Attachment: WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION 8-K

Exhibit 1.1

EXECUTION VERSION

 


$300,000,000
 

World Acceptance Corporation
 

7.000% Senior Notes due 2026
 



PURCHASE AGREEMENT
 








Dated:  September 22, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 



Page




Section 1.
Representations and Warranties
 2
       
Section 2.
Sale and Delivery to Initial Purchasers; Closing; Agreements to Sell, Purchase and Resell
 17
       
Section 3.
Covenants of the Company and the Guarantors
 18
       
Section 4.
Payment of Expenses
 22
       
Section 5.
Conditions of Initial Purchasers’ Obligations
 23
       
Section 6.
Indemnification
 26
       
Section 7.
Contribution
 29
       
Section 8.
Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery
 30
       
Section 9.
Termination of Agreement
 30
       
Section 10.
Default by One or More of the Initial Purchasers
 31
       
Section 11.
Notices
 32
       
Section 12.
Parties
 32
       
Section 13.
GOVERNING LAW AND TIME
 33
       
Section 14.
Effect of Headings
 33
       
Section 15.
Definitions
 33
       
Section 16.
Permitted Free Writing Documents
 34
       
Section 17.
Absence of Fiduciary Relationship
 35
       
Section 18.
Research Analyst Independence and Other Activities of the Initial Purchasers
 35
       
Section 19.
Waiver of Jury Trial
 36
       
Section 20.
Consent to Jurisdiction
 36
       
Section 21.
Counterparts
 36
       
Section 22.
Entire Agreement
 36
-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)

Page




Section 23.
Recognition of U.S. Special Resolution Regimes
 36
-ii-
SCHEDULES
Schedule A – Initial Purchasers
Schedule B – Guarantors
Schedule C – Subsidiaries of the Company
Schedule D – Form of Pricing Term Sheet
Schedule E – Amendments; Issuer Free Writing Documents
$300,000,000
 
World Acceptance Corporation
 
7.000% Senior Notes due 2026
 
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
 
September 22, 2021
 
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
As Representative of the several Initial Purchasers
c/o Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
550 S. Tryon Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
World Acceptance Corporation, a South Carolina corporation (the “Company”), confirms its agreement with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“Wells Fargo”) and each of the other Initial Purchasers named on Schedule A hereto (collectively, the “Initial Purchasers,” which term shall also include any person substituted for an Initial Purchaser pursuant to Section 10 hereof), for whom Wells Fargo is acting as representative (in such capacity, the “Representative”), with respect to the issue and sale by the Company and the purchase by the Initial Purchasers, acting severally and not jointly, of $300,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 7.000% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Securities”).  The Securities will be issued pursuant to an Indenture to be dated as of the Closing Date (as defined herein) (the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors referred to below, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”).  The Company’s obligations under the Securities, including the due and punctual payment of principal and interest thereon, will be irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured senior basis (the “Guarantees”) by the guarantors named on Schedule B hereto (together, the “Guarantors”).  As used herein, the term “Securities” shall include the Guarantees, unless the context otherwise requires.  Certain terms used in this purchase agreement (this “Agreement”) are defined in Section 15 hereof.
 
The Securities will be offered and sold to the Initial Purchasers without registration under the 1933 Act, in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act.  The Company and the Guarantors have prepared a preliminary offering memorandum, dated September 21, 2021 (the “Preliminary Offering Memorandum”), a pricing term sheet substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule D (the “Pricing Term Sheet”) setting forth the terms of the Securities omitted from the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and an offering memorandum, dated September 22, 2021 (the “Offering Memorandum”), setting forth information regarding the Company and the Securities.  The Preliminary Offering Memorandum, as supplemented and amended as of the Applicable Time, together with the Pricing Term Sheet and any of the documents listed on Schedule E(1) hereto are collectively referred to as the “General Disclosure Package.”  The Company and the Guarantors hereby confirm that they have authorized the use of the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum in connection with the offering and resale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers.
1
Any reference to the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum shall be deemed to refer to and include the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and all subsequent documents filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the 1934 Act, on or prior to the date of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, as the case may be, and are incorporated by reference therein.  Any reference to the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, as the case may be, as amended or supplemented, as of any specified date, shall be deemed to include any documents filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the 1934 Act after the date of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, as the case may be, and prior to such specified date and are incorporated by reference therein.  All documents filed under the 1934 Act and so deemed to be included in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, as the case may be, or any amendment or supplement thereto are hereinafter called the “Exchange Act Reports.”
 
You have advised the Company that you will offer and resell (the “Exempt Resales”) the Securities purchased by you hereunder on the terms set forth in each of the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, as amended or supplemented, solely to (i) persons whom you reasonably believe to be “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the 1933 Act (“QIBs”), and (ii) non-U.S. persons in compliance with Regulation S under the 1933 Act (“Regulation S”).  Those persons specified in clauses (i) and (ii) of this paragraph are referred to herein as “Eligible Purchasers.”
 
Section 1.        Representations and Warranties.
 
(a)          Representations and Warranties by the Company and the Guarantors.  The Company and each Guarantor, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to each Initial Purchaser as of the date hereof, as of the Applicable Time, and as of the Closing Date referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agree with each Initial Purchaser, as follows:
 
(1)
Rule 144A Information.  Each of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, each as of its respective date, contains all the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the 1933 Act.

(2)
No Stop Orders. The Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum have been prepared by the Company and the Guarantors for use by the Initial Purchasers in connection with the Exempt Resales.  No order or decree preventing the use of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, or any order asserting that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, has been issued, and no proceeding for that purpose has commenced or is pending.
2
(3)
No Material Misstatement or Omission.  (i) The Preliminary Offering Memorandum, as of the date thereof, did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (ii) the General Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (iii) the Offering Memorandum, as of the date thereof, did not, and at the Closing Date, will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (iv) each Issuer Free Writing Document set forth on Schedule E, when taken together with the General Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, did not, and, at the Closing Date, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

    
The representations and warranties in the preceding paragraph do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Offering Memorandum, the General Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Document or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information relating to any Initial Purchaser furnished to the Company by such Initial Purchaser through the Representative expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Initial Purchasers as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(b) hereof.

(4)
Exchange Act Reports.  The Exchange Act Reports incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, at the respective times they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, complied or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations and did not or 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.

(5)
Reporting Compliance.  The Company is subject to, and is in full compliance in all material respects with, the reporting requirements of Section 13 and Section 15(d), as applicable, of the 1934 Act.

(6)
Independent Accountants.  RSM US LLP is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries  as required by the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act, the 1934 Act Regulations and the rules and regulations applicable to such firm of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
3
(7)
Financial Statements.  The consolidated financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, together with the related schedules (if any) and notes thereto, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of 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.  All of 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 to such financial statements, if any, included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum present fairly in all material respects the information required to be stated therein.  The information in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum under the captions “Summary Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data” and “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data” presents fairly in all material respects the information shown therein and has been prepared on a basis consistent with that of the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.  The other financial information included in each of the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and presents fairly in all material respects the information shown thereby.  The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum 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.

(8)
No Material Adverse Change in Business.  Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto 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 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 Offering Memorandum, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, 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) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock.
4
(9)
Good Standing of the Company, the Guarantors and Subsidiaries.  Each of the Company, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries has been duly organized or incorporated, as the case may be, and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its jurisdiction of organization or incorporation, as the case may be, and has power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum and to enter into and perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents.  Each of the Company, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in the state of its principal place of business and 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 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)
Ownership of Subsidiaries.  All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company that is a corporation, all of the issued and outstanding partnership interests of each subsidiary of the Company that is a limited or general partnership and all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests, membership interests or other similar interests of each subsidiary of the Company 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, except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum.  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.  The only subsidiaries of the Company are the subsidiaries listed on Schedule C hereto and Schedule C accurately sets forth whether each such subsidiary is a corporation, limited or general partnership or limited liability company and the jurisdiction of organization of each such subsidiary and, in the case of any subsidiary which is a partnership or limited liability company, its general partners and managing members, respectively.

(11)
Capitalization.  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.  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.  As of June 30, 2021 on a consolidated basis, the Company has a capitalization as set forth under the column “Actual” in the Offering Memorandum under the caption “Capitalization,” and after giving effect to the issuance and sale of the Securities pursuant hereto and the use of the net proceeds therefrom in the manner set forth in the Offering Memorandum, the Company would have a capitalization as set forth under the column “As Adjusted” in the Offering Memorandum under the caption “Capitalization.”

(12)
No Other Securities of Same Class. When the Securities and the Guarantees are issued and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, such Securities and Guarantees will not be of the same class (within the meaning of Rule 144A under the 1933 Act) as securities of the Company or the Guarantors that are listed on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the 1934 Act or that are quoted in a United States automated inter-dealer quotation system.
5
(13)
No Registration.  No registration under the 1933 Act of the Securities and the Guarantees, and no qualification of the Indenture under the 1939 Act with respect thereto, is required for the sale of the Securities and the Guarantees to you as contemplated hereby or for the initial resale of Securities by you to the Eligible Purchasers, assuming the accuracy of the Initial Purchasers’ representations in this Agreement.

(14)
No General Solicitation.  No form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act (including, but not limited to, advertisements, articles, notices or other communications published in any newspaper, magazine or similar medium or broadcast over television or radio, or any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising) was or will be used by the Company or any of its affiliates or any of its representatives (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company and the Guarantors make no representation) in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities.

(15)
Regulation S Compliance.  The Company is a Category 2 issuer for purposes of Regulation S.  No directed selling efforts within the meaning of Rule 902 under the 1933 Act were or will be used by the Company and its subsidiaries or any of their representatives (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company and the Guarantors make no representation) with respect to Securities sold in reliance on Regulation S, and the Company, any affiliate of the Company and any person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company and the Guarantors make no representation) has complied with and will implement the “offering restrictions” required by Rule 902 under the 1933 Act.

(16)
No Integration.  Neither the Company, any Guarantor nor any other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Guarantor has sold or issued any securities that would be integrated with the offering of the Securities contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations or the interpretations thereof by the Commission.

(17)
Authorization of Agreement.  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each Guarantor.

(18)
Full Power.  The Company and each Guarantor has full right, power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents.

(19)
The Indenture.  The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and each Guarantor and, on the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and each Guarantor and will constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Company and each Guarantor, enforceable against the Company and each Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity.
6
(20)
The Securities.  The Securities have been duly authorized and, at the Closing Date, will have been duly executed by the Company and, when delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor as provided in this Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity, and will be in the form contemplated by, and entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture.

(21)
The Guarantees.  The Guarantees have been duly authorized and, at the Closing Date, the Indenture (which includes the Guarantees) will have been duly executed by the Guarantors.  When the Securities are delivered against payment therefor as provided in this Agreement, the Guarantees will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Guarantors, enforceable against each Guarantor in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity, and will be in the form contemplated by, and entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture.

(22)
Credit Agreement Amendment.  On the Closing Date, the Credit Agreement Amendment will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto, and will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of each of the parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity.

(23)
Description of the Securities and Agreements.  The Securities, the Guarantees, the Credit Agreement Amendment and the Indenture do and will conform in all material respects to the respective statements relating thereto contained in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.
7
(24)
Absence of Defaults and Conflicts; Use of Proceeds.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its Organizational Documents, (ii) in violation of 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 or (iii) in breach or default (or with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both, would be in breach or default) in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any Company Documents, except in the case of clauses (ii) or (iii) for such violations, breaches or defaults that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.  The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated therein and compliance by the Company and the Guarantors with their obligations thereunder will not (i) result in any violation of the provisions of the Organizational Documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) conflict with or constitute a breach or violation of the provisions of any Company Document, (iii) result in any violation of 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 its or their respective assets, properties or operations, (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (v) result in a Repayment Event, except in the case of clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) for such violations, breaches, defaults, Liens or Repayment Events that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.  The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities sold by it in the manner described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.

(25)
Transactions with Related Persons.  No relationship, direct or indirect, that would be required to be described in a registration statement of the Company pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K exists, including between or among the Company and its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, affiliates, stockholders, customers or suppliers of the Company and its subsidiaries, on the other hand, that has not been described in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.

(26)
Absence of Labor Dispute.  No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is imminent, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries are 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 could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(27)
Absence of Proceedings.  Except as otherwise disclosed in the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, 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 or its subsidiaries, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum), which could 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 Transaction Documents or the performance by the Company or the Guarantors of their obligations under the Transaction Documents.  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 the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, 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.
8
(28)
Description of Legal Matters.  The statements made in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum under the captions “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”, “Business—Government Regulation” and “Business—Legal Proceedings”, insofar as they purport to constitute summaries of the terms of statutes, rules or regulations, legal or governmental proceedings or contracts and other documents, constitute accurate summaries of the terms of such statutes, rules and regulations, legal and governmental proceedings and contracts and other documents in all material respects.

(29)
Solvency.  On the Closing Date, after giving pro forma effect to the Offering and the use of proceeds therefrom described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, the Company and each Guarantor (i) will be Solvent (as hereinafter defined), (ii) will have sufficient capital for carrying on its business and (iii) will be able to pay its debts as they mature.  As used in this paragraph, the term “Solvent” means, with respect to a particular date, that on such date (i) the present fair market value (or present fair saleable value) of the assets of  the Company and each Guarantor is not less than the total amount required to pay the liabilities of the Company and each Guarantor on its total existing debts and liabilities (including contingent liabilities) as they become absolute and matured; (ii) the Company and each Guarantor is able to pay or refinance its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and commitments as they mature and become due in the normal course of business; (iii) assuming consummation of the issuance of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement and the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, neither the Company nor any Guarantor is incurring debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature; (iv) neither the Company nor any Guarantor is engaged in any business or transaction, and does not propose or have any plans to engage in any business or transaction, for which its property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which the Company or any Guarantor is engaged; and (v) neither the Company nor any Guarantor is otherwise insolvent under the standards set forth in applicable laws.
9
(30)
Possession of Intellectual Property.  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), trademarks, service marks, trade names, service names, software, internet addresses, domain names and other intellectual property (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) that is described in the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum or that is reasonably necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted.  Except as otherwise disclosed in the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any written notice or written claim of any infringement of or conflict with rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property, other than any claims that, if successful, would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.  There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others 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 of the Company infringes or otherwise violates, any Intellectual Property of others, other than any actions, suits, proceedings or claims that, if successful, would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.  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 agreement with the Company or its subsidiaries pursuant to which any Intellectual Property has been licensed to the Company and its subsidiaries, which termination or terminations would, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(31)
Absence of Further Requirements. No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, is necessary or required for the execution, delivery or performance by the Company or the Guarantors of their obligations under the Transaction Documents, for the offering, issuance, sale or delivery of the Securities hereunder, or for the consummation of any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except such as have been obtained or made or will be obtained or made by the Closing Date by the Company and its subsidiaries; provided, that no representation is made as to such as may be required under state or foreign securities laws.

(32)
Possession of Licenses and Permits.  The Company and its subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum (collectively, “Governmental Licenses”).  All such Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any written notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses, except where such failure to be valid or to be in compliance therewith or the effect of any such revocation or modification would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(33)
Title to Property.  The Company and each of its subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real property owned by any of them (if any) and good and marketable title to all other properties and assets owned by any of them, in each case, free and clear of all Liens except such as (a) are described in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum or (b) do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially affect the value of such property or interfere with the use made of such property by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.  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 such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made of such real property, buildings or other improvements, and all equipment and other property by the Company and its subsidiaries.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received written 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 the continued use of the leased or subleased equipment or other property, except for such claims which, if successfully asserted against the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.
10
(34)
Investment Company Act.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is, 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 Offering Memorandum under the caption “Use Of Proceeds,” will be, an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company” as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act.

(35)
Environmental Laws.  Except as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum and 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 and safety, 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, licenses, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (C) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to any order, judgment or consent decree, and, there are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries, threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, Liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings, in each case relating to any Environmental Law, against the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and (D) there are no events or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order to pay penalties or otherwise 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 and any of its subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws.

(36)
Tax Returns.  The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all necessary foreign, federal, state, local and franchise tax returns that are required to be filed or have requested extensions thereof, except where the failure so to file would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, and, except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, have paid all 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 any such tax, assessment, fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate actions and except for such taxes, assessments, fines or penalties the nonpayment of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.
11
(37)
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, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries 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.

(38)
Accounting and Disclosure Controls.  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.  Except as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, since the most recent audit of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, (1) there has not been, (i) 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 (ii) 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 (2) 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 has no unremediated material weaknesses in 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 material information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it is required to file or submit under the 1934 Act is 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 required disclosure.

       
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 three most recent fiscal years covered by the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum or at any time subsequent thereto.
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(39)
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 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.

(40)
Margin Requirements.  None of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities) will violate or result in a violation of Section 7 of the 1934 Act, or any regulation promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

(41)
Absence of Manipulation.  None of the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has taken, directly or indirectly, any action that is designed to or that has constituted or that would constitute or that could 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.

(42)
Statistical and Market-Related Data.  Any statistical, demographic, market-related and similar data included in the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate in all material respects.

(43)
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 or any of the Guarantors, any employee, 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, 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; (iii) a violation by any such person of any provision of the FCPA or any applicable law or regulation implementing the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, or an offence under the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law; 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.  For the past five years, the Company and its subsidiaries, and, to the knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries, its and their other affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws (including, without limitation, the FCPA and the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom) and have instituted, maintained and enforced, and will continue to maintain and enforce, policies and procedures designed to promote and ensure, and which are reasonably expected to promote and ensure, continued compliance therewith.
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(44)
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 anti-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 (including, without limitation, the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, the Bank Secrecy Act, and any executive order, directive or regulation pursuant to the authority of any of the foregoing, or any orders or licenses issued thereunder (collectively, “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 Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, threatened.

(45)
Sanctions Laws.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, directors or officers, nor, to the knowledge of the Company or any of the Guarantors, any employees, agents, affiliates, 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, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury 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, Her Majesty’s Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority, or any orders or licenses issued under any of the foregoing (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, Cuba, Crimea, Iran, North Korea and Syria (each, a “Sanctioned Country”)).  The Company will not, directly or indirectly, use any of the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available any such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, (i) 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 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 reasonably be expected to result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction, whether as initial purchaser, advisor, investor or otherwise) of any Sanctions. For the past five years, none of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has knowingly engaged in or is now knowingly engaged 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.
14
(46)
ERISA Compliance. Each of the Company, its subsidiaries and each ERISA Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) has fulfilled its obligations, if any, under the minimum funding standards of Section 302 of the United States Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) with respect to each Pension Plan (as hereinafter defined), subject to Section 302 of ERISA, which the Company, its subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate sponsors or maintains, or with respect to which it has (or within the last six years had) any obligation to make contributions, and each such plan is in compliance in all material respects with the presently applicable provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  None of the following events has occurred or exists: (i) any unpaid liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (other than for the payment of premiums in the ordinary course); (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, consultants or contractors by the Company or any of its subsidiaries that could 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, consultants or contractors by the Company or any of its subsidiaries that could 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; (ii) a material increase in the “accumulated post-retirement benefit obligations” (within the meaning of FASB Accounting Standards Codification 715) of the Company and its subsidiaries compared to the amount of such obligations in the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year; (iii) any event or condition giving rise to a liability under Title IV of ERISA that could 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 could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  “Pension Plan” means a plan (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA) with respect to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries may have any liability.  “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. “ERISA Affiliate” means a corporation, trade or business that is, along with the Company or any subsidiary, a member of a controlled group of corporations or a controlled group of trades or businesses, as described in Section 414 of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

(47)
No Restrictions on Dividends.  No subsidiary of the Company is a party to or otherwise bound by any instrument or agreement that limits or prohibits, directly or indirectly, any subsidiary of the Company from paying any dividends or making any other distributions on its capital stock, limited or general partnership interests, limited liability company interests, or other equity interests, as the case may be, or from repaying any loans or advances from, or (except for instruments or agreements that by their express terms prohibit the transfer or assignment thereof or of any rights thereunder) transferring any of its properties or assets to, the Company or any other subsidiary, in each case except as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.
15
(48)
Brokers.  There is not a broker, finder or other party that is entitled to receive from the Company or any of its subsidiaries 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 payable to the Initial Purchasers in connection with the sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement.

(49)
Forward-Looking Statements.  No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the 1933 Act and Section 21E of the 1934 Act) included in the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum has been made without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

(50)
Cyber Security; Data Protection. The Company and its subsidiaries have implemented and maintain commercially reasonable controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (collectively, “IT Systems”) and data (including all personal, personally identifiable, sensitive, confidential or regulated data (“Personal Data”)) used in connection with their respective businesses, and there have been no breaches, violations, outages or unauthorized uses of or accesses to the same, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability or the duty to notify any other person. The Company and its subsidiaries are presently in material compliance with all applicable laws 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.

(b)            Certificates.  Any certificate 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 shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company or such Guarantor (and not individually by such officer) to each Initial Purchaser as to the matters covered thereby.
 
Section 2.            Sale and Delivery to Initial Purchasers; Closing; Agreements to Sell, Purchase and Resell
 
(a)            The Securities.  On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company and each of the Guarantors agree to sell to each Initial Purchaser, severally and not jointly, and each Initial Purchaser, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company and each of the Guarantors, the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite such Initial Purchaser’s name in Schedule A hereto plus any additional principal amount of Securities which such Initial Purchaser may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, in each case at a price equal to 98.75% of the principal amount thereof.
 
(b)            Payment.  Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, the Securities shall be made at the offices of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10019, 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 September 27, 2021 (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”).
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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 Initial Purchasers of the Securities to be purchased by them.  It is understood that each Initial Purchaser 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.  Wells Fargo, individually and not as representative of the Initial Purchasers, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Securities to be purchased by any Initial Purchaser whose funds have not been received by the Closing Date, but such payment shall not relieve such Initial Purchaser from its obligations hereunder.
 
(c)            Delivery of Securities.  The Company shall make one or more global certificates (collectively, the “Global Securities”) representing the Securities available for inspection by the Representative not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the business day prior to the Closing Date and, on or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver the Global Securities to DTC or to the Trustee, acting as custodian for DTC, as applicable.  Delivery of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers on the Closing Date shall be made through the facilities of DTC unless the Representative shall otherwise instruct.
 
(d)            Representations of the Initial Purchasers.  Each of the Initial Purchasers, severally and not jointly, hereby represents and warrants to the Company and the Guarantors that it intends to offer the Securities for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the General Disclosure Package.  Each of the Initial Purchasers, severally and not jointly, hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company, that such Initial Purchaser: (i) is a QIB; (ii) in connection with the Exempt Resales, will sell the Securities only to the Eligible Purchasers; and (iii) will not engage in any directed selling efforts within the meaning of Rule 902 under the 1933 Act or general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Regulation D, in each case, in connection with the offering of the Securities.  The Initial Purchasers have advised the Company that they will resell the Securities to Eligible Purchasers at a price initially equal to 100.00% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from September 27, 2021.  Consistent with the disclosure under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Offering Memorandum, such price may be changed by the Initial Purchasers at any time without notice.  Each of the Initial Purchasers understands that the Company and, for purposes of the opinions to be delivered to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement, counsel to the Company and counsel to the Initial Purchasers, will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the foregoing representations, warranties and agreements, and the Initial Purchasers hereby consent to such reliance.
 
Section 3.            Covenants of the Company and the Guarantors.  The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, covenant with each Initial Purchaser as follows:
17
(a)            Securities Law Compliance.  The Company will (i) advise the Representative promptly after obtaining knowledge (and, if requested by the Representative, confirm such advice in writing) of (A) the issuance by any U.S. or non-U.S. federal or state securities commission of any stop order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Securities for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose by any U.S. or non-U.S. federal or state securities commission or other regulatory authority, or (B) the happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the General Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Document or the Offering Memorandum, untrue or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the General Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Document or the Offering Memorandum, to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Securities under any securities or “Blue Sky” laws of U.S. state or non-U.S. jurisdictions and (iii) if, at any time, any U.S. or non-U.S. federal or state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Securities under any such laws, use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time.
 
(b)            Amendments.  The Company will give the Representative notice of its intention to prepare any amendment, supplement or revision to the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Offering Memorandum or any Issuer Free Writing Document, and the Company will furnish the Representative with copies of any such documents within a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed use, and will not use any such document to which the Representative or counsel for the Initial Purchasers shall reasonably object.  The Company will give the Representative notice of its intention to make any such filing from and after the Applicable Time through the Closing Date (or, if later, through the completion of the distribution of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers to Eligible Purchasers) 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 Initial Purchasers shall reasonably object.
 
(c)            Delivery of Disclosure Documents to the Representative.  The Company will deliver to the Representative and counsel for the Initial Purchasers, within one day of the date hereof and without charge, such number of copies of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Term Sheet and the Offering Memorandum and any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing as they reasonably request.
18
(d)            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 Offering Memorandum. If at any time prior to the completion of the distribution of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers to Eligible Purchasers, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary (or if the Representative or counsel for the Initial Purchasers shall notify the Company that, in their judgment, it is necessary) to amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum (or, in each case, any documents incorporated by reference therein) so that the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum, 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, not misleading or if it is necessary (or, if the Representative or counsel for the Initial Purchasers shall notify the Company that, in their judgment, it is necessary) to amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum (or, in each case, any documents incorporated by reference therein) 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 prepare such amendment or supplement (or, if the Representative or counsel for the Initial Purchasers 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, 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 the Company will furnish to the Representative such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Representative may reasonably request.  If at any time prior to the completion of the distribution of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers to Eligible Purchasers an event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary (or if the Representative or counsel for the Initial Purchasers shall notify the Company that, in their judgment, it is necessary) to amend or supplement any Issuer Free Writing Document 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, not misleading, or if it is necessary (or, if the Representative or counsel for the Initial Purchasers shall notify the Company that, in their judgment, it is necessary) to amend or supplement such Issuer Free Writing Document 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 prepare such amendment or supplement (or, if the Representative or counsel for the Initial Purchasers 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, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, distribute 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 Representative such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Representative may reasonably request.
 
(e)            Use of Offering Materials.  The Company and each of the Guarantors consents to the use of the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum in accordance with the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the jurisdictions in which the Securities are offered by the Initial Purchasers and by all dealers to whom Securities may be sold, in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities.
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(f)            “Blue Sky” and Other Qualifications.  The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts, in cooperation with the Representative, 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 (domestic or foreign) as the Representative may designate other than U.S. federal securities laws and to maintain such qualifications and exemptions in effect for so long as reasonably required for the distribution of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers to Eligible Purchasers; 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 reasonably required for the distribution of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers to Eligible Purchasers.
 
(g)            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 Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum under “Use of Proceeds.”
 
(h)            Restriction on Sale of Securities. From and including the date of this Agreement through and including the 90th day after the date of this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors will not, without the prior written consent of 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 or right to sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any debt securities of or guaranteed by the Company or any Guarantor (other than the Securities issued under this Agreement) or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any debt securities of or guaranteed by the Company.
 
(i)            Rule 144A Information.  So long as any of the Securities are outstanding, during any period in which the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act, the Company and the Guarantors will, furnish at their expense upon request to the Representative, and, upon request, to the holders of the Securities and prospective purchasers of the Securities the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the 1933 Act (if any).
 
(j)            Pricing Term Sheet.  The Company will prepare the Pricing Term Sheet reflecting the final terms of the Securities, in substantially the form attached hereto as Schedule D and otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative.  The Company will furnish the Representative with such number of copies of the Pricing Term Sheet as requested by the Representative.
 
(k)            Preparation of the Offering Memorandum.  Immediately following the execution of this Agreement, the Company will, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, prepare the Offering Memorandum, which shall contain the public offering price and terms of the Securities, the plan of distribution thereof and such other information as the Representative and the Company may deem appropriate.
 
(l)            DTC.  The Company will use its best efforts to permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.
 
(m)          No Stabilization.  The Company, the Guarantors and their respective affiliates will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that reasonably could be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company or the Guarantors in connection with the offering of the Securities.
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(n)            No Affiliate Resales.  During the one year period after the Closing Date (or such shorter period as may be provided for in Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, as the same may be in effect from time to time), the Company and the Guarantors will not, and will not permit any of their respective affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 under the 1933 Act) to, resell any of the Securities that have been acquired by any of them, except for Securities purchased by the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective affiliates and resold in a transaction registered under the 1933 Act.
 
(o)            No General Solicitation.  In connection with any offer or sale of the Securities, the Company and the Guarantors will not engage in, and will cause their respective affiliates and any person acting on their behalf (other than, in any case, the Initial Purchasers and any person acting on their behalf, as to whom the Company and the Guarantors make no covenant) not to engage (i) in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D of the 1933 Act) or any public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act in connection with any offer or sale of the Securities and/or (ii) in any directed selling effort with respect to the Securities within the meaning of Regulation S under the 1933 Act, and to comply with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S of the 1933 Act.
 
(p)            No Integration.  The Company will not, and will ensure that no affiliate of the Company will, sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any “security” (as defined in the 1933 Act) that would be integrated with the sale of the Securities in a manner that would require the registration under the 1933 Act of the sale to the Initial Purchaser or to the Eligible Purchasers of the Securities.
 
(q)            Transaction Documents.  The Company and the Guarantors will do and perform all things required or necessary to be done and performed under the Transaction Documents by them prior to the Closing Date.
 
Section 4.            Payment of Expenses.
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(a)            Expenses.  The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will pay all expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their respective obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Initial Purchasers of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, and any Issuer Free Writing Documents and each amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing (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 Initial Purchasers of each of the Transaction Documents and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Securities and the issuance and delivery of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers, including any issue or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other taxes or duties payable in connection with the sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the counsel, accountants and other advisors to the Company and the Guarantors, (v) the qualification or exemption of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Initial Purchasers in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplements thereto and the reasonable fees and disbursements of special Canadian counsel for the Initial Purchasers in connection with the preparation of a Canadian “wrapper”, (vi) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Initial Purchasers 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, (vii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee in connection with the Transaction Documents, (viii) all fees charged by any rating agencies for rating the Securities and all expenses and application fees incurred in connection with the approval of the Securities for clearance, settlement and book-entry transfer through DTC, (ix) all travel expenses (including expenses related to chartered aircraft) of the Company’s officers and employees and any other expenses of the Company in connection with attending or hosting meetings with prospective purchasers of the Securities, and expenses associated with any electronic road show in connection with the offering of the Securities or any similar investor presentations with respect to the Company and (x) the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Initial Purchasers 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 Initial Purchasers.  Except as provided in this Section 4 and Section 9 hereof, the Initial Purchasers shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel.
 
(b)            Termination of Agreement.  If this Agreement is terminated by the Representative in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 (other than a failure solely with respect to Section 5(e)), Section 9(a)(i), Section 9(a)(iii)(A), Section 9(a)(v) or Section 10 hereof, the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will reimburse the Initial Purchasers for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Initial Purchasers, incurred in connection with the services to be rendered hereunder.
 
Section 5.            Conditions of Initial Purchasers’ Obligations.  The obligations of the several Initial Purchasers hereunder are subject to the accuracy, on the date hereof and at the Closing Date, of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors contained in this Agreement, or in certificates signed by any officer of the Company, any Guarantor 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 Initial Purchasers, to the performance by the Company and the Guarantors of their respective covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:
 
(a)            Opinions of Counsel for the Company and the Guarantors.  At the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received (i) the favorable opinion and negative assurance letter, dated as of the Closing Date, of Alston & Bird LLP, counsel for the Company and certain of the Guarantors, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A-1 hereto; (ii) the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, counsel for the Company and certain of the Guarantors, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A-2 hereto; and (iii) the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of Hudson Cook, LLP, regulatory counsel for the Company and the Guarantors, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative.
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(b)            Opinions of Local Counsel.  At the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of (i) Husch Blackwell LLP, counsel for the Guarantors incorporated in Missouri and Illinois, the form of which is attached as Exhibit B-1 hereto; and (ii) Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, counsel for the Guarantor incorporated in Alabama and for the limited liability company Guarantor organized in Kentucky, the form of which is attached as Exhibit B-2 hereto.
 
(c)            Opinion of General Counsel for the Company. At the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of the General Counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative.
 
(d)            Opinion of Counsel for Initial Purchasers.  At the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion and negative assurance letter, dated as of the Closing Date, of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, counsel for the Initial Purchasers, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Initial Purchasers, with respect to the Securities to be sold by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the Indenture, the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum, and any amendments or supplements thereto and such other matters as the Representative may reasonably request.
 
(e)            No Material Adverse Effect.  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 General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), any Material Adverse Effect that could be expected to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.
 
(f)            Officers’ Certificate.  At the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received a certificate, signed on behalf of the Company and each Guarantor by the President or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and each Guarantor and the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of the Company and each Guarantor, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that (i)  since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), there has been no Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors 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 (except to the extent any such representation and warranty expressly relates to an earlier date (in which case on and as of such earlier date)) and (iii) the Company and the Guarantors have complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date under or pursuant to this Agreement.
 
(g)            Chief Financial Officer’s Certificate. At the time of the execution of this Agreement and at the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received a certificate, signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated as of the date of this Agreement or the Closing Date, as applicable, in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit C hereto.
 
(h)            General Counsel Officer’s Certificate. At the time of the execution of this Agreement and at the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received a certificate, signed by the General Counsel of the Company, dated as of the date of this Agreement or the Closing Date, as applicable, in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit D hereto.
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(i)            Accountant’s Comfort Letter.  At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representative shall have received from RSM US LLP a letter, dated the date of this Agreement and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Initial Purchasers, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to initial purchasers with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information of the Company contained or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Documents (other than any electronic road show) and the Offering Memorandum and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing.
 
(j)            Bring-down Comfort Letter.  At the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received from RSM US LLP a letter, dated as of the Closing Date and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in its letter furnished pursuant to subsection (h) of this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Date.
 
(k)            No Downgrade.  There shall not have occurred, on or after the date of this Agreement, any downgrading in the rating of any debt securities of or guaranteed by the Company, any preferred stock of the Company or any debt securities, preferred stock or trust preferred securities of any subsidiary or subsidiary trust of the Company by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined by the Commission in Section 3(a)(62) of the 1934 Act) or any public announcement that any such organization has placed its rating on the Company or any such debt securities, preferred stock or other 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, preferred stock or other securities has been placed on negative outlook.
 
(l)            DTC Eligibility. The Securities shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.
 
(m)          Transaction Documents.  The Company, the Guarantors and the other parties thereto shall have executed and delivered each of the Transaction Documents, and the Initial Purchasers shall have received executed counterparts thereof, duly executed by the Company and the Guarantors.
 
(n)           Indenture and Securities.  The Indenture shall have been duly executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Company, each of the Guarantors 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.

(o)           Credit Agreement Amendment.  Concurrently with or prior to the Closing Date, the Credit Agreement Amendment shall have become effective on the terms described in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum.
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(p)            Additional Documents.  At the Closing Date, counsel for the Initial Purchasers shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may 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.
 
(q)            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 and the Guarantors at any time on or prior to the 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 Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19 and 20 hereof shall survive any such termination of this Agreement and remain in full force and effect.
 
Section 6.            Indemnification.
 
(a)            Indemnification by the Company and the Guarantors.  The Company and each Guarantor agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser, its affiliates, and its and their officers, directors, employees, agents, partners and members and each person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser 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 or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, any Issuer Free Writing Document, the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or in any materials, presentations or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company or any Guarantor in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Securities, including any road show or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically), 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, or pursuant to a judgment or other disposition in, any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental or self-regulatory agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever arising out of or 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 the Guarantors; and

(iii)
against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental or self-regulatory agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever arising out of or 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,
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provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information about any Initial Purchaser furnished to the Company or any Guarantor by such Initial Purchaser through the Representative expressly for use in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, any Issuer Free Writing Document, the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum (or in any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Initial Purchasers as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(b) hereof.
 
(b)            Indemnification by the Initial Purchasers.  Each Initial Purchaser agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Guarantors, their affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees, agents, partners and members and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any Guarantor 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 Preliminary Offering Memorandum, any Issuer Free Writing Document, the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), in reliance upon and in conformity with written information relating to such Initial Purchaser furnished to the Company or any Guarantor by such Initial Purchaser through the Representative expressly for use therein.  The Company and the Guarantors hereby acknowledge and agree that the information furnished to the Company and any Guarantor by the Initial Purchasers through the Representative expressly for use in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, any Issuer Free Writing Document, the General Disclosure Package or the Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), consists exclusively of the following information appearing under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum:  (i) the information regarding stabilization, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids appearing in the ninth paragraph under such caption (but only insofar as such information concerns the Initial Purchasers) and (ii) the information regarding market making by the Initial Purchasers appearing in the fourth and fifth sentences of the seventh paragraph under such caption.
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(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; provided, however, that the failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability that it may have under this Section 6.  Counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected as follows:  counsel to the Initial Purchasers and the other indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(a) above shall be selected by Wells Fargo; and counsel to the Company, the Guarantors and the other indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(b) above 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 (i) in connection with an indemnification claim under Section 6(a), for the Initial Purchasers and the other indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(a) above and (ii) and connection with an indemnification claim under Section 6(b), for the Company and the other indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(b) above, 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 90 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 75 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, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, 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 the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, 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 and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and of the Initial Purchasers, 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 and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, 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 Guarantors and the total discounts and commissions received by the Initial Purchasers, in each case as determined pursuant to this Agreement, bear to the aggregate initial offering price of the Securities as set forth on the cover of the Offering Memorandum.
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The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, 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 and the Guarantors, on the one hand, or by the Initial Purchasers, 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 Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers 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 Initial Purchasers 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 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 Initial Purchaser shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds from the sale to Eligible Purchasers of the Securities initially purchased by it exceeds the amount of any damages which such Initial Purchaser 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, officer, director, employee, partner and member of each Initial Purchaser and each person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser 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 such Initial Purchaser, and each affiliate, officer, director, employee, partner and member of the Company or any Guarantor and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any Guarantor 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 and the Guarantors.  The Initial Purchasers’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the principal amount of Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule A hereto and not joint.
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Section 8.            Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery.  All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement, whether applicable to the Company, the Guarantors, the Representative or the Initial Purchasers, 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 Initial Purchasers, shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Initial Purchaser, its affiliates and any of their officers, directors, employees, partners, members or agents or any person controlling any Initial Purchaser, or by or on behalf of the Company, any Guarantor, any officer, director or employee of the Company or any Guarantor or any person controlling the Company, any Guarantor, 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 and the Guarantors, at any time on or prior to the 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 Offering Memorandum (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), any Material Adverse Effect, 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 proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the General Disclosure Package and the Offering Memorandum or (iii) (A) if trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or the Nasdaq Global Select Market, (B) if trading generally on the NYSE, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, 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 or any other governmental authority or (C) if 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, on or after the date of this Agreement, any downgrading in the rating of any debt securities of or guaranteed by the Company or any Guarantor, any preferred stock of the Company or any Guarantor or any debt securities, preferred stock or trust preferred securities of any subsidiary or subsidiary trust of the Company by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined by the Commission in Section 3(a)(62) of the 1934 Act) or any public announcement that any such organization has placed its rating on the Company or any Guarantor or any such debt securities, preferred stock or other 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 Guarantor or any such debt securities, preferred stock 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, 17, 18, 19 and 20 hereof shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.
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Section 10.            Default by One or More of the Initial Purchasers.  (a) If one or more of the Initial Purchasers shall fail at the Closing Date to purchase the aggregate principal amount of Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (any such Initial Purchaser, a “Defaulting Initial Purchaser” and the Securities which such Defaulting Initial Purchasers have failed to purchase hereunder, the “Defaulted Securities”), the Representative shall have the right, within 48 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers, or any other purchaser, 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 Representative shall not have completed such arrangements within such 48‑hour period, then:
 
(i)
if the aggregate principal amount of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities, each of the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers 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 Initial Purchasers; or

(ii)
if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Initial Purchaser.

No action taken pursuant to this Section 10 shall relieve any Defaulting Initial Purchaser 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 Representative 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 General Disclosure Package or Offering Memorandum or in any other documents or arrangements.  As used herein, the term “Initial Purchaser” includes any person substituted for an Initial Purchaser 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 any such fax to be confirmed by telephone).  Notices to the Initial Purchasers shall be directed to the Representative at Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 550 S. Tryon Street, 5th Floor, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, Email: IBCMDCMLSHYLeveragedSyndicate@wellsfargo.com, Fax: (704) 410-4874, with a copy to Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York, Attention: William V. Fogg and Michael E. Mariani, Email: wfogg@cravath.com and mmariani@cravath.com, Fax: (212) 474-3700 (with such electronic mail or fax to be confirmed by telephone to (212) 474-1131 or (212) 474-1007); and notices to the Company or any Guarantor shall be directed to it at World Acceptance Corporation, 108 Frederick Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29607, Attention: SVP, General Counsel, Email: luke.umstetter@worldacceptance.com, Fax: (864) 298-9810 (with such electronic mail or fax to be confirmed by telephone to (864) 298-9800), with a copy to Alston & Bird LLP, 950 F Street, Washington, D.C., 20004, Attention: David A. Brown and Julie A. Mediamolle Email: dave.brown@alston.com and julie.mediamolle@alston.com, Fax: (202) 654-4902 (with such electronic mail or fax to be confirmed by telephone to (202) 239-3702).
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In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Initial Purchasers are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company and the Guarantors, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Initial Purchasers to properly identify their respective clients.
 
Section 12.            Parties.  This Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Initial Purchasers, the Company, the Guarantors 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 Initial Purchasers, the Company, the Guarantors 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 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 Initial Purchasers, the Company, the Guarantors 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 Initial Purchaser shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.
 
Section 13.            GOVERNING LAW AND TIME.  THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO 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 14.            Effect of Headings.  The Section and Schedule headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
 
Section 15.            Definitions.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below:
 
“Applicable Time” means 12:35 p.m. (New York City time) on September 22, 2021 or such other time as agreed by the Company and the Representative.
 
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
“Common Stock” means the Company’s common stock, no par value.
 
“Company Documents” means all contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements, bonds, notes, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, swap 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.
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“Credit Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2019 (as amended), by and among the Company, the lenders and other banks named therein and the Administrative Agent (as defined therein).
 
“Credit Agreement Amendment” means the Sixth Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Company, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement).
 
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.
 
“FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
 
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
 
“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.
 
“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.
 
“Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof.
 
“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Indenture, the Securities and the Guarantees collectively.
 
“1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
32
“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.
 
“1939 Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
 
“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
 
Section 16.            Permitted Free Writing Documents.  The Company and each Guarantor represents, warrants and agrees that it has not made and, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representative, it will not make, and each Initial Purchaser, severally and not jointly, represents, warrants and agrees that it has not made and, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Company, the Guarantors and the Representative, it will not make, any offer relating to the Securities that (if the offering of the Securities was made pursuant to a registered offering under the 1933 Act) would constitute an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” (as defined in Rule 433 under the 1933 Act) (any such document, a “Issuer Free Writing Document”) or that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) which would be required to be filed with the Commission in connection with an offering registered under the 1933 Act, in the case of any Initial Purchasers; provided that the prior written consent of the Company, the Guarantors and the Representative shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Issuer Free Writing Documents, if any, listed on Schedule E hereto and to any electronic road show in the form previously provided by the Company to and approved by the Representative.
 
Section 17.            Absence of Fiduciary Relationship.  The Company and each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that:
 
(a)            each of the Initial Purchasers is acting solely as an initial purchaser in connection with the sale of the Securities and no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company and any Guarantor, on the one hand, and any of the Initial Purchasers, 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 Initial Purchasers has advised or is advising the Company or any Guarantor on other matters (it being understood that in any event that no Initial Purchaser shall be deemed to have provided legal, accounting or tax advice to the Company, any Guarantor or any of their respective subsidiaries);
 
(b)            the offering price of the Securities and the price to be paid by the Initial Purchasers for the Securities set forth in this Agreement were established by the Company and the Guarantors following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Representative;
 
(c)            they are capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
33
(d)            they are aware that the Initial Purchasers and their respective affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and the Guarantors and that none of the Initial Purchasers has any obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company or the Guarantors by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship or otherwise;
 
(e)            the Company and the Guarantors have consulted their own legal and financial advisors to the extent they deemed appropriate; and
 
(f)            they waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims they may have against any of the Initial Purchasers for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that none of the Initial Purchasers shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to them in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on their behalf or in right of them or the Company, the Guarantors or any stockholders, employees or creditors of Company or any Guarantor.
 
Section 18.            Research Analyst Independence and Other Activities of the Initial Purchasers.  The Company and the Guarantors acknowledge that the Initial Purchasers’ research analysts and research departments are required to be separate from, and not influenced by, their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Initial Purchasers’ research analysts may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company or the Guarantors and/or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions.  The Company and the Guarantors hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claims that the Company or the Guarantors may have against the Initial Purchasers arising from the fact that the views expressed by their research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Company or the Guarantors by such Initial Purchasers’ investment banking divisions.  The Company and the Guarantors also acknowledge that each of the Initial Purchasers 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, may make recommendations and provide other advice, and may hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of, or derivative products related to, the companies that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Company and the Guarantors hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claims that the Company or the Guarantors may have against the Initial Purchasers with respect to any such other activities.
 
Section 19.            Waiver of Jury Trial.  The Company, the Guarantors and each of the Initial Purchasers hereby irrevocably waive, 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 20.            Consent to Jurisdiction.  The Company and the Guarantors hereby submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any U.S. federal or state court located in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and County of New York in any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to or based upon this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Company and the Guarantors irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding in any such court arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
34
Section 21.            Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable, e.g., www.docusign.com) 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 22.            Entire Agreement.  This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company and the Initial Purchasers with respect to the subject matter hereof.
 
Section 23.            Recognition of U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.
 
(a)            For purposes of this Agreement, (a) the term “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); (b) the term “Covered Entity” means any of the following: (x) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b), (y) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b), or (z) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b); (c) the term “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; and (d) the term “U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (x) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (y) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
(b)            In the event that any Initial Purchaser is a Covered Entity and becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Initial Purchaser 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.
 
(c)            In the event that any Initial Purchaser is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Initial Purchaser becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against the Initial Purchaser 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.
35
[Signature Pages Follow]
36
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company and the Guarantors a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Initial Purchasers, the Company and the Guarantors in accordance with its terms.
 
Very truly yours,
 
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
 
By /s/ R. Chad Prashad                        
Name: R. Chad Prashad
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION OF ALABAMA
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION OF MISSOURI
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF GEORGIA, LLC
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF LOUISIANA
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION OF OKLAHOMA, INC.
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, LLC
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF TENNESSEE
WFC OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.
WFC SERVICES, INC.
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF NEW MEXICO
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF KENTUCKY, LLC
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF COLORADO
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF INDIANA, LLC
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF MISSISSIPPI, LLC
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF IDAHO, LLC
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF UTAH, LLC
WAC OF SOUTH CAROLINA, LLC
 
By /s/ R. Chad Prashad                        
Name: R. Chad Prashad
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
WFC LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
By  WFC of South Carolina, Inc.
as sole general partner
 
By /s/ R. Chad Prashad                        
Name: R. Chad Prashad

[Signature Page to Purchase Agreement]
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
WAC OF OKLAHOMA, LP
 
By  WAC of South Carolina, LLC
as sole general partner
 
By /s/ R. Chad Prashad                        
Name: R. Chad Prashad
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
[Signature Page to Purchase Agreement]
CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, as of the date first above written:
 
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC
 
By /s/ Adam Hyder                                      
Authorized Signatory
 
For itself and as Representative of the Initial Purchasers named in Schedule A hereto.
 
[Signature Page to Purchase Agreement]

Exhibit 4.1

INDENTURE
  
Among
  
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
a South Carolina corporation
  
EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO
 
$300,000,000 7.000% Senior Notes due 2026
  
and
  
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.,
as Trustee
  
Dated as of September 27, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
 
 
ARTICLE 1

Definitions

SECTION 1.01.
Definitions
1
SECTION 1.02.
Other Definitions
36
SECTION 1.03.
No Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act
36
SECTION 1.04.
Rules of Construction
37
SECTION 1.05.
Financial Calculations for Limited Condition Transactions
37
 
ARTICLE 2

The Notes
SECTION 2.01.
Form and Dating
38
SECTION 2.02.
Execution and Authentication
39
SECTION 2.03.
Registrar and Paying Agent
40
SECTION 2.04.
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust
40
SECTION 2.05.
Holder Lists
40
SECTION 2.06. 
Transfer and Exchange
41
SECTION 2.07.
Replacement Notes
52
SECTION 2.08. 
Outstanding Notes
52
SECTION 2.09.
Treasury Notes
53
SECTION 2.10.
Temporary Notes
53
SECTION 2.11.
Cancellation
53
SECTION 2.12.
Defaulted Interest
54
SECTION 2.13.
Issuance of Additional Notes
54

ARTICLE 3

Redemption and Prepayment
SECTION 3.01.
Notices to Trustee
54
SECTION 3.02.
Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased
54
SECTION 3.03.
Notice of Redemption
55
SECTION 3.04.
Effect of Notice of Redemption
56
SECTION 3.05.
Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price
56
SECTION 3.06.
Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part
57
SECTION 3.07.
Optional Redemption
57
SECTION 3.08.
Mandatory Redemption; Offers to Purchase; Open Market Purchases
58
SECTION 3.09.
Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds
58

i
ARTICLE 4

Covenants
 
SECTION 4.01.
Payment of Notes
61
SECTION 4.02.
Maintenance of Office or Agency
61
SECTION 4.03.
Reports
62
SECTION 4.04.
Compliance Certificate
63
SECTION 4.05.
Taxes
64
SECTION 4.06.
Stay, Extension and Usury Laws
64
SECTION 4.07.
Restricted Payments
64
SECTION 4.08.
Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries
69
SECTION 4.09. 
Incurrence of Indebtedness
72
SECTION 4.10.
Asset Sales
77
SECTION 4.11.
Transactions with Affiliates
80
SECTION 4.12.
Liens
82
SECTION 4.13.
Business Activities
82
SECTION 4.14.
Corporate Existence
82
SECTION 4.15.
Repurchase at the Option of Holders on a Change of Control
83
SECTION 4.16. [Reserved] 85
SECTION 4.17. [Reserved] 85
SECTION 4.18. Additional Note Guarantees 85
SECTION 4.19. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries 86
SECTION 4.20. Suspension of Certain Covenants 86
 
ARTICLE 5

Successors
SECTION 5.01.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
88
SECTION 5.02.
Successor Corporation Substituted
89
 
ARTICLE 6

Defaults and Remedies
SECTION 6.01.
Events of Default
89
SECTION 6.02.
Acceleration
92
SECTION 6.03.
Other Remedies
92
SECTION 6.04.
Waiver of Past Defaults
93
SECTION 6.05.
Control by Majority
93
SECTION 6.06.
Limitation on Suits
93
SECTION 6.07.
Rights of Holders to Receive Payment
94
SECTION 6.08.
Collection Suit by Trustee
94
SECTION 6.09.
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim
94
SECTION 6.10.
Priorities
95
SECTION 6.11.
Undertaking for Costs
95

ii
ARTICLE 7

Trustee
SECTION 7.01.
Duties of Trustee
95
SECTION 7.02.
Rights of Trustee
96
SECTION 7.03.
Individual Rights of Trustee
98
SECTION 7.04.
Trustee’s Disclaimer
98
SECTION 7.05.
Notice of Defaults
98
SECTION 7.06.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)
98
SECTION 7.07.
Compensation and Indemnity
98
SECTION 7.08.
Replacement of Trustee
100
SECTION 7.09.
Successor Trustee by Merger, etc
101
SECTION 7.10.
Eligibility; Disqualification
101
SECTION 7.11.
Registrar and Paying Agent
101
 
ARTICLE 8

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
SECTION 8.01.
Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
101
SECTION 8.02.
Legal Defeasance and Discharge
101
SECTION 8.03.
Covenant Defeasance
102
SECTION 8.04.
Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance
102
SECTION 8.05.
Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions
104
SECTION 8.06.
Repayment to Company
104
SECTION 8.07.
Reinstatement
105
 
ARTICLE 9

Amendment, Supplement and Waiver
SECTION 9.01.
Without Consent of Holders
105
SECTION 9.02.
With Consent of Holders
106
SECTION 9.03.
[Reserved]
108
SECTION 9.04.
Revocation and Effect of Consents
108
SECTION 9.05.
Notation on or Exchange of Notes
108
SECTION 9.06.
Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc
108

iii
ARTICLE 10

Note Guarantees
SECTION 10.01.
Guarantee
109
SECTION 10.02.
Limitation on Guarantor Liability
110
SECTION 10.03.
Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee
110
SECTION 10.04.
Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms
111
SECTION 10.05.
Releases
112

ARTICLE 11

Satisfaction and Discharge
SECTION 11.01.
Satisfaction and Discharge
113
SECTION 11.02.
Application of Trust Money
114
 
ARTICLE 12

Miscellaneous
SECTION 12.01.
[Reserved]
114
SECTION 12.02.
Notices
115
SECTION 12.03.
Communication by Holders with Other Holders
117
SECTION 12.04.
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent
117
SECTION 12.05.
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion
117
SECTION 12.06.
Rules by Trustee and Agents
117
SECTION 12.07.
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders
117
SECTION 12.08.
Governing Law
118
SECTION 12.09.
Waiver of Jury Trial
118
SECTION 12.10.
Submission to Jurisdiction
118
SECTION 12.11.
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements
118
SECTION 12.12.
Successors
118
SECTION 12.13.
Severability
119
SECTION 12.14.
Counterpart Originals; Electronic Signatures
119
SECTION 12.15.
Table of Contents, Headings, etc
119
SECTION 12.16. U.S.A. PATRIOT Act 120

iv
EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit A
Form of Note
 
Exhibit B
Form of Certificate of Transfer
 
Exhibit C
Form of Certificate of Exchange
 
Exhibit D
Form of Supplemental Indenture

v
INDENTURE, dated as of September 27, 2021, among WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION, a South Carolina corporation, THE GUARANTORS from time to time party hereto (as defined) and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”)
 
The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined) of the 7.000% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”):
 
 
ARTICLE 1


Definitions
 
SECTION 1.01.          Definitions.
 
“144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
 
“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:
 
(1)            Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, or expressly assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from any such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and
 
(2)            Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person at such time such asset is acquired by such specified Person.
 
“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 purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.   For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.
 
“Additional Notes” means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes.
“Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.
 
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.
 
“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any redemption date, the greater of:
 
(1)            1.0% of the principal amount of the Note; and
 
(2)            the excess of:
 
(a)            the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Note at November 1, 2023 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing under Section 3.07) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through November 1, 2023 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over
 
(b)            the then outstanding principal amount of the Note.
 
The Applicable Premium shall be determined by the Company, and the Trustee shall have no responsibility to verify such calculation.
 
“Asset Sale” means:
 
(1)            the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights by the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of this Indenture under Section 4.15 and/or Section 5.01 and not by Section 4.10; and
 
(2)            the issuance of Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals or other third parties to the extent required by applicable law) by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale by the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Subsidiaries,
 
in the case of either clause (1) or (2), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions:
 
(A)            that have a Fair Market Value in excess of $7.5 million; or
2
(B)            for Net Proceeds in excess of $7.5 million.
 
Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale:
 
(1)            a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
(2)            the sale or transfer of Receivables and any related rights and assets in connection with any Permitted Securitization and any other transaction effected in the ordinary course as part of a Permitted Securitization;
 
(3)             an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
 
(4)            the sale, lease or other transfer of inventory, products, services, accounts or loans receivable or other assets in the ordinary course of business, the discount or forgiveness of accounts or loans receivable in the ordinary course of business in connection with the collection or compromise thereof, and any sale or other disposition of damaged, surplus, worn-out or obsolete assets in the ordinary course of business (including the abandonment or other disposition of intellectual property that is, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, no longer economically practicable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole);
 
(5)            leases, subleases, non-exclusive licenses or sublicenses of any property (including intellectual property) in the ordinary course of business;
 
(6)            any surrender or waiver of contract rights or settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims in the ordinary course of business;
 
(7)            the granting of Liens not prohibited by Section 4.12;
 
(8)            the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;
 
(9)            transfers of property or assets subject to casualty, condemnation or similar event upon receipt of the casualty and condemnation proceeds thereof;
 
(10)            assignments of insurance or condemnation proceeds provided to landlords (or their mortgagees) pursuant to the terms of any lease and Liens or rights reserved in any lease for rent or for compliance with the terms of such lease;
 
(11)            (i) sales, transfers and other dispositions of joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements and (ii) the winding down or dissolution of joint ventures;
3
(12)            a Restricted Payment that does not violate Section 4.07 or a Permitted Investment;
 
(13)            any exchange of assets (including a combination of assets and Cash Equivalents) for assets related to a Permitted Business of comparable or greater market value or usefulness to the business of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by the Company;
 
(14)            any disposition of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
 
(15)            the termination of a lease of real or personal property that is not material to the conduct of the business of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole;
 
(16)            the termination of any Hedging Obligations; and
 
(17)            the sale or other disposition of any assets received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary upon foreclosure of a Lien or other exercise of remedies (or in compromise or settlement) with respect thereto.
 
“Attributable Debt” in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended.  Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that if such sale and leaseback transaction results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “Capital Lease Obligation.”
 
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
 
“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time.  The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.
4
“Board of Directors” means:
 
(1)            with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;
 
(2)            with respect to a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of the partnership;
 
(3)            with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and
 
(4)            with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.
 
“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in the State of New York or South Carolina are authorized or required by law to close.
 
“Capital Lease Obligation” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes on the basis of GAAP; provided, however, that no obligation shall be deemed a “Capital Lease Obligation” if such obligation would not have been required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2018. The amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation at the time any determination thereof is to be made as determined on the basis of GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date such lease may be terminated without penalty.
 
“Capital Markets Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness consisting of bonds, debentures, notes or other similar debt securities issued in (a) a public offering registered under the Securities Act or (b) a private placement to institutional investors that is resold in accordance with Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Securities Act, whether or not it includes registration rights entitling the holders of such debt securities to registration thereof with the SEC.  The term “Capital Markets Indebtedness” (i) shall not include the Notes (including, for the avoidance of doubt any Additional Notes) and (ii) for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be construed to include any Indebtedness issued to institutional investors in a direct placement of such Indebtedness that is not resold by an intermediary (it being understood that, without limiting the foregoing, a financing that is distributed to not more than ten Persons (provided that multiple managed accounts and affiliates of any such Persons shall be treated as one Person for the purposes of this definition) shall be deemed not to be underwritten), or any Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, commercial bank or similar Indebtedness, Capital Lease Obligation or recourse transfer of any financial asset or any other type of Indebtedness incurred in a manner not customarily viewed as a “securities offering.”
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“Capital Stock” means:
 
(1)            in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares;
 
(2)            in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
 
(3)            in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
 
(4)            any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.
 
“Card Product Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, “commercial credit cards” and purchasing cards), (b) merchant card services and (c) stored value cards.
 
“Cash Equivalents” means:
 
(1)            United States dollars, pounds sterling, euros, the national currency  of any member state in the European Union or such local currencies held by the  Company or a Restricted Subsidiary from time to time in the ordinary course of business;
 
(2)            securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;
 
(3)            certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any lender party to the Credit Agreement or with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better;
 
(4)            repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 365 days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;
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(5)            commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s, S&P or Fitch and, in each case, maturing within six months after the date of acquisition;
 
(6)            money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (5) of this definition; and
 
(7)            instruments equivalent to those referred to in clauses (1) through (6) above denominated in any foreign currency comparable in credit quality and tenor to those referred to above and commonly used by corporations for cash management purposes in any jurisdiction outside the United States of America to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Subsidiary organized in such jurisdiction.
 
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the Issue Date:
 
(1)            the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation) in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person;
 
(2)            at any time, the Company becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership of 50.0% or more of the Voting Stock of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company; or
 
(3)            the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the Voting Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitutes or is converted into or exchanged for a majority of the outstanding shares of the Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such transaction).
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“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, S.A.
 
“Company” means World Acceptance Corporation, and any and all successors thereto.
 
“Consolidated EBITDA” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication:
 
(1)            provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period (including, without limitation, state, franchise, property and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes), to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
 
(2)            the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
 
(3)            to the extent non-recurring, any fees, costs and expenses of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred as a result of Investments or Asset Sales permitted hereunder, and the issuance, repayment, refinancing or amendment of Equity Interests or Indebtedness permitted hereunder; plus
 
(4)            unusual or non-recurring charges in connection with employee severance, lease terminations and lease buyouts related to closure of stores and write-off of assets related to asset sales, acquisitions, investments, restructurings and dispositions; plus
 
(5)            depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles and deferred financing fees but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash charges and expenses (excluding any such non-cash charge or expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges or expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash charge or expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges or expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
 
(6)            any net gain (or loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any asset or disposed operations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any sale and leaseback transaction) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by a responsible financial or chief accounting officer of the Company); plus
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(7)            the amount of net cost savings, operating expense reductions, operating improvements and initiatives and synergies projected by the Company in good faith to be realized as a result of specified actions taken or to be taken (which cost savings or synergies shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions or synergies had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that (A) such cost savings, operating expense reductions or synergies are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and (B) such actions have been taken or are to be taken within 24 months after the date of determination to take such action; plus
 
(8)            any foreign currency translation losses (including losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness), and losses in connection with any Hedging Obligation, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such losses were taken into account in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus
 
(9)            any foreign currency translation gains (including gains related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness), and gains in connection with any Hedging Obligation, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such gains were taken into account in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus
 
(10)            non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business,
 
in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.
 
“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis (excluding the net income (loss) of any Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person), determined in accordance with GAAP and without any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends; provided that:
 
(1)            all extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring gains or losses and all gains or losses realized in connection with any Asset Sale (including any gain on a sale generated by a Permitted Securitization, except to the extent the Company or a Guarantor has received a cash benefit therefrom in such period) or the disposition of securities or the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, together with any related provision for taxes on any such gain or loss, will be excluded;
 
(2)            any interest income generated by a Permitted Securitization, except to the extent the Company or a Guarantor has received a cash benefit therefrom in the applicable reporting period and except for interest earned on amounts on deposit in collection accounts, principal collection accounts and reserve accounts, will be excluded;
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(3)            the net income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or similar distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;
 
(4)            solely for purposes of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.07, the net income (but not loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that net income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders; provided that the Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or converted into cash) by any such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person, to the extent not already included therein;
 
(5)            the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded;
 
(6)            any net gains, charges or losses on disposed, abandoned and discontinued operations (other than assets held for sale) and any accretion or accrual of discontinued operations will be excluded;
 
(7)            any non-cash compensation charges, any non-cash expenses resulting from the grant or periodic remeasurement of stock options, restricted stock grants or other equity incentive programs (including any stock appreciation and similar rights), and any non-cash costs or expenses incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, will be excluded; and
 
(8)            non-cash gains and losses attributable to movement in the mark-to-market valuation of Hedging Obligations pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 133 will be excluded.
 
“Consolidated Total Assets” of any Person as of any date means the total assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the most recent fiscal quarter end for which a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries is available, calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
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“continuing” means, with respect to any Default or Event of Default, that such Default or Event of Default has not been cured or waived.
 
“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” means the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.
 
“Credit Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2019, by and among the Company, as borrower, the lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced in any manner (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time (and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions, including increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder, changing or replacing agent banks and lenders thereunder, altering the maturity thereof or adding, removing or reclassifying Subsidiaries of the Company as borrowers or guarantors thereunder).
 
“Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, any Credit Agreement), indentures or commercial paper facilities, in each case, with banks or other institutional lenders, accredited investors or institutional investors providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, term debt, debt securities, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, extended, increased, refunded, replaced in any manner (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time (and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions, including increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder, changing or replacing agent banks and lenders thereunder, altering the maturity thereof or adding, removing or reclassifying Subsidiaries of the Company as borrowers or guarantors thereunder).
 
“Custodian” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.
 
“Debt-to-Equity Ratio” means, with respect to any specified Person at any time, the ratio of consolidated Indebtedness of such Person at such time to the Total Shareholders’ Equity of such Person at such time.  In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) subsequent to the date of the most recent consolidated balance sheet for which for which the Debt-to-Equity Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Debt-to-Equity Ratio is made, then the Debt-to-Equity Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect (in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, and the use of proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred prior to such determination date.
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“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
 
“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.
 
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.
 
“Designated Noncash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of noncash consideration received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Noncash Consideration.
 
“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case, at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature; provided, however, that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided, further, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by such Person in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends.
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“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.
 
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.
 
“Electronic Means” shall mean the following communications methods: S.W.I.F.T., 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.
 
“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
 
“Equity Offering” means an issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock and other than to a Subsidiary of the Company and other than through an Excluded Contribution) of the Company.
 
“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system.
 
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
 
“Excluded Contribution” means the Cash Equivalents or other assets (valued at their Fair Market Value) received by the Company after the Issue Date from:
 
(1)            contributions to its common equity capital, and
 
(2)            the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement established by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company,
 
in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate.
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“Existing Indebtedness” means all Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement) in existence on the date of this Indenture, until such amounts are repaid.
 
“Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by senior management of the Company and, with respect to any transaction involving aggregate value in excess of $10.0 million, by the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
“Financeable Assets” means (a) Receivables, (b) Residual Interests and (c) to the extent not otherwise included, any assets related thereto that are of the type customarily transferred in connection with securitization transactions involving assets such as, or similar to, such Receivables or Residual Interests, as the case may be, and any collections or proceeds of any of the foregoing.
 
“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Ltd. or any of its successors or assigns that is a nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act.
 
“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period.  In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect (in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period; provided, however, that interest expense for revolving credit borrowings for ordinary working capital purposes shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period.
 
In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:
 
(1)            acquisitions and other Investments that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations, or any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including all related financing transactions and including increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date, or that are to be made on the Calculation Date, will be given pro forma effect (in accordance with Regulation S‑X under the Securities Act) as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period;
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(2)            the Consolidated EBITDA attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;
 
(3)            the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;
 
(4)            any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four-quarter period;
 
(5)            any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter period; and
 
(6)            if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as at the Calculation Date in excess of 12 months).
 
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any pro forma event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith (in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company.
 
“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
 
(1)            the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations in respect of interest rates; plus
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(2)            the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus
 
(3)            any interest on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus
 
(4)            the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on all Disqualified Stock of the Company and all Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (and other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; minus
 
(5)            consolidated interest income for such period, whether received or accrued, to the extent included in computing Consolidated Net Income for such period (but excluding interest and fee income from consumer loans, installment sales and other products and services of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries);
 
in each case, excluding (i) the amortization or write-off of debt issuance costs and deferred financing fees, commissions, fees and expenses and (ii) any expensing of loan commitment and other financing fees.
 
For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capital Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by such Person to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capital Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.
 
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
 
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the date of this Indenture, consistently applied.
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“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(2) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.
 
“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(3), 2.06(b)(4), 2.06(d)(2) or 2.06(f) hereof.
 
“Government Securities” means securities that are:
 
(1)            direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or
 
(2)            obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of  America,
 
which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such 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 Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Securities evidenced by such depository receipt.
 
“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise).
 
“Guarantors” means any Subsidiary of the Company that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released or discharged in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
 
“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:
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(1)            any interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;
 
(2)            other agreements or arrangements (including any exchange, floor, forward, future, or option agreement) designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk; and
 
(3)            any foreign currency and/or commodity swap, exchange, cap, collar, floor, forward, future or option agreement or other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices, and in each case under clauses (1) through (3) above, any guarantee in respect thereof.
 
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.
 
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person (excluding accrued expenses and trade payables), whether or not contingent:
 
(1)            in respect of borrowed money;
 
(2)            evidenced by or issued in exchange for bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);
 
(3)            in respect of banker’s acceptances;
 
(4)            representing Capital Lease Obligations or Attributable Debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions;
 
(5)            representing the balance of deferred and unpaid purchase price of any property or services due more than six months after such property is acquired or such services are completed;
 
(6)            representing any Hedging Obligations; or
 
(7)            representing the principal component or liquidation preference of all obligations with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock of such Person or the Preferred Stock of any Subsidiary of such Person (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);
 
if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit, Attributable Debt, Hedging Obligations, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.  In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.  Indebtedness shall be calculated without giving effect to the effects of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under this Indenture as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall exclude (i) contingent obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in respect of borrowed money and (ii) any obligations of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries under Standard Securitization Undertakings.
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“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
 
“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.
 
“Initial Notes” means the first $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.
 
“Initial Purchasers” means Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and BMO Capital Markets Corp.
 
“Insurance Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company (a) which is organized under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (or such other jurisdiction as shall be permitted by the Credit Agreement), (b) which conducts substantially all of its business and has substantially all of its assets within the British Virgin Islands (or such other jurisdiction as shall be permitted by the Credit Agreement), (c) of which 100% (by number of votes) of the Voting Stock (except for directors’ qualifying shares) is owned by the Company, and (d) which is engaged in the business of reinsuring the credit insurance written by the Subsidiaries of the Company.
 
“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s, BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P or BBB- (or the equivalent) by Fitch.
 
“Investment Grade Securities” means:
 
(1)            securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents),
 
(2)            securities that have an Investment Grade Rating, but excluding any debt securities or loans or advances between and among the Company and its Subsidiaries,
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(3)            investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold material amounts of cash pending investment and/or distribution, and
 
(4)            corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments and in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition.
 
“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, commission, travel, entertainment, relocation and similar advances to directors, officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all such items that are required to be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such items involve the transfer of cash or other property.  If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investments in such Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined pursuant to Section 4.07(c) hereof.  The acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined pursuant to Section 4.07(c) hereof.  Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture and subject to Section 4.07(a)(C)(iii) and 4.07(a)(C)(iv) hereof, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.
 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this definition, an Investment shall not include (i) the making of any loan, advances or other extension of credit to a customer of the Company or to a customer of any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or (ii) any acquisition, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by any Restricted Subsidiary, in the ordinary course of business, of a pre-existing loan portfolio or other group of loans.
 
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.
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“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or any of its successors or assigns that is a nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act.
 
“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate amount of cash proceeds and Cash Equivalents received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash or Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale, but excluding any items deemed to be cash pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(2)), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale or that is otherwise required (other than pursuant to Section 4.10(b)) to be paid as a result of such transaction, all distributions and other payments required to be made to holders of non-controlling interests in Subsidiaries or in joint ventures, limited liability companies, partnerships or other Persons as a result of such Asset Sale, and any reserve for adjustment or indemnification obligations in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP.
 
“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:
 
(1)            as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise or (c) constitutes the lender; and
 
(2)            as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Equity Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary); and
 
(3)            no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity.
 
“Non-Recourse Securitization Debt” means, with respect to any Special Purpose Subsidiary, Indebtedness as to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary (other than such Special Purpose Subsidiary) is directly or indirectly liable (by virtue of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary being the primary obligor on, guarantor of, or otherwise liable in any respect for, such Indebtedness, except for a Lien on the Capital Stock of such Special Purpose Subsidiary to the creditors thereof which is not recourse to any other assets of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary and except for Standard Securitization Undertakings).
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“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.
 
“Note Guarantee” means the Guarantee by each Guarantor of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes set forth in Section 10.01.
 
“Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture.  The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.
 
“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
 
“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the board of directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer,  any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary or other executive officer of such Person.
 
“Officer’s Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed on behalf of such Person by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer, the controller or the principal accounting officer of such Person, which meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.
 
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof.  The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee.
 
“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).
 
“Permitted Business” means any business that is the same as, or reasonably related, ancillary or complementary to, any of the businesses in which the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged on the date of this Indenture, and reasonable extensions, developments or expansions of such businesses.
 
“Permitted Investments” means:
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(1)            any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided, however, that if such Restricted Subsidiary is a Special Purpose Subsidiary, at the time of and after giving effect to such Investment, no Default will have occurred and be continuing;
 
(2)            any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;
 
(3)            any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:
 
(a)            such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or
 
(b)            such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
 
(4)            any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from either (a) an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof or (b) any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;
 
(5)            any acquisition of assets or Capital Stock solely in exchange for, or out of the proceeds received substantially concurrently of, the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company; provided, however, that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a)(C)(ii) hereto;
 
(6)            any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (A) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer or upon the foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment; or (B) litigation, arbitration or other disputes;
 
(7)            Investments represented by Hedging Obligations, Treasury Management Arrangements and Card Product Obligations (such Investments in Card Product Obligations under this clause (7) not to exceed $10.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any time);
 
(8)            loans or advances to officers, directors or employees made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2.0 million at any time outstanding;
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(9)            repurchases of the Notes;
 
(10)            any guarantee of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by Section 4.09 hereto (other than a guarantee of Indebtedness of an Affiliate of the Company that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) and (other than with respect to Indebtedness) guarantees of obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business;
 
(11)            any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the date of this Indenture and any Investment consisting of an extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to a binding commitment existing on, the date of this Indenture; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (a) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the date of this Indenture or (b) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;
 
(12)            Investments acquired after the date of this Indenture as a result of the acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of another Person, including by way of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or all or substantially all of the assets of another Person, in each case, in a transaction that is not prohibited under Section 5.01 hereto after the date of this Indenture to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;
 
(13)            Investments in any Person to the extent such Investments consist of prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection, and lease, utility, workers’ compensation, performance and similar deposits made in the ordinary course of business;
 
(14)            Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock); provided, however, that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a)(C)(ii) hereto;
 
(15)            consumer installment loans or participations therein in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
(16)            Investments by a non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary in a non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary;
 
(17)            loans and advances to officers, directors or employees for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;
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(18) any Investment by an Insurance Subsidiary made in the ordinary course of its business, or by reason of applicable law, rule, regulation or order, or that is required or approved by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Insurance Subsidiary or its business, as applicable;
 
(19) Investments consisting of or to finance purchases and acquisitions of supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property in each case in the ordinary course of business;
 
(20) any Investment in a Special Purpose Subsidiary or any Investment by a Special Purpose Subsidiary in any other Person in connection with a Permitted Securitization, including Investments of funds held in accounts permitted or required by the arrangements governing such Permitted Securitization or any related Indebtedness;
 
(21) Investments in joint ventures and Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (21) that are at the time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $5.0 million and 0.5% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Company; and
 
(22) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (22) that are at the time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $50.0 million and 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Company.
 
“Permitted Liens” means:
 
(1)            Liens on assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under Credit Facilities that was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred, and is incurred, pursuant to clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt and (ii) securing Card Product Obligations pursuant to cross-collateralization provisions contained in Credit Facilities, which Card Product Obligations were permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred, and are incurred, other than pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereto;
 
(2)            Liens to secure Hedging Obligations and/or Treasury Management Arrangements, in each case not incurred in violation of this Indenture;
 
(3)            Liens on property or Equity Interests of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
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(4)            Liens on property (including Equity Interests) existing at the time of acquisition of such property by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to such acquisition and not incurred in contemplation of, such acquisition;
 
(5)            pledges, deposits and other Liens to secure the performance of public or statutory obligations, government contracts, trade contracts, insurance, surety, indemnity or appeal bonds, bids, leases, workers compensation obligations, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (including Liens to secure letters of credit issued to assure payment of such obligations);
 
(6)            Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by Section 4.09(b)(4) hereof covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness; provided that individual financings of property or assets provided by one lender may be cross-collateralized to other similar financings of property or assets provided by such lender;
 
(7)            Liens to secure Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors permitted under Section 4.09 hereof; provided that such Liens may not extend to any property or assets of the Company or any Guarantor other than the Capital Stock of such non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
(8)            Liens on the Capital Stock of any Unrestricted Subsidiary to secure Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;
 
(9)            Liens existing on the date of this Indenture (and replacement Liens that do not encumber additional assets, unless such encumbrance is otherwise permitted by this Indenture), other than Liens securing Indebtedness and other obligations incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(1) hereof;
 
(10)            Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet subject to penalties for nonpayment or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor;
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(11)            Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, landlord’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;
 
(12)            survey exceptions, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;
 
(13)            Liens created for the benefit of (or to secure) the Notes or the Note Guarantees;
 
(14)            Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture that refinances Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted under clauses (3), (4) and (9) of this definition; provided, however, that:
 
(a)            the new Lien is limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to, such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and
 
(b)            the Indebtedness secured by the new Lien is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, committed amount, of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, extended, defeased or discharged with such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such renewal, refunding, refinancing, replacement, extension, defeasance or discharge;
 
(15)            Liens on insurance policies and proceeds thereof, or other deposits, to secure insurance premium financings;
 
(16)            any interest or title of a lessor, licensor or sublessor under any lease, license or sublease entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and covering only the assets so leased, licensed or subleased, including the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements as a precautionary measure in connection with operating leases;
 
(17)            bankers’ Liens, rights of setoff, Liens arising out of judgments or awards not constituting an Event of Default and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made;
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(18)            Liens on cash, Cash Equivalents or other property arising in connection with the defeasance, discharge or redemption of Indebtedness;
 
(19)            Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods (and the proceeds thereof) of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of documentary letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances issued or created in the ordinary course of business for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
 
(20)            grants of software and other technology licenses in the ordinary course of business;
 
(21)            Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;
 
(22)            Liens in favor of the Company or any of the Guarantors (other than a Special Purpose Subsidiary);
 
(23)            Assignments of insurance or condemnation proceeds provided to landlords (or their mortgagees) pursuant to the terms of any lease and Liens or rights reserved in any lease for rent or for compliance with the terms of such lease;
 
(24)            Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on the items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes, (iii) in favor of a banking or other financial institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits or other funds maintained with a financial institution (including the right of setoff) and that are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry or (iv) encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;
 
(25)            Liens on the Equity Interests in joint ventures held by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries securing the obligations of such joint ventures;
 
(26)            options, put and call arrangements, rights of first refusal and similar rights to Investments in joint ventures, partnerships or other similar Permitted Investments;
 
(27)            Liens (i) solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder of (ii) consisting of an agreement to consummate an Asset Sale permitted to be made by the terms of this Indenture;
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(28)            restrictions resulting from any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any governmental office or agency to control or regulate the use of any real property, in each case, which do not and will not interfere with or affect in any material respect the use, value or operations of any real estate asset of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
(29)            Liens on Financeable Assets and other assets of the type specified in the definition of “Permitted Securitization” and the proceeds thereof incurred in connection with Permitted Securitizations;
 
(30)            Liens on securities that are the subject of repurchase agreements constituting Cash Equivalents under clause (4) of the definition thereof;
 
(31)            leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, and, in the case of real property that constitutes a leasehold interest, any Lien to which the fee simple interest (or any superior leasehold interest) is subject;
 
(32)            other Liens securing obligations not to exceed the greater of $35.0 million and 3.5% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Company in the aggregate at any time outstanding; and
 
(33)            other ordinary course Liens or Liens consistent with past practice, in each case, incidental to the conduct of the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ businesses or the ownership of its property not securing any Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, and which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ property when taken as a whole, or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of its business.
 
“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, extend, defease or discharge other Indebtedness (or unutilized commitment in respect of Indebtedness) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:
 
(1)            the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, extended, defeased or discharged (plus (a) any unutilized commitment relating to the Indebtedness, but only to the extent such unutilized commitment could be drawn at such time in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof, (b) all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and (c) the amount of all fees, costs and expenses, including premiums and any underwriting discounts, incurred in connection therewith);
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(2)            such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date either (a) no earlier than the final maturity date of the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, extended, defeased or discharged or (b) 91 days after the final maturity date of the Notes;
 
(3)            such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred that is no shorter than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the portion of the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, extended, defeased or discharged;
 
(4)            if the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, as applicable, on terms at least as favorable to the Holders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, extended, defeased or discharged; and
 
(5)            shall not include (a) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor, or (b) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that such Indebtedness incurred in connection with such renewal, refunding, refinancing, extension, replacement, defeasance or discharge may constitute an issuance of Indebtedness in excess of the amount permitted under this definition of “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” to the extent that such excess amount is otherwise permitted under Section 4.09 hereof.
 
“Permitted Securitization” means any transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries grants a security interest in, or sells or otherwise transfers to a Special Purpose Subsidiary, and such Special Purpose Subsidiary acquires (and such Special Purpose Subsidiary and any successor transferee thereof, may in turn sell, contribute to capital or otherwise transfer to any other Special Purpose Subsidiary), any Financeable Assets or interests therein, which acquisition is paid for by such Securitization Entity with (a) proceeds of Third Party Securities, (b) Residual Interests in such Securitization Entity, (c) proceeds of collection on, or any sale or other transfer of, Financeable Assets, or interests therein, so previously acquired by such Securitization Entity or (d) any combination of the foregoing; provided that (a) the Company shall have determined in good faith that such Permitted Securitization is economically fair and reasonable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, (b) the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions (including collateralization levels) thereof shall be on customary market terms for securitization transactions involving assets such as, or similar to, the Financeable Assets subject thereto (as determined in good faith by the Company) and (c) at the time of such Permitted Securitization, the Company’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio would have been no more than 2.5:1.00 (determined on a pro forma basis).
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“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
 
“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(1) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.
 
“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.
 
“Preferred Stock” as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.
 
“Rating Agencies” mean Moody’s, S&P, Fitch or if Moody’s, S&P or Fitch or any or all of them shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company which shall be substituted for Moody’s, S&P or Fitch or any or all of them, as the case may be.
 
“Receivables” means loans and other consumer loan receivables purchased or originated by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that (i) for purposes of determining the amount of a Receivable at any time, such amount shall be determined in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, as of the most recent practicable date and (ii) “Receivables” shall exclude Residual Interests.
 
“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.
 
“Regulation S Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.
 
“Responsible Officer”, when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who, in each case, shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
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“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
 
“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
 
“Residual Interest” means, with respect to any Special Purpose Subsidiary, the residual right (which may be represented by an equity interest or a subordinated debt obligation of such Special Purpose Subsidiary) owned or held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Special Purpose Subsidiary) to receive cash flows from the Financeable Assets sold to such Special Purpose Subsidiary in excess of amounts needed to pay principal of, interest on and other amounts in respect of the Non-Recourse Securitization Debt incurred by such Special Purpose Subsidiary in connection with a Permitted Securitization, servicing expenses of such Special Purpose Subsidiary, costs in respect of Hedging Obligations of such Special Purpose Subsidiary (if any) and other fees and obligations in respect of the Third Party Securities issued by such Special Purpose Subsidiary and secured by such Financeable Assets.
 
“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
 
“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
 
“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
 
“Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.
 
“Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.
 
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings (a division of S&P Global Inc.), or any of its successors or assigns that is a nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act.
 
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
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“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date of this Indenture.
 
“Special Purpose Subsidiary” means any wholly-owned direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company established for the sole purpose of conducting one or more Permitted Securitizations and otherwise established and operated in accordance with customary industry practices.
 
“Standard Securitization Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and guarantees of performance entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company that the Company has determined in good faith to be customary in a Permitted Securitization, including those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Special Purpose Subsidiary.
 
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness as of the first date it was incurred in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof; provided that, in the case of debt securities that are by their terms convertible into Capital Stock (or cash or a combination of cash and Capital Stock based on the value of the Capital Stock) of the Company, any obligation to offer to repurchase such debt securities on a date(s) specified in the original terms of such securities, which obligation is not subject to any condition or contingency, will be treated as a Stated Maturity date of such convertible debt securities.
 
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:
 
(1)            any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
 
(2)            any partnership or limited liability company of which (a) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (b) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.
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“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended.
 
“Third Party Securities” means, with respect to any Permitted Securitization, notes, bond or other debt instruments, beneficial interests in a trust, undivided ownership interests in an entity or in a pool or pools of Financeable Assets or other securities issued for cash consideration by the relevant Special Purpose Subsidiary to banks, investors or other financing sources (other than the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) the proceeds of which are used to finance, in whole or in part, the purchase by such Special Purpose Subsidiary of Financeable Assets in a Permitted Securitization.
 
“Total Shareholders’ Equity” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s total shareholders’ equity, as shown on the face of such Person’s most recent consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.
 
“Treasury Management Arrangement” means any agreement or other arrangement governing the provision of treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overdraft, credit or debit card, funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, interstate depository network services, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services.
 
“Treasury Rate” means, as of any redemption date, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of  United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to such date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to November 1, 2023; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to November 1, 2023, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.
 
“Trustee” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.
 
“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.
 
“Unrestricted Global Note” means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.
 
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors in accordance with this Indenture (and any Subsidiary thereof), but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:
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(1)            has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;
 
(2)            except as permitted by Section 4.11, is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;
 
(3)            is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and
 
(4)            has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
“U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.
 
“Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
 
“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:
 
(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by
 
(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
 
SECTION 1.02.          Other Definitions.
 
Term
  
Defined in
Section

“Affiliate Transaction”                                                              
4.11

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Term
  
Defined in
Section

“Applicable Law” 7.06
“Asset Sale Offer”
4.10
“Authentication Order”                                                                                                                                          
2.02
“Change of Control Offer”                                                                                                                                          
4.15
“Change of Control Payment”                                                                                                                                          
4.15
“Change of Control Payment Date”                                                                                                                                          
“Code”                                                                                                                                          
4.15
7.06
“Covenant Defeasance”                                                                                                                                          
8.03
“Covenant Suspension Event”                                                                                                                                          
4.20
“Event of Default”                                                                                                                                          
6.01
“Excess Proceeds”                                                                                                                                          
4.10
“incur”                                                                                                                                          
4.09
“Legal Defeasance”                                                                                                                                          
8.02
“Offer Amount”                                                                                                                                          
3.09
“Offer Period”                                                                                                                                          
“Pari Passu Debt”                                                                                                                                          
3.09
4.10
“Paying Agent”                                                                                                                                          
2.03
“Permitted Debt”                                                                                                                                          
4.09
“Payment Default”                                                                                                                                          
6.01
“Purchase Date”                                                                                                                                          
3.09
“Registrar”                                                                                                                                          
2.03
“Restricted Payments”                                                                                                                                          
4.07
“Reversion Date”                                                                                                                                          
4.20
“Suspended Covenants”                                                                                                                                          
4.20
“Suspension Date”                                                                                                                                          
4.20
“Suspension Period”                                                                                                                                          
4.20
 
SECTION 1.03.          No Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.  Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no obligation or requirement under the TIA shall be applicable to the Company, any Guarantor or any other obliger of the Notes.
 
SECTION 1.04.          Rules of Construction.  Unless the context otherwise requires:
 
(1)            a term has the meaning assigned to it;
 
(2)            an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
 
(3)            “or” is not exclusive;
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(4)            “including” is not limiting;
 
(5)            words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
 
(6)            “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;
 
(7)            provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and
 
(8)            references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.
 
SECTION 1.05.          Financial Calculations for Limited Condition Transactions.  i)  When calculating the availability under any basket or ratio under this Indenture, in each case in connection with any merger, acquisition or other Investment, in each case, the consummation of which is not conditioned upon the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing, where there is a time difference between commitment and closing or incurrence (including in respect of incurrence of Indebtedness, Restricted Payments and Permitted Investments), the date of determination of the availability of such basket or ratio and of any Default or Event of Default shall, at the option of the Company, be the date the definitive agreements for such merger, acquisition or other Investment are entered into (or, in case of an acquisition or other Investment in the form of a tender or exchange offer in connection with which no definitive agreement is entered into with the target company, the date of delivery of a binding offer, a tender offer, an irrevocable notice or a similar event) and such baskets or ratios shall be calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such merger, acquisition or other Investment and the other transactions to be entered into in connection therewith (including any incurrence of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) as if they occurred at the beginning of the applicable reference period for purposes of determining the ability to consummate any such transaction (and not for purposes of any subsequent availability of any basket or ratio).
 
(b)            For the avoidance of doubt, (1) if any of such baskets or ratios are exceeded as a result of fluctuations in such basket or ratio (including due to fluctuations in Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated Total Assets or the share price or share value of any Person) subsequent to such date of determination and at or prior to the consummation of the relevant transaction, such baskets or ratios will be deemed not to have been exceeded as a result of such fluctuations solely for purposes of determining whether the transaction is permitted under the Indenture and (2) such baskets or ratios shall not be tested at the time of consummation of such transaction or related transactions; provided that if the Company elects to have such determinations occur at the time of entry into such definitive agreement (or the date of delivery of a binding offer, a tender offer, an irrevocable notice or a similar event, as the case may be), any such transactions (including any incurrence of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) shall be deemed to have occurred on the date the definitive agreements are entered into (or such date of delivery of a binding offer, a tender offer, an irrevocable notice or a similar event, as the case may be) and outstanding thereafter for purposes of calculating any baskets or ratios under the Indenture after the date of such agreement (or delivery of a binding offer, a tender offer, an irrevocable notice or a similar event, as the case may be) and before the consummation of such transaction; provided further that the Consolidated Net Income (and any other financial term derived therefrom) and Consolidated Total Assets, other than for purposes of calculating any ratios or baskets in connection with such merger, acquisition or other Investment, shall not include any Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated Total Assets of or attributable to the target company or assets associated with any such merger, acquisition or Investment unless and until the consummation of such merger, acquisition or Investment shall have actually occurred; and provided further that for purposes of any such calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, consolidated interest expense will be calculated using an assumed interest rate for the Indebtedness to be incurred in connection with any such merger, acquisition or Investment based on the indicative interest margin contained in any financing commitment documentation with respect to such Indebtedness or, if no such indicative interest margin exists, as reasonably determined by the Company in good faith.
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ARTICLE 2

The Notes
 
SECTION 2.01.          Form and Dating.  ii)  General.  The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.  The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage.  Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.  The Notes shall be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
 
The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.  However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
 
(b)            Global Notes.  Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto).  Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto).  Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions.  Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.
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(c)            Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable.  The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.
 
SECTION 2.02.          Execution and Authentication.  At least one Officer must sign the Notes for the Company by manual, facsimile or electronic signature.
 
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
 
A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee.  The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
 
The Trustee shall, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by an Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including any Additional Notes.  The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Company pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.
 
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes.  An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.  An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.
 
SECTION 2.03.          Registrar and Paying Agent.  The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”).  The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange.  The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents.  The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.  The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder.  The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture.  If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to receive compensation for so doing.  The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
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The Company initially appoints DTC to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
 
The Company initially appoints The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.
 
SECTION 2.04.          Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.  The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the entity acting as Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment.  While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money.  If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent.  Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.
 
SECTION 2.05.          Holder Lists.  The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders.  If the entity acting as Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders.
 
SECTION 2.06.          Transfer and Exchange.  iii)  Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes.  A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.  All Global Notes shall be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if:
 
(1)            the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;
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(2)            the Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Notes; or
 
(3)            there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes and any holder of the Notes or any beneficial interest therein requests that the Definitive Notes be issued.
 
Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1) or (2) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee.  Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof.  Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note.  A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.
 
(b)            Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes.  The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures.  Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act.  Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:
 
(1)            Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note.  Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser).  Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note.  No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).
 
(2)            All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes.  In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:
 
(A)            both:
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(i)            a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and
 
(ii)            instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or
 
(B)            both:
 
(i)            a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and
 
(ii)            instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above.
 
Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.
 
(3)            Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note.  A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:
 
(A)            if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; and
 
(B)            if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.
 
(4)            Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note.  A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:
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(A)            if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or
 
(B)            if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
 
and, in each such case, if the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
 
If any such transfer is effected at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred.
 
Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.
 
(c)            Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.  1.  Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes.  If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
 
(A)            if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;
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(B)            if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
 
(C)            if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;
 
(D)            if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof; or
 
(E)            if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof,
 
the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount.  Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant.  The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered.  Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.
 
(2)            Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes.  A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if the Registrar receives the following:
 
(A)            if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or
 
(B)            if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
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and, in each such case, if the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
 
(3)            Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes.  If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Unrestricted Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount.  Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant.  The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered.  Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
 
(d)            Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.  2.  Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes.  If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
 
(A)            if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;
 
(B)            if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
 
(C)            if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;
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(D)            if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;
 
(E)            if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or
 
(F)            if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,
 
the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note.
 
(2)            Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes.  A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:
 
(A)            if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or
 
(B)            if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
 
and, in each such case, if the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
 
Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.
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(3)            Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes.  A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time.  Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.
 
If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (2) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.
 
(e)            Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes.  Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes.  Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing.  In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).
 
(1)            Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes.  Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:
 
(A)            if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
 
(B)            if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and
 
(C)            if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.
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(2)            Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes.  Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:
 
(A)            if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or
 
(B)            if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
 
and, in each such case, if the Company so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
 
(3)            Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes.  A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.  Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.
 
(f)            [Reserved].
 
(g)            Legends.  The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
 
(1)            Private Placement Legend.  (b)  Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:
 
“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS] AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE U.S. WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND SHALL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.
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[IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.]”
 
(B)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(2), (c)(3), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2) or (e)(3) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
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(2)            Global Note Legend.  Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
 
“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION.
 
UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.  UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“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 SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR 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.”
 
(h)            Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes.  At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof.  At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Custodian at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Custodian at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.
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(i)            General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.  (2)  To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.
 
(2)            No service charge shall be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 hereof).
 
(3)            The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
 
(4)            All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
 
(5)            Neither the Registrar nor the Company shall be required:
 
(A)            to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;
 
(B)            to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or
 
(C)            to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.
 
(6)            Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
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(7)            The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.
 
(8)            All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar or the Company pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.
 
SECTION 2.07.          Replacement Notes.  If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met.  If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced.  The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.
 
Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
 
SECTION 2.08.          Outstanding Notes.  The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee or Custodian in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding.  Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(a) hereof.
 
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser (as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code).
 
If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
 
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.
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SECTION 2.09.          Treasury Notes.  In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or any Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any Guarantor, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
 
SECTION 2.10.          Temporary Notes.  Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes.  Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.  Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.
 
Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.
 
SECTION 2.11.          Cancellation.  The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation.  The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment.  The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall destroy canceled Notes (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act).  Certification of the destruction of all canceled Notes shall be delivered to the Company.  The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
 
SECTION 2.12.          Defaulted Interest.  If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, the Company shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.  The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment.  The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date may be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest.  At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
 
SECTION 2.13.          Issuance of Additional Notes.  After the Issue Date, the Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 2.02 and Section 4.09, to issue Additional Notes under this Indenture, which Notes shall have the same terms (other than price, date of issuance and the date from which interest will accrue) as the Initial Notes.  All the Notes under this Indenture shall be treated as a single class for all purposes of this Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided that, if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Additional Notes shall have a separate CUSIP number.
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ARTICLE 3

Redemption and Prepayment
 
SECTION 3.01.          Notices to Trustee.  If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth:
 
(1)            the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;
 
(2)            the redemption date;
 
(3)            the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and
 
(4)            the redemption price.
 
SECTION 3.02.          Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.  If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select Notes for redemption on a pro rata basis, by lot, or by such other method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate, unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange or depositary requirements.
 
In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption or purchase date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.
 
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased.  Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed or purchased.  Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.
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SECTION 3.03.          Notice of Redemption.  Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company or, at the instruction and in the name of the Company, the Trustee (upon at least five Business Days’ advance notice) shall send or cause to be sent, by first class mail (or transmitted otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary), a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Articles 8 or 11 hereof.
 
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
 
(1)            the redemption date;
 
(2)            the redemption price;
 
(3)            if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;
 
(4)            the name and address of the Paying Agent;
 
(5)            that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
 
(6)            that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
 
(7)            the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;
 
(8)            that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and
 
(9)            if the notice of redemption is subject to one or more conditions precedent as provided in Section 3.07, a statement to that effect and a description of such condition or conditions.
 
At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least 30 days prior to the redemption date, an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.
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SECTION 3.04.          Effect of Notice of Redemption.  Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price.
 
SECTION 3.05.          Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.  One Business Day prior to the redemption or purchase date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of, accrued interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date.  The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.
 
If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.  If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date.  If any Note called for redemption or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.
 
SECTION 3.06.          Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.  Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.
 
SECTION 3.07.          Optional Redemption.  iv)  At any time prior to November 1, 2023, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes) issued under this Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 107.000% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date), in an amount not to exceed the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:
 
(1)            at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes  (including Additional Notes) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and
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(2)            the redemption occurs within 120 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.
 
(b)            At any time prior to November 1, 2023, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice (with a copy to the Trustee), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).
 
(c)            Except pursuant to the preceding paragraphs, the Notes shall not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to November 1, 2023.
 
(d)            On or after November 1, 2023 the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice to the Holders (with a copy to the Trustee), at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but not including, the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on November 1 of each of the years indicated below:
 
Year
  
Percentage
2023  
    
103.500
%
2024  
    
101.750
%
2025 and thereafter  
    
100.000
%

Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.
 
Notice of any redemption of, or any offer to purchase, the Notes may, at the Company’s discretion, be given in connection with an Equity Offering or other transaction or event and prior to the completion or the occurrence thereof, and any such redemption or purchase may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including completion or occurrence of the related Equity Offering or other transaction event. In addition, if such redemption or purchase is subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date or purchase date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption or offer to purchase was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived, or such redemption or repurchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or waived by redemption date or purchase date or by the redemption date or purchase date as so delayed, or such notice or offer may be rescinded at any time in the Company’s discretion. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice or offer that payment of the redemption or purchase price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption or offer to purchase may be performed by another Person.
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(e)            Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.
 
SECTION 3.08.          Mandatory Redemption; Offers to Purchase; Open Market Purchases.  Except pursuant to Section 4.10 and Section 4.15, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments or offers to purchase the Notes.  The Company or any Subsidiary of the Company may at any time and from time to time purchase Notes for cancellation in the open market, pursuant to negotiated transactions or otherwise.
 
SECTION 3.09.          Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.  In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company is required to commence an  offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”), it shall follow the procedures specified below.
 
The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase, prepay or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets.  The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”).  No later than three Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company shall apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.
 
If the Purchase Date is on or after a record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no other interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.
 
Within five Business Days after the Company is obligated to make an Asset Sale Offer as described in Section 4.10, the Company shall send a written notice, by first class mail, to the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee.  The notice shall be accompanied by such information regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries as the Company in good faith believes will enable such Holders to make an informed decision with respect to such Asset Sale Offer, including all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.  The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:
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(1)            that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer will remain open;
 
(2)            the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;
 
(3)            that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accrue interest;
 
(4)            that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;
 
(5)            that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in denominations of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;
 
(6)            that Holders electing to have Notes purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer will be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a Depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;
 
(7)            that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, facsimile or electronic transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;
 
(8)            that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered in (or required to be prepaid or redeemed in connection with) such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company shall select the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis (subject to applicable DTC procedures with respect to the Global Notes), based on the amounts tendered or required to be prepaid or redeemed, and thereafter the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (or in the manner described in Section 3.02), based on the amounts tendered or required to be prepaid or redeemed (with, in each case, such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company or the Trustee, as applicable, so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, shall be purchased); and
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(9) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).
 
On or before the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09.  The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Company, shall authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.  Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof.  The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.
 
ARTICLE 4

Covenants
 
SECTION 4.01.          Payment of Notes.  The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes.  Principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, then due.  If an interest payment date, redemption date, the maturity date or any other due date for any payment in respect of the Notes falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the related payment of principal or interest will be made on the next succeeding Business Day as if made on the date the payment was due, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
 
The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at a rate that is 1% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.
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SECTION 4.02.          Maintenance of Office or Agency.  The Company shall maintain in the contiguous United States an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes 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 such office or agency.  If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
 
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the contiguous United States for such purposes.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
 
The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.
 
SECTION 4.03.          Reports.  v)  Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company shall furnish to the Holders and to the Trustee (or file with the SEC for public availability), within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations (after giving effect to any extensions available under the rules and regulations of the SEC) based on the Company’s then-current filer status within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act (if the Company is then required by the SEC’s rules and regulations to file such reports) or, if the Company is not then required by the SEC’s rules and regulations to file such reports, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations applicable to non-accelerated filers:
 
(1)            all quarterly and annual reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such reports, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report thereon by the Company’s certified independent accountants; and
 
(2)            all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports.
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All such reports shall be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports.  In addition, the Company shall file a copy of each of the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified above (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing) and shall post the reports on its website within those time periods.
 
If, at any time, the Company is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Company shall nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 4.03(a) with the SEC within the time periods specified above unless the SEC will not accept such a filing.  The Company shall not take any action for the purpose of causing the SEC not to accept any such filings.  If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the SEC will not accept the Company’s filings for any reason, the Company shall post the reports referred to in the preceding paragraphs on its website within the time periods that would apply if the Company were required to file those reports with the SEC.
 
(b)            If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by Section 4.03(a) above shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.
 
The availability of the foregoing materials on the SEC’s EDGAR service (or any successor thereto) shall be deemed to satisfy the Company’s delivery obligation hereunder.
 
(c)            For so long as any Notes remain outstanding, if at any time they are not required to file with the SEC the reports required by Section 4.03(a) and 4.03(b) above, the Company and the Guarantors shall furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
 
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt thereof 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 under the Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on Officer’s Certificates of the Company).
 
SECTION 4.04.          Compliance Certificate.  vi)  The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officer’s Certificate of the Company stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the Officer signing such Certificate with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
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(b)            So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
 
SECTION 4.05.          Taxes.  The Company shall pay, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.
 
SECTION 4.06.          Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.  The Company and each of the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each of the Guarantors (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, by resort to any such law, 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 has been enacted.
 
SECTION 4.07.          Restricted Payments.  vii)  The Company shall not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
 
(1)            declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than (a) dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and (b) dividends or distributions payable to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary);
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(2)            purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company held by Persons other than the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
 
(3)            make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or to any Note Guarantee (excluding any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), except a payment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of such subordinated Indebtedness in connection with a payment of interest, a payment of a principal installment, a payment of principal at the Stated Maturity thereof or a sinking fund obligation, in each case due within one year of the date of such payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement; or
 
(4)            make any Restricted Investment
 
(all such payments and other actions set forth in these clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),
 
unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:
 
(A)            no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment;
 
(B)            the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and
 
(C)            such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (1) (provided that at the time of declaring such dividend, such dividend was counted as a Restricted Payment), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (10), (11), (12) and (13) of Section 4.07(b) hereof), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:
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(i)            50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from July 1, 2021 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit); plus
 
(ii)            100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds or Fair Market Value of property other than cash received by the Company since the date of this Indenture as a contribution to its common equity capital (other than Excluded Contributions) or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock and Excluded Contributions) of the Company or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock of the Company or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company, in each case that have been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests of the Company (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company and Excluded Contributions); plus
 
(iii)            without duplication, (i) 100% of the aggregate amount received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash and the Fair Market Value of property other than cash received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from (A) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture and from repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries by any Person (other than the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) and from repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constituted Restricted Investments, (B) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, and (C) a distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company, to the extent that such dividends were not otherwise included in the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period and (ii) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the date of the indenture is made in an entity that subsequently becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Fair Market Value of such Restricted Investment as of the date such entity becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or, if less, the amount of the Restricted Investment initially made); plus
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(iv)            to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company designated as such after the date of this Indenture is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case after the date of this Indenture, the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Restricted Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation, merger or consolidation (or of the assets so transferred or conveyed, as applicable) after deducting any Indebtedness associated with the Unrestricted Subsidiary so designated or any Indebtedness associated with the assets so transferred or conveyed; plus
 
(v)            $50.0 million.
 
(b)            The provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof shall not prohibit:
 
(1)            the payment of any dividend or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;
 
(2)            the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of or with the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to the Company; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment shall be excluded from Section 4.07(a)(C)(ii) of the preceding paragraph and shall be excluded from the net cash proceeds from an Equity Offering for purposes of Section 3.07 of this Indenture;
 
(3)            the payment of any dividend (or, in the case of any Person other than a corporation, any similar distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;
 
(4)            the payment, prepayment, refinancing, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated to the Notes or to any Note Guarantee in exchange for or with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
 
(5)            the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any future, current or former officer, director, employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement, management equity plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or other similar agreement or arrangement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $5.0 million in any calendar year, with unused amounts in any calendar year being permitted to be carried over to the next succeeding calendar year (but not to any subsequent calendar year) (in each case plus the amount of net cash and proceeds received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from the issuance of Equity Interests by the Company to officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Company and its Subsidiaries, to the extent that those amounts did not provide the basis for any previous Restricted Payment);
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(6)            the repurchase of Equity Interests (i) deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options, warrants or other convertible or exchangeable securities to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of those stock options, warrants or other convertible or exchangeable securities or (ii) in connection with a gross-up for tax withholding related to Equity Interests referred to in clause (i);
 
(7)             the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company issued on or after the date of this Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof;
 
(8)            payments of cash, dividends, distributions, advances or other Restricted Payments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to allow the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon (i) the exercise of options or warrants or (ii) the conversion or exchange of Capital Stock of any such Person;
 
(9)            so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any Restricted Payment; provided that on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the Company’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio would have been no more than 1.5 to 1.00 (determined on a pro forma basis);
 
(10)            Restricted Payments that are made with (or in an aggregate amount that does not exceed the aggregate amount of) Excluded Contributions;
 
(11)            the distribution, as a dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
 
(12)            so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of $40.0 million and 4.0% Consolidated Total Assets of the Company since the date of this Indenture; and
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(13)            so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to provisions similar to those described in Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 hereof; provided that all Notes tendered by Holders in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value.
 
(c)            The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment.  For purposes of this Section 4.07, if a particular Restricted Payment involves a non-cash payment, including a distribution of assets, then such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the cash portion of such Restricted Payment, if any, plus an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the non-cash portion of such Restricted Payment.  For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.07, if a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the exceptions described in clauses (1) through (13) of Section 4.07(b), or is entitled to be made according to paragraph (a) of this Section 4.07, or in the event that any Permitted Investment meets the criteria of more than one of the clauses of such term, the Company may, in its sole discretion, classify (and later reclassify) the Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 4.07.  If any Investment is made, which Investment constitutes a Restricted Investment when made, and thereafter becomes a Permitted Investment in accordance with this Indenture, such Investment shall no longer be counted as a Restricted Investment for purposes of calculating the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.07(a)(C) to the extent such Investment would otherwise be so counted.
 
SECTION 4.08.          Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.  viii)  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
 
(1)            pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
(2)            make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
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(3)            sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
(b)            The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof shall not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
 
(1)            any agreement in existence on the date of this Indenture, including agreements governing Existing Indebtedness and Credit Facilities as in effect on the date of this Indenture;
 
(2)            this Indenture, the Notes and the related Note Guarantees;
 
(3)            agreements governing other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 4.09 hereof;
 
(4)            applicable law, rule, regulation or order, or any requirement of any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their businesses, including any such law, rule, regulation, order or requirement applicable in connection with a Restricted Subsidiary’s status as an Insurance Subsidiary;
 
(5)            any instrument or agreement governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or merged with or into a Restricted Subsidiary as in effect at the time of such acquisition or merger (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition or merger), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired or merged; provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;
 
(6)            customary non-assignment provisions and provisions restricting sub-letting or sub-licensing in contracts, leases, sub-leases, licenses and sub-licenses entered into in the ordinary course of business;
 
(7)            purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and mortgage financings and Capital Lease Obligations permitted under this Indenture, in each case, that impose encumbrances or restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature described in Section 4.08(a)(3) hereof;
 
(8)            any restriction imposed under an agreement for the sale or other disposition of assets, including without limitation a Restricted Subsidiary, that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending such sale or other disposition;
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(9)            Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced (as determined in good faith by the Company);
 
(10)            Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;
 
(11)            provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements (including agreements entered into in connection with a Restricted Investment) in the ordinary course of business, which limitation is applicable only to the assets that are the subject of such agreements
 
(12)            any agreement or other instrument of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or merges with or into a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company on or after the date of this Indenture, which is in existence at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, but not created in connection with or in anticipation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, and which is not applicable to any Person or the property or assets of any Person other than such Person or the property or assets of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary;
 
(13)            restrictions on cash, Cash Equivalents or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
 
(14)            the requirements of any Permitted Securitization that are exclusively applicable to any bankruptcy remote Special Purpose Subsidiary formed in connection therewith;
 
(15)            the requirements of any Standard Securitization Undertakings;
 
(16)            encumbrances and restrictions contained in contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any Indebtedness, and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the ability of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to realize such value, or to make any distributions relating to such property or assets in each case in any material respect; and
 
(17)            any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (1), (2) or (3) in Section 4.08(a) above imposed by any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (16) above, provided that such amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Company, not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the dividend or other payment restrictions prior to such amendment, restatement, modification, renewal, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.
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(c)            Nothing contained in this Section 4.08 shall prevent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from (i) creating, incurring, assuming or suffering to exist any Liens otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof, or (ii) restricting the sale or other disposition of property or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that secure Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in accordance with this Indenture.
 
(d)            For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.08, (1) the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to distributions or liquidating distributions being paid on common equity shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Equity Interests and (2) the subordination of loans or advances made to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances.
 
SECTION 4.09.          Incurrence of Indebtedness.  ix)  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt); provided, however, that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Guarantors may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period.
 
(b)            The provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof shall not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):
 
(1)            the incurrence by the Company and any Guarantor of Indebtedness under Credit Facilities (including letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued or created under any Credit Facility) in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (1) not to exceed the greater of (a) $785.0 million and (b) 85% of the net book value of the loans receivable of the Company and the Guarantors, determined on a consolidated basis as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter preceding the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness for which internal financial statements are available and giving pro forma effect (as determined in good faith by the Company) to any acquisitions or dispositions that have occurred or are expected to occur at or prior to the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness plus in the case of any refinancing of any Indebtedness permitted under this clause (1) or any portion thereof, the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing;
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(2)            the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness;
 
(3)            the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Notes and the related Note Guarantees to be issued on the date of this Indenture;
 
(4)            the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of lease, rental, design, construction, installation or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or Indebtedness otherwise incurred to finance the purchase, lease, rental or cost of design, construction, installation or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment that is used or useful in the business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether through the direct purchase of assets or other Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4), not to exceed the greater of $30.0 million and 3.0% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Company at any time outstanding;
 
(5)            the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.09(a) hereof or clauses (2), (3) or (15) of this Section 4.09(b) or this clause (5);
 
(6)            the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Special Purpose Subsidiary) of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Special Purpose Subsidiary); provided, however, that if:
 
(A)            (1) the Company or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness,
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(2)            the payee is not the Company or a Guarantor, and
 
(3)            such Indebtedness does not constitute a Permitted Investment under clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Investments, then such Indebtedness must be unsecured and expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations then due with respect to the Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Note Guarantee, in the case of a Guarantor; and
 
(B)            (1) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any Indebtedness incurred under this clause (6) being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and
 
(2)            any sale or other transfer of any Indebtedness incurred under this clause (6) to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,
 
shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (6);
 
(7)            the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business and not for speculation;
 
(8)            the Guarantee by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Special Purpose Subsidiary) of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Special Purpose Subsidiary) of the Company, to the extent that the guaranteed Indebtedness was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, then the Guarantee must be subordinated or pari passu, as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;
 
(9)            the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, health or disability benefits to employees or their dependents or property, bankers’ acceptances, letters of credit, bank guarantees, performance and surety bonds, completion guarantees, bid bonds, appeal bonds and similar obligations in the ordinary course of business;
 
(10)            the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds, so long as such Indebtedness is covered within ten Business Days;
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(11)            the incurrence by Foreign Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding pursuant to this clause (11), including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (11), not to exceed the greater of $15.0 million and 1.5% of aggregate Consolidated Total Assets (or the equivalent thereof, measured at the time of each incurrence, in the applicable foreign currency) of the Foreign Subsidiaries;
 
(12)            the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of endorsements of negotiable instruments and in respect of Treasury Management Arrangements, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
 
(13)            the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business;
 
(14)            the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for working capital adjustments, purchase price adjustments, non-competes, consulting, deferred compensation, earn-out obligations, contingent consideration, contributions and similar obligations incurred or assumed in connection with any Permitted Investment or disposition of any business, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business for the purpose of financing such Permitted Investment, in each case in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
 
(15)            Indebtedness of (a) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance an acquisition or (b) any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or of any Person not previously a Restricted Subsidiary that is merged or consolidated with or into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) after the date hereof as a result of an Investment permitted hereunder and all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness thereof; provided that, in each case of the preceding clauses (a) and (b), after giving effect to such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary (or to such acquisition, merger or consolidation), either (i) the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in clause (a) of this Section 4.09 or (ii) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company would be no less than immediately prior to such acquisition, merger or consolidation;
 
(16)            Non-Recourse Securitization Debt incurred by a Special Purpose Subsidiary under a Permitted Securitization and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto that is Non-Recourse Securitization Debt; or
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(17)            the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (17), not to exceed the greater of $35.0 million and 3.5% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Company.
 
The Company shall not incur, and shall not permit any Guarantor to incur, any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or such Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and the applicable Note Guarantee on substantially identical terms; provided, however, that no Indebtedness shall be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company solely by virtue of being unsecured or by virtue of being secured on a junior priority basis.
 
For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (15) and (17) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Company shall be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09.  Indebtedness under Credit Facilities outstanding on the date on which Notes are first issued and authenticated under this Indenture (after giving effect to the application of the proceeds therefrom) shall be deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided by clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt and shall not be permitted to be later reclassified and any future Indebtedness secured by a Lien and incurred in reliance on the exception provided by clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt shall not be permitted to be later reclassified as incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) above  Letters of credit shall be deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder.  The accrual of interest or Preferred Stock dividends, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms shall not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued.  For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be utilized, calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.09, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to this Section 4.09 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values.
 
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be:
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(1)            the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;
 
(2)            in the case of Hedging Obligations, the termination value of the agreement or arrangement giving rise to such obligations that would be payable by such Person at such time;
 
(3)            the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness; and
 
(4)            in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of:
 
(A)            the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of determination; and
 
(B)            the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person.
 
SECTION 4.10.          Asset Sales.  x)  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make an Asset Sale unless:
 
(1)            the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (measured as of the date of the definitive agreement with respect to such Asset Sale) of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and
 
(2)            at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiaries is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents.  For purposes of this clause (2) (and not for purposes of determining the Net Proceeds received from the Asset Sale), each of the following shall be deemed to be cash:
 
(A)            any liabilities (as shown on the face of the Company’s or Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet), of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation or indemnity agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from or indemnifies against further liability with respect thereto;
 
(B)            any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are within 180 days of such Asset Sale, subject to ordinary settlement periods, converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents, to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents received in that conversion;
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(C)            any stock or assets of the kind referred to in clauses (2) or (4) of Section 4.10(b) hereof;
 
(D)            consideration consisting of Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Subordinated Indebtedness) received after the Issue Date from Persons who are not the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary such that the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary no longer owes such Indebtedness to any Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; and
 
(E)            any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (E) that has not previously been converted to cash not to exceed the greater of $25.0 million and 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Company at the time of receipt of such Designated Noncash Consideration (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value).
 
(b)            Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale (a binding commitment entered into within such 365 day period shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds so long as such Net Proceeds shall be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days of the date of such commitment), the Company or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries may apply an amount equal to the amount of such Net Proceeds:
 
(1)            to repay Indebtedness and other Obligations under a Credit Facility or any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary secured by a Lien permitted under this Indenture and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;
 
(2)            to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any Capital Stock of, another Person, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Stock, the Person is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary;
 
(3)            to the making of capital expenditures;
 
(4)            to acquire other assets that are used or useful in a Permitted Business (including for the avoidance of doubt, consumer loan receivables; it being agreed that the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to acquire a consumer loan receivable if the Company or Restricted Subsidiary (i) makes a new loan or (ii) acquires an outstanding loan) or that replace the assets that are subject to this Section 4.10;
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(5)            with respect to Asset Sales of assets of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor, to permanently reduce Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor (and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto), other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company;
 
(6)            to repay the Notes (and may elect to repay any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than the Notes, that ranks pari passu in right of payment with the Notes or any Note Guarantee (“Pari Passu Debt”)); provided that, if the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary shall so repay any Pari Passu Debt, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary shall repay the Notes on a pro rata basis by, at its option (i) redeeming the Notes as described under Section 3.07 hereof, (ii) purchasing Notes through open-market purchases, at a price equal to (or higher than) 100% of the principal amount thereof or (iii) making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all holders of the Notes to purchase their Notes on a pro rata basis with such other Pari Passu Debt for no less than 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including the date of repurchase; or
 
(7)            a combination of repayment and investment permitted by the foregoing clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6).
 
(c)            Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may temporarily reduce revolving credit Indebtedness or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.
 
(d)            Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested (by election or as a result of the passage of time) as provided clause (b) of this Section 4.10 shall be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, within 30 days thereof, the Company shall, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.09, make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase, prepay or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase, prepay or redeem the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith) that may be purchased, prepaid or redeemed out of the Excess Proceeds.  The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of purchase, prepayment or redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, and shall be payable in cash.  If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered in (or required to be prepaid or redeemed in connection with) such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company shall select the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis (subject to applicable DTC procedures with respect to the Global Notes), based on the amounts tendered or required to be prepaid or redeemed, and thereafter the Trustee will select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (or in the manner described in Section 3.02), based on the amounts tendered or required to be prepaid or redeemed (with, in each case, such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company or the Trustee, as applicable, so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased). Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
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(e)            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 each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer.  To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.10 , the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.10 or by virtue of such compliance.
 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, the provisions under this Indenture relative to the Company’s obligation to make an Asset Sale Offer may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes).
 
SECTION 4.11.          Transactions with Affiliates.  xi)  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $7.5 million unless:
 
(1)            the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company) than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and
 
(2)            the Company delivers to the Trustee, with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $15.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (1) of this Section 4.11(a) and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company.
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(b)            The following items shall not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof:
 
(1)            any employment agreement, employee benefit plan, officer or director indemnification agreement, severance arrangement or any similar arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and payments pursuant thereto;
 
(2)            transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
(3)            transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns, directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;
 
(4)            payment of reasonable and customary fees and reimbursements of expenses (pursuant to indemnity arrangements or otherwise) of officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
(5)            any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to Affiliates of the Company;
 
(6)            Restricted Payments that do not violate Section 4.07 hereof and Permitted Investments;
 
(7)            payments to an Affiliate in respect of the Notes or any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary on the same basis as concurrent payments made or offered to be made in respect thereof to non-Affiliates;
 
(8)            issuance or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture and the granting of registration and other customary rights in connection therewith;
 
(9)            the transfer of Receivables, related rights and assets in connection with any Permitted Securitization and any other transaction effected in the ordinary course as part of a Permitted Securitization;
 
(10)            any agreement as in effect as of the date of this Indenture or any amendment thereto or renewal, extension, restatement or replacement thereof (so long as any such agreement together with all amendments thereto and renewals, extensions, restatements and replacements thereof, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the Holders or the Company in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the date of this Indenture) or any transaction contemplated thereby as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company;
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(11)            transactions in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee an opinion (a) as to the fairness to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary of such transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing or (b) that such transaction meets the requirements of Section 4.11(a)(1) above;
 
(12)            the issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, the funding of, or the making of payments pursuant to, employment, consulting and service agreements and arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans, long-term incentive plans or similar employee or director benefit plans approved by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith; and
 
(13)            any transaction between a Special Purpose Subsidiary and any Person that is an Affiliate of such Special Purpose Subsidiary solely because such Special Purpose Subsidiary directly or indirectly owns Equity Interests in, or controls, such Affiliate.
 
SECTION 4.12.          Liens.  xii) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired, except Permitted Liens, unless the Notes or, in the case of any asset of any Guarantor now owned or hereafter acquired, the Note Guarantees of such Guarantor, are equally and ratably secured (except that Liens securing Indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to the Notes shall be expressly subordinate to any Lien securing the Notes to at least the same extent that such Indebtedness is subordinate to the Notes), in each case for so long as such Indebtedness is secured by a Lien.
 
(b)            Any Lien that is granted to secure the Notes or any Note Guarantee under Section 4.12(a) above shall be automatically released and discharged at the same time as the release of the Lien that gave rise to the obligation to secure the notes or such Note Guarantee.
 
SECTION 4.13.          Business Activities.  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
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SECTION 4.14.          Corporate Existence.  Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:
 
(1)            its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary; and
 
(2)            the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
 
SECTION 4.15.          Repurchase at the Option of Holders on a Change of Control.  xiii)  If a Change of Control occurs, except to the extent the Company has previously or concurrently mailed or sent a redemption notice with respect to all of the outstanding Notes as described in Section 3.07, each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to an offer on the terms described below (a “Change of Control Offer”).  In the Change of Control Offer, the Company shall offer a payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”), subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.  Within 30 days following any Change of Control, except to the extent the Company has previously or concurrently mailed or sent a redemption notice with respect to all of the outstanding Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder (with a copy to the Trustee) describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and stating:
 
(1)            that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.15 and that all Notes tendered shall be accepted for payment;
 
(2)            the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);
 
(3)            that any Note not tendered shall continue to accrue interest;
 
(4)            that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;
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(5)            that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer shall be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;
 
(6)            that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, facsimile or electronic transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and
 
(7)            that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
 
(b)            On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:
 
(1)            accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
 
(2)            deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered; and
 
(3)            deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company.
 
(c)            The Paying Agent shall promptly make payment, in accordance with depositary requirements to each Holder properly tendered, the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Note shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.
 
(d)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, or (2) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.
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(e)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditioned upon the consummation of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time the Change of Control Offer is made.
 
(f)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with any tender offer for the Notes, including a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, in the event that Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes accept such tender offer and the Company (or any third party making such tender offer in lieu of the Company) purchases all of the Notes held by such Holders, the Company shall have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Trustee), given not more than 30 days following the date of such repurchase, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such repurchase at a redemption price equal to the price offered to each other holder in such tender offer plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes that remain outstanding, to, but not including, the date of repurchase, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.
 
(g)            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 Notes as a result of a Change of Control.  To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 4.15, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.15 by virtue of such compliance.
 
(h)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, the provisions under this Indenture relative to the Company’s obligation to make a Change of Control Offer may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes).
 
SECTION 4.16.          [Reserved].
 
SECTION 4.17.          [Reserved].
 
SECTION 4.18.          Additional Note Guarantees.  If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Domestic Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture and such Domestic Subsidiary becomes a guarantor of any Indebtedness under a Credit Facility (including the Credit Agreement) or of any Capital Markets Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor, then that newly acquired or created Domestic Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor and execute a supplemental indenture and deliver an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee within 10 Business Days of the date on which it was acquired or created to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by that Domestic Subsidiary and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of that Domestic Subsidiary, enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to customary exceptions).  The form of such supplemental indenture is attached as Exhibit D hereto.
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SECTION 4.19.          Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.  The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or Person that becomes a Subsidiary through merger or consolidation or Investment therein) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default.  If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and shall reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 hereof or under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company.  That designation shall only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.  The Board of Directors of the Company may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if that redesignation would not cause a Default.
 
Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof.  If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company shall be in default of such covenant.  The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, and such designation shall only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.
 
SECTION 4.20.           Suspension of Certain Covenants.  (a) During any period of time following the Issue Date that (i) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from two of three Rating Agencies and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture (the occurrence of the events described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.20(a) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Suspension Event”), the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be subject to Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.18 and 5.01(a)(4) (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”).
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(b)            Upon the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event (the date of such occurrence, the “Suspension Date”), the amount of Excess Proceeds from Net Proceeds shall be set at zero. In the event that the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants for any period of time as a result of the foregoing Section 4.20(a), and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) the Notes do not have an Investment Grade Rating from two of three Ratings Agencies, then the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants with respect to future events. The period of time between the Suspension Date and the Reversion Date is referred to in this Section 4.20 as the “Suspension Period.” Notwithstanding that the Suspended Covenants may be reinstated, no Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind shall be deemed to exist under the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees with respect to the Suspended Covenants, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for any actions taken or events occurring during the Suspension Period, or any actions taken at any time pursuant to any contractual obligation arising prior to the Reversion Date, as a result of a failure to comply with the Suspended Covenants during the Suspension Period (or upon termination of the Suspension Period or after that time based solely on events that occurred during the Suspension Period).
 
(c)            The Company shall provide an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee indicating the occurrence of any Suspension Date or Reversion Date. The Trustee shall have no obligation to independently determine or verify if such events have occurred or notify the holders of any Suspension Date or Reversion Date. The Trustee may provide a copy of such Officer’s Certificate to any holder upon request.
 
(d)            On the Reversion Date, all Indebtedness incurred, or Disqualified Stock issued, during the Suspension Period shall be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that they are classified to have been incurred or issued pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(2). On the Reversion Date, all Liens created, incurred or assumed during the Suspension Period in compliance with the Indenture shall be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that they are classified as permitted under clause (9) of the definition of “Permitted Liens.” Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 shall be made as though the covenant described under Section 4.07 had been in effect since the Issue Date and throughout the Suspension Period, but with the actions taken by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the Suspension Period having no effect on such calculation. No Subsidiaries shall be designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries during any Suspension Period. Any Affiliate Transaction entered into after the Reversion Date pursuant to an agreement entered into during any Suspension Period shall be deemed to be permitted pursuant to Section 4.11(b)(10). Any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to take any action described in Sections 4.08(a)(1) through (3) that becomes effective during any Suspension Period shall be deemed to be permitted pursuant to Section 4.08(b)(1).
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ARTICLE 5

Successors
 
SECTION 5.01.          Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.  (a) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:
 
(1)            either:
 
(A)            the Company is the surviving corporation; or
 
(B)            the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia; and, if such entity is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation organized or existing under any such laws;
 
(2)            the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture;
 
(3)            immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists;
 
(4)            the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made would, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period (i) be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; or (ii) have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio no less than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio immediately prior to such transaction; and
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(5)            there shall be delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent contained in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been satisfied.
 
(b)            The successor Person (if other than the Company) shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Company under this Indenture and the Notes, and in such event the Company shall automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes. This Section 5.01 shall not apply to any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of assets from the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor must not be prohibited by Section 4.07 hereof.  Sections 5.01(a)(3) and (4) shall not apply to any merger or consolidation of the Company (1) with or into one of its Restricted Subsidiaries for any purpose or (2) with or into an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction.
 
SECTION 5.02.          Successor Corporation Substituted.  Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company), 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; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, on, the Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof.
 
 
ARTICLE 6


Defaults and Remedies
 
SECTION 6.01.          Events of Default.  xiv)  Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:
 
(1)            default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest, if any, on the Notes;
 
(2)            default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;
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(3)            failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with their obligations to consummate a purchase of Notes when required by the provisions of Sections 4.10 or 4.15 hereof;
 
(4)            failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions described under Section 5.01 hereof;
 
(5)            failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture;
 
(6)            default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of this Indenture, if that default:
 
(A)            is caused by a failure to pay principal of such Indebtedness (other than Non-Recourse Securitization Debt of a Special Purpose Subsidiary) prior to the expiration of any applicable grace period provided in such Indebtedness (a “Payment Default”); or
 
(B)            results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness (other than Non-Recourse Securitization Debt of a Special Purpose Subsidiary) prior to its final Stated Maturity,
 
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $30.0 million or more;
 
(7)            failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction aggregating in excess of $30.0 million (not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which liability has not been denied by such insurance carrier), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed, for a period of 60 days;
 
(8)            except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, or the Note Guarantees of a group of Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Note Guarantee; and
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(9)            the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of its Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:
 
(A)            commences a voluntary case,
 
(B)            consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
 
(C)            consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
 
(D)            makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
 
(E)            generally is not paying its debts as they become due;
 
(10)            a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
 
(A)            is for relief against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
 
(B)            appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or
 
(C)            orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;
 
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
 
(b)            In the event of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(6) above, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 30 days after such Event of Default arose, the Company delivers an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that:
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(1)            (A) the Indebtedness or Guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (B) holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (C) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured or waived;
 
(2)            the annulment of the acceleration of the Notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and
 
(3)            all existing Events of Default, except nonpayment of principal, premium or interest on the Notes that became due solely because of the acceleration of the Notes, have been cured or waived.
 
SECTION 6.02.          Acceleration.  In the case of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(a)(9) or (10) hereof, with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable immediately without further action or notice.  If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may, by written notice to the Company (and to the Trustee if notice is given by such Holders), declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately.  Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately.
 
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, rescind an acceleration or waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes.
 
SECTION 6.03.          Other Remedies.  If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
 
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default.  All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
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SECTION 6.04.           Waiver of Past Defaults.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration.  Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event 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 6.05.           Control by Majority.  Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it.  However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.  In the event an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs.  The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holder, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense.
 
SECTION 6.06.           Limitation on Suits.  Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, when due, no Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:
 
(1)            such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;
 
(2)            Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
 
(3)            such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
 
(4)            the Trustee does not comply with such request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and
 
(5)            during such 60-day period, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request.
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A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.
 
SECTION 6.07.          Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
 
SECTION 6.08.          Collection Suit by Trustee.  If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company and each Guarantor for the whole amount of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
 
SECTION 6.09.          Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.  The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian 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 amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof.  To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.  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 Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
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SECTION 6.10.          Priorities.  If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
 
First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;
 
Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, respectively; and
 
Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
 
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.
 
SECTION 6.11.          Undertaking for Costs.  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 or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.  This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
 
 
ARTICLE 7

Trustee
 
SECTION 7.01.          Duties of Trustee.  xv)  If 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 its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
 
(b)            Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
 
(1)            the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
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(2)            in the absence of bad faith 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.  However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
 
(c)            The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
 
(1)            this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;
 
(2)            the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
 
(3)            the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.
 
(d)            Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.
 
(e)            No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability.  The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
 
(f)            The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company and the Trustee may hold such money uninvested.  Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
 
SECTION 7.02.           Rights of Trustee.  xvi)  The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person.  The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
 
(b)            Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.  The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
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(c)            The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
 
(d)            The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
 
(e)            Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.
 
(f)            The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
 
(g)            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.
 
(h)            The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received actual written notice of any Default or Event of Default at the Corporate Trust Office, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.
 
(i)            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 or war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, epidemics, pandemics, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, 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.
 
SECTION 7.03.           Individual Rights of Trustee.  The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest, as such term is used in the TIA, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days or resign.  Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties.  The Trustee is also subject to Section 7.10 hereof.
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SECTION 7.04.           Trustee’s Disclaimer.  The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
 
SECTION 7.05.           Notice of Defaults.  If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs.  Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its trust officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.
 
SECTION 7.06.           Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).  The Company agrees (i) to provide The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. with such reasonable information as it has in its possession to enable The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. to determine whether any payments pursuant to this Indenture are subject to the withholding requirements described in Section 1471(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (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 Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law, for which The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. shall not have any liability.  Nothing in the immediately preceding sentence shall be construed as obligating the Company to make any “gross up” payment or similar reimbursement to any Holder in connection with a payment in respect of which amounts are so withheld or deducted. The terms of this paragraph shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture
 
SECTION 7.07.           Compensation and Indemnity.  xvii)  The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time agreed upon compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder.  The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust.  The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services.  Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
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(b)            The Company and the Guarantors shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct.  The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity.  Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder.  At the election of the Trustee, the Company or such Guarantor shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense.  The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel.  Neither the Company nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
 
(c)            The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
 
(d)            To secure the Company’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, particular Notes.  Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
 
(e)            When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (a)(9) or (a)(10) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
 
(f)            The Agents shall have the same rights as the Trustee herein, mutatis mutandis.
 
(g)            [Reserved].
 
SECTION 7.08.           Replacement of Trustee.  xviii)  A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.
 
(b)            The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing.  The Company may remove the Trustee if:
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(1)            the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
 
(2)            the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
 
(3)            a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
 
(4)            the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
 
(c)            If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.  Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
 
(d)            If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
 
(e)            If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
 
(f)            A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture.  The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders.  The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof.  Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
 
SECTION 7.09.           Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.  If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another entity, the successor entity without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
 
SECTION 7.10.           Eligibility; Disqualification.  There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is an entity organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
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SECTION 7.11.           Registrar and Paying Agent.  The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits provided for in this Indenture with respect to the Trustee apply to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., mutatis mutandis, acting in all of its roles under this Indenture, including, without limitation, as the Registrar and the Paying Agent.
 
 
ARTICLE 8

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
 
SECTION 8.01.          Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.  The Company may at any time, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.
 
SECTION 8.02.          Legal Defeasance and Discharge.  Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and each of the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”).  For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees), which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
 
(1)            the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;
 
(2)            the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;
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(3)            the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and
 
(4)            this Article 8.
 
Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.
 
SECTION 8.03.          Covenant Defeasance.  Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and each of the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.18 and 4.19 hereof and clauses (3) and (4) of Section 5.01(a) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), the Note Guarantees will be released pursuant to Section 10.05 hereof and the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes and the Note Guarantees shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes).  For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, the Company and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees shall be unaffected thereby.  In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.
 
SECTION 8.04.          Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.  In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:
 
(1)            the Company must irrevocably deposit, or cause to be deposited with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;
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(2)            in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:
 
(A)            the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or
 
(B)            since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,
 
in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and shall be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
 
(3)            in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and shall be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
 
(4)            no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Indebtedness), and the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings);
 
(5)            such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other Indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which the Company or any of the Guarantors is a party or by which the Company or any of the Guarantors is bound;
 
(6)            the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others; and
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(7)            the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
 
SECTION 8.05.          Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.  Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
 
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.
 
Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
 
SECTION 8.06.          Repayment to Company.  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, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, 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 repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining shall be repaid to the Company.
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SECTION 8.07.          Reinstatement.  If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
 
 
ARTICLE 9

Amendment, Supplement and Waiver
 
SECTION 9.01.          Without Consent of Holders.  Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, without the consent of any Holder, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees:
 
(1)            to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
 
(2)            to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;
 
(3)            to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees by a successor to the Company or such Guarantor pursuant to Article 5 or Article 10 hereof;
 
(4)            to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder;
 
(5)            at the Company’s election, to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, if such qualification should become required;
 
(6)            to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Company’s Offering Memorandum dated September 22, 2021, relating to the initial offering of the Notes, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees, which intent may be evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate to that effect;
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(7)            to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture;
 
(8)            to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes, to add security to or for the benefit of the Notes, and to release any Guarantor from its Note Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
 
(9)            to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company; or
 
(10)            to provide for the appointment of a successor trustee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
 
                        The consent of the holders of the notes is not necessary under this Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment or waiver.
 
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 and Section 9.06 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
 
SECTION 9.02.          With Consent of Holders.  Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes).  Section 2.08 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for purposes of this Section 9.02.
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Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 and Section 9.06 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture.
 
It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
 
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver.  Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees.  However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):
 
(1)            reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
 
(2)            reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes (except as provided above with respect to Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof);
 
(3)            reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;
 
(4)            waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
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(5)            make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;
 
(6)            make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on the Notes;
 
(7)            release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or
 
(8)            make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.
 
SECTION 9.03.          [Reserved].
 
SECTION 9.04.          Revocation and Effect of Consents.  Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note.  However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective.  An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.
 
SECTION 9.05.          Notation on or Exchange of Notes.  The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated.  The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.
 
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
 
SECTION 9.06.          Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.  The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee.  The Company may not sign an amended or supplemental indenture until the Board of Directors of the Company approves it.  In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
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ARTICLE 10

Note Guarantees
 
SECTION 10.01.          Guarantee.  xix)  Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:
 
(1)            the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, the Notes, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and
 
(2)            in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.
 
Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately.  Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
 
(b)            The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor.  Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Note Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.
 
(c)            If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.
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(d)            Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.  Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee.  The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee.
 
SECTION 10.02.          Limitation on Guarantor Liability.  Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee.  To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
 
SECTION 10.03.          Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee.  To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees this Indenture or a supplemental indenture substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.
 
Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding that no endorsement of such Note Guarantee shall be made on the Notes.
 
The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
 
In the event that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries creates or acquires any Domestic Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture, the Company shall cause such Domestic Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of this Article 10, to the extent applicable.
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SECTION 10.04.          Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof, no Guarantor may sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:
 
(1)            immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
 
(2)            either:
 
(a)             the Person acquiring the assets in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger becomes a Guarantor under this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture; or
 
(b)            the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture; and
 
(3)            there shall be delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent contained in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been satisfied.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Guarantor may merge or consolidate with or into an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating such Guarantor in another jurisdiction, provided that the successor Person is or becomes a Guarantor, and (2) a Guarantor may consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into, liquidate, dissolve, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets to the Company or any Guarantor.
 
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee (it being understood that such supplemental indenture need not be executed by any other Person besides the Company, any such successor Person and the Trustee), of the Note Guarantee and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor.  All the Note Guarantees so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Note Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
 
Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and notwithstanding clauses 2(a) and (b) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or shall prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.
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SECTION 10.05.          Releases.
 
The Note Guarantee of a Guarantor shall automatically be released:
 
(a)             In connection with any sale or other disposition of Capital Stock of that Guarantor by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise or any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor, whether by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, if the sale or other disposition complies with Section 4.10 hereof or, to the extent applicable, with Section 5.01 hereof, and the Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such sale or other disposition.  Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 hereof, the Trustee shall, at the request and cost of the Company, execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee.
 
(b)            Upon release or discharge of a Guarantor’s guarantee of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement (except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such Guarantee).
 
(c)            If the Company designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
 
(d)            Upon Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance in accordance with Article 8 hereof or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Article 11 hereof.
 
(e)            Upon the liquidation or dissolution of such Guarantor, provided that no Default or Event of Default as provided in Section 6.01 hereof has occurred.
 
(f)            Solely in the case of a Note Guarantee created pursuant to Section 4.18 hereof, upon the release or discharge of the Guarantee that resulted in the creation of such Note Guarantee (except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such Guarantee).
 
Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee as provided in this Section 10.05 shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.
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ARTICLE 11

Satisfaction and Discharge
 
SECTION 11.01.          Satisfaction and Discharge.  This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights, indemnities and immunities of the Trustee and rights of registration or transfer or exchange of Notes, as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:
 
(1)            either:
 
(a)            all Notes that have been authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
 
(b)            all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, whether at maturity or by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption (or delivering such notice of redemption in accordance with the procedures of DTC), or otherwise, or will become due and payable within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited, or caused to be deposited, with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, the Notes to the date of maturity or redemption;
 
(2)            the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and
 
(3)            the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.
 
In addition, the Company must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
 
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Sections 11.02 and 8.06 hereof shall survive.  In addition, nothing in this Section 11.01 shall be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
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SECTION 11.02.          Application of Trust Money.  Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
 
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
 
 
ARTICLE 12

Miscellaneous
 
SECTION 12.01.          [Reserved].
 
SECTION 12.02.          Notices.  Any notice or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile or electronic transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:
 
If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:
 
World Acceptance Corporation
104 S. Main Street,
Greenville, South Carolina 29601
Facsimile No.: (864) 298-9810
Attention: John L. Calmes, Jr.
 
With a copy to:
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Alston & Bird LLP
950 F Street
Washington, D.C., 20004
Attention: David A. Brown and Julie A. Mediamolle
Facsimile No.: (202) 654-4902

If to the Trustee:
 
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
4655 Salisbury Road, Suite 300
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Facsimile No.: (904) 886-1125
Attention: BNY US Corporate Trust, World Acceptance Corporation

The Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
 
All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile or electronic communication; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
 
The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions (“Instructions”) given pursuant to this Indenture and delivered using Electronic Means; provided, however, that the Company and/or the Guarantors, 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 and/or the Guarantors, as applicable, whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing.  If the Company and/or the Guarantors, 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 and the Guarantors understand and agree 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 and the Guarantors shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Company, the Guarantors 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 and/or the Guarantors, 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 and/or the Guarantors agree: (i) 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 they are 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 Company and/or the Guarantors, 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.
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Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar, or, if the Notes are Global Notes, such notice or communication may be given to the Depositary in accordance with its applicable procedures. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
 
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
 
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
 
SECTION 12.03.          Communication by Holders with Other Holders.  Holders may communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes.
 
SECTION 12.04.          Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.  Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
 
(1)            an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and
 
(2)            an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.
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SECTION 12.05.          Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.  Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture must include:
 
(1)            a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
 
(2)            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;
 
(3)            a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and
 
(4)            a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.
 
SECTION 12.06.          Rules by Trustee and Agents.  The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders.  The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
 
SECTION 12.07.          No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.  No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.  The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
 
SECTION 12.08.          Governing Law.  THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.
 
SECTION 12.09.          Waiver of Jury Trial.  EACH PARTY HERETO WAIVES, AND BY THEIR HOLDING OF A NOTE OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST THEREIN, EACH HOLDER OR BENEFICIAL OWNER SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE WAIVED, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES AND ANY COUNTERCLAIM HEREON OR THEREON.
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SECTION 12.10.          Submission to Jurisdiction.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan and of the United States of America District Courts for the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any legal action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees. The Company and the Guarantors hereby agree that final judgment against the Company or any Guarantor in any such legal action, suit or proceeding will be conclusive and may be enforced, subject to applicable law, in any jurisdiction in the manner provided by such applicable law. The Company and each Guarantor hereby waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law (i) any objection that it may have to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding brought in any court referred to in this Section 12.10, (ii) any claim that any such legal action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and (iii) its right of removal of any matter commenced in the courts of the State of New York to any court of the United States of America.
 
SECTION 12.11.          No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.  This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person.  Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
 
SECTION 12.12.          Successors.  All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors.  All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.  All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof.
 
SECTION 12.13.          Severability.  In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
 
SECTION 12.14.          Counterpart Originals; Electronic Signatures.  The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.  The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile, .pdf transmission or electronic signatures shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes.  Documents executed, scanned and transmitted electronically or by facsimile and electronic signatures, including those created or transmitted through a software platform or application, shall be deemed original signatures for purposes of this Indenture and all matters and agreements related thereto, with such facsimile, scanned and electronic signatures having the same legal effect as original signatures.  This Indenture and any instrument, agreement or document related hereto (including, without limitation, supplemental indentures, addendums, amendments, notices, instructions, communications with respect to withdrawals or transfers of funds or other communications) (“Executed Documentation”) may be accepted, executed or agreed to through the use of an electronic signature in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations in effect from time to time applicable to the effectiveness and enforceability of electronic signatures.  Any Executed Documentation accepted, executed or agreed to in conformity with such laws, rules and regulations shall be binding on the Company, each Guarantor, the Trustee and each Holder to the same extent as if it were physically executed and each such party hereby consents to the use of any third party electronic signature capture service providers as may be reasonably chosen by a signatory hereto or thereto.  When the Trustee acts on any Executed Documentation sent by electronic transmission, it shall not be responsible or liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from its reliance upon and compliance with such Executed Documentation, notwithstanding that such Executed Documentation (i) may not be an authorized or authentic communication of the party involved or in the form such party sent or intended to send (whether due to fraud, distortion or otherwise) or (ii) may conflict with, or be inconsistent with, a subsequent written instruction or communication; it being understood and agreed that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that Executed Documentation that purports to have been sent by an authorized officer of a Person has been sent by an authorized officer of such Person.  The party providing Executed Documentation through electronic transmission or otherwise with electronic signatures agrees to assume all risks arising out of such electronic methods, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.
117
SECTION 12.15.          Table of Contents, Headings, etc.  The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
 
SECTION 12.16.          U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.  In order to comply with the laws, rules, regulations and executive orders in effect from time to time applicable to banking institutions, including, without limitation, those relating to the funding of terrorist activities and money laundering, including Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act of the United States (“Applicable AML Law”), the Trustee and Agent are required to obtain, verify, record and update certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with the Trustee and Agent.  Accordingly, each of the parties agree to provide to the Trustee and Agent, upon their request from time to time such identifying information and documentation as may be available for such party in order to enable the Trustee and Agent to comply with Applicable AML Law.
 
[Signatures on following page]
118
 
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION OF ALABAMA
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION OF MISSOURI
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF GEORGIA, LLC
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF LOUISIANA
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION OF OKLAHOMA, INC.
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, LLC
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF TENNESSEE
WFC OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.
WFC SERVICES, INC.
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF NEW MEXICO
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF KENTUCKY, LLC
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF COLORADO
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF INDIANA, LLC
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF MISSISSIPPI, LLC
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF IDAHO, LLC
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF UTAH, LLC
WAC OF SOUTH CAROLINA, LLC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ R. Chad Prashad
 
 
 
Name: R. Chad Prashad
 
 
 
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
WFC LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
WFC of South Carolina, Inc. as sole general partner
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ R. Chad Prashad
 
 
 
Name: R. Chad Prashad
 
 
 
Title: President Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
WAC OF OKLAHOMA, LP
 
 
By:
WAC of South Carolina, LLC as sole general partner
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ R. Chad Prashad
 
 
 
Name: R. Chad Prashad
 
 
 
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 

 
 
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
  
     
 
By:
/s/ Mitchell L. Brumwell
  
   
Name: Mitchell L. Brumwell
  
   
Title: Vice President
  

EXHIBIT A
 
 
[Form Face of Note]
 
[Insert the Restricted Notes Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
 
[Insert the Global Notes Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
 
[Insert the Definitive Notes Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

A-1
CUSIP [981419 AC8]/[U9872V AB0]
ISIN [US981419AC85]/[ USU9872VAB00]
 
 
[RULE 144A][REGULATION S][GLOBAL] NOTE

7.000% Senior Notes due 2026

No.
$______________

WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
promises to pay to  ___________________________________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of ___________________________________DOLLARS on November 1, 2026.

Interest Payment Dates:  May 1 and November 1, commencing May 1, 2022

Record Dates:  April 15 and October 15

Dated:
A-2
 
 
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
  
     
     
     
 
By:
    
   
Name:
  
       
   
Title:
  
 
This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:
 
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
  
   
   
   
By:
    
 
Name:
  
 
Title:
  
     

 
Dated: _______________________

A-3
[Back of Note]
 
7.000% Senior Notes due 2026
 
Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
 
(1)  INTEREST.  WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION, a South Carolina corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay or cause to be paid interest on the principal amount of this Note at 7.000% per annum from September 27, 2021 until maturity.  The Company shall pay interest semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”).  Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid; provided that, if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be May 1, 2022.  If an interest payment date, redemption date, the maturity date or any other due date for any payment in respect of the Notes falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the related payment of principal or interest will be made on the next succeeding Business Day as if made on the date the payment was due, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at a rate that is 1% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.
 
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
 
(2)  METHOD OF PAYMENT.  The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest), if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders at the close of business on the April 15 and October 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest.  The Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Paying Agent, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and, with respect to interest due on an Interest Payment Date, all other Notes the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Paying Agent at least fifteen (15) Business Days prior to the Interest Payment Date. Such payment shall be 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.
 
(3)  PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR.  Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar.  The Company may change the Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to the Holders of the Notes.  The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
A-4
(4)  INDENTURE.  The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of September 27, 2021 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee.  The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture.  The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms.  To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.  The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company.  The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.
 
(5)  OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.
 
(a) At any time prior to November 1, 2023  upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes) issued under the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 107.000% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date), in an amount not to exceed the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:
 
(i) at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and
 
(ii) the redemption occurs within 120 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.
 
(b) At any time prior to November 1, 2023, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Trustee), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).
 
(c) Except pursuant to the preceding paragraphs, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to November 1, 2023.
 
(d) On or after November 1, 2023, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Trustee), at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but not including the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on November 1 of each of the years indicated below:
A-5

Year
  
Percentage
2023                                                                                                                                  
    
103.500
%
2024                                                                                                                                  
    
101.750
%
2025 and thereafter                                                                                                                                  
    
100.000
%

Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.
 
Notice of any redemption of, or any offer to purchase, the Notes may, at the Company’s discretion, be given in connection with an Equity Offering or other transaction or event and prior to the completion or the occurrence thereof and any such redemption or purchase may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including completion or occurrence of the related Equity Offering or other transaction event. In addition, if such redemption or purchase is subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date or purchase date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption or offer to purchase was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived, or such redemption or repurchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or waived by redemption date or purchase date or by the redemption date or purchase date as so delayed, or such notice or offer may be rescinded at any time in the Company’s discretion. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice or offer that payment of the redemption or purchase price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption or offer to purchase may be performed by another Person.
 
(6)  MANDATORY REDEMPTION.  Except as described in Sections 4.10 and 4.15 of the Indenture, the Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments or offers to purchase the Notes. The Company or any Subsidiary of the Company may at any time and from time to time purchase Notes for cancellation in the open market, pursuant to negotiated transactions or otherwise.
 
(7)  REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER.
 
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder, except to the extent the Company has previously or concurrently mailed or sent a redemption notice with respect to all of the outstanding Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 of the Indenture, to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date (the “Change of Control Payment”).  Within 30 days following any Change of Control, unless the Company has previously or concurrently mailed or sent a redemption notice with respect to all of the outstanding Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 of the Indenture, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.
A-6
(b) If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company consummates any Asset Sales, within 30 days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Company shall make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in the Indenture with respect to offers to purchase, prepay or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets in accordance with the Indenture to purchase, prepay or redeem the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith) that may be purchased, prepaid or redeemed out of the Excess Proceeds.  The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of purchase, prepayment or redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, and will be payable in cash.  If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture.  If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered in (or required to be prepaid or redeemed in connection with) such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Company shall select the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis (subject to applicable DTC procedures with respect to the Global Notes), based on the amounts tendered or required to be prepaid or redeemed, and thereafter, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (or such other method required by the Depositary), based on the amounts tendered or required to be prepaid or redeemed (with each case, such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company or the Trustee, as applicable, so that only notes in denominations of $2000, or an integral multiple of $1000 in excess thereof, will be purchased).  Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.  Holders that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes.
 
(8)  NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.  At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Articles 8 or 11 thereof.  Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed or purchased.
 
(9)  DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE.  The Notes are in registered form in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture.  The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.  The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.  Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.
A-7
(10)  PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.  The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes, which, as long as the Notes as held as Global Notes, which will be Cede & Co. or another nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) (or a successor of DTC or its nominee).
 
(11)  AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER.  Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class.  Without the consent of any Holder, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to Holders and Note Guarantees in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s or such Guarantor’s assets, as applicable, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any Holder, at the Company’s election, to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA, if such qualification should become required, to conform the text of the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Company’s Offering Memorandum dated September 22, 2021, relating to the initial offering of the Notes, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees, which intent may be evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate to that effect, to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture, or to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture to the Indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes, to add security to or for the benefit of the Notes, and to release any Guarantor from its Note Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, and to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company, or to provide for the appointment of a successor Trustee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
A-8
(12)  DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES.  Events of Default include: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, the Notes; (ii) default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes; (iii) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with their obligations to consummate a purchase of Notes when required by the provisions of Sections 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions of Section 5.01 of the Indenture; (v) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class to comply with any of the other agreements in the Indenture; (vi) default under certain other agreements relating to Indebtedness of the Company which default is a Payment Default or results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity; (vii) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay certain final judgments, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed, for a period of 60 days; (viii) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Note Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, or the Note Guarantees of a group of Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Note Guarantee; and (ix) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency described in the Indenture with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of its Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary.  In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice.  If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately.  Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture.  Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it.  The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest, except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, on the Notes.   The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration.  The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required, upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.
A-9
(13)  TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY.  The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.
 
(14)  NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.  No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.  The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
 
(15)  AUTHENTICATION.  This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
 
(16)  ABBREVIATIONS.  Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
 
(17)  [Reserved].
 
(18)  CUSIP NUMBERS.  Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders.  No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
 
(19)  GOVERNING LAW.  THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.
 
The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture.  Requests may be made to:
 
World Acceptance Corporation
104 S. Main Street,
Greenville, South Carolina 29601
Attention:  John L. Calmes, Jr.
A-10

ASSIGNMENT FORM
 
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:
 
  (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 
 
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
                                                                                                                                                                                    
and irrevocably appoint

to transfer this Note on the books of the Company.  The agent may substitute another to act for him.


Date:  _____________________
 
Your Signature:
 
 
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
 
Signature Guarantee*:  __________________________________
 
* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).
A-11
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
 
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below
 
☐  Section 4.10
☐  Section 4.15
 
If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
 
$_________________
 
Dated:
     Your Signature:
                                                                                                     
 
       
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note.)
  

 
Tax Identification No.:                                                 
   
     
Signature Guarantee*:
    
     
*Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee)

A-12
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE *
 
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
 
Date of
exchange
  
Amount of decrease in
principal amount of this
Global Note
  
Amount of increase in
principal amount of this
Global Note
  
Principal amount of this
Global Note following such
decrease or increase
  
Signature of authorized
officer of Trustee or
Custodian
  

 

 
 
* This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.
 
A-13
EXHIBIT B


FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
 
World Acceptance Corporation
104 S. Main Street
Greenville, South Carolina 29601


The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
4655 Salisbury Road, Suite 300
Jacksonville, Florida 32256

Re: 7.000% Senior Notes due 2026
 
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of September 27, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among World Acceptance Corporation, as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
 
___________________, (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $___________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to ___________________________ (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto.  In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
 
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
 
1. ☐  Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A.  The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.  Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
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2.  ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S.  The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser).  Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
 
3.  ☐  Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S.  The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):
 
(a)  ☐    such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
 or
 
(b)  ☐    such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;
 or
 
(c)  ☐    such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
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4.  ☐  Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.
 
(a)  ☐ Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144.  (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.  Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
 
(b)  ☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S.  (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.  Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
 
(c)  ☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption.  (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.  Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.
 
_____________________________________________
[Insert Name of Transferor]


By:__________________________________________
Name:
Title:
 
Dated: _______________________
 
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ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
 
1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:
 
[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

a)
☐  a beneficial interest in the:
 
 
 
 
 
 
i)
☐  144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or
 
 
 
 
 
 
ii)
☐  Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________)



b)
☐  a Restricted Definitive Note.

 
                             2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:
 
[CHECK ONE]



a)
☐  a beneficial interest in the:
 
 
 
 
 
 
i)
☐  144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or

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ii)
☐  Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________); or
   
   
   
iii) ☐  Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP _________)
   
   
   
b) ☐  a Restricted Definitive Note; or
   
   
   
c) ☐  an Unrestricted Definitive Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

B-6
EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
 
World Acceptance Corporation
104 S. Main Street, Greenville,
South Carolina 29601

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
4655 Salisbury Road, Suite 300
Jacksonville, Florida 32256

Re: 7.000% Senior Notes due 2026
 
(CUSIP _____)
 
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of September 27, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among World Acceptance Corporation, as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
 
__________________________, (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $____________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”).  In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:
 
1.  Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note
 
(a)  ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note.  In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
 
(b)  ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note.  In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
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(c)  ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note.  In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
 
(d)  ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note.  In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
 
2.  Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes
 
(a)  ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note.  In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer.  Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
 
(b)  ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.  In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] 144A Global Note, Regulation S Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.  Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
C-2
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.
 
_________________________________________
[Insert Name of Transferor]


By:__________________________________________
Name:
Title:
 
Dated: ____________________

C-3
EXHIBIT D
 
[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]
 
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of ________________, among __________________ (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of World Acceptance Corporation (or its permitted successor), a South Carolina corporation (the “Company”), the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).
 
W I T N E S S E T H
 
WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of September 27, 2021 providing for the issuance of 7.000% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”);
 
WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “Note Guarantee”); and
 
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:
 
1.  CAPITALIZED TERMS.  Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
 
2.  AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE.  The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Note Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 10 thereof.
 
4.  NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.  No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.  The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
D-1
5.  NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN.  THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.
 
6.  COUNTERPARTS.  The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture.  Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.
 
7.  EFFECT OF HEADINGS.  The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
 
8.  THE TRUSTEE.  The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company.
 

 
[Signatures on following page]
D-2
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.
 
Dated: _______________,
 
 
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
 
 
 
Name:
 
 
 
Title:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY],
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
 
 
 
Name:
 
 
 
Title:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:

 
 
 
Name:
 
    Title:
  


D-3
Exhibit 10.1


SIXTH AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND
RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

This Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement (herein, the “Amendment”) is entered into as of September 27, 2021, by and among World Acceptance Corporation (the “Borrower”), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association together with the other financial institutions a party hereto (the “Lenders”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for the Lenders (the “Administrative Agent”).
 
Preliminary Statements
 
A.            The Borrower, the Lenders, and the Administrative Agent are parties to a certain Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2019 (as amended from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”).  All capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the same meanings herein as such terms have in the Credit Agreement.\
 
B.            The Borrower has requested that the Lenders make certain amendments to the Credit Agreement, and the Lenders are willing to do so under the terms and conditions set forth in this Amendment.
 
Now Therefore, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
 
Section 1.  Amendments.
 
Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 2 below, Borrower, Agent and Lenders agree that the Credit Agreement shall be and hereby is amended as follows:
 
1.1.            Accordion Facility.  The introductory paragraph of Section 2.14 of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated as follows:
 
Section 2.14       Accordion Facility.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein below, the Borrower shall have a right at any time to increase the aggregate amount of the Commitment (the “Accordion Increase”) in an amount acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its commercially reasonable discretion; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of the Accordion Increase shall not result in the aggregate amount of the Commitment to exceed $785,000,000.  The following additional terms and conditions shall apply to the Accordion Increase:
 
1.2.                New Definitions.  The following new definitions are added to in Section 5.1 of the Credit Agreement:
 
“2021 Unsecured Bond Debt” means the unsecured Indebtedness for Borrowed Money owing by the Borrower pursuant to the 2021 Unsecured Bond Debt Documents in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $350,000,000 (less principal payments with respect thereto).
 
“2021 Unsecured Bond Debt Documents” means the indenture governing the Borrower’s senior unsecured notes, by and among the Borrower, as issuer of the senior unsecured notes, the guarantors party thereto, and Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, and each other instrument or document to be delivered thereunder or otherwise in connection therewith.
1.3.                Definition.  The following definition contained in Section 5.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated as follows:
 
“Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth” at any date means:
 
(a)            as to any corporation, the amount of capital stock liability plus (or minus in the case of a deficit) the capital surplus and earned surplus of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, and as to any partnership or limited liability company, the capital account of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; less (without duplication)
 
(b)            the net book value, after deducting any reserves applicable thereto, of all items of the following character which are included in the assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, to wit:
 
(i)            all deferred charges (other than deferred Federal income taxes and deferred investment tax credits) and prepaid expenses other than prepaid interest, prepaid taxes and prepaid insurance premiums;
 
(ii)            treasury stock;
 
(iii)            unamortized debt discount and capitalized expense and unamortized stock discount and capitalized expense;
 
(iv)            goodwill, organizational or experimental expense, patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade names and other intangibles;
 
(v)            RESERVED; and
 
(vi)            any surplus resulting from any write‑up in the book value of assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.
 
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1.4.            Financial Covenants.  Section 8.7(d) of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated as follows:
 
(d)            The Borrower will not at any time permit the aggregate unpaid principal amount of Total Debt, on a consolidated basis, to exceed 250% of Consolidated Adjusted Net Worth.  For purposes of this Section, such amount shall be reported on at the end of each fiscal quarter pursuant to Section 8.20(e).
 
1.5.            Permitted Indebtedness.  Section 8.9 of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated as follows:
 
Section 8.9          Permitted Indebtedness.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, incur, create, issue, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money other than:

(a)    the Obligations hereunder and the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement relating thereto;


(b)    unsecured Subordinated Debt;

(c)    debt incurred in connection with permitted Fixed Asset Financing;

(d)  unsecured Indebtedness for Borrowed Money owing between the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, provided that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness for Borrowed Money at any one time owing either by or to the Insurance Subsidiary shall not exceed $1,000,000;

(e)  the 2021 Unsecured Bond Debt; and

(f)  other unsecured Indebtedness for Borrowed Money to any Person (other than to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary) in an aggregate amount for the Borrower and all Restricted Subsidiaries not exceeding $5,000,000 at any time outstanding.

1.6.            Material Debt Contracts.  Section 8.12 of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated as follows:

Section 8.12            Material Debt Contracts.
 
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(a)  The Obligations shall at all times constitute “Senior Debt” or “Senior Indebtedness” (or words of like import) under any indenture, instrument, or agreement relating to any Subordinated Debt.  Except as otherwise specified below, the Borrower shall not (i) amend or modify any of the terms or conditions relating to Subordinated Debt, (ii) make any voluntary prepayment of Subordinated Debt or effect any voluntary redemption thereof, (iii) make any cash payments in connection with any conversion of any such Subordinated Debt, or (iv) make any payment on account of Subordinated Debt which is prohibited under the terms of any instrument or agreement subordinating the same to the Obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) with prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, the Borrower may agree to a decrease in the interest rate applicable thereto or to a deferral of repayment of any of the principal of or interest on the Subordinated Debt beyond the current due dates therefor or to any other amendment or modifications of any Subordinated Debt not adverse to the Lenders (other than amendments or modifications of the relevant subordination provisions thereof which requires the affirmative consent of the Required Lenders), and (y) with prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (which notice may be given the same day as the anticipated consummation of the transaction addressed in the notice), the Borrower may voluntarily prepay, redeem, or repurchase all or any part of outstanding Subordinated Debt if at the time of any such payment and after giving effect thereto no Default or Event of Default exists, which notice shall be accompanied by a duly executed officer’s certificate (in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent) certifying the amount of the Subordinated Debt to be voluntarily prepaid, redeemed, or repurchased, the payment or purchase price thereof, and that at the time of any such payment and after giving effect thereto no Default or Event of Default exists.

(b) The Borrower shall not amend or modify any of the terms or conditions relating to the 2021 Unsecured Bond Debt in a manner that would be materially adverse to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.
 
1.7.            Guaranties.  Section 8.15 of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated as follows:
 
Section 8.15            Guaranties.  The Borrower will not and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to become or be liable in respect of any Guaranty except: (a) Guaranties of the Borrower which are limited in amount to a stated maximum dollar exposure and are permitted under Sections 8.7(d) and 8.9, (b) Guaranties of the 2021 Unsecured Bond Debt and (c) the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement.
 
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1.8.            Limitation on Restrictions.  Section 8.16 of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated as follows:
 
Section 8.16            Limitation on Restrictions.  Except as provided herein and other than pursuant to the 2021 Unsecured Bond Debt Documents, the Borrower shall not and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly to create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to: (1) pay dividends or make any other distribution on any of such Restricted Subsidiary’s capital stock or other equity interests owned by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower; (2) pay any indebtedness owed to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary; (3) make loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary; or (4) transfer any of its property or assets to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary. Other than the 2021 Unsecured Bond Debt Documents, the Borrower shall not enter into any indenture, instrument, or other agreement for Indebtedness for Borrowed Money which contains, or amend any terms of any such indenture, instrument, or agreement which would result in any such indenture, instrument, or agreement having, covenants or defaults more burdensome on the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary than the covenants and defaults provided for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
 
1.9.            Events of Default.  Sections 9.1(i) and (j) of the Credit Agreement are amended and restated as follows:
 
(i)            Default shall be made in the payment when due (whether by lapse of time, by declaration, by call for redemption or otherwise) of the principal of or interest or premium on any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money in excess of $1,000,000 of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than the Loans but specifically including the 2021 Unsecured Bond Debt), individually or in the aggregate, and such default shall continue beyond the period of grace, if any, allowed with respect thereto; or
 
(j)            Default or the happening of any event shall occur under any indenture, agreement, or other instrument under which any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money in excess of $1,000,000 of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than this Agreement or the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement but specifically including the 2021 Unsecured Bond Debt), individually or in the aggregate, may be issued and such default or event shall continue for a period of time sufficient to permit the acceleration of the maturity of any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of the Borrower or any Subsidiary outstanding thereunder; or
 
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Section 2.  Conditions Precedent.
 
The effectiveness of this Amendment is subject to the satisfaction of all of the following conditions precedent (the date on which the following conditions precedent have been satisfied being referred to herein as the “Effective Date”):
 
2.1.            The Borrower and the Lenders shall have executed and delivered this Amendment to the Administrative Agent.
 
2.2.            The Restricted Subsidiaries parties to the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement shall have executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent their consent to this Amendment in the form set forth below.
 
2.3.            The Borrower shall have delivered to the Agent and the Lenders acceptable evidence of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the 2021 Unsecured Bond Debt Documents and the incurrence of the 2021 Unsecured Bond Debt.
 
2.4.            Legal matters incident to the execution and delivery of this Amendment shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.
 
Section 3.  Representations.
 
In order to induce the Lenders to execute and deliver this Amendment, the Borrower hereby represents to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, and the Lenders that as of the date hereof, (a) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 6 of the Credit Agreement and in the other Loan Documents are and shall be and remain true and correct (except that the representations contained in Section 6.6 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent financial statements of the Borrower delivered to the Agent) and (b) the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and no Default or Event of Default exists or shall result after giving effect to this Amendment.
 
Section 4.  Miscellaneous.
 
4.1.            Except as specifically amended herein, the Credit Agreement shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with its original terms.  Reference to this specific Amendment need not be made in the Credit Agreement, the Notes, or any other instrument or document executed in connection therewith, or in any certificate, letter or communication issued or made pursuant to or with respect to the Credit Agreement, any reference in any of such items to the Credit Agreement being sufficient to refer to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby.
 
4.2.            The Borrower heretofore executed and delivered, among other things, the Company Security Agreement and hereby acknowledges and agrees that the security interests and liens created and provided for therein secure the payment and performance of the Obligations under the Credit Agreement as amended hereby, which are entitled to all of the benefits and privileges set forth therein.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Borrower acknowledges that the “Secured Indebtedness” as defined in, and secured by the Collateral pursuant to, the Company Security Agreement shall be deemed amended to include all “Obligations” as defined in the Credit Agreement as amended hereby.

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4.3.            The Borrower agrees to pay on demand all reasonable and documented costs and expenses of or incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment and the other instruments and documents to be executed and delivered in connection herewith, including the fees and expenses of counsel for the Administrative Agent.
 
4.4.            This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by the different parties on different counterpart signature pages, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.  This Amendment may be executed by means of (a) an electronic signature that complies with the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, or any other relevant and applicable electronic signatures law; (b) an original manual signature; or (c) an e-mail transmission of a Portable Document Format File (also known as an “PDF” file), faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature.  Each electronic signature or PDF, faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature.  This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York (without regard to principles of conflicts of laws).
 
 
 
[Signature Pages to Follow]
 
- 7 -

This Amendment is entered into as of the date and year first above written.
 
 
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
   
 
By
/s/ R. Chad Prashad
   
R. Chad Prashad, President and Chief
    Executive Officer


Accepted and agreed to:
 
 
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL
   ASSOCIATION, individually as a Lender
   and as Administrative Agent and Collateral
   Agent
   
 
By
/s/ William M. Laird
 
William M. Laird, Senior Vice  President
 
President



[Signature Page to Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement]

- 8 -

 
BANK OF MONTREAL
   
   
 
By:
/s/ Daniel A. Ryan
 
Name: Daniel A. Ryan
 
Title:   Vice President
   
 
TEXAS CAPITAL BANK, NATIONAL
   ASSOCIATION
   
   
 
By:
/s/ Stephanie Bowman
 
Name: Stephanie Bowman
 
Title: EVP
   
 
FIRST HORIZON BANK, SUCCESSOR-BY-
   CONVERSION TO FIRST TENNESSEE
   BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
   
   
 
By:
/s/ John Nolan Killebrew
 
Name: John Nolan Killebrew
 
 Title: Vice President
   
  BANKUNITED, N.A.
   
   
 
By:
/s/ Brian Scott
 
Name: Brian Scott
 
 Title:
 


AXOS BANK
   
   
 
By:
/s/ Marc Kantor
 
Name: Marc Kantor
 
 Title:   SVP


- 9 -



 PACIFIC WESTERN BANK
   
   
 
By:
/s/ J.T. Cook, III
 
Name: J.T. Cook, III
 
 Title:   SVP, Portfolio Manager
 
  Authorized Signatory

- 10 -

ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CONSENT
 
Each of the undersigned is a Restricted Subsidiary of World Acceptance Corporation who has executed and delivered to the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent, and the Lenders the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement and the Subsidiary Security Agreement.  Each of the undersigned hereby acknowledges and consents to the Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement set forth above (the “Amendment”) and confirms that the Loan Documents executed by it, and all of its obligations thereunder, remain in full force and effect, and that the security interests and liens created and provided for therein continue to secure the payment and performance of the Obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement after giving effect to the Amendment.
 
Dated as September 27, 2021.
 
[Signature Page to Acknowledgment and Consent to Follow]


Each of the undersigned acknowledges that the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent, and the Lenders are relying on the foregoing in entering into the Amendment.
 
 
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION OF
  ALABAMA
 
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION OF
  MISSOURI
 
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF GEORGIA,
  LLC
 
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF
  LOUISIANA
 
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION OF
  OKLAHOMA, INC.
  WAC OF OKLAHOMA, LP
 
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF
  SOUTH CAROLINA, LLC
  WAC OF SOUTH CAROLINA, LLC
 
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF
  TENNESSEE
 
WFC OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.
 
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF
  ILLINOIS
 
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF NEW
  MEXICO
 
WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF
  KENTUCKY, LLC
 
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF
  COLORADO
 
WORLD FINANCE CORPORATION OF
  WISCONSIN
 
WFC SERVICES, INC.
  WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF 
  MISSISSIPPI, LLC
  WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF
  IDAHO, LLC
  WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF
  UTAH, LLC
  WORLD FINANCE COMPANY OF
 
INDIANA, LLC

 
By
 /s/ R. Chad Prashad
 
R. Chad Prashad, President and Chief
 
 Executive Officer

 
WFC Limited Partnership
   
 
By WFC of South Carolina, Inc.,
 
as sole general partner
 
 
 
By
 /s/ R. Chad Prashad
 
R. Chad Prashad, President and Chief
 
 Executive Officer


Exhibit 99.1

World Acceptance Announces Pricing of $300.0 Million of Senior Notes Due 2026

GREENVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--September 22, 2021--World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ: WRLD) (“World Acceptance” or “the Company”) today announced that it priced its $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2026 (the “notes”) in its previously announced private offering in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The notes will bear interest at an annual rate of 7.0%. The Company expects to close the offering on or about September 27, 2021, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The notes will be guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain of World Acceptance’s existing subsidiaries that are borrowers or guarantors under the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility (the “revolving credit facility”).

World Acceptance intends to use the proceeds from the notes offering to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and to pay related transaction fees and expenses. Proceeds applied to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility will not reduce the lenders’ commitments thereunder. Amounts applied to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility may be reborrowed, subject to the terms of the revolving credit facility.

The notes and the related guarantees are being offered only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. The offer and sale of the notes and related guarantees have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and unless so registered, the notes and related guarantees may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state laws.

This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Any offer of these securities will be made only by means of a private offering memorandum.

This press release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act.

About World Acceptance Corporation

Founded in 1962, World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ: WRLD) is one of the largest small-loan consumer finance companies in the nation, helping over one million customers annually to unlock their “Financial Good.” Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, and operating more than 1,200 community-based branches in 16 states, World Acceptance offers the strength and technology of a national financial institution with the personal service of a local neighborhood branch. Services include fixed rate and payment personal loan solutions and personal tax preparation and filing.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions, as well as information currently available to management. Statements other than those of historical fact, as well as those identified by the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should,” "would," "could," "continue," "forecast," and any variation of the foregoing and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any such forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Any such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Company’s actual financial results, performance or financial condition may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or expected. Therefore, readers should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Additional information regarding these and other important factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ from the expectations expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements are discussed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and the Company’s other reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC from time to time. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements it makes, except as required by law. The Company is also not responsible for updating the information contained in this press release beyond the publication date, or for changes made to this document by wire services or Internet services.

Contacts

John L. Calmes, Jr.
Chief Financial and Strategy Officer
(864) 298-9800

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