BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., Trustee TWENTY-SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE Dated as of June 7, 2022 to INDENTURE Dated as of December 1, 1995 4.450% Debentures due January 15, 2053
Exhibit 4.1
EXECUTION VERSION
BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
Trustee
TWENTY-SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
Dated as of June 7, 2022
to
Dated as of December 1, 1995
4.450% Debentures due January 15, 2053
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||
| ARTICLE I |
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| Definitions |
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| SECTION 1.01. | Definition of Terms |
2 | ||||
| ARTICLE II |
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| General Terms and Conditions of the Debentures |
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| SECTION 2.01. | Designation and Principal Amount |
2 | ||||
| SECTION 2.02. | Maturity |
2 | ||||
| SECTION 2.03. | Further Issues |
2 | ||||
| SECTION 2.04. | Form and Payment |
2 | ||||
| SECTION 2.05. | Global Securities |
3 | ||||
| SECTION 2.06. | Definitive Form |
3 | ||||
| SECTION 2.07. | Interest |
3 | ||||
| SECTION 2.08. | Authorized Denominations |
3 | ||||
| SECTION 2.09. | Redemption |
4 | ||||
| SECTION 2.10. | Change of Control |
6 | ||||
| SECTION 2.11. | Appointment of Agents |
8 | ||||
| SECTION 2.12. | Replacement Capital Covenant Waiver |
8 | ||||
| ARTICLE III |
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| Form of Debentures |
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| SECTION 3.01. | Form of Debentures |
9 | ||||
| ARTICLE IV |
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| Original Issue of Debentures |
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| SECTION 4.01. | Original Issue of Debentures |
9 | ||||
| ARTICLE V |
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| Miscellaneous |
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| SECTION 5.01. | Ratification of Indenture |
9 | ||||
| SECTION 5.02. | Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals |
9 | ||||
| SECTION 5.03. | Governing Law |
9 | ||||
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| SECTION 5.04. | Separability |
9 | ||||
| SECTION 5.05. | Counterparts |
10 | ||||
| SECTION 5.06. | Certain Rights of the Trustee |
10 | ||||
| SECTION 5.07. | Waiver of Trial by Jury |
11 | ||||
| SECTION 5.08. | Submission to Jurisdiction |
11 | ||||
| SECTION 5.09. | Notices |
11 | ||||
| SECTION 5.10. | Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) |
12 | ||||
| SECTION 5.11. | Force Majeure |
12 | ||||
| EXHIBIT A | Form of Debentures |
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TWENTY-SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of June 7, 2022 (this “Supplemental Indenture”), between Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC, a limited liability company duly formed and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (as successor-in-interest to Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation), having its principal office at 0000 Xxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 00000-0000 (the “Company”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), a national banking association, as successor-in-interest to X.X. Xxxxxx Trust Company, National Association, as successor-in-interest to Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as successor-in-interest to The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee (the “Trustee”), having a corporate trust office at 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 (such address, as changed from time to time by the Trustee with notice to the Holders, the “Corporate Trust Office”).
WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered the indenture, dated as of December 1, 1995, to the Trustee, as supplemented by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 11, 2010 (as heretofore supplemented, the “Indenture”), to provide for the issuance of the Company’s debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company desires to provide for the establishment of a new series of Securities under the Indenture to be known as its “4.450% Debentures due January 15, 2053” (the “Debentures”), the form and substance of such series and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company, pursuant to the resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on June 2, 2021 and April 27, 2022 has duly authorized the issuance of the Debentures, and has authorized the proper officers of the Company to execute any and all appropriate documents necessary or appropriate to effect each such issuance;
WHEREAS, this Supplemental Indenture is being entered into pursuant to the provisions of Section 901(7) of the Indenture;
WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, and to make the Debentures, when manually or electronically executed by the Company and manually or electronically authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, the valid obligations of the Company, have been performed, and the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized in all respects;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase and acceptance of the Debentures by the Holders thereof, and for the purpose of setting forth, as provided in the Indenture, the forms and terms of the Debentures, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee, as follows:
ARTICLE I
Definitions
SECTION 1.01. Definition of Terms. Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) each term defined in the Indenture has the same meaning when used in this Supplemental Indenture;
(b) the singular includes the plural and vice versa; and
(c) headings are for convenience of reference only and do not affect interpretation.
ARTICLE II
General Terms and Conditions of the Debentures
SECTION 2.01. Designation and Principal Amount. There is hereby authorized and established a series of Securities under the Indenture, designated as the “4.450% Debentures due January 15, 2053”, which is not limited in aggregate principal amount. The aggregate principal amount of the Debentures to be issued shall be as set forth in any Company Order for the authentication and delivery of the Debentures, pursuant to Section 303 of the Indenture.
SECTION 2.02. Maturity. The Stated Maturity of principal for the Debentures will be January 15, 2053.
SECTION 2.03. Further Issues. The Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of the Debentures, issue additional debentures of that series. Any such additional debentures will have the same ranking, interest rate, maturity date and other terms as the Debentures, except for the issue date and, if applicable, the initial interest accrual date and the initial Interest Payment Date. Any such additional debentures, together with the Debentures herein provided for, will constitute a single series of Securities under the Indenture.
SECTION 2.04. Form and Payment. Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debentures will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City 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 payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address
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of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register. If any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of the Debentures shall not be a Business Day in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, then payment of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such office or agency with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay.
SECTION 2.05. Global Securities. Upon the original issuance, the Debentures will be represented by one or more Global Securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). The Company will issue the Debentures in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof and will deposit the Global Securities with DTC or its custodian and register the Global Securities in the name of Cede & Co. DTC shall be the initial Depositary for the Debentures.
SECTION 2.06. Definitive Form. If (a) (i) the Depositary has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Debentures or (ii) the Depositary has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and in either case a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of notice thereof, (b) an Event of Default has occurred with regard to the Debentures and has not been cured or waived, or (c) the Company at any time and in its sole discretion and subject to the procedures of the Depositary determines not to have the Debentures represented by Global Securities, the Company may issue the Debentures in definitive form in exchange for such Global Securities. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in Debentures will be entitled to physical delivery in definitive form of Debentures, equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and to have Debentures registered in its name as shall be established in a Company Order.
SECTION 2.07. Interest. The Debentures will bear interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) from June 7, 2022 at the rate of 4.450% per annum, payable semi-annually; interest payable on each Interest Payment Date will include interest accrued from June 7, 2022, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for; the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable are January 15 and July 15, commencing on January 15, 2023; and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date is the close of business on the January 1 or July 1, as the case may be, immediately preceding the relevant Interest Payment Date, whether or not that day is a Business Day.
SECTION 2.08. Authorized Denominations. The Debentures shall be issuable in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
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SECTION 2.09. Redemption. Prior to July 15, 2052 (six months prior to their Stated Maturity) (the “Par Call Date”), the Company may redeem the Debentures at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:
(1) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Debentures matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 25 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption Date, and
(2) 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures to be redeemed,
plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.
On or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.
“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs. The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the Redemption Date.
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If on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding such Redemption Date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.
The Company’s actions and determinations in determining the Redemption Price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Company shall give the Trustee notice of such Redemption Price promptly after the calculation thereof and the Trustee shall have no responsibility for such calculation.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures) at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Debentures to be redeemed.
In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the registered Debentures for redemption will be made by lot by the Trustee. No Debentures of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Debenture in registered form is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such Debenture will state the portion of the principal amount of such Debenture to be redeemed. A new registered Debenture in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of such Debenture will be issued in the name of the Holder of such Debenture upon surrender for cancellation of the original registered Debenture. For so long as the Debentures are held by DTC (or another Depositary), the redemption of the Debentures shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Depositary.
Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Redemption Date interest will cease to accrue on the Debentures or portions thereof called for redemption.
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SECTION 2.10. Change of Control. (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem all Debentures in accordance with the redemption terms as set forth in the Debentures by giving notice of such redemption to the Holders of the Debentures pursuant to Section 1104 of the Indenture (as supplemented and amended by Section 2.09 of this Supplemental Indenture) prior to the 30th day following the Change of Control Repurchase Event, the Company shall make an irrevocable offer to each Holder of Debentures to repurchase all or any part (in integral multiples of $1,000) of such Holder’s Debentures at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Debentures repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the Debentures repurchased to, but not including, the date of repurchase (the “Repurchase Price”).
(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control, but in either case, after the public announcement of the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control, the Company shall transmit to each Holder of Debentures, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice:
(i) describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event;
(ii) offering to repurchase all Debentures tendered;
(iii) setting forth the payment date for the repurchase of the Debentures, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is transmitted (the “Repurchase Date”);
(iv) if transmitted prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, stating that the offer to repurchase is conditioned on a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurring on or prior to the Repurchase Date;
(v) disclosing that any Debenture not tendered for repurchase will continue to accrue interest; and
(vi) specifying the procedures for tendering Debentures.
(c) The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Debentures as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 2.10, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 2.10 by virtue of such conflict.
(d) On the Repurchase Date following a Change of Control Repurchase Event, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:
(i) accept for payment all Debentures or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to such offer;
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(ii) deposit with the Trustee an amount equal to the aggregate Repurchase Price in respect of all Debentures or portions thereof properly tendered; and
(iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Debentures properly accepted, together with an Officers’ Certificate of the Company stating the aggregate principal amount of Debentures or portions thereof being repurchased by the Company.
(e) The Trustee will promptly transmit to each Holder of Debentures properly tendered the Repurchase Price for such Debentures, and the Trustee, upon the execution and delivery by the Company of such Debentures, will promptly authenticate and cause to be transferred by book-entry to each Holder a new Debenture equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of any Debentures surrendered; provided that each new Debenture will be in a principal amount of a minimum denomination of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
(f) The Company shall not be required to make an offer to repurchase the Debentures upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company and such third party purchases all Debentures properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.
(g) Solely for purposes of this Section 2.10 in connection with the Debentures, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Below Investment Grade Ratings Event” means that on any day within the 60-day period (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Debentures is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies) after the earlier of (i) the occurrence of a Change of Control; or (ii) public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or the intention by the Company to effect a Change of Control, the Debentures are rated below Investment Grade by each of the Rating Agencies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Below Investment Grade Ratings Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Ratings Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Repurchase Event hereunder) if the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the Trustee in writing that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of such ratings reduction).
“Change of Control” means the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than Berkshire Hathaway Inc., its Subsidiaries, or its or such Subsidiaries’
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employee benefit plans, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s Voting Stock or other Voting Stock into which the Company’s Voting Stock is reclassified, consolidated, exchanged or changed, measured by voting power rather than number of shares.
“Change of Control Repurchase Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Ratings Event.
“Investment Grade” means a rating of Baa3 or better by Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor ratings category of Moody’s); a rating of BBB- or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor ratings category of S&P); and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any additional Rating Agency or Rating Agencies selected by the Company.
“Moody’s” means Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
“Rating Agency” means (a) each of Moody’s and S&P; and (b) if either of Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Debentures or fails to make a rating of the Debentures publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, selected by the Company (as certified by a written consent or resolution of the Company’s board of directors) as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or both of them, as the case may be.
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and its successors.
“Voting Stock” of any specified “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) as of any date means the capital stock (or other equity interests) of such person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors (or other equivalent body) of such person.
SECTION 2.11. Appointment of Agents. The Trustee will initially be the Security Registrar and Paying Agent for the Debentures and will act through its designated offices in New York, New York.
SECTION 2.12. Replacement Capital Covenant Waiver. Each Holder of a Debenture by its acceptance of a Debenture shall be deemed to have consented to the elimination of the Replacement Capital Covenant (“Replacement Capital Covenant”), dated as of December 15, 2005, by the Company, as successor-in-interest to Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, in favor of and for the benefit of each Covered Debtholder (as defined therein) and all obligations of the Company pursuant to the Replacement Capital Covenant. This consent shall be deemed to have been made on the date of issuance of the Debentures and on each day that the Debentures remain Outstanding, although the elimination of the Replacement Capital Covenant will become operative only if the Debentures are designated to be the Covered Debt (as defined in the Replacement Capital Covenant) for purposes of the Replacement Capital Covenant. The Trustee is authorized to take any action requested by the Company to evidence such consent without further notice to or approval of the Holders of the Debentures.
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ARTICLE III
Form of Debentures
SECTION 3.01. Form of Debentures. The Debentures and the Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication to be endorsed thereon are to be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
ARTICLE IV
Original Issue of Debentures
SECTION 4.01. Original Issue of Debentures. The Debentures may, upon execution of this Supplemental Indenture, be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall, upon Company Order, authenticate and deliver such Debentures as in such Company Order provided.
ARTICLE V
Miscellaneous
SECTION 5.01. Ratification of Indenture. The Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed part of the Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided; provided that the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture apply solely with respect to the Debentures.
SECTION 5.02. Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals. The recitals herein contained are made by the Company and not by the Trustee, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness thereof. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.
SECTION 5.03. Governing Law. This Supplemental Indenture and the Debentures shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
SECTION 5.04. Separability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplemental Indenture or the Debentures shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Supplemental Indenture or of the Debentures, but this Supplemental Indenture and the Debentures shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.
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SECTION 5.05. Counterparts. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of electronic or telecommunication), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., xxx.xxxxxxxx.xxx) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
SECTION 5.06. Certain Rights of the Trustee. No provision of the Indenture or this Supplemental 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 thereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, with respect to the Debentures or this Supplemental Indenture, 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.
The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any default or Event of Default with respect to a series of Debentures unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office has received actual written or electronic notice of any event which is in fact such a default, and such notice references the existence of a default or Event of Default, the Debentures of such series and this Indenture. When used in this paragraph, 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 a series of Debentures. The Trustee agrees to accept notice pursuant to this paragraph sent by unsecured electronic transmission; provided, however, that (1) the party providing such written notice, subsequent to such transmission of written notice, shall provide the originally executed notice to the Trustee in a timely manner, and (2) such originally executed notice shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such notice. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reasonable reliance upon such notice notwithstanding such notice is inconsistent with a subsequent notice.
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.
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 principal amount of the outstanding Debentures.
Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee, pursuant to Section 704 of the Indenture, is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive notice or knowledge of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).
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With respect to this Supplemental Indenture and the Debentures, in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, 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.
SECTION 5.07. Waiver of Trial by Jury. EACH OF THE COMPANY 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 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE DEBENTURES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY.
SECTION 5.08. Submission to Jurisdiction. The Company and the Trustee each hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York or any federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York in respect of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Supplemental Indenture and the Debentures, and irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts.
SECTION 5.09. Notices. The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions (“Instructions”) given pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture and delivered using Electronic Means; provided, however, that the Company, as applicable, shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing officers with the authority to provide such Instructions (“Authorized Officers”) and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Officers, which incumbency certificate shall be amended by the Company, as applicable, whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company, as applicable, 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. 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 directions that purport to have been sent by 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 such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Company and all Authorized Officers are solely responsible to safeguard the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Company, as applicable. 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 notwithstanding such directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees: (i) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including without limitation the
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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 use of Electronic Means for transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the Electronic Means selected by the Company, as applicable; (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. “Electronic Means” shall mean the following communications methods: e-mail, facsimile transmission, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified by the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Supplemental Indenture or any Debenture, where this Supplemental Indenture or any Debenture 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 DTC (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from DTC or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with accepted practices at DTC.
SECTION 5.10. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). The Company agrees (i) to provide the Trustee with such reasonable information as it has in its possession to enable the Trustee to determine whether any payments pursuant to the Indenture are subject to the withholding requirements described in Section 1471(b) of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and any regulations, or agreements thereunder or official interpretations thereof (“Applicable Law”), and (ii) that the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under the Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law, for which the Trustee shall not have any liability.
SECTION 5.11. 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, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, epidemics or pandemics, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; 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.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.
| BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC | ||
| By | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |
| Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Title: Executive Vice
President and | ||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee | ||
| By | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx | |
| Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx Title: Vice President | ||
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF DEBENTURES
Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC
4.450% Debenture due January 15, 2053
| REGISTERED No. R- |
$ CUSIP No. 12189L BJ9 |
[Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York Corporation (“DTC”), to the 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 may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as may be 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.]
This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of a Depositary or a nominee thereof. This Security may not be exchanged in whole or in part for a Security registered, and no transfer of this Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than such Depositary or a nominee thereof, except in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture.
BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC, a limited liability company duly formed and existing under the laws of Delaware (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum of ($ ) on January 15, 2053, and to pay interest thereon from June 7, 2022 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 in each year, commencing January 15, 2023, at the rate of 4.450% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such 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 January 1 or July 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. 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 said Indenture.
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City 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 payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register. If any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of this Security shall not be a Business Day in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, then payment of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such office or agency with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay.
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.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual or electronic signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
Dated:
| BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC | ||||
| by |
| |||
| Name: Title: |
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Executive Vice President
and | |||
| Attest: |
|
|
| Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
| Title: Assistant Secretary |
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated:
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee | ||||
| by |
| |||
| Authorized Signatory | ||||
[REVERSE OF DEBENTURE]
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, dated as of December 1, 1995, between the Company, as successor-in-interest to Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as successor-in-interest to X.X. Xxxxxx Trust Company, National Association, as successor-in-interest to Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as successor-in-interest to The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), as supplemented by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 11, 2010, among Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, R Acquisition Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (subsequently renamed Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC), and the Trustee and the Twenty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 7, 2022, between the Company and the Trustee (herein called the “Indenture”, which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), and reference is hereby made to the Indenture 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. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, initially limited in the aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000,000. The Company may, without the consent of the Holders of the Securities of this series, issue additional Securities of this series and thereby increase such principal amount in the future, on the same terms and conditions and with the same CUSIP number as this Security, except as provided in said Twenty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture.
Prior to July 15, 2052 (six months prior to their maturity date) (the “Par Call Date”), the Company may redeem the Securities of this series at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:
(1) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Securities of this series matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined in said Twenty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture) plus 25 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption Date, and
(2) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities of this series to be redeemed,
plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.
On or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem the Securities of this series, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities of this series being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.
In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the registered Securities of this series for redemption will be made by lot by the Trustee. No Securities of this series of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Security of this series in registered form is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such Security of this series will state the portion of the principal amount of such Security of this series to be redeemed. A new registered Security of this series in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of such Security of this series will be issued in the name of the Holder of such Security of this series upon surrender for cancellation of the original registered Security of this series. For so long as the Securities of this series are held by DTC (or another Depositary), the redemption of the Securities of this series shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Depositary.
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event (as defined in said Twenty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture), unless the Company has exercised its right of redemption as described above by giving notice of such redemption to the Holders of the Securities of this series pursuant to Section 1104 of the Indenture (as supplemented and amended by Section 2.09 of said Twenty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture) prior to the 30th day following the Change of Control Repurchase Event, each Holder of Securities of this series shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (in integral multiples of $1,000) of such Holder’s Securities pursuant to the Change of Control notice as provided in, and subject to the terms of, said Twenty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this series repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of repurchase.
As provided in the Twenty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture, each Holder of a Security of this series by its acceptance of a Security of this series shall be deemed to have consented to the elimination of the Replacement Capital Covenant (“Replacement Capital Covenant”), dated as of December 15, 2005, by the Company, as successor-in-interest to Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, in favor of and for the benefit of each Covered Debtholder (as defined therein) and all obligations of the Company pursuant to the Replacement Capital Covenant. This consent shall be deemed to have been made on the date of issuance of the Securities of this series and on each day that the Securities of this series remain Outstanding, although the elimination of the Replacement Capital Covenant will become operative only if the Securities of this series are designated to be the Covered Debt (as defined in the Replacement Capital Covenant) for purposes of the Replacement Capital Covenant. The Trustee is authorized to take any action requested by the Company to evidence such consent without further notice to or approval of the Holders of the Securities of this series.
The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security or certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
The 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 Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in 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 Indenture and certain past defaults under the 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 Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, 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 not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and the Trustee 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 (or in the case of a redemption on or after the Redemption Date).
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the 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.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the 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 of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
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.
Prior to due presentment of this 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 this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security is overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
