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BOOK-ENTRY-ONLY AUCTION-RATE/MONEY MARKET PREFERRED/
AND REMARKETED PREFERRED SECURITIES
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LETTER OF REPRESENTATIONS
[To be Completed by Issuer and Trust Company]
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[Name of Issuer]
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[Name of Trust Company]
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[Date]
Attention: General Counsel's Office
THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Re:
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[Issue description, including CUSIP number (the "Securities")]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter sets forth our understanding with respect to certain matters
relating to the Securities. Trust Company shall act as transfer agent,
registrar, dividend disbursing agent, redemption agent or other such agent with
respect to the Securities. The Securities have been issued pursuant to a
prospectus, private placement memorandum, or other such document authorizing the
issuance of the Securities dated______________________________ (the "Document").
____________________ is distributing the Securities through the Depository Trust
["Underwriter/
Placement Agent"]
Company ("DTC").
To induce DTC to accept the Securities as eligible for deposit at DTC, and
to act in accordance with its Rules with respect to the Securities, Issuer and
Trust Company make the following representations to DTC:
1. Prior to closing on the Securities on____________________ there shall be
deposited with DTC one or more Security certificates registered in the name of
DTC's nominee, Cede & Co., which represents 100% of the offering value of the
Securities. Said certificate(s) shall remain in DTC's custody as provided in the
Document. If, however, the aggregate principal amount of the Securities exceeds
$400 million, one certificate shall be issued with respect to each $400 million
of principal amount and an additional certificate shall be issued with respect
to any remaining principal amount. Each Security certificate shall bear the
following legend:
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized
representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York
corporation ("DTC"), to Issuer 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.
2. Issuer: (a) understands that DTC has no obligation to, and will not,
communicate to its participants ("Participants") or to any person having an
interest in the Securities any information contained in the Security
certificate(s); and (b) acknowledges that neither DTC's Participants nor any
person having an interest in the Securities shall be deemed to have notice of
the provisions of the Security certificate(s) by virtue of submission of such
certificate(s) to DTC.
3. In the event of any solicitation of consents from or voting by holders
of the Securities, Issuer shall establish a record date for such purposes (with
no provision for revocation of consents or votes by subsequent holders) and
shall send notice of such record date to DTC no fewer than 15 calendar days in
advance of such record date. Notices to DTC pursuant to this Paragraph by
telecopy shall be directed to DTC's Reorganization Department, Proxy Unit at
(000) 000-0000 or (000) 000-0000. If the party sending the notice does not
receive a telecopy receipt from DTC confirming that the notice has been
received, such party shall telephone (000) 000-0000. Notices to DTC pursuant to
this Paragraph, by mail or by any other means, shall be sent to:
Supervisor, Proxy Unit
Reorganization Department
The Depository Trust Company
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
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4. In the event of a full or partial redemption of the Secunities, Issuer
or Trust Company shall send a notice to DTC specifying: (a) the number of
Securities to be redeemed; and (b) the date such notice is to be distributed to
Security holders (the "Publication Date"). Such notice shall be sent to DTC by a
secure means (E.G., legible telecopy, registered or certified mail, overnight
delivery) in a timely manner designed to assure that such notice is in DTC's
possession no later than the close of business on the business day before or, if
possible, two business days before the Publication Date. Issuer or Trust Company
shall forward such notice either in a separate secure transmission for each
CUSIP number or in a secure transmission for multiple CUSIP numbers (if
applicable) which includes a manifest or list of each CUSIP number submitted in
that transmission. (The party sending such notice shall have a method to verify
subsequently the use of such means and the timeliness of such notice.) The
Publication Date shall be no fewer than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to
the redemption date. Notices to DTC pursuant to this Paragraph by telecopy shall
be directed to DTC's Call Notification Department at (000) 000-0000 or
(000) 000-0000. If the party sending the notice does not receive a telecopy
receipt from DTC confirming that the notice has been received, such party
shall telephone (000) 000-0000. Notices to DTC pursuant to this Paragraph, by
mail or by any other means, shall be sent to:
Manager, Call Notification Department
The Depository Trust Company
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
5. In the event of an invitation to tender the Securities (including
mandatory tenders, exchanges, and capital changes), notice by Issuer or Trust
Company to Security holders specifying the terms of the tender and the
Publication Date of such notice shall be sent to DTC by a secure means in the
manner set forth in the preceding Paragraph. Notices to DTC pursuant to this
Paragraph and notices of other corporate actions by telecopy shall be directed
to DTC's Reorganization Department at (000) 000-0000. If the party sending the
notice does not receive a telecopy receipt from DTC confirming that the notice
has been received, such party shall telephone (000) 000-0000. Notices to DTC
pursuant to this Paragraph, by mail or by any other means, shall be sent to:
Manager, Reorganization Department
Reorganization Window
The Depository Trust Company
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
6. All notices and payment advices sent to DTC shall contain the CUSIP
number of the Securities.
7. The Document indicates that the dividend rate for the Securities may
vary from time to time. Absent other existing arrangements with DTC, Issuer or
Trust Company shall give DTC notice of each such change in the dividend rate, on
the same day that the new rate is determined, by telephoning DTC's Dividend
Announcement Section at (000) 000-0000, or by telecopy sent to (000) 000-0000.
Such verbal or telecopy notice shall be followed by prompt written confirmation
sent by
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a secure means (E.G., legible telecopy, registered or certified mail, overnight
delivery) in a timely manner designed to assure that such notice is in DTC's
possession no later than the close of business on the business day before or, if
possible, two business days before the Publication Date. Issuer or Agent shall
forward such notice either in a separate secure transmission for each CUSIP
number or in a secure transmission for multiple CUSIP numbers (if applicable)
which includes a manifest or list of each CUSIP number submitted in that
transmission. (The party sending such notice shall have a method to verify
subsequently the use and timeliness of such notice.) Notices to DTC pursuant to
this Paragraph, by mail or by any other means, shall be sent to:
Manager, Announcements
Dividend Department
The Depository Trust Company
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
8. The Document indicates that each purchaser of Securities must sign a
purchaser's letter which contains provisions restricting transfer of the
Securities purchased. Issuer and Trust Company acknowledge that as long as Cede
& Co. is the sole record owner of the Securities, Cede & Co. shall be entitled
to all voting rights applicable to the Securities and to receive the full amount
of all dividends, liquidation proceeds, and redemption proceeds payable with
respect to the Securities, even if the credits of Securities to the DTC accounts
of any DTC Participant result from transfers or failures to transfer in
violation of the provisions of the purchaser's letter. Issuer and Trust Company
acknowledge that DTC shall treat any Participant having Securities credited to
its DTC accounts as entitled to the full benefits of ownership of such
Securities. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, Issuer
and Trust Company acknowledge that DTC shall treat any Participant having
Securities credited to its DTC accounts as entitled to receive dividends,
distributions, and voting rights, if any, in respect of Securities and, subject
to Paragraphs 12 and 13, to receive certificates evidencing Securities if such
certificates are to be issued in accordance with Issuer's certificate of
incorporation. (The treatment by DTC of the effects of the crediting by it of
Securities to the accounts of Participants described in the preceding two
sentences shall not affect the rights of Issuer, participants in auctions
relating to the Securities, purchasers, sellers, or holders of Securities
against any Participant.) DTC shall not have any responsibility to ascertain
whether any transfer of Securities is made in accordance with the provisions of
the purchaser's letter.
9. Issuer or Trust Company shall provide a written notice of dividend
payment and distribution information to DTC as soon as the information is
available. Issuer or Trust Company shall provide this information to DTC
electronically, as previously arranged by Issuer or Trust Company and DTC, as
soon as the information is available. If electronic transmission has not been
arranged, absent any other arrangements between Issuer or Trust Company and DTC,
such information shall be sent by telecopy to DTC's Dividend Department at
(000) 000-0000 or (000) 000-0000, and receipt of such notices shall be
confirmed by telephoning (000) 000-0000. Notices to DTC pursuant to this
Paragraph, by mail or by any other means, shall be addressed as indicated in
Paragraph 7.
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10. Dividend payments and distributions shall be received by Cede & Co., as
nominee of DTC, or its registered assigns, in same-day funds no later than 2:30
p.m. (Eastern Time) on the payment date. Issuer shall remit by 1:00 p.m.
(Eastern Time) on the payment date, dividend and distribution payments due Trust
Company, or at such earlier time as may be required by Trust Company to
guarantee that DTC shall receive payment in same-day funds no later than 2:30
p.m. (Eastern Time) on the payment date. Absent any other arrangements between
Issuer or Trust Company and DTC, such funds shall be wired to the Dividend
Deposit Account number that will be stamped on the signature page hereof at the
time DTC executes this Letter of Representations.
11. Issuer or Trust Company shall provide DTC, no later than 12:00 noon
(Eastern Time) on each payment date, automated notification of CUSIP-level
detail. If the circumstances prevent the funds paid to DTC from equaling the
dollar amount associated with the detail payments by 12:00 noon (Eastern
Time), Issuer or Trust Company must provide CUSIP-level reconciliation to DTC
no later than 2:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). Reconciliation must be provided by
either automated means or written format. Such reconciliation notice, if sent
by telecopy, shall be directed to DTC's Dividend Department at (000) 000-0000,
and receipt of such reconciliation notice shall be confirmed by telephoning
(000) 000-0000.
12. Redemption payments shall be received by Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC,
or its registered assigns, in same-day funds no later than 2:30 p.m. (Eastern
Time) on the payment date. Issuer shall remit by 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the
payment date all such redemption payments due Trust Company, or at such earlier
time as required by Trust Company to guarantee that DTC shall receive payment in
same-day funds no later than 2:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the payment date.
Absent any other arrangements between Issuer or Trust Company and DTC, such
funds shall be wired to the Redemption Deposit Account number that will be
stamped on the signature page hereof at the time DTC executes this Letter of
Representations.
13. Reorganization payments and CUSIP-level detail resulting from corporate
actions (such as tender offers, remarketings, or mergers) shall be received by
Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC, or its registered assigns, in same-day funds no
later than 2:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the payment date. Issuer shall remit by
1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the payment date all such reorganization payments
due Trust Company, or at such earlier time as required by Trust Company to
guarantee that DTC shall receive payment in same-day funds no later than 2:30
p.m. (Eastern Time) on the payment date. Absent any other arrangements between
Issuer or Trust Company and DTC, such funds shall be wired to the Reorganization
Deposit Account number that will be stamped on the signature page hereof at the
time DTC executes this Letter of Representations.
14. DTC may direct Issuer or Trust Company to use any other number or
address as the number or address to which notices or payments may be sent.
15. In the event of a redemption acceleration, or any similar transaction
(E.G., tender made and accepted in response to Issuer's or Trust Company's
invitation) necessitating a reduction in the number of Securities outstanding,
or an advance refunding of part of the Securities outstanding DTC, in its
discretion: (a) may request Issuer or Trust Company to issue and authenticate a
new Security certificate; or (b) may make an appropriate notation on the
Security certificate indicating the date and amount of such reduction in the
number of Securities outstanding, except in the case of final
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redemption, in which case the certificate will be presented to Issuer or Trust
Company prior to payment, if required
16. In the event that Issuer determines that beneficial owners of
Securities shall be able to obtain certificated Securities, Issuer or Trust
Company shall notify DTC of the availability of certificates. In such event,
Issuer or Trust Company shall issue, transfer, and exchange certificates in
appropriate amounts, as required by DTC and others.
17. DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository
with respect to the Securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to Issuer
or Trust Company (at which time DTC will confirm with Issuer or Trust Company
the aggregate principal amount of Securities outstanding). Under such
circumstances, at DTC's request, Issuer and Trust Company shall cooperate fully
with DTC by taking appropriate action to make available one or more separate
certificates evidencing Securities to any DTC Participant having Securities
credited to its DTC accounts.
18. Issuer hereby authorizes DTC to provide to Trust Company listings of
Participants' holdings, known as Security Position Listings ("SPLs") with
respect to the Securities from time to time at the request of Trust Company.
Issuer also authorizes DTC, in the event of a partial redemption of Securities,
to provide Trust Company, upon request, with the names of those Participants
whose positions in Securities have been selected for redemption by DTC. DTC will
use its best efforts to notify Trust Company of those Participants whose
positions in Securities have been selected for redemption by DTC. Issuer
authorizes and instructs Trust Company to provide DTC with such signatures,
examples of signatures, and authorizations to act as may be deemed necessary or
appropriate by DTC to permit DTC to discharge its obligations to its
Participants and appropriate regulatory authorities. DTC charges a customary fee
for such SPLs. This authorization, unless revoked by Issuer, shall continue with
respect to the Securities while any Securities are on deposit at DTC, until and
unless Trust Company shall no longer be acting. In such event, Issuer shall
provide DTC with similar evidence, satisfactory to DTC, of the authorization of
any successor thereto so to act. Requests for SPLs shall be directed to the
Proxy Unit of DTC's Reorganization Department at (000) 000-0000 or
(000) 000-0000. Receipt of such requests shall be confirmed by telephoning
(000) 000-0000. Delivery by mail or by any other means, with respect to such
SPL request, shall be directed to the address indicated in Paragraph 3.
19. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require Trust Company to advance
funds on behalf of Issuer.
20. This Letter of Representations may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original,
but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same
instrument.
21. This Letter of Representations shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to
principles of conflicts of law.
22. The sender of each notice delivered to DTC pursuant to this Letter of
Representations is responsible for confirming that such notice was properly
received by DTC.
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23. Issuer recognizes that DTC does not in any way undertake to, and shall
not have any responsibility to, monitor or ascertain the compliance of any
transactions in the Securities with the following, as amended from time to time:
(a) any exemptions from registration under the Securities Act of 1933; (b) the
Investment Company Act of 1940; (c) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974; (d) the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; (e) any rules of any
self-regulatory organizations (as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934); or (f) any other local, state, or federal laws or regulations thereunder.
24. Issuer and Trust Company shall comply with the applicable requirements
stated in DTC's Operational Arrangements, as they may be amended from time to
time. DTC's Operational Arrangements are posted on DTC's website at
"xxx.XXX.xxx."
25. The following rider(s), attached hereto, are hereby incorporated into
this Letter of Representations:
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NOTES:
A. IF THERE IS A TRUST COMPANY (AS DEFINED IN THIS LETTER OF REPRESENTATIONS),
TRUST COMPANY, AS WELL AS ISSUER, MUST SIGN THIS LETTER. IF THERE IS NO TRUST
COMPANY, IN SIGNING THIS LETTER ISSUER ITSELF UNDERTAKES TO PERFORM ALL OF THE
OBLIGATIONS SET FORTH HEREIN.
B. SCHEDULE B CONTAINS STATEMENTS THAT DTC BELIEVES ACCURATELY DESCRIBE DTC, THE
METHOD OF EFFECTING BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFERS OF SECURITIES DISTRIBUTED THROUGH DTC,
AND CERTAIN RELATED MATTERS.
Very truly yours,
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[Issuer]
By:
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[Authorized Officer's Signature]
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[Trust Company]
By:
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[Authorized Officer's Signature]
Received and Accepted:
THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
cc: Underwriter
Underwriter's Counsel
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SCHEDULE A
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[Describe Issue]
CUSIP Number Share Total Value ($Amount)
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SCHEDULE B
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SAMPLE OFFERING DOCUMENT LANGUAGE
DESCRIBING BOOK-ENTRY-ONLY ISSUANCE
-----------------------------------
(Prepared by DTC--bracketed material may be applicable only to certain issues)
1. The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), New York, NY, will act as
securities depository for the securities (the "Securities"). The Securities will
be issued as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co.
(DTC's partnership nominee) or such other name as may be requested by an
authorized representative of DTC. One fully-registered Security certificate will
be issued for [each issue of] the Securities, [each] in the aggregate principal
amount of such issue, and will be deposited with DTC. [If, however, the
aggregate principal amount of [any] issue exceeds $400 million, one certificate
will be issued with respect to each $400 million of principal amount and an
additional certificate will be issued with respect to any remaining principal
amount of such issue.]
2. DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York
Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking
Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. DTC holds securities that its participants ("Direct Participants")
deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among Direct Participants
of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited
securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in Direct
Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
securities certificates. Direct Participants include securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other
organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by the
New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange LLC, and the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also
available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks, and trust
companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct
Participant, either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). The Rules
applicable to DTC and its Direct and Indirect Participants are on file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
3. Purchases of Securities under the DTC system must be made by or through
Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Securities on DTC's
records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each Security
("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect
Participants' records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation
from DTC of their purchase, but Beneficial Owners are expected to receive
written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic
statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through
which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership
interests in the Securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books
of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners.
Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership
interests in Securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system
for the Securities is discontinued.
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4. To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Securities deposited by Direct
Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC's partnership nominee,
Cede & Co. or such other name as may be requested by an authorized
representative of DTC. The deposit of Securities with DTC and their registration
in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee do not effect any change in
beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of
the Secunities; DTC's records reflect only the identity of the Direct
Participants to whose accounts such Securities are credited, which may or may
not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct and Indirect Participants will remain
responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
5. Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct
Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct
Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial owners will be governed by
arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as
may be in effect from time to time. [Beneficial Owners of Securities may wish to
take certain steps to augment transmission to them of notices of significant
events with respect to the Securities, such as redemptions, tenders, defaults,
and proposed amendments to the security documents. Beneficial Owners of
Securities may wish to ascertain that the nominee holding the Securities for
their benefit has agreed to obtain and transmit notices to Beneficial Owners, or
in the alternative, Beneficial Owners may wish to provide their names and
addresses to the registrar and request that copies of the notices be provided
directly to them.]
[6. Redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the
Securities within an issue are being redeemed, DTC's practice is to determine by
lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be
redeemed.]
7. Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor such other DTC nominee) will consent or
vote with respect to the Securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an
Omnibus Proxy to Issuer as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus
Proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct
Participants to whose accounts the Securities are credited on the record date
(identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
8. Redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments on the
Securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested
by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC's practice is to credit Direct
Participants' accounts, upon DTC's receipt of funds and corresponding detail
information from Issuer or Agent on payable date in accordance with their
respective holdings shown on DTC's records. Payments by Participants to
Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary
practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in
bearer form or registered in "street name," and will be the responsibility of
such Participant and not of DTC, Agent, or Issuer, subject to any statutory or
regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of
redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividends to Cede & Co. (or such other
nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is the
responsibility of Issuer or Agent, disbursement of such payments to Direct
Participants shall be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such
payments to the Beneficial Owners shall be the responsibility of Direct and
Indirect Participants.
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[9. A Beneficial Owner shall give notice to elect to have its Securities
purchased or tendered, through its Participant, to [Tender/Remarketing] Agent,
and shall effect delivery of such Securities by causing the Direct Participant
to transfer the Participant's interest in the Securities, on DTC's records, to
[Tender/Remarketing] Agent. The requirement for physical delivery of Securities
in connection with an optional tender or a mandatory purchase will be deemed
satisfied when the ownership rights in the Securities are transferred by Direct
Participants on DTC's records and followed by a book-entry credit of tendered
Securities to [Tender/Remarketing] Agent's DTC account.]
10. DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository
with respect to the Securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to Issuer
or Agent. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities
depository is not obtained, Security certificates are required to be printed and
delivered.
11. Issuer may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry
transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event,
Security certificates will be printed and delivered.
12. The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry
system has been obtained from sources that Issuer believes to be reliable, but
Issuer takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
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