof or to add other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such other changes or additions shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or Tranche in any material respect; or (l) to amend and restate this Indenture, as originally executed and delivered and as it may have been subsequently amended, in its entirety, but with such additions, deletions and other changes as shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Securities of any series or Tranche in any material respect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Trust Indenture Act as in effect at the Execution Date or at any time thereafter shall be amended and (x) if any such amendment shall require one or more changes to any provisions hereof or the inclusion herein of any additional provisions, or shall by operation of law be deemed to effect such changes or incorporate such provisions by reference or otherwise, this Indenture shall be deemed to have been amended so as to conform to such amendment to the Trust Indenture Act, and the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into an indenture supplemental hereto to effect or evidence such changes or additional provisions; or (y) if any such amendment shall permit one or more changes to, or the elimination of, any provisions hereof which, at the Execution Date or at any time thereafter, are required by the Trust Indenture Act to be contained herein or are contained herein to reflect any provision of the Trust Indenture Act as in effect at such date, this Indenture shall be deemed to have been amended to effect such changes or elimination, and the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into an indenture supplemental hereto to effect such changes or elimination or evidence such amendment hereof; provided that the Indenture shall not be amended as provided in this clause (y) so as to adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or Tranche in any material respect. SECTION 1202. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders. Subject to the provisions of Section 1201, with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series then Outstanding under this Indenture, considered as one class, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, this Indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that if there shall be Securities of more than one series Outstanding hereunder and if a proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such series, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required; and provided, further, that if the Securities of any series shall have been issued in more than one Tranche and if the proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such Tranches, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all Tranches so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required; and provided, further, that no such supplemental indenture shall: DB1/ 154080392.9 -61- (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on (except as provided in Section 312 hereof), any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon (or the amount of any installment of interest thereon) or change the method of calculating such rate or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of a Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 802, or change the coin or currency (or other property), in which any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity of any Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), without, in any such case, the consent of the Holder of such Security, or (b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series or any Tranche thereof, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of the Holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with any provision of this Indenture or of any default hereunder and its consequences, or reduce the requirements of Section 1304 for quorum or voting, without, in any such case, the consent of the Holders of each Outstanding Security of such series or Tranche, or (c) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 606 or Section 813 with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, except to increase the percentages in principal amount referred to in this Section or such other Sections or to provide that other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 911(b), 914 and 1201(h). A supplemental indenture which (x) changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or of one or more Tranches thereof, or (y) modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series or Tranches with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series or Tranche. It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof. A waiver by a Holder of such Holder’s right to consent under this Section shall be deemed to be a consent of such Holder. Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indenture or Board Resolution, as the case may be, establishing the Securities of any series or Tranche shall provide that the Company may make certain specified additions, changes or eliminations to or from this Indenture which shall be specified in such Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indenture or Board Resolution establishing such series or Tranche, (a) the Holders of Securities of such series or Tranche shall be deemed to have consented to such additions, changes or eliminations to or from this Indenture which shall be specified in such Officer’s Certificate, supplemental indenture or Board Resolution establishing such series or Tranche, (b) no Act of such Holders shall be required to evidence such consent and (c) such consent may be counted in the determination of whether or not the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities shall have consented to such additions, changes or eliminations.


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -62- SECTION 1203. Execution of Supplemental Indentures. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be provided with, and (subject to Section 901) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which adversely affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, immunities or liabilities under this Indenture or otherwise. SECTION 1204. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby. Any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article may restate this Indenture in its entirety, and, upon the execution and delivery thereof, any such restatement shall supersede this Indenture as theretofore in effect for all purposes. SECTION 1205. Conformity With Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect. SECTION 1206. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranche. SECTION 1207. Modification Without Supplemental Indenture. To the extent, if any, that the terms of any particular series of Securities shall have been established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate as contemplated by Section 301, and not in a supplemental indenture, additions to, changes in or the elimination of any of such terms may be effected by means of a supplemental Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate and complying with the requirements of Section 102, as the case may be, delivered to, and accepted by, the Trustee in writing; provided, however, that such supplemental Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate shall not be accepted by the Trustee or otherwise be effective unless all conditions set forth in this Indenture which would be required to be satisfied if such additions, changes or elimination were contained in a supplemental indenture shall have been appropriately satisfied (including the delivery to the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate stating that such additions, changes or elimination are authorized or permitted by this Indenture and containing the statements required by Section 102). Upon the written acceptance thereof by the Trustee, any such supplemental Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate shall be deemed to be effective and constitute part of the Indenture and a supplemental indenture hereunder. DB1/ 154080392.9 -63- Such acceptance shall be conveyed by a written instrument signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate. ARTICLE THIRTEEN Meetings of Holders; Action Without Meeting SECTION 1301. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called. A meeting of Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series or Tranches. SECTION 1302. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings. (a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, for any purpose specified in Section 1301, to be held at such time and at such place in The City of New York, as the Trustee shall determine, or, with the approval of the Company, at any other place. Notice of every such meeting, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than twenty-one (21) nor more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date fixed for the meeting. (b) If the Trustee shall have been requested to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, by the Company or by the Holders of 33% in aggregate principal amount of all of such series and Tranches, considered as one class, for any purpose specified in Section 1301, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have given the notice of such meeting within twenty-one (21) days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series and Tranches in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in The City of New York, or in such other place as shall be determined or approved by the Company, for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section. (c) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, shall be valid without notice if the Holders of all Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranches are present in person or by proxy and if representatives of the Company and the Trustee are present, or if notice is waived in writing before or after the meeting by the Holders of all Outstanding Securities of such series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, or by such of them as are not present at the meeting in person or by proxy, and by the Company and the Trustee. SECTION 1303. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of one or more, or all, series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, a Person shall be (a) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranches, or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or DB1/ 154080392.9 -64- Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranches by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to attend any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series or Tranche shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel. SECTION 1304. Quorum; Action. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the series and Tranches with respect to which a meeting shall have been called as hereinbefore provided, considered as one class, shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series and Tranches; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting which this Indenture expressly provides may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series and Tranches, considered as one class, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series and Tranches, considered as one class, shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within one hour of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series and Tranches, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for such period as may be determined by the chair of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for such period as may be determined by the chair of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Except as provided by Section 1305(e), notice of the reconvening of any meeting adjourned for more than thirty (30) days shall be given as provided in Section 1302(a) not less than ten (10) days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series and Tranches which shall constitute a quorum. Except as limited by Section 1202, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the series and Tranches with respect to which such meeting shall have been called, considered as one class; provided, however, that, except as so limited, any resolution with respect to any action which this Indenture expressly provides may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series and Tranches, considered as one class, may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series and Tranches, considered as one class. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of the series and Tranches with respect to which such meeting shall have been held, whether or not present or represented at the meeting. SECTION 1305. Attendance at Meetings; Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings. (a) Attendance at meetings of Holders of Securities may be in person or by proxy; and, to the extent permitted by law, any such proxy shall remain in effect and be binding upon any future Holder of the Securities with respect to which it was given unless and until specifically revoked by the Holder or future Holder of such Securities before being voted. DB1/ 154080392.9 -65- (b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities in regard to proof of the holding of such Securities and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof. (c) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chair of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders as provided in Section 1302(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series and Tranches calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chair. A permanent chair and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series and Tranches represented in person or by proxy at the meeting, considered as one class. (d) At any meeting each Holder or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chair of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chair of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security or proxy. (e) Any meeting duly called pursuant to Section 1302 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series and Tranches represented at the meeting, considered as one class; and, except as provided in Section 1304, the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice. SECTION 1306. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities, of the series and Tranches with respect to which the meeting shall have been called, held or represented by them. The permanent chair of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1302 and, if applicable, Section 1304. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chair and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -66- SECTION 1307. Action Without Meeting. In lieu of a vote of Holders at a meeting as hereinbefore contemplated in this Article, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be made, given or taken by Holders by one or more written instruments as provided in Section 104. ARTICLE FOURTEEN Subordination of Securities SECTION 1401. Securities Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness. The Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of the Securities of each series, by its acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on each and all of the Securities is hereby expressly subordinated and junior in right of payment, and subject, to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Article, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness. However, the Securities of each series will rank equally in right of payment with any Pari Passu Securities of the Company. Each Holder of the Securities of each series, by its acceptance thereof, authorizes and directs the Trustee on its behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article, and appoints the Trustee its attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. SECTION 1402. Payment Over of Proceeds of Securities. In the event (a) of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceedings in respect of the Company or a substantial part of its property and assets, or of any proceedings for liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the Company, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or (b) subject to the provisions of Section 1403, that (i) a default shall have occurred with respect to the payment of principal of or interest on or other monetary amounts due and payable on any Senior Indebtedness, and such default shall have continued beyond the period of grace, if any, in respect thereof, or (ii) there shall have occurred a default (other than a default in the payment of principal or interest or other monetary amounts due and payable) in respect of any Senior Indebtedness, as defined therein or in the instrument under which the same is outstanding, permitting the holder or holders thereof, or any other Person on its or their behalf to accelerate the maturity thereof (with notice or lapse of time, or both), and such default shall have continued beyond the period of grace, if any, in respect thereof, and, in the cases of subclauses (i) and (ii) of this clause (b), such default shall not have been cured or waived or shall not have ceased to exist, or (c) that the principal of and/or premium, if any, and/or accrued interest, if any, on the Securities of any series shall have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 802 and such declaration shall not have been rescinded and annulled as provided in Section 802, then: (1) the holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall first be entitled to receive payment of the full amount due thereon, or provision shall be made for such payment in money or money’s worth, before the Holders of any of the Securities are entitled to receive a payment on account of the principal of, premium if any, or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities, including, without limitation, any payments made pursuant to Articles Four and Five; DB1/ 154080392.9 -67- (2) any payment by, or distribution of property or assets of, the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which any Holder or the Trustee (for the benefit of the Holders and other than in the Trustee’s individual capacity) would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article, shall be paid or delivered by the Person making such payment or distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or liquidating trustee or otherwise, directly to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of such Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution (or provision therefor) to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders of the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities or to the Trustee (for the benefit of the Holders and other than in the Trustee’s individual capacity) under this Indenture; and (3) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment by, or distribution of property or assets of, the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, in respect of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities or in connection with any repurchase by the Company of the Securities, shall be received by the Trustee (for the benefit of the Holders and other than in the Trustee’s individual capacity) or any Holder before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money or money’s worth, such payment or distribution in respect of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities or in connection with any repurchase by the Company of the Securities shall be paid over to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably as aforesaid, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution (or provision therefor) to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after the 123rd day following the date of deposit of cash or Eligible Obligations pursuant to Section 701 or Section 702 (provided all conditions set out in such Section shall have been satisfied), the funds so deposited and any interest thereon will not be subject to any rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness including, without limitation, those arising under this Article; provided that no event described in clauses (d) and (e) of Section 801 with respect to the Company has occurred during such 123-day period. For purposes of this Article only, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other Person provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment which are subordinate in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness which may at the time be outstanding to the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Securities are so subordinated as provided in this Article. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property and assets as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another Person upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article Eleven hereof shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section if such other Person shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article Eleven hereof. Nothing in Section 1401 or in this Section shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 907. DB1/ 154080392.9 -68- SECTION 1403. Disputes with Holders of Certain Senior Indebtedness. Any failure by the Company to make any payment on or perform any other obligation in respect of Senior Indebtedness, other than any indebtedness incurred by the Company or assumed or guaranteed, directly or indirectly, by the Company for money borrowed (or any deferral, renewal, extension or refunding thereof) or any other obligation as to which the provisions of this Section shall have been waived by the Company in the instrument or instruments by which the Company incurred, assumed, guaranteed or otherwise created such indebtedness or obligation, shall not be deemed a default under clause (b) of Section 1402 if (i) the Company shall be disputing its obligation to make such payment or perform such obligation and (ii) either (A) no final judgment relating to such dispute shall have been issued against the Company which is in full force and effect and is not subject to further review, including a judgment that has become final by reason of the expiration of the time within which a party may seek further appeal or review, or (B) in the event that a judgment that is subject to further review or appeal has been issued, the Company shall in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or other proceeding for review and a stay or extension shall have been obtained pending such appeal or review. SECTION 1404. Subrogation. Senior Indebtedness shall not be deemed to have been paid in full unless the holders thereof shall have received cash (or securities or other property satisfactory to such holders) in full payment of such Senior Indebtedness then outstanding. Upon the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the rights of the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive any further payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness until all amounts owing on the Securities shall be paid in full; and such payments or distributions of cash, property or securities received by the Holders of the Securities, by reason of such subrogation, which otherwise would be paid or distributed to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of Senior Indebtedness, it being understood that the provisions of this Article are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand. SECTION 1405. Obligation of the Company Unconditional. Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or any Holder from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy. Upon any payment or distribution of assets, cash or property or securities of the Company referred to in this Article, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in which dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount DB1/ 154080392.9 -69- thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon, and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article. The Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a representative of such holder or a trustee under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued) to establish, at the cost and expense (including legal fees and expenses) of the Company, that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or such representative or trustee on behalf of such holder. In the event that, at the cost and expense (including legal fees and expenses) of the Company, the Trustee determines that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness, or its representative or representatives or trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the right of such Person under this Article, and, if such evidence is not satisfactory to the Trustee in its sole and absolute discretion, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination, at the cost and expense (including legal fees and expenses) of the Company, as to the right of such Person to receive such payment or distribution. SECTION 1406. Priority of Senior Indebtedness Upon Maturity. Upon the maturity of the principal of any Senior Indebtedness by lapse of time, acceleration or otherwise, all matured principal of Senior Indebtedness and interest, premium and other payment obligation, if any, thereon shall first be paid in full before any payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest, if any, is made upon the Securities or before any Securities can be acquired by the Company or any sinking fund payment is made with respect to the Securities (except that required sinking fund payments may be reduced by Securities acquired before such maturity of such Senior Indebtedness). SECTION 1407. Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness; Preservation of Trustee’s Rights. The Trustee shall be entitled to all rights set forth in this Article with respect to any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness. Nothing in this Article shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 907. SECTION 1408. Notice to Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee located at its principal office of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit, pursuant to this Article Fourteen, the making of any payment to or by the Trustee with respect to the Securities or any related coupons. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of moneys to or by the Trustee unless and until the Trustee shall have received written notice (upon which the Trustee may conclusively rely) thereof from the Company, from a Holder or from a holder of any Senior Indebtedness or, subject to the last paragraph of Section 1405, from any representative or representatives of such holder or any trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist (and shall be able to


 
DB1/ 154080392.9 -70- avail itself of the rights and protections set forth in Sections 901 and 903); provided, however, that, if prior to the fifth Business Day preceding the date upon which by the terms of this Indenture any such moneys may become payable for any purpose, or in the event of the execution of an instrument pursuant to Section 701 or Section 702 acknowledging that Securities or portions thereof are deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this Indenture, acknowledging that the entire indebtedness of the Company in respect thereof has been satisfied and discharged or acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, then if prior to the second Business Day preceding the date of such execution, the Trustee shall not have received with respect to such moneys the notice provided for in this Section, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee is authorized to receive such moneys and/or apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary, which may be received by it on or after such date; provided, further, that no such application shall affect the obligations under this Article of the persons receiving such moneys from the Trustee. SECTION 1409. Modification, Extension, etc. of Senior Indebtedness. The holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued may, without affecting in any manner the subordination of the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities, at any time or from time to time and in their absolute discretion, agree with the Company to change the manner, place or terms of payment, change or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, any Senior Indebtedness, or amend or supplement any instrument pursuant to which any Senior Indebtedness is issued, or exercise or refrain from exercising any other of their rights under the Senior Indebtedness including, without limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, all without notice to or assent from the Holders or the Trustee. SECTION 1410. Trustee and Paying Agent Have No Duty and No Fiduciary Duty to Holders of Senior Indebtedness. With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and objectives as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty or any other duties or obligation to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Trustee (in any capacity in which it may act hereunder, including without limitation as Paying Agent) shall not be liable to, or have any obligation whatsoever to , any such holders for any reason whatsoever, including, without limitation, if the Trustee (in any capacity in which it may act hereunder, including without limitation as Paying Agent) shall pay over or deliver to the Holders or the Company or any other Person, money or assets to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article or otherwise. SECTION 1411. Paying Agents Other Than the Trustee. The term “Trustee” as used in this Article shall (unless the context shall otherwise require) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning (including in case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder) as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that Sections 1407, 1408 and 1410 shall not apply to the Company if it acts as Paying Agent. DB1/ 154080392.9 -71- SECTION 1412. Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness Not Impaired. No right of any present or future holder of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the subordination herein shall at any time or in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof any such holder may have or with which it may otherwise be charged. SECTION 1413. Effect of Subordination Provisions; Termination. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, other than as provided in the immediately succeeding sentence, all the provisions of this Indenture shall be subject to the provisions of this Article, so far as the same may be applicable thereto. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the provisions of this Article shall be of no further effect, and the Securities shall no longer be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment of Senior Indebtedness, if, and to the extent, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee written notice (upon which the Trustee may conclusively rely) stating that (a) the subordination provisions of this Article are no longer to be in effect and (b) the effective date of such termination of the subordination provisions. Any such notice delivered by the Company shall not be deemed to be a supplemental indenture for purposes of Article Twelve. ARTICLE FIFTEEN Immunity of Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors SECTION 1501. Liability Solely Corporate. No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Securities, or any part thereof, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or of the indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement under this Indenture, against any incorporator, shareholder, member, limited partner, officer, manager or director, as such, past, present or future of the Company or of any predecessor or successor of the Company (either directly or through the Company, or a predecessor or successor of the Company), whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Indenture and all the Securities are solely corporate obligations, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, shareholder, member, limited partner, officer, manager or director, past, present or future, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor of the Company, either directly or indirectly through the Company or any predecessor or successor of the Company, because of the indebtedness hereby authorized or under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or to be implied herefrom or therefrom, and that any such personal liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of the Securities. _________________________ This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Signature Page to Northwest Natural Holding Company Indenture (For Unsecured Subordinated Debt Securities) DB1/ 154080392.9 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written. NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY By: /s/ Brody J. Wilson Name: Brody J. Wilson Title: Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee By: /s/ Shannon Matthews Name: Shannon Matthews Title: Assistant Vice President


 
EX-4.(B) 4 ex4bofficerscertificate.htm EX-4.(B) Document
Exhibit 4(b)
NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY
OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE
Brody J. Wilson, the Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Controller of Northwest Natural Holding Company, an Oregon corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to the authority granted in the Board Resolutions of the Company dated February 27, 2025, and Sections 102, 201 and 301 of the Subordinated Indenture defined herein, does hereby certify to U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) under the Indenture (For Unsecured Subordinated Debt Securities) of the Company dated as of March 1, 2025 (the “Subordinated Indenture”), as of March 12, 2025, that:
1.The first series of Securities to be issued under the Subordinated Indenture shall be designated “Junior Subordinated Debentures due September 15, 2055” (the “Junior Subordinated Debentures”). All capitalized terms used in this certificate which are not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in Exhibit A hereto; all capitalized terms used in this certificate which are not defined herein or in Exhibit A hereto shall have the meanings set forth in the Subordinated Indenture.
2.The Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be issued by the Company in the initial aggregate principal amount of $325,000,000. As contemplated by the last paragraph of Section 301 of the Subordinated Indenture, additional Junior Subordinated Debentures, without limitation as to amount, having the same terms as the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures (except a different issue date and issue price and bearing interest from the last Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for on the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures, and, if no interest has been paid, from March 18, 2025), may also be issued by the Company pursuant to the Subordinated Indenture without the consent of the existing Holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Such additional Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be part of the same series as the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures.
3.The Junior Subordinated Debentures shall mature and the principal thereof shall be due and payable together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon on September 15, 2055.
4.The Junior Subordinated Debentures shall bear interest as provided in the form thereof set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
5.The principal of, and premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company in The City of New York; provided that payment of principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by check mailed to the address of the persons entitled thereto or by wire transfer to an account designated by the person entitled thereto; and provided further that after payment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures in full, the Holders thereof shall promptly surrender such Junior Subordinated Debentures. Notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Subordinated Indenture may be served at the office or agency of the Company in The City of New York. The Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee will initially be the agency of the Company for such payment and service of notices and demands and the Company hereby appoints U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association as its agent for all such purposes; provided, however, that the Company reserves the right to change, by one or more Officer’s Certificates, any such office or agency and such agent. The registration and registration of transfers and exchanges in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may be effected at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. U.S. Bank Trust Company, Trust Company will initially be the Security Registrar and the Paying Agent for the Junior Subordinated Debentures.



6.The Junior Subordinated Debentures will be redeemable at the option of the Company prior to the Stated Maturity of the principal thereof as provided in the form thereof set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
7.No service charge shall be made for the registration of transfer or exchange of the Junior Subordinated Debentures; provided, however, that the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with the exchange or transfer.
8.If the Company shall make any deposit of money and/or Eligible Obligations with respect to any Junior Subordinated Debentures, or any portion of the principal amount thereof, as contemplated by Section 701 of the Subordinated Indenture, the Company shall not deliver an Officer’s Certificate described in clause (z) in the first paragraph of said Section 701 unless the Company shall also deliver to the Trustee, together with such Officer’s Certificate, either:
(A)an instrument wherein the Company, notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of its indebtedness in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, shall assume the obligation (which shall be absolute and unconditional) to irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or Paying Agent such additional sums of money, if any, or additional Eligible Obligations (meeting the requirements of Section 701), if any, or any combination thereof, at such time or times, as shall be necessary, together with the money and/or Eligible Obligations theretofore so deposited, to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest due and to become due on such Junior Subordinated Debentures or portions thereof, all in accordance with and subject to the provisions of said Section 701; provided, however, that such instrument may state that the obligation of the Company to make additional deposits as aforesaid shall be subject to the delivery to the Company by the Trustee of a notice asserting the deficiency; or
(B)an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, as a result of a change in law occurring after the date of this certificate, the Holders of such Junior Subordinated Debentures, or portions of the principal amount thereof, will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the satisfaction and discharge of the Company’s indebtedness in respect thereof and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, at the same times and in the same manner as if such satisfaction and discharge had not been effected.
2



9.The Eligible Obligations with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be Government Obligations.
10.So long as any Junior Subordinated Debentures remain Outstanding, the failure of the Company to pay interest, including Additional Interest, if any, on any Junior Subordinated Debentures within thirty (30) days after the same becomes due and payable (whether or not payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of Article Fourteen of the Subordinated Indenture) shall constitute an Event of Default; provided, however, that a valid deferral of the interest payments by the Company as contemplated in Section 312 of the Subordinated Indenture and paragraph 11 of this certificate shall not constitute a failure to pay interest for this purpose.
11.Pursuant to Section 312 of the Subordinated Indenture, so long as no Event of Default under the Subordinated Indenture has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any series, the Company shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during the term of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, to defer the payment of interest for a period not exceeding ten (10) consecutive years, as provided in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
12.The Company agrees, and, by acceptance of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, each Holder will be deemed to have agreed, to treat the Junior Subordinated Debentures as indebtedness for United States federal, state and local tax purposes.
13.The Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be initially issued in global form registered in the name of Cede & Co. (as nominee of DTC, the initial securities depository for the Junior Subordinated Debentures; provided, that the Company reserves the right to provide for another depository, registered as a clearing agency under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), to act as depository for the global Junior Subordinated Debentures (DTC and any such successor depository, the “Depository”); beneficial interests in Junior Subordinated Debentures issued in global form may not be exchanged in whole or in part for individual certificated Junior Subordinated Debentures in definitive form, and no transfer of a global Junior Subordinated Debenture in whole or in part may be registered in the name of any Person other than the Depository or its nominee except that (i) if the Depository (A) has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for the global Junior Subordinated Debentures or (B) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulation and, in either case, a successor depository for such global Junior Subordinated Debentures has not been appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, (ii) if the Company, in its sole discretion, determines that the Junior Subordinated Debentures will no longer be represented by Junior Subordinated Debentures in global form or (iii) if an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default pursuant to Section 801(c) of the Subordinated Indenture), with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures has occurred and is continuing, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order (accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) for the authentication and delivery of definitive Junior Subordinated Debentures, will authenticate and deliver Junior Subordinated Debentures in definitive certificated form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the global Junior Subordinated Debentures representing such Junior Subordinated Debentures in exchange for such global Junior Subordinated Debentures, such definitive Junior Subordinated Debentures to be registered in the names provided by the Depository to the Trustee; each global Junior Subordinated Debenture (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures to be represented by such global Junior Subordinated Debenture, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depository, its nominee, any custodian for the Depository or otherwise pursuant to the Depository’s instructions and (iv) shall bear a legend restricting the transfer of such global Junior Subordinated Debenture to any person other than the Depository or its nominee; none of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Authenticating Agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, payments made on account of, or transfers in respect of, beneficial ownership interests in a global Junior Subordinated Debenture (all of which will be conducted pursuant to the customary procedures of the Depository) or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
3



14.The Junior Subordinated Debentures shall have such other terms and provisions as are provided in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
15.    The undersigned has read all of the covenants and conditions contained in the Subordinated Indenture, and the definitions in the Subordinated Indenture relating thereto, relating to the issuance, authentication and delivery of the Junior Subordinated Debentures and in respect of compliance with which this certificate is made;
(a)The statements contained in this certificate are based upon the familiarity of the undersigned with the Subordinated Indenture, the documents accompanying this certificate, and upon discussions by the undersigned with officers and employees of the Company familiar with the matters set forth herein;
(b)In the opinion of the undersigned, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenants and conditions have been complied with; and
(c)In the opinion of the undersigned, such conditions and covenants and conditions precedent provided for in the Subordinated Indenture (including any covenants compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent) relating to the authentication and delivery of the Junior Subordinated Debentures requested in the accompanying Company Order No. 1, have been complied with.
[signature page follows]
4



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Officer’s Certificate as of the date set forth above.




/s/ Brody J. Wilson Brody J.



EXHIBIT A
Wilson Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Controller Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York State Banking Law (“DTC”), to Northwest Natural Holding Company or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
No. R-
CUSIP: 66765N AA3

[FORM OF FACE OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE]
NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE DUE SEPTEMBER 15, 2055
Northwest Natural Holding Company, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Oregon (herein referred to as the “Company,” which term includes any successor Person under the Subordinated Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to _____________________________________________________________________________ or registered assigns, the principal sum of _______________________ Dollars on September 15, 2055 (the “Stated Maturity”), and to pay interest on said principal sum semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year (each an “Interest Payment Date”) commencing September 15, 2025 (subject to the right of the Company to defer the payment of interest, but not beyond the Stated Maturity, in accordance with the provisions set forth on the reverse hereof) (i) from and including March 18, 2025, to, but not including September 15, 2035 (the “First Interest Reset Date”), at the rate of 7.0% per annum and (ii) from and including the First Interest Reset Date during each Interest Reset Period (as defined below) at the rate per annum equal to the Five-Year Treasury Rate (as defined below) as of the most recent Reset Interest Determination Date (as defined below), plus 2.701%, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment and to pay interest on any overdue principal and, to the extent permitted by law, interest, at the rate then borne by the Securities of this series. Interest on the Securities of this series will accrue from, and include, March 18, 2025, to the first Interest Payment Date, and thereafter will accrue from the last Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, to, but not including, the next Interest Payment Date (each an “Interest Period”). The Company also promises to pay Additional Interest (as defined below) with respect to an Optional Deferral Period (as defined below) to the registered Holder of this Security, to the extent payment of such Additional Interest is enforceable under applicable law, on any interest payment that is not made on the applicable Interest Payment Date, as specified on the reverse of this Security.



The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Subordinated Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the close of business on (i) the Business Day (as defined below) next preceding such Interest Payment Date so long as all of the Securities of this series are held by a securities depository in book-entry form, or (ii) if any of the Securities of this series are not held by a securities depository in book-entry form, the 15th calendar day next preceding such Interest Payment Date, provided, however, that interest payable at Maturity will be paid to the Person to whom principal is paid. A “Business Day” is any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies in New York City are generally authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Subordinated Indenture and on the reverse hereof.
Payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on this Security will be made upon presentation at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in The City of New York, the State of New York in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts, provided, however, that, at the option of the Company, the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on this Security may be paid by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto, as such address shall appear on the Security Register or by wire transfer to an account designated by the person entitled thereto; and provided, further, that, after payment in full of this Security the Holder shall promptly surrender this Security at the office or agency of the Company in The City of New York, the State of New York.
The amount of interest payable on this Security for any Interest Period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months (and for any period shorter than a full Interest Period, on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed during such period using 30-day months).
If an Interest Payment Date, a Redemption Date (as defined below) or the Stated Maturity of the Securities of this series falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then payment of the interest or principal payable on such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or the Stated Maturity will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and no interest will be paid or other payment made in respect of such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on such date, and no interest on such payment will accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or the Stated Maturity, as applicable.
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Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place. Any capitalized term which is used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Subordinated Indenture.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Subordinated Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

    3




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY


By:     

[FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION]
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Subordinated Indenture.
Dated:
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee


By:____________________________
Authorized Signatory

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[FORM OF REVERSE OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE]
General.
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture (For Unsecured Subordinated Debt Securities), dated as of March 1, 2025 (herein, together with any amendments thereto, called the “Subordinated Indenture,” which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Subordinated Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Subordinated Indenture, including the Board Resolution and Officer’s Certificate creating the series designated on the face hereof, for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.
Interest.
The Securities of this series shall bear interest (i) from and including March 18, 2025 to, but not including, the First Interest Reset Date at the rate of 7.0% per annum and (ii) from and including the First Interest Reset Date during each Interest Reset Period (as defined below) at the rate per annum equal to the Five-Year Treasury Rate (as defined below) as of the most recent Reset Interest Determination Date (as defined below), plus 2.701%.
Unless all of the outstanding Securities of this series have been or will be redeemed as of the First Interest Reset Date, the Company will appoint a calculation agent (the “Calculation Agent”) with respect to the Securities of this series prior to the Reset Interest Determination Date preceding the First Interest Reset Date. The Company or any of its affiliates may assume the duties of the Calculation Agent (and the Trustee shall not be the Calculation Agent unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Trustee and the Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever for the calculation or determination of the interest rate). The applicable interest rate for each Interest Reset Period will be determined by the Calculation Agent as of the applicable Reset Interest Determination Date. If the Company or one of its affiliates is not the Calculation Agent, the Calculation Agent will notify the Company of the interest rate for the relevant Interest Reset Period promptly upon such determination. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing (on which the Trustee may conclusively rely) of such interest rate, promptly upon making or being notified of such determination. The Calculation Agent’s determination of any interest rate and its calculation of the amount of interest for any Interest Reset Period beginning on or after the First Interest Reset Date will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Securities of this series and the Officer’s Certificate or the Subordinated Indenture, will become effective without consent from the Holders of the Securities of this series or any other Person. Such determination of any interest rate and calculation of the amount of interest will be on file at the Company’s principal offices and will be made available to any Holder of the Securities of this series upon request.
    5




“Five-Year Treasury Rate” means, as of any Reset Interest Determination Date, the average of the yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity, for five-year maturities, for the five Business Days immediately preceding such Reset Interest Determination Date appearing under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities” in the most recent H.15.
If the Five-Year Treasury Rate cannot be determined pursuant to the method described above, the Company, after consulting such sources as it deems comparable to any of the foregoing calculations, or any such source as it deems reasonable from which to estimate the Five-Year Treasury Rate, will determine the Five-Year Treasury Rate in its sole discretion, provided that if the Company determines there is an industry-accepted successor Five-Year Treasury Rate, then the Company will direct the Calculation Agent to use such successor rate. If the Company has determined a substitute or successor base rate in accordance with the foregoing, the Company in its sole discretion may determine the business day convention, the definition of “Business Day” and the Reset Interest Determination Date to be used and any other relevant methodology for calculating such substitute or successor base rate, including any adjustment factor needed to make such substitute or successor base rate comparable to the Five-Year Treasury Rate, in a manner that is consistent with industry-accepted practices for such substitute or successor base rate. The Company will provide the Calculation Agent and the Trustee in writing any such determination of the Five-Year Treasury Rate (on which the Calculation Agent and the Trustee may conclusively rely).
In no event shall the Calculation Agent or the Trustee be responsible for determining if there is an industry-accepted substitute or successor base rate comparable to the Five-Year Treasury Rate, or for making any adjustments to any such substitute or successor base rate, the business day convention, the definition of “Business Day” and the Reset Interest Determination Date to be used and any other relevant methodology for calculating such substitute or successor base rate, including any adjustment factor needed to make such substitute or successor base rate comparable to the Five-Year Treasury Rate. In connection with the foregoing, the Calculation Agent and the Trustee will be entitled to conclusively rely on any determinations and adjustments made by the Company with respect thereto and the Calculation Agent and the Trustee will have no liability for using the same at the direction of the Company.
“H.15” means the daily statistical release designated as such, or any successor publication as determined by the Company, published by the Federal Reserve Board, and “most recent H.15” means the H.15 published closest in time but prior to the close of business on the applicable Reset Interest Determination Date.
“Interest Reset Date” means the First Interest Reset Date and each date falling on the five-year anniversary of the preceding Interest Reset Date.
“Interest Reset Period” means the period from and including the First Interest Reset Date to, but not including, the next following Interest Reset Date and thereafter each period from and including each Interest Reset Date to, but not including, the next following Interest Reset Date.
    6




“Reset Interest Determination Date” means, in respect of any Interest Reset Period, the day falling two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Reset Period.
Redemption.

Optional Redemption.
The Securities of this series shall be redeemable at the option of the Company in whole or in part (i) on any day in the period commencing on the date falling 90 days prior to the First Interest Reset Date and ending on and including the First Interest Reset Date and (ii) after the First Interest Reset Date, on any Interest Payment Date at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities of this series being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, including Additional Interest, if any, to, but not including, the Optional Redemption Date (as defined below), upon notice (a “Redemption Notice”) which is required by the Subordinated Indenture to be sent at least ten (10) days but not more than sixty (60) days prior to a date fixed for redemption (the “Optional Redemption Date”).
If less than all of the Securities of this series are to be redeemed consistent with the terms hereof, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series by lot; provided, that if the Securities of this series are in global form registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected in accordance with the Depository’s procedures.
If at the time a Redemption Notice is given, money sufficient to pay the redemption price and accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, including Additional Interest, if any (the “Redemption Price”), is not on deposit with the Trustee, then, if such Redemption Notice so provides, the redemption shall be subject to the receipt of such redemption money on or before the Optional Redemption Date and such Redemption Notice shall be of no force or effect unless such money is received.
Upon payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Optional Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities of this series or portions thereof called for redemption.
Tax Event Optional Redemption.
If a Tax Event (as defined below) shall occur and be continuing, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Securities of this series, in whole but not in part, at any time within ninety (90) days following the occurrence of the Tax Event, upon a Redemption Notice, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities of this series, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, including Additional Interest, if any, to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption (the “Tax Event Redemption Date”). In connection therewith the Company shall provide notices and follow the procedures set forth in Subordinated Indenture.
    7




“Tax Event” means the receipt by the Company of an Opinion of Counsel experienced in tax matters to the effect that, as a result of (a) any amendment to, clarification of, or change (including any announced prospective change) in the laws or treaties of the United States or any of its political subdivisions or taxing authorities, or any regulations under such laws or treaties, (b) an administrative action, which means any judicial decision or any official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement (including any notice or announcement of intent to issue or adopt any such administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure or regulation) (each, an “Administrative Action”), (c) any amendment to, clarification of, or change in the official position or the interpretation of any such Administrative Action or judicial decision or any interpretation or pronouncement that provides for a position with respect to such Administrative Action or judicial decision that differs from the previously generally accepted position, in each case by any legislative body, court, governmental authority or regulatory body, regardless of the time or manner in which such amendment, clarification or change is introduced or made known, or (d) a threatened challenge asserted in writing in connection with an audit of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or a publicly-known threatened challenge asserted in writing against any other taxpayer that has raised capital through the issuance of securities that are substantially similar to the Securities of this series, which amendment, clarification, or change is effective, or which Administrative Action is taken or which judicial decision, interpretation or pronouncement is issued or threatened challenge is asserted or becomes publicly-known, in each case after March 12, 2025, there is more than an insubstantial risk that interest payable by the Company on the Securities of this series is not deductible, or within 90 days would not be deductible, in whole or in part, by the Company for United States federal income tax purposes.
If at the time a Redemption Notice is given, money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price is not on deposit with the Trustee, then, if such Redemption Notice so provides, the redemption shall be subject to the receipt of such redemption money on or before the Tax Event Redemption Date and such Redemption Notice shall be of no force or effect unless such money is received.
Upon payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Tax Event Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities of this series called for redemption.
Rating Agency Event Optional Redemption.
The Company shall have the right to redeem the Securities of this series in whole but not in part, upon a Redemption Notice given at any time within ninety (90) days after the conclusion of any review or appeal process instituted by the Company following the occurrence of a Rating Agency Event (as defined below), at a Redemption Price equal to 102% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, including Additional Interest, if any, to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption (the “Rating Agency Event Redemption Date” and, together with an Optional Redemption Date and a Tax Event Redemption Date, each, a “Redemption Date”). In connection therewith the Company shall provide notices and follow the procedures set forth in Subordinated Indenture.
    8




“Rating Agency Event” means a change to the methodology or criteria that were employed by an applicable rating agency (as defined below) for purposes of assigning equity credit to securities such as the Securities of this series on the date of initial issuance of the Securities of this series, which change reduces the amount of equity credit assigned to the Securities of this series by the applicable rating agency as compared with the amount of equity credit that such rating agency had assigned to the Securities of this series as of the date of initial issuance thereof.
The term “rating agency” means any nationally recognized statistical rating organization (within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act and sometimes referred to in this Security as a “rating agency”), and the term “applicable rating agency” means any rating agency that (i)(a) published a rating for the Company with respect to the initial issuance of the Securities of this series and (b) publishes a rating for the Company at such time as a Rating Agency Event occurs, or (ii) any successor to a rating agency described in the preceding clause (i).
If at the time a Redemption Notice is given, money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price is not on deposit with the Trustee, then, if such Redemption Notice so provides, the redemption shall be subject to the receipt of such redemption money on or before the Rating Agency Event Redemption Date and such Redemption Notice shall be of no force or effect unless such money is received.
Upon payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Rating Agency Event Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities of this series called for redemption.
Optional Deferral of Interest.
Pursuant to Section 312 of the Subordinated Indenture, so long as no Event of Default under the Subordinated Indenture has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any series, the Company shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during the term of the Securities of this series, to defer the payment of interest for a period not exceeding ten (10) consecutive years (each period, commencing on the date that the first such payment would otherwise be made, an “Optional Deferral Period”); provided that no Optional Deferral Period shall extend beyond the Stated Maturity or end on a day other than an Interest Payment Date. During an Optional Deferral Period, interest on the Securities of this series (calculated for each Interest Period in the manner provided for on the face hereof, as if the interest payment had not been so deferred) will continue to accrue compounded semi-annually at the then applicable rate per annum borne by the Securities of this series. During an Optional Deferral Period, any deferred interest on the Securities of this series will accrue additional interest compounded semi-annually, on any interest payment that is not made on the applicable Interest Payment Date, which shall accrue at the then applicable rate per annum borne by the Securities of this series, to the extent permitted by applicable law (“Additional Interest”). At the end of an Optional Deferral Period, which shall be an Interest Payment Date, the Company shall pay all interest accrued and unpaid hereon, including Additional Interest accrued on the deferred interest, to the Person in whose name the Securities of this series are registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for the Interest Payment Date on which such Optional Deferral Period ended; provided that any such accrued and unpaid interest payable on the Stated Maturity or a Redemption Date will be paid to the Person to whom principal is payable.
    9




Prior to the termination of any such Optional Deferral Period, the Company may further defer the payment of interest, provided that such Optional Deferral Period together with all such previous and further deferrals of interest payments shall not exceed ten (10) consecutive years at any one time or extend beyond the Stated Maturity. Upon the termination of any such Optional Deferral Period and the payment of all amounts then due, including Additional Interest, if any, the Company may elect to begin a new Optional Deferral Period, subject to the above requirements. No interest shall be due and payable during an Optional Deferral Period, except at the end thereof. The Company will give the Trustee written notice of its election of an Optional Deferral Period at least ten (10) days and not more than sixty (60) days before the applicable Interest Payment Date. The Trustee will promptly forward such notice of such election to each Holder of the Securities of this series.
Subordination.
The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent provided in the Subordinated Indenture, subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and this Security is issued subject to the provisions of the Subordinated Indenture with respect thereto. Each Holder of this Security, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each Holder hereof, by his acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the acceptance of the subordination provisions contained herein and in the Subordinated Indenture by each holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred, and waives reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.
Defeasance.

The Subordinated Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Subordinated Indenture including the Officer’s Certificate described above.
Governing Law.

This Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (including without limitation Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations Law or any successor statute), except to the extent that the law of any other jurisdiction shall be mandatorily applicable.
Modification and Waivers.

    10




The Subordinated Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Subordinated Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of all series to be affected. The Subordinated Indenture contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series then Outstanding to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Subordinated Indenture. The Subordinated Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Subordinated Indenture and certain past defaults under the Subordinated Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Subordinated Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Subordinated Indenture or the Securities issued thereunder, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy under or with respect to the Subordinated Indenture or such Securities, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series at the time Outstanding in respect of which an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series at the time Outstanding in respect of which an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.
No reference herein to the Subordinated Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Subordinated Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
Authorized Denominations.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 and in any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Subordinated Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor and of authorized denominations, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
    11




No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Owners.

The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Defined Terms.

All terms used in this Security which are defined in Subordinated Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Subordinated Indenture and in the Officer’s Certificate establishing the terms of the Securities of this series.

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EX-4.(C) 5 ex4cdescriptionofcommonsto.htm EX-4.(C) Document

Exhibit 4(c)

DESCRIPTION OF NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY’S SECURITIES
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

General

The following is a summary of certain rights and privileges of the common stock of Northwest Natural Holding Company (NW Holdings), which is registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NWN”.

This summary description does not purport to be complete. Reference is made to NW Holdings’ Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation) and NW Holdings’ Amended and Restated Bylaws that are filed as exhibits to the Annual Report on Form 10-K to which this is filed as an exhibit. The following also summarizes certain applicable provisions of the laws of the State of Oregon, and reference is made to those laws.

Under NW Holdings’ Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, NW Holdings is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock and 3,500,000 shares of preferred stock.

Dividends and Liquidation Rights

Except as hereinafter stated, the common stock is entitled to receive such dividends as are declared by the Board of Directors (Board) out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends and to receive ratably on liquidation any assets which remain after payment of liabilities. NW Holdings has an authorized class of senior capital stock, referred to as “preferred stock,” none of which is currently outstanding. NW Holdings’ preferred stock would be entitled, in preference to the common stock, (1) to cumulative dividends at the annual rate fixed for each series by the Board, and (2) in voluntary and involuntary liquidation, to the amounts fixed for each series by the Board, plus in each case, unpaid accumulated dividends.

Dividend Limitations

Should dividends on any preferred stock be in arrears, no dividends on the common stock may be paid or declared. Future series of the preferred stock could contain sinking fund, purchase or redemption obligations under which no dividends on the common stock may be paid or declared while such obligations are in default. Common stock dividends also may be restricted by the provisions of future instruments pursuant to which NW Holdings may issue long-term debt.




As of March 18, 2025, NW Holdings has junior subordinated debentures outstanding. In accordance with the terms of the junior subordinated debentures, NW Holdings has the right, from time to time, to defer the payment of interest on its outstanding junior subordinated debentures on one or more occasions for up to ten consecutive years. NW Holdings may issue, from time to time, additional junior subordinated debentures or other securities that (i) provide NW Holdings with rights to defer the payment of interest or other payments and (ii) contain dividend restrictions in the event of the exercise of such rights. In the event that NW Holdings were to exercise any right to defer interest or other payments on currently outstanding or future series of junior subordinated debentures or other securities, or if there were to occur certain payment defaults on those securities, NW Holdings would not be able, with limited exceptions, to pay dividends on its common stock during the periods in which such payments were deferred or such payment defaults continued. In addition, NW Holdings might issue other securities in the future containing similar or other restrictions on, or that affect, its ability to pay dividends on its common stock.

Voting Rights

Except as provided by law or by resolutions establishing any series of preferred stock, only the common stock has voting rights. Cumulative voting is permitted by the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to holders of common stock at elections of directors.

Classification of the Board of Directors

The Board may consist of not less than nine nor more than thirteen persons, as determined by the Board, divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible. One class is elected for a three-year term at each annual meeting of shareholders. Vacancies, including those resulting from an increase in the size of the Board, may be filled by a majority vote of the directors then in office, to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders. One or more of the directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote thereon; provided, however, that if fewer than all of the directors should be candidates for removal, no one of them shall be removed if the votes cast against such director’s removal would be sufficient to elect such director if then cumulatively voted at an election of the class of directors of which such director shall be a part. Except for those persons nominated by the Board, no person shall be eligible for election as a director unless a request from a shareholder entitled to vote in the election of directors that such person be nominated and such person’s consent thereto shall be delivered to the Secretary of NW Holdings within the time period specified in advance of the meeting at which such election shall be held.



The foregoing provisions may not be amended or repealed except by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.
 
Business Transactions with Related Persons

NW Holdings shall not enter into any business transaction with a related person or in which a related person shall have an interest (except proportionately as a shareholder of NW Holdings) without first obtaining both (1) the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of NW Holdings not held by such related person, and (2) the determination of a majority of the continuing directors that the cash or fair market value of the property, securities or other consideration to be received per share by the holders, other than such related person, of the shares of each class or series of the capital stock of NW Holdings in such business transaction shall not be less than the highest purchase price paid by such related person in acquiring any of its holdings of shares of the same class or series, unless the continuing directors by a majority vote shall either (a) have expressly approved the acquisition of the shares of the capital stock of NW Holdings that caused such related person to become a related person, or (b) have expressly approved such business transaction. As used in this paragraph: a “business transaction” includes a merger, consolidation, plan of exchange or recapitalization, a purchase, sale, lease, exchange, transfer, mortgage or other disposition of all or a substantial part (10% or more of the fair market value of the assets) of the property and assets of NW Holdings or a related person, an issuance, sale, exchange or other disposition of securities of NW Holdings and a liquidation, spin-off or dissolution; a “related person” includes a person, organization or group thereof owning 10% or more of the capital stock of NW Holdings; “continuing directors” are those directors who were directors of NW Holdings on the date the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation first became effective or whose nominations have been approved by a majority of the then continuing directors. The foregoing provisions may not be amended or repealed except by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the shares of the capital stock of NW Holdings (other than shares held by related persons).

Preemptive Rights

The holders of the common stock have no preemptive rights.

Certain Anti-Takeover Matters

NW Holdings’ Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws include a number of provisions that may have the effect of discouraging persons from acquiring large blocks of its stock or delaying or preventing a change in its control. The material provisions that may have such an effect include:



 
establishment of a classified Board, whereby approximately only one-third of the board stands for election each year;
limitations on certain business transactions (including mergers, consolidations, plans of exchange) with any person or entity and any persons or entities related thereto who beneficially own 10% or more of the capital stock of NW Holdings;
authorization for the Board (subject to any applicable law) to issue preferred stock in series and to fix rights and preferences of the series;
advance notice procedures with respect to nominations of directors or proposals other than those adopted or recommended by the Board; and
requirement that holders of not less than two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote are required to remove directors or to amend certain provisions of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation.

NW Holdings is subject to the provisions of sections 60.825 to 60.845 of the Oregon Business Corporation Act (Oregon Business Combinations Act) which generally provide that in the event a person or entity acquires 15% or more of NW Holdings’ voting stock (Interested Shareholder), NW Holdings and such Interested Shareholder and any affiliate may not engage in the following business combinations for a period of three years following the date that person became an Interested Shareholder:

a merger or plan of share exchange;
any sale, lease, mortgage or other disposition of the assets of the corporation where the assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of the aggregate market value of NW Holdings’ assets or outstanding capital stock; and
transactions that result in the issuance of capital stock to the shareholder that acquired 15% or more of the voting stock.

These restrictions do not apply if:
 
the Board of Directors approved either the business combination or the share acquisition that resulted in the person becoming an Interested Shareholder before the time such person became an Interested Shareholder;




as a result of the share acquisition, the person became an Interested Shareholder and 85% owner of the outstanding voting stock, excluding shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and shares owned by certain employee benefit plans; or
on or after the date the person became an Interested Shareholder, the business combination transaction is approved by the Board of Directors and authorized by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the Interested Shareholder.

NW Holdings is also subject to the provisions of Sections 60.801 to 60.816 of the Oregon Business Corporation Act (Oregon Control Share Act), which generally provide that a person who acquires voting stock in a transaction which results in such person holding more than 20%, 33-1/3% or 50% of the total voting power cannot vote the shares it acquires in the acquisition unless voting rights are accorded to such control shares by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting shares, excluding the control shares held by such person and shares held by officers and inside directors, and by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting shares, including the control shares held by such person and shares held by officers and inside directors. This vote would be required at the time an acquiring person’s holdings exceed 20% of the total voting power, and again at the time the acquiring person’s holdings exceed 33-1/3% and 50%, respectively. The acquiring person may, but is not required to, submit to NW Holdings an “acquiring person statement” setting forth certain information about the acquiring person and its plans with respect to NW Holdings. The acquiring person statement may also request that NW Holdings call a special meeting of shareholders to determine whether the control shares will be allowed to retain voting rights. If the acquiring person does not request a special meeting of shareholders, the issue of voting rights of control shares will be considered at the next annual meeting or special meeting of shareholders that is held more than 60 days after the date of the acquisition of control shares. Shares are not deemed to be acquired in a control share acquisition if, among other things, they are acquired from the issuing corporation, or are issued pursuant to a plan of merger or exchange effected in compliance with the Oregon Business Corporation Act and the issuing corporation is a party to the merger or exchange agreement.

The Oregon Control Share Act and the Oregon Business Combinations Act have anti-takeover effects because they will encourage any potential acquirer to negotiate with NW Holdings’ Board of Directors and will also discourage potential acquirers unwilling to comply with the provisions of these laws. An Oregon corporation may provide in its articles of incorporation or bylaws that the laws described above do not apply to its shares. NW Holdings has not adopted such a provision.




NW Holdings is also subject to Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 757.511 which generally provides that no person, directly or indirectly, shall acquire the power to exercise any substantial influence over the policies and actions of a public utility without first securing from the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) an order authorizing such acquisition if such person is, or by such acquisition would become, an “affiliated interest” with such public utility as defined by Oregon law. Any applicant requesting such an order bears the burden of showing that granting the application is in the public interest. This provision of Oregon law may have anti-takeover effects by subjecting potential acquisitions to OPUC review and approval.

EX-5.(A) 6 ex5a23aopinionofmsaathoff.htm EX-5.(A) Document

Exhibit 5(a)

March 18, 2025

Northwest Natural Holding Company
250 S.W. Taylor Street
Portland, Oregon 97204
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President Regulatory of Northwest Natural Holding Company, an Oregon corporation (the “Company”), and in such capacity have acted as counsel for the Company in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3, as amended (Registration Statement No. 333-281437) (the “Registration Statement”), relating to $325,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Junior Subordinated Debentures due September 15, 2055 (the “Junior Subordinated Debentures”). The Junior Subordinated Debentures have been issued pursuant to the Company’s Indenture (For Unsecured Subordinated Debt Securities), dated as of March 1, 2025, with U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) (the Indenture, as supplemented by the officer’s certificate establishing the terms of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, being hereinafter referred to as the “Indenture”).
I have examined the Registration Statement and the Indenture which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As to questions of fact material to the opinions expressed herein, I have relied upon representations and certifications of appropriate public officials without independent verification of such matters except as otherwise described herein. I have also examined or have caused to be examined such other documents and have satisfied myself as to such other matters as I have deemed necessary in order to render this opinion. In such examination, I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of the documents submitted to me as originals, the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to me as originals of the documents submitted to me as certified, facsimile or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to me as copies. I have not examined the Junior Subordinated Debentures, except a specimen thereof, and I have relied upon a certificate of the Trustee as to the authentication and delivery thereof.
Subject to the foregoing and the further exceptions and qualifications set forth below, I am of the opinion that:
1.The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Oregon.
2.The Junior Subordinated Debentures are binding obligations of the Company.
I further note that the binding obligations of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, receivership, fraudulent transfer, preference, moratorium, reorganization or other similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights and by general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and principles of public policy, including the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief, and (ii) concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and by the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.



This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Oregon. I have relied upon an opinion of even date herewith addressed to you by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, as to all matters of New York law. As to all matters of Oregon law, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is hereby authorized to rely on this opinion as though it were rendered to Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
I hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by the Company on or about March 18, 2025, which will be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. In giving the foregoing consent, I do not thereby admit that I come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ MardiLyn Saathoff        

MardiLyn Saathoff, Esq.
General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President Regulatory
2

EX-5.(B) 7 ex5b23aopinionofmlbllp.htm EX-5.(B) Document
image_0.jpg
Exhibit 5(b)
March 18, 2025
Northwest Natural Holding Company
250 S.W. Taylor Street
Portland, Oregon 97204
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Northwest Natural Holding Company (the “Company”) in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3, as amended (Registration Statement No. 333-281437) (the “Registration Statement”), relating to $325,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Junior Subordinated Debentures due September 15, 2055 (the “Junior Subordinated Debentures”). The Junior Subordinated Debentures have been issued pursuant to the Company’s Indenture (For Unsecured Subordinated Debt Securities), dated as of March 1, 2025, with U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) (the Indenture, as supplemented by the officer’s certificate establishing the terms of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, being hereinafter referred to as the “Indenture”).
In our capacity as such counsel, we have examined the Registration Statement and the Indenture which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As to questions of fact material to the opinions expressed herein, we have relied upon representations and certifications of the officers of the Company and appropriate public officials without independent verification of such matters except as otherwise described herein. We have also examined or have caused to be examined such other documents and have satisfied ourselves as to such other matters as we have deemed necessary in order to render this opinion. In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of the documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as originals of the documents submitted to us as certified, facsimile or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. We have not examined the Junior Subordinated Debentures, except a specimen thereof, and we have relied upon a certificate of the Trustee as to the authentication and delivery thereof.
Subject to the foregoing and the further exceptions and qualifications set forth below, we are of the opinion that the Junior Subordinated Debentures are binding obligations of the Company.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius llp
101 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10178-0060    image_1.jpg +1.212.309.6000
United States    image_2.jpg +1.212.309.6001


We further note that the binding obligations of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, receivership, fraudulent transfer, preference, moratorium, reorganization or other similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights and by general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and principles of public policy, including the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief, and (ii) concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and by the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York. We have relied upon an opinion of even date herewith addressed to you by MardiLyn Saathoff, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President Regulatory of the Company, as to all matters of Oregon law. As to all matters of New York law, Ms. Saathoff is hereby authorized to rely on this opinion as though it were rendered to her.
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by the Company on or about March 18, 2025, which will be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. In giving the foregoing consent, we do not thereby admit that we belong to the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,

/s/ Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP