S-3ASR
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 18, 2008
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
PITNEY BOWES INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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06-0495050 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
Pitney Bowes Inc.
1 Elmcroft Road
Stamford, CT 06926-0700
(203) 356-5000
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Michael Monahan
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Pitney Bowes Inc.
1 Elmcroft Road
Stamford, CT 06926-0700
(203) 356-5000
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
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Amy C. Corn
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Steven R. Finley |
Pitney Bowes Inc.
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Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP |
1 Elmcroft Road
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200 Park Avenue |
Stamford, CT 06926-0700
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New York, New York 10166 |
(203) 351-6365
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(212) 351-4000 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the
effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities
offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment
plans, check the following box. þ
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to
Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities
Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a
post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following
box. þ
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to
General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of
securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check
the following box. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the
definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated
filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer þ
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer o
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Smaller reporting company o |
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Amount to be Registered |
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Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit |
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Title of Each Class of |
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Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price |
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Securities to be Registered (1) |
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Amount of Registration Fee |
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Debt Securities |
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(2) |
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Preferred Stock |
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Preference Stock |
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Common Stock |
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Purchase Contracts |
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Depositary Shares (3) |
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Warrants |
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Units |
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Total |
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(1) |
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Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities
registered hereunder. |
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An indeterminate aggregate offering price or number of securities of each identified class is
being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices. Separate
consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise,
conversion or exchange of other securities. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the
registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee. |
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Each depositary share will be issued under a deposit agreement and will be evidenced by a
depositary receipt. |
PROSPECTUS
Debt Securities
Preferred Stock
Preference Stock
Common Stock
Purchase Contracts
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Units
We may offer from time to time:
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senior or subordinated debt securities; |
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shares of our preferred stock; |
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shares of our preference stock; |
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shares of our common stock; |
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purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of certain specified securities; |
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depositary shares representing fractional shares of our preferred stock or
preference stock; |
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warrants for the purchase of certain specified securities; and |
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units consisting of certain specified securities. |
We will provide specific terms of any offering in supplements to this prospectus. The
securities may be offered separately or together in any combination and as separate series. You
should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PBI.
The mailing address of our principal executive offices is 1 Elmcroft Road; Stamford
Connecticut 06926-0700. Our telephone number is (203) 356-5000.
See Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007,
or our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, incorporated herein by reference, for information about risks you should consider before investing
in our securities.
These securities have not been approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state
securities commission, nor have these organizations determined that this prospectus is accurate or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
We may sell these securities on a continuous or delayed basis directly, through agents,
dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods.
We reserve the sole right to accept, and together with any agents, dealers and underwriters,
reserve the right to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of securities. If any
agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities, the applicable
prospectus supplement will set forth any applicable commissions or discounts. Our net proceeds
from the sale of securities also will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Prospectus
dated June 18, 2008.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a shelf registration statement that we have filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. By using a shelf registration process, we may sell, at
any time and from time to time in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities
described in this prospectus. The exhibits to our registration statement contain the full text of
certain contracts and other important documents we have summarized in this prospectus. Since these
summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to
purchase the securities we offer, you should review the full text of these documents. The
registration statement and the exhibits can be obtained from the SEC as indicated under the heading
Where You Can Find More Information.
This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.
Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific
information about the terms of those securities. Any prospectus supplement also may add, update or
change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any
prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below under the heading
Where You Can Find More Information.
We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not
permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or a prospectus
supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.
Unless we have indicated otherwise, references in this prospectus to Pitney Bowes, we,
us and our or similar terms are to Pitney Bowes Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its
consolidated subsidiaries.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the
SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public from the SECs Internet site at
http://www.sec.gov. You also may read and copy any document we file at the SECs public reference
room in Washington D.C. located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC
at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.
Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, and our SEC
filings are also available at the NYSEs offices at 20 Broad Street, New York, NY 10005, as well as
at the offices of the following stock exchanges where our common stock also is traded: the Chicago
Stock Exchange, Inc., One Financial Place, 440 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60605; the Pacific
Stock Exchange, Inc., 233 South Beaudry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 and 301 Pine Street, San
Francisco, CA 94104; and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc., 1900 Market Street, Philadelphia,
PA 19103. Information about us, including our SEC filings, is also available at our Internet site
at http://www.pb.com. However, any information on our Internet site is not a part of this
prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement.
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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference in this prospectus the information in other
documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a
part of this prospectus and information in documents that we file later with the SEC will
automatically update and supersede information contained in documents filed earlier with the SEC or
contained in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference in this prospectus documents listed
below and any future filings that we may make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, prior to the termination of the offering
under this prospectus; provided, however, that we are not incorporating, in each case, any
documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules:
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the description of our common stock contained in our Form 8-A filed February 16,
1996, Form 8-A/A filed January 16, 1998 and Form 8-A/A filed December 19, 2003,
including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating this description; |
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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed on
February 29, 2008, which incorporates by reference certain portions of our proxy
statement dated March 27, 2008; |
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our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008,
filed on May 8, 2008; and |
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our Current Reports on Form 8-K and Form 8-K/A dated January 29, 2008, February 14,
2008, March 7, 2008, April 15, 2008, and May 13, 2008. |
The statements of income and the footnote disclosure of segment results for 2007, 2006 and
2005 have not been reclassified to conform to the changes in segment reporting made in the first
quarter of 2008. The reclassifications made in the first quarter of 2008 were the result of
organizational changes that impact how management now views the business unit results for making
operating decisions and assessing performance. The amounts reclassified were immaterial for all
periods.
You may obtain a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above, which may have been or
may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus (excluding certain exhibits to the documents)
at no cost to you by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Pitney Bowes Inc.
1 Elmcroft Road
Stamford CT 06926-0700
(203) 356-5000
Attention: Investor Relations
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this
prospectus and any supplement and any free writing prospectus provided, authorized or approved by
us. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with other information.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We want to caution readers that any forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933 in this Form S-3, other reports or press releases or statements
made by our management involve risks and uncertainties which may change based on various important
factors. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These forward-looking
statements are those which talk about our current expectations as to the future and include, but
are not limited to, statements about the amounts, timing and results of possible restructuring
charges and future earnings. Words such as estimate, project, plan, believe, expect,
anticipate, intend, and similar expressions may identify such forward-looking statements.
Cautionary statements setting forth important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from our forward-looking statements are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2007, which is incorporated by reference, and also may be discussed in
future filings that are incorporated by reference.
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the information
contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the information under the
heading Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007,
before making an investment in our securities. The information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. We refer you to Forward-Looking Statements in this prospectus. In addition, any
prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations
applicable to the securities being offered thereby.
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THE COMPANY
Our company was incorporated in the State of Delaware on April 23, 1920, as the Pitney-Bowes
Postage Meter Company. Today, we are the largest provider of mail processing equipment and
integrated mail solutions in the world. Our world headquarters are located at 1 Elmcroft Road,
Stamford, CT 06926-0700. Our telephone number is (203) 356-5000.
We offer a full suite of equipment, supplies, software and services for end-to-end
Mailstream solutions which enable our customers to optimize the flow of physical and electronic
mail, documents and packages across their operations.
Pitney Bowes and its subsidiaries operate in two business groups, Mailstream Solutions
and Mailstream Services. We operate both inside and outside the United States.
Business Segments
We conduct our business activities in seven business segments within the Mailstream
Solutions and Mailstream Services business groups. The principal products and services of each of
our business segments are as follows:
Mailstream Solutions:
U.S. Mailing: Includes the U.S. revenue and related expenses from the sale, rental and
financing of our mail finishing, mail creation, shipping equipment and software; supplies; support
and other professional services; and payment solutions.
International Mailing: Includes the non-U.S. revenue and related expenses from the
sale, rental and financing of our mail finishing, mail creation, shipping equipment and software;
supplies; support and other professional services; and payment solutions.
Production Mail: Includes the worldwide sale, financing, support and other
professional services of our high-speed, production mail systems and sorting equipment, and related
software.
Software: Includes the worldwide sale and support services of non-equipment-based
mailing and customer communication and location intelligence software.
Mailstream Services:
Management Services: Includes our worldwide facilities management services; secure
mail services; reprographic, document management services; and litigation support and eDiscovery
services.
Mail Services: Includes our presort mail services and our cross-border mail services.
Marketing Services: Includes our direct marketing services for targeted customers; our
web tools for the customization of promotional mail and marketing collateral; and other marketing
consulting services.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, the net
proceeds from the sale of the securities to which this prospectus relates will be used for general
corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include repayment of outstanding debt,
acquisitions, additions to working capital, capital expenditures and investments.
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our earnings to fixed charges on a consolidated basis for the
periods shown. For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings
consists of income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interest (preferred
stock dividends of subsidiaries), and interest expense (including amortization of debt issuance
costs and capitalized interest) and fixed charges consists of interest expense (including
amortization of debt issuance costs and capitalized interest) and minority interest (preferred
stock dividends of subsidiaries). Minority interest (preferred stock dividends of subsidiaries)
consists of pre-tax earnings that are required to pay dividends on outstanding preferred stock of
subsidiaries.
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Three Months Ended |
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Year Ended December 31, |
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2003 |
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2004 |
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2005 |
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Ratio of earnings
to fixed charges |
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3.70x |
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3.72x |
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4.03x |
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4.02x |
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2.89x |
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3.44x |
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Ratio of earnings
to fixed charges
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minority interest) |
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3.80x |
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3.86x |
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4.30x |
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4.33x |
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3.21x |
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3.80x |
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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES THAT WE MAY SELL
We may offer and sell, at any time and from time to time:
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senior or subordinated debt securities; |
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shares of our preferred stock; |
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shares of our preference stock; |
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shares of our common stock; |
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purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of certain specified securities; |
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depositary shares representing fractional shares of our preferred stock or
preference stock; |
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warrants for the purchase of certain specified securities; |
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units consisting of certain specified securities; or |
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any combination of these securities. |
The terms of any securities we offer will be determined at the time of sale. When particular
securities are offered, a supplement to this prospectus will be filed with the SEC that will
describe the terms of the offering and sale of the offered securities.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following is a general description of the debt securities that we may offer from time to
time. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the
extent, if any, to which the general provisions described below may apply to those securities will
be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may sell hybrid securities that combine
certain features of debt securities and other securities described in this prospectus. As you read
this section, please remember that the specific terms of a debt security as described in the
applicable prospectus supplement will supplement and may modify or replace the general terms
described in this section. If there are any differences between the applicable prospectus
supplement and this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement will control. As a result,
the statements we make in this section may not apply to the debt security you purchase.
As used in this Description of Debt Securities, the Company refers to Pitney Bowes Inc.,
and does not, unless the context otherwise indicates, include our subsidiaries.
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this section have the respective meanings set forth
in the applicable indenture.
General
The debt securities that we offer will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt
securities. We will issue senior debt securities under an indenture, which we refer to as the
senior indenture, dated as of February 14, 2005, between us and The Bank of New York, N.A., as
successor trustee to Citibank, N.A., or a another indenture trustee named in the applicable
prospectus supplement. We will issue subordinated debt securities under a different indenture,
which we refer to as the subordinated indenture, to be entered into between us and the trustee
named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We refer to both the senior indenture and the
subordinated indenture as the indentures, and to each of the trustees under the indentures as a
trustee. In addition, the indentures may be supplemented or amended as necessary to set forth the
terms of the debt securities issued under the indentures. You should read the indentures,
including any amendments or supplements, carefully to fully understand the terms of the debt
securities. The senior indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form S-3 of which this prospectus forms a part.
The form of subordinated indenture has been filed as an exhibit to our registration statement
on Form S-3 (File No. 333-120525) filed with the SEC on November 16, 2004. The indentures are
subject to, and are governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
The senior debt securities will be unsubordinated obligations of the Company. They will be
unsecured and will rank equally with each other and all of our other unsubordinated debt, unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The subordinated debt securities will
be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of our senior debt. See
Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities. The subordinated debt securities will be
unsecured and will rank equally with each other, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable
prospectus supplement. We will indicate in each applicable prospectus supplement, as of the most
recent practicable date, the aggregate amount of our outstanding debt that would rank senior to the
subordinated debt securities.
Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities, the
debt securities will not constitute obligations of our subsidiaries. Creditors of our subsidiaries
are entitled to a claim on the assets of those subsidiaries. Consequently, in the event of a
liquidation or reorganization of any subsidiary, creditors of the subsidiary are likely to be paid
in full before any distribution is made to the Company and holders of debt securities, except to
the extent that the Company is itself recognized as a creditor of such subsidiary, in which case
the Companys claims would still be subordinate to any
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security interests in the assets of such subsidiary and any debt of such subsidiary senior to
that held by the Company.
The indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that can be issued thereunder and
provide that debt securities of any series may be issued thereunder up to the aggregate principal
amount that we may authorize from time to time. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus
supplement, the indentures do not limit the amount of other indebtedness or securities that we may
issue. We may issue debt securities of the same series at more than one time and, unless
prohibited by the terms of the series, we may reopen a series for issuances of additional debt
securities, without the consent of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of that series.
Reference is made to the prospectus supplement for the following and other possible terms of
each series of the debt securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
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the title of the debt securities; |
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any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
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the price at which the Company will issue the debt securities; |
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if other than 100% of the principal amount, the percentage of their principal amount
payable upon maturity of the debt securities; |
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the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable (or
method of determination thereof); |
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the rate or rates (or method of determination thereof) at which the debt securities
will bear interest (including any interest rates applicable to overdue payments), if
any, the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue and on which such
interest will be payable, and the record dates for the determination of the holders to
whom interest is payable and the dates on which any other amounts, if any, will be
payable; |
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if other than as set forth herein, the place or places where the principal of,
premium and other amounts, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be
payable; |
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the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and
conditions upon which debt securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our
option; |
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if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of
the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof; |
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if other than U.S. dollars, the foreign currencies or units based on or related to
foreign currencies in which the debt securities may be denominated or payable; |
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our obligation, if any, to redeem, repurchase or repay debt securities, whether
pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or pursuant to other provisions
set forth therein or at the option of a holder thereof; |
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the name of the trustee and any authenticating agent, paying agent, transfer agent
or registrar for the debt securities; |
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whether the debt securities will be represented in whole or in part by one or more
global notes registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee; |
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the ranking of such debt securities as senior debt securities or subordinated debt
securities; |
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whether there are any authentication agents, paying agents, transfer agents or
registrars with respect to the debt securities; |
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whether the debt securities are convertible into our common stock and, if so, the
terms and conditions of such conversion; |
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whether the debt securities are subject to a periodic offering; and |
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any other terms or conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture
under which the debt securities will be issued. |
Principal when used herein includes any premium on any series of the debt securities.
Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities,
principal and interest, if any, will be payable, and transfers of the debt securities may be
registered, at the office or offices or agency we maintain for such purposes, provided that payment
of interest on the debt securities will be paid at such place by check mailed to the persons
entitled thereto at the addresses of such persons appearing on the security register. Interest on
the debt securities will be payable on any interest payment date to the persons in whose names the
debt securities are registered at the close of business on the record date for such interest
payment.
The debt securities may be issued only in fully registered form and, unless otherwise provided
in the prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities, in minimum denominations of $1,000
and any integral multiple thereof. Additionally, the debt securities may be represented in whole
or in part by one or more global notes registered in the name of a depository or its nominee and,
if so represented, interests in such global note will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be
effected only through, records maintained by the designated depository and its participants.
Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities, the
debt securities may be exchanged for an equal aggregate principal amount of debt securities of the
same series and date of maturity in such authorized denominations as may be requested upon
surrender of the debt securities at an agency of the Company maintained for such purpose and upon
fulfillment of all other requirements of such agent. No service charge will be made for any
registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but we may require payment of an
amount sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
The indentures require the annual filing by the Company with the Trustee of a certificate as
to compliance with certain covenants contained in the indentures.
We will comply with Section 14(e) under the Exchange Act, to the extent applicable, and any
other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act that may then be applicable, in connection with any
obligation to purchase debt securities at the option of the holders thereof. Any such obligation
applicable to a series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating
thereto.
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Unless otherwise described in a prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities, there
are no covenants or provisions contained in the indentures that may afford the holders of debt
securities protection in the event that we enter into a highly-leveraged transaction.
The statements made hereunder relating to the indentures and the debt securities are summaries
of certain provisions thereof and are qualified in their entirety by reference to all provisions of
the indentures and the debt securities and the descriptions thereof, if different, in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
Events of Default
Except as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities, an Event of
Default with respect to the debt securities of any series is defined in the indentures as:
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default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the debt
securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and
continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; |
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default in the payment of all or any part of the principal of any of the debt
securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable either at
maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise; |
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default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant or warranty contained
in the debt securities of such series or set forth in the applicable indenture (other
than a covenant or warranty included in the applicable indenture solely for the benefit
of one or more series of debt securities other than such series) and continuance of
such default or breach for a period of 90 days after due notice by the trustee or by
the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding securities of such
series; or |
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certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company. |
Additional Events of Default may be added for the benefit of holders of certain series of debt
securities that, if added, will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt
securities.
The indentures provide that the trustee shall notify the holders of debt securities of each
series of any continuing default known to the trustee which has occurred with respect to such
series within 90 days after the occurrence thereof. The indentures provide that, notwithstanding
the foregoing, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of, or interest, if
any, on any of the debt securities of such series, the trustee may withhold such notice if the
trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the
holders of debt securities of such series.
Except as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities, the
indentures provide that if an Event of Default with respect to any series of debt securities shall
have occurred and be continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of debt securities of such series then outstanding may declare the
principal amount of all debt securities of such series to be due and payable immediately, but upon
certain conditions such declaration may be annulled. Any past defaults and the consequences
thereof, except a default in the payment of principal of or interest, if any, on debt securities of
such series, may be waived by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities
of such series then outstanding.
Subject to the provisions of the indentures relating to the duties of the trustee, in case an
Event of Default with respect to any series of debt securities shall occur and be continuing, the
trustee shall not be
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under any obligation to exercise any of the trusts or powers vested in it by the indentures at
the request or direction of any of the holders of such series, unless such holders shall have
offered to such trustee reasonable security or indemnity. The holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the debt securities of each series affected and then outstanding shall have the
right, subject to certain limitations, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee under the applicable indenture or exercising any
trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series;
provided that the trustee may refuse to follow any direction which is in conflict with any law or
such indenture and subject to certain other limitations.
No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right under the indentures to
institute any proceeding with respect to the indentures or for any remedy thereunder, unless such
holder shall have previously given the trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect
to debt securities of such series and unless the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series also shall have made written request, and
offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to institute the proceeding, and the trustee shall
have failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days after its receipt of such request, and the
trustee shall not have received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of such series a direction inconsistent with such request. However,
the right of a holder of any debt security to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if
any, on such debt security on or after the due dates expressed in such debt security, or to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such dates, shall not be
impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.
Merger
Each indenture provides that the Company may consolidate with, sell, convey or lease all or
substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into, any other corporation, if:
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either the Company is the continuing corporation or the successor corporation is a
domestic corporation and expressly assumes the due and punctual payment of the
principal of and interest on all the debt securities outstanding under such indenture
according to their tenor and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of
the covenants and conditions of such indenture to be performed or observed by the
Company; and |
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immediately after such merger, consolidation, sale, conveyance or lease, the Company
or such successor corporation, as the case may be, is not in material default in the
performance or observance of any such covenant or condition. |
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indentures
The indenture with respect to any series of debt securitiesexcept for certain specified
surviving obligations including the Companys obligation to pay the principal of and interest on
the debt securities of such serieswill be discharged and cancelled upon the satisfaction of
certain conditions, including the payment of all the debt securities of such series or the deposit
with the trustee under such indenture of cash or appropriate government obligations or a
combination thereof sufficient for such payment or redemption in accordance with the applicable
indenture and the terms of the debt securities of such series.
Modification of the Indentures
The indentures contain provisions permitting the Company and the trustee, with the consent of
the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of
each series at
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the time outstanding under the indenture affected thereby, to execute supplemental indentures
adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, the
applicable indenture or any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the
holders of the debt securities of each such series. No such supplemental indenture, however, may:
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extend the final maturity date of any debt security, or reduce the principal amount
thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of any interest thereon, or
reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof, or impair or affect the right of any
holder of debt securities to institute suit for payment thereof or, if the debt
securities provide therefor, any right of repayment at the option of the holders of the
debt securities, without the consent of the holder of each debt security so affected; |
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reduce the aforesaid percentage of debt securities of such series, the consent of
the holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, without the
consent of the holders of all debt securities of such series so affected; or |
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reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity date of any
Original Issue Discount Security. |
Additionally, in certain circumstances prescribed in the indentures governing the relevant
series of debt securities, the Company and the trustee may execute supplemental indentures without
the consent of the holders of debt securities.
Defeasance
The indentures provide, if such provision is made applicable to the debt securities of any
series, that the Company may elect to terminate, and be deemed to have satisfied and to be
discharged from, all its obligations with respect to such series of debt securitiesexcept for the
obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such debt securities, to replace mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain an office or agency in respect of such debt
securities, to compensate and indemnify the trustee and to pay or cause to be paid the principal
of, and interest, if any, on all debt securities of such series when dueupon the deposit with the
trustee, in trust for such purpose, of funds or government obligations which through the payment of
principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide funds in an amount sufficient,
in the opinion of a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm, to pay the
principal of and premium and interest, if any, on the outstanding debt securities of such series,
and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor.
We call this termination, satisfaction and discharge defeasance. Such a trust may be established
only if, among other things:
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the Company has delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel with regard to
certain matters, including an opinion to the effect that the holders of such debt
securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a
result of such deposit and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the
same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case
if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred, and which opinion of counsel must be
based upon: |
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a ruling of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to the same effect; or |
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a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law after the date of the
indenture such that a ruling is no longer required; |
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no Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing; and |
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such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default
under the applicable indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which
the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound. |
The prospectus supplement may further describe these or other provisions, if any, permitting
defeasance with respect to the debt securities of any series.
Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities
The senior debt securities will constitute part of our Senior Indebtedness and will rank pari
passu with all outstanding senior debt. Except as set forth in the related prospectus supplement,
the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated, in right of payment, to the prior payment in
full of our Senior Indebtedness, including the senior debt securities, whether outstanding at the
date of the subordinated indenture or thereafter incurred, assumed or guaranteed.
Except as set forth in the related prospectus supplement, Senior Indebtedness means:
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the principal of and premium, if any, and unpaid interest on indebtedness for money
borrowed; |
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purchase money and similar obligations; |
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obligations under capital leases or leases of property or assets made as part of any
sale and leaseback transaction; |
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guarantees, assumptions or purchase commitments relating to, or other transactions
as a result of which the Company is responsible for the payment of, such indebtedness
of others; |
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renewals, extensions and refunding of any such indebtedness; |
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interest or obligations in respect of any such indebtedness accruing after the
commencement of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings; and |
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obligations associated with derivative products such as interest rate and currency
exchange contracts, foreign exchange contracts, commodity contracts, and similar
arrangements; |
unless, in each case, the instrument by which the Company incurred, assumed or guaranteed the
indebtedness or obligations described above expressly provides that such indebtedness or obligation
is not senior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities.
Upon any distribution of the Companys assets in connection with any dissolution, winding up,
liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether in a bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
or receivership proceeding or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other
marshalling of the Companys assets and liabilities or otherwise, except a distribution in
connection with a merger or consolidation or a conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all
of the properties of the Company in accordance with the subordinated indenture, the holders of all
Senior Indebtedness shall first be entitled to receive payment of the full amount due thereon
before the holders of any of the subordinated debt
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securities are entitled to receive any payment in respect of the subordinated debt securities.
In the event that a payment default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the
Senior Indebtedness, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall first be entitled to receive
payment of the full amount due thereon before the holders of any of the subordinated debt
securities are entitled to receive any payment in respect of the subordinated debt securities. In
the event that the principal of the subordinated debt securities of any series shall have been
declared due and payable pursuant to the subordinated indenture and such declaration shall not have
been rescinded and annulled, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness outstanding at the time of such
declaration shall first be entitled to receive payment of the full amount due thereon, or provision
shall be made for such payment in full, before the holders of any of the subordinated debt
securities are entitled to receive any payment in respect of the subordinated debt securities.
This subordination will not prevent the occurrence of any event of default with respect to the
subordinated debt securities.
Global Debt Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more
global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository (a Debt Depository)
identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities may be issued in either
registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless otherwise provided in
such prospectus supplement, debt securities that are represented by a global security will be
issued in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof and will be issued in registered
form only, without coupons. Payments of principal of, and interest, if any, on debt securities
represented by a global security will be made by the Company to the trustee under the applicable
indenture, and then forwarded to the Debt Depository.
We anticipate that any global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The
Depository Trust Company (DTC), and that such global securities will be registered in the name of
Cede & Co., DTCs nominee. We further anticipate that the following provisions will apply to the
depository arrangements with respect to any such global securities. Any additional or differing
terms of the depository arrangements will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to a
particular series of debt securities issued in the form of global securities.
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global security, DTC or its
nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole Holder of the debt securities represented
by such global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as described
below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have debt
securities represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be
entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in certificated form and will not be
considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable indenture. The laws of some states
require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in
certificated form. Such laws may limit the transferability of beneficial interests in a global
security.
If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository or if at any time DTC
ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act if so required by applicable law
or regulation, and, in either case, we do not appoint a successor Debt Depository within 90 days,
we will issue individual debt securities in certificated form in exchange for the global
securities. In addition, we may determine, at any time and subject to the procedures of DTC, not
to have any debt securities represented by one or more global securities, and, in such event, will
issue individual debt securities in certificated form in exchange for the relevant global
securities upon the request of DTC participants. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial
interest in a global security will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities
in certificated form of like tenor and rank, equal in principal amount to such
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beneficial interest, and to have such debt securities in certificated form registered in its
name. Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities so
issued in certificated form will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple
thereof, and will be issued in registered form only, without coupons.
DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a banking
organization within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, a clearing corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a
clearing agency registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC
holds securities that its participants (Participants) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the
settlement among Participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in
deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in Participants accounts,
thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants
include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain
other organizations (Direct Participants). DTC is owned by a number of its Direct Participants
and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, such
as securities brokers and dealers, and banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a
custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (Indirect
Participants). The rules applicable to DTC and its Participants are on file with the SEC.
Purchases of debt securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct
Participants, which will receive a credit for the debt securities on DTCs records. The ownership
interest of each actual purchaser of each debt security (Beneficial Owner) is in turn recorded on
the Direct and Indirect Participants records. A Beneficial Owner does not receive written
confirmation from DTC of its purchase, but is expected to receive a written confirmation providing
details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of its holdings, from the Direct or
Indirect Participants through which such Beneficial Owner entered into the action. Transfers of
ownership interests in debt securities are accomplished by entries made on the books of
Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners do not receive certificates
representing their ownership interests in debt securities, except in the event that use of the
book-entry system for the debt securities is discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, the debt securities are registered in the name of DTCs
partnership nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of the debt securities with DTC and their registration
in the name of Cede & Co. will effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of
the actual Beneficial Owners of the debt securities; DTC records reflect only the identity of the
Direct Participants to whose accounts debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the
Beneficial Owners. The Participants remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on
behalf of their customers.
Delivery of notice and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct
Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to
Beneficial Owners are governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. consents or votes with respect to the debt securities. Under its
usual procedures, DTC mails a proxy (an Omnibus Proxy) to the issuer as soon as possible after
the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.s consenting or voting rights to those
Direct Participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the record date
(identified on a list attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
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Principal and interest payments, if any, on the debt securities will be made to DTC. DTCs
practice is to credit Direct Participants accounts on the payment date in accordance with their
respective holdings as shown on DTCs records, unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not
receive payment on the payment date. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners are governed by
standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts
of customers in bearer form or registered in street name, and are the responsibility of such
Participant and not of DTC, the trustee or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements
as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal and interest, if any, to DTC is our or
the trustees responsibility, disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants is DTCs
responsibility, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners is the responsibility of
Direct and Indirect Participants.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to the debt
securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us or the Trustee. Under such circumstances,
in the event that a successor securities depository is not appointed, debt security certificates
are required to be printed and delivered.
We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC or a
successor securities depository. In that event, debt security certificates will be printed and
delivered.
We have obtained the information in this section concerning DTC and DTCs book-entry system
from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this
information.
None of us, any underwriter or agent, the trustee or any applicable paying agent will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account
of beneficial interests in a global security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to such beneficial interest.
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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK AND PREFERENCE STOCK
The following description of the material terms of our preferred stock and preference stock is
based on the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended. For more
information as to how you can obtain a current copy of our restated certificate of incorporation,
see Where You Can Find More Information. As used in this Description of Preferred Stock and
Preference Stock, the Company refers to Pitney Bowes Inc., and does not, unless the context
otherwise indicates, include our subsidiaries.
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, authorizes the issuance of 600,000
shares of cumulative preferred stock, par value $50.00 per share, 5,000,000 shares of preference
stock, without par value, and 480,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share.
Preferred Stock
We may issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series, without stockholder
approval. Subject to limitations prescribed by law, our board of directors is authorized to
determine the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special
rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, for each series of preferred stock
that may be issued and to fix the number of shares of each series.
At March 31, 2008, there were 135 shares of our 4% Convertible Cumulative Preferred Stock
outstanding. Each share of our outstanding 4% preferred stock is entitled to cumulative dividends
at the rate of $2 per year, can be redeemed at our option, in whole or in part at any time, at a
price of $50 per share, plus an amount equal to dividends accrued to the redemption date, and is
convertible into 24.24 shares of our common stock, subject to anti-dilution adjustment.
Dividends. Holders of preferred shares of each series will be entitled to receive, when and
as declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends,
cumulative dividends at the rate determined by our board of directors for that series. Dividends
on the preferred shares will accrue from the date fixed by our board of directors for that series.
Unless we have declared and paid in full all dividends payable on all of our outstanding preferred
shares for the current period and all prior periods, we will not be allowed to make any dividend
payments (other than a dividend in common stock or in any other class of stock ranking junior to
the Preferred Shares) on any class of stock that is subordinate to our preferred shares and we will
not be allowed to redeem or otherwise repurchase any shares of any class of stock which ranks
equally with or subordinate to our preferred shares.
Accrued and unpaid dividends on the preferred shares will not bear interest.
Redemption. We have the right to redeem either all or a portion of the outstanding preferred
shares of any series at any time, as determined by our board of directors. Preferred shares will
be redeemed at par value, plus accrued and unpaid dividends and, if our board of directors has so
determined for a series of preferred stock, a redemption premium. If we decide to redeem fewer
than all of the outstanding preferred shares of any series, our board of directors will determine
the method of selecting which shares to redeem.
Conversion or Exchange Rights. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of preferred
stock that is convertible or exchangeable will state the terms determined by our board of directors
upon which shares of that series are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common or
preference stock or another series of preferred stock of the Company or securities of any third
party.
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Liquidation. In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, before any
distribution of assets would be made to the holders of any class of shares ranking subordinate to
the preferred shares as to assets, the holders of the preferred shares of each series would be
entitled to receive out of our assets available for distribution to our shareholders the sum of the
par value for that series and an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends on those shares.
In the event of a voluntary liquidation, the holders of preferred shares also would receive the
premium, if any, assigned to that series by our board of directors. The holders of all series of
preferred shares would be entitled to share ratably, in accordance with the respective amounts
payable on their shares, in any distribution upon liquidation that is not sufficient to pay in full
the aggregate amounts payable on all of those shares. After payment in full of the liquidation
preference of the preferred shares, the holders of those shares would not be entitled to any
further participation in any distribution of our assets. Neither the consolidation or merger of
the Company with or into any other corporation or corporations, nor the merger or consolidation of
any other corporation into and with the Company, will be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary
liquidation if the transaction is consented to by the holders of
662/3% of the outstanding preferred
shares. However, the sale, exchange or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company would be deemed a voluntary liquidation of the Company for purposes of payment of the
liquidation preference of the preferred shares.
Voting. The preferred shares of a series will not be entitled to vote, except as required by
applicable law or as provided in our restated certificate of incorporation. Each share of a series
of preferred shares will be entitled to one vote on matters on which holders of that series are
entitled to vote. Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that we may not create,
authorize or issue a class of stock ranking senior to the preferred shares or amend the restated
certificate of incorporation in a manner adverse to the preferred shares, or engage in a voluntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, a sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of
the property or business of the Company or certain mergers or consolidations without the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the affected outstanding preferred
shares, voting as a class. In addition, our restated certificate of incorporation provides that
whenever dividends on the preferred shares are in arrears in an aggregate amount equal to six
quarterly dividend periods or we fail to retire or repurchase any shares of preferred stock that we
are obligated to retire or repurchase, then the holders of all series of outstanding preferred
shares, voting as a class, would be entitled to elect one-third of the total number of directors,
but not less than three directors. We may not increase the amount of preferred shares or authorize
or create any shares of any other class of stock ranking equal to the preferred shares as to
dividends or assets or otherwise without the consent of the holders of at least a majority of all
the outstanding preferred shares, voting as a class.
Preference Stock
We may issue preference stock from time to time in one or more series, without stockholder
approval. The preference shares rank as to dividends and assets junior to the preferred shares but
senior to the common stock and to any other capital stock of the Company that we may authorize in
the future, other than capital stock that by its terms ranks senior or equal to the preference
shares and that is authorized as described below under Voting. Each series of preference shares
will rank equally to each other series of preference shares as to dividends and assets, unless the
prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preference shares states that our board of
directors has determined that shares of that series rank junior to the other series of preference
shares as to dividends or assets or both.
Subject to the limitations prescribed by law, our board of directors is authorized to
determine the voting powers, if any, designations, preferences and relative, participating,
optional, conversion and other rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions for each
series of preference stock that may be issued and to fix the number of shares of each series.
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At March 31, 2008, there were 36,469 shares of $2.12 Convertible Preference Stock outstanding.
Each share of our outstanding $2.12 preference stock is entitled to cumulative dividends at the
rate of $2.12 per year, can be redeemed at our option, in whole or in part at any time, at a price
of $28 per share, plus dividends accrued to the redemption date, and is convertible into 16.53
shares of our common stock, subject to anti-dilution adjustment.
Dividends. Holders of preference shares of each series will be entitled to receive, when and
as declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends,
cumulative dividends at the rate determined by our board of directors for that series. Dividends
on the preference shares will accrue from the date fixed by our board of directors for that series.
Because the preference shares rank junior to the preferred shares, unless we have declared and
paid in full all dividends payable on all of our outstanding preferred shares for the current
period and all prior periods, we will not be allowed to make any dividend payments on the
preference shares and we will not be able to redeem or repurchase any preference shares. We will
not be allowed to make any dividend payment on any series of preference shares unless at the same
time we pay dividends, in the same proportion to the preferential dividend rates, for each other
series of preference shares ranking equally with that series. In addition, unless we have paid in
full all dividends payable on all of our outstanding preference shares for the current period and
all prior periods, we will not be allowed to make any dividend payments on any class of stock that
is subordinate to our preference shares and we will not be allowed to redeem or otherwise
repurchase any shares of any class of stock which ranks equally with or subordinate to our
preference shares.
Accrued and unpaid dividends on the preference shares will not bear interest.
Redemption. The terms, if any, on which preference shares of any series may be redeemed will
be determined by our board of directors and described in a prospectus supplement.
If we decide to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding preference shares of any series, our
board of directors will determine the method of selecting which shares to redeem.
Conversion or Exchange Rights. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of preference
stock that is convertible or exchangeable will state the terms determined by our board of directors
upon which shares of that series are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock or
another series of preference stock of the Company or securities of any third party.
Liquidation. In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, before any
distribution of assets is made to the holders of any class of shares ranking as to assets
subordinate to the preference shares, the holders of the preference shares of each series would be
entitled to receive out of our assets available for distribution to our shareholders the
preferential amount, in cash, that will be determined by our board of directors for that series
when that series is established and an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends on those
shares, but the holders of the preference shares would not be entitled to receive the liquidation
preference of their shares until the liquidation preference of the preferred shares outstanding at
the time had been paid in full. The holders of all series of preference shares would be entitled
to share ratably, in accordance with the respective amounts payable on their shares, in any
distribution upon liquidation that is not sufficient to pay in full the aggregate amounts payable
on those shares, except to the extent that the prospectus supplement relating to a particular
series of preference shares states that our board of directors has determined that the shares of
that series rank junior to the other series of preference shares as to dividends or assets. After
payment in full of the liquidation preference of the preference shares, the holders of those shares
would not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of our assets.
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Voting. The preference shares of a series will not be entitled to vote, except as required by
applicable law, our restated certificate of incorporation or provided by resolution of our board of
directors creating such series. Unless the prospectus supplement relating to a series of
preference shares states that our board of directors has determined otherwise, each share of a
series will be entitled to one vote on matters on which holders of that series are entitled to
vote. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our restated certificate of incorporation provides that we
may not create, authorize or increase the authorized amount of any class of stock having preference
or priority as to dividends or assets over the preference shares without the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least two-thirds of the preference shares, irrespective of series. We may not
increase the authorized amount of preference stock or of any previously authorized class of stock
ranking equally with the preference stock as to dividends or assets, or authorize or create any
class of stock ranking equally with the preference stock as to dividends or assets, without the
consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding preference shares, irrespective of series.
Whenever dividends on the preference shares are in arrears in an aggregate amount equal to six
quarterly dividend periods, then the holders of preference shares, voting as a class, will be
entitled to elect two directors.
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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
The following description of the material terms of our common stock is based on the provisions
of our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended. For more information as to how you can
obtain a current copy of our restated certificate of incorporation, see Where You Can Find More
Information. As used in this Description of Common Stock, the Company refers to Pitney Bowes
Inc., and does not, unless the context otherwise indicates, include our subsidiaries.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any of our preferred stock or preference stock then
outstanding, holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on matters to be voted on
by our stockholders and to receive dividends, if any, when declared from time to time by our board
of directors in its discretion out of legally available funds. Upon our liquidation or
dissolution, holders of common stock would be entitled to receive proportionately all assets
remaining after payment of all liabilities and liquidation preference on any shares of preferred
stock or preference stock outstanding at the time. Holders of common stock have no preemptive or
other subscription rights, and there are no conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund
provisions with respect to common stock. As of March 31, 2008, there were approximately
209,795,732 shares of our common stock outstanding, net of 113,542,180 shares of treasury stock,
and approximately 22,008,778 shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock
options, our dividend reinvestment and other corporate plans, and conversion of our 4% preferred
shares and $2.12 preference shares. All of our outstanding common stock is fully paid and
non-assessable, which means that the holders have paid their purchase price in full and we may not
ask them for additional funds, and all of the shares of common stock that may be offered with this
prospectus will be fully paid and non-assessable when issued.
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Equiserve Trust Company, N.A.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PBI.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters
Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that a director of the Company will not be
liable to the Company or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director, except in certain cases where liability is mandated by the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware.
Our restated certificate of incorporation also provides for indemnification, to the fullest
extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, of any person made or
threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that the
person is or was a director or officer of the Company, or, at our request, serves or served as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, against all expense, liability and loss, including attorneys fees,
judgments, fines, Employee Retirement Income Security Act excise taxes or penalties and amounts
paid or to be paid in settlement, reasonably incurred or suffered by that person in connection with
the action, suit or proceeding. Our restated certificate of incorporation also provides that, to
the extent authorized from time to time by our board of directors, we may provide to our employees
and other agents rights of indemnification and to receive payment or reimbursement of expenses,
including attorneys fees, that are similar to the rights conferred by the restated certificate of
incorporation on our directors and officers or persons serving at our request as directors,
officers, employees or agents of any other enterprise.
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Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware applies to the Company.
In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business
combination with an interested stockholder, as defined in Section 203, for a period of three
years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder,
unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A business combination
includes a merger, asset sale or a transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested
stockholder. An interested stockholder, as defined in Section 203, is a person who, together
with affiliates and associates, owns (or, in certain cases, within the preceding three years, did
own) 15% or more of the corporations outstanding voting stock. Under Section 203, a business
combination between the Company and an interested stockholder is prohibited within the three-year
period unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:
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before the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the board of directors of
the Company must have approved either the business combination or the transaction that
resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; |
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upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting
stock of the Company outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding, for
purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding, shares owned by persons who
are directors and also officers and by employee stock plans in which employee
participants do no have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held
subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or |
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the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the Company and
authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote
of at least
662/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested
stockholder. |
See also Certain Anti-Takeover MattersVote Required for Certain Business Combinations for
information about provisions in our certificate of incorporation that impose requirements similar
to those of Section 203.
Certain Anti-Takeover Matters
Our restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws include a number of provisions that may
have the effect of encouraging persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral
takeover proposals to negotiate with our board of directors rather than pursue non-negotiated
takeover attempts. These provisions include:
Vote Required for Certain Business Combinations. Our restated certificate of incorporation
generally requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the
then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors, which we call voting stock, voting together as a single class, in addition to any
other affirmative vote required by law or the restated certificate of incorporation, to approve:
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any merger or consolidation of the Company or any of our subsidiaries with an
interested stockholder, as defined in the restated certificate of incorporation and
described below, or any other corporation which is, or after the merger or
consolidation would be, an affiliate of an interested stockholder; |
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any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition to or
with any interested stockholder or any affiliate of any interested stockholder of any
assets of the Company or any of our subsidiaries having an aggregate fair market value
of $50,000,000 or more; |
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the issuance or transfer by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any securities
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to any interested stockholder or any
affiliate of any interested stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other
property having an aggregate fair market value of $50,000,000 or more; |
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the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the
Company proposed by or on behalf of an interested stockholder or any affiliate of any
interested stockholder; or |
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any reclassification of securities or recapitalization of the Company, or any merger
or consolidation of the Company with any of its subsidiaries or any other transaction
which has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of
any class of equity or convertible securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
which is directly or indirectly owned by any interested stockholder or any affiliate of
any interested stockholder. |
An interested stockholder means any person, other than the Company or any of our
subsidiaries, who or which:
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beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 20% of the voting power of the
outstanding shares of voting stock; |
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is an affiliate of the Company and at any time within the two-year period
immediately before the date in question beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, 20%
or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock; or |
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is the assignee of any shares of voting stock which were at any time within the
two-year period immediately before the date in question beneficially owned by an
interested stockholder, if the assignment of those shares occurred in the course of a
transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the
meaning of the Securities Act. |
The special voting requirement described above will not apply to a transaction of any of the
kinds described above, and that transaction will require only any affirmative vote that is required
by law and any other provisions of our certificate of incorporation, if either:
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the transaction is approved by a majority of our disinterested directors, a term
which is defined to mean any director who is unaffiliated with the interested
stockholder and was a member of the board of directors before the interested
stockholder became an interested stockholder, and any successor of a disinterested
director who is unaffiliated with the interested stockholder and is recommended to
succeed the disinterested director by a majority of disinterested directors then on the
board; or |
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all of the following conditions are met: |
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the aggregate amount of the cash, and the fair market value as of the date
of consummation of the transaction of consideration other than cash, to be
received per share by holders of common stock in the transaction is at least
equal to the higher of the following: |
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the highest per share price paid by the interested stockholder for
any shares of common stock acquired by it within the two-year period
immediately before the first public announcement of the proposal of the
transaction, which we call the announcement date, or in the
transaction in which it became an interested stockholder, whichever is
higher; and |
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the fair market value per share of common stock on the announcement
date or the date on which the interested stockholder became an
interested stockholder, whichever is higher; |
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the aggregate amount of the cash, and the fair market value as of the date
of consummation of the transaction of consideration other than cash, to be
received per share by holders of shares of any other class of outstanding
voting stock is at least equal to the highest of the following: |
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the highest per share price paid by the interested stockholder for
any shares of that class of voting stock acquired by it within the
two-year period immediately before the announcement date or in the
transaction in which it became an interested stockholder, whichever is
higher; |
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the highest preferential amount per share to which the holders of
shares of that class of voting stock are entitled upon any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company; and |
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the fair market value per share of that class of voting stock on the
announcement date or the date on which the interested stockholder
became an interested stockholder, whichever is higher; |
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the consideration to be received by holders of a particular class of
outstanding voting stock will be in cash or in the same form as the interested
stockholder has previously paid for shares of that class of voting stock; if
the interested stockholder has paid for shares of any class of voting stock
with varying forms of consideration, the consideration for that class will be
either cash or the form used to acquire the largest number of shares of that
class previously acquired by it; |
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after the interested stockholder has become an interested stockholder and
before the consummation of the transaction: |
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except as approved by a majority of the disinterested directors, the
Company has not failed to declare and pay at the regular date any full
quarterly dividends on the outstanding preferred stock or preference
stock; |
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except as approved by a majority of the disinterested directors, the
Company has not reduced the annual rate of dividends on the common
stock or failed to increase that rate to reflect any reclassification
of the |
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outstanding shares of common stock, including any reverse stock
split; and the interested stockholder has not become the beneficial
owner of any additional shares of voting stock except as part of the
transaction which results in the interested stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder; |
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after the interested stockholder has become an interested
stockholder, the interested stockholder has not received the benefit,
except proportionately as a stockholder, of any loans, advances,
guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance or any tax credits or
other tax advantages provided by the Company; and |
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a proxy or information statement describing the proposed transaction
and complying with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations under the Exchange Act has been mailed to our public
stockholders at least 30 days before the consummation of the
transaction, whether or not the proxy or information statement is
required to be mailed under the Exchange Act. |
Classified Board of Directors. Our restated certificate of incorporation provides for a board
of directors divided into three classes, with one class to be elected each year to serve for a
three-year term. As a result, at least two annual meetings of our stockholders may be required for
the stockholders to change a majority of our board of directors. In addition, stockholders can
only remove directors, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
80% of the outstanding shares of voting stock, voting together as a single class. Except to the
extent that the holders of preferred stock and preference stock have the right to fill vacancies on
the board of directors in some circumstances, vacancies on our board of directors may be filled
only by our board of directors. The classification of directors and the inability of stockholders
to remove directors without the vote of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of voting stock or
to fill vacancies on the board of directors make it more difficult to change the composition of our
board of directors, but promote a continuity of existing management.
Advance Notice Requirements. Our by-laws establish advance notice procedures with regard to
stockholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or other
business to be brought before meetings of our stockholders. These procedures provide that notice
of stockholder proposals of these kinds must be timely given in writing to the Secretary of the
Company before the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely, notice of
stockholder proposals other than nomination of director candidates must be received at the
principal executive offices of the Company not less than 90 days before an annual meeting at which
the proposals are to be presented, and notice of stockholder nominations of director candidates to
be presented at an annual or special meeting must be received not later than 90 days before the
annual meeting or the close of business on the seventh day following the date on which notice of
the special meeting is first given to stockholders, as applicable. The notice must contain certain
information specified in the by-laws.
No Ability of Stockholders to Call Special Meetings. Our restated certificate of
incorporation and by-laws deny stockholders the right to call a special meeting of stockholders,
except to the extent that holders of preferred stock or preference stock have the right to call a
special meeting in some circumstances. Our restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws
provide that, except to that extent, only the board of directors may call special meetings of the
stockholders.
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No Written Consent of Stockholders. Our restated certificate of incorporation requires all
stockholder actions to be taken by a vote of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting, and
does not permit our stockholders to act by written consent without a meeting.
Amendment of By-Laws and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Our restated certificate of
incorporation requires the approval of not less than 80% of the voting power of all outstanding
shares of voting stock, voting as a single class, to amend any of the provisions of the restated
certificate of incorporation relating to our classified board of directors, stockholder action by
written consent, business combinations or amendment of our by-laws. In addition, our restated
certificate of incorporation requires the approval of not less than 80% of the voting power of all
outstanding shares of voting stock, voting as a single class, to amend provisions of the by-laws
relating to quorum and voting requirements at stockholders meeting, our classified board of
directors, stockholder nominations of director candidates, filling vacancies and newly created
directorships on the board of directors, removal of directors and notification of nominations to
the board of directors.
These provisions make it more difficult to dilute the anti-takeover effects of our restated
certificate of incorporation and our by-laws.
Blank Check Preferred and Preference Stock. Our restated certificate of incorporation
provides for 600,000 authorized shares of preferred stock and 5,000,000 authorized shares of
preference stock. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred and preference
stock may enable the board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to
obtain control of the Company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. For
example, if in the due exercise of its fiduciary obligations, the board of directors were to
determine that a takeover proposal is not in the best interests of the Company, the board of
directors could cause shares of preferred or preference stock to be issued without stockholder
approval in one or more private offerings or other transactions that might dilute the voting or
other rights of the proposed acquiror or insurgent stockholder or stockholder group. In this
regard, the restated certificate of incorporation grants our board of directors broad power to
establish the rights and preferences of authorized and unissued shares of preferred and preference
stock. The issuance of shares of preferred or preference stock could decrease the amount of
earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of shares of common stock. The issuance
also may adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of those holders and may
have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of the Company.
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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of our debt securities or equity
securities or securities of third parties including any of our affiliates, a basket of such
securities, an index or indices of such securities or any combination of the above as specified in
the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may issue purchase contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to
sell to holders, at a future date, a specified or varying number of securities at a purchase price,
which may be based on a formula. Alternatively, we may issue purchase contracts obligating us to
purchase from holders, and obligating holders to sell to us, at a future date, a specified or
varying number of securities at a purchase price, which may be based on a formula. We may satisfy
our obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering the subject securities
or by delivering the cash value of such purchase contract or the cash value of the property
otherwise deliverable, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable
prospectus supplement will specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell such
securities and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or other provisions
relating to the settlement of a purchase contract. The purchase contracts may be entered into
separately or as a part of units.
The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice
versa, and these payments may be unsecured or prefunded and may be paid on a current or deferred
basis. The purchase contracts may require holders thereof to secure their obligations under the
contracts in a specified manner to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Alternatively, purchase contracts may require holders to satisfy their obligations thereunder when
the purchase contracts are issued as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock or preference
stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock or preference stock. If we exercise this option,
we will issue to the public receipts for depositary shares, and each of these depositary shares
will represent a fraction, to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, of a share of a
particular series of preferred stock or preference stock.
The shares of any series of preferred stock or preference stock underlying the depositary
shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected
by us. The depositary will have its principal office in the United States and a combined capital
and surplus of at least $50,000,000. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of
a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of
preferred stock or preference stock underlying the depositary share, to all the rights and
preferences of the preferred stock or preference stock underlying that depositary share. Those
rights may include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under a deposit
agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional
shares of preferred stock or preference stock underlying the depositary shares, in accordance with
the terms of the offering. The following description of the material terms of the deposit
agreement, the depositary shares and the depositary receipts is only a summary and you should refer
to the forms of the deposit agreement and depositary receipts that will be filed with the SEC in
connection with the offering of the specific depositary shares.
Pending the preparation of definitive engraved depositary receipts, the depositary, upon our
written order, may issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to the definitive
depositary receipts but not in definitive form. These temporary depositary receipts would entitle
their holders to all the rights of definitive depositary receipts. Temporary depositary receipts
would be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts at our expense.
Dividends and Other Distributions. The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other
cash distributions received with respect to the underlying stock to the record holders of
depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders.
If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary would distribute property
received by it to the record holders of depositary shares that are entitled to receive the
distribution, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution.
If this occurs, the depositary, with our approval, would sell the property and distribute the net
proceeds from the sale to the applicable holders.
Withdrawal of Underlying Preferred or Preference Stock. Unless we say otherwise in a
prospectus supplement, holders may surrender depositary receipts at the principal office of the
depositary and, upon payment of any unpaid amount due to the depositary, would be entitled to
receive the number of whole shares of underlying preferred or preference stock and all money and
other property represented by the related depositary shares. We will not issue any partial shares
of preferred or preference stock. If the holder delivers depositary receipts evidencing a number
of depositary shares that represent more than a whole number of shares of preferred or preference
stock, the depositary will issue a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of
depositary shares to that holder.
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Redemption of Depositary Shares. If a series of preferred stock or preference stock
represented by depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares would be redeemed
from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of
that series of underlying stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share
would be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to
that series of underlying stock. Whenever we redeem shares of underlying stock that are held by
the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of
depositary shares representing the shares of underlying stock so redeemed. If fewer than all the
depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot
or proportionately, as may be determined by the depositary.
Voting. Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the underlying stock
are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the
record holders of the depositary shares underlying the preferred stock or preference stock. Each
record holder of the depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the
record date for the underlying stock, will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the
exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of the underlying stock represented by that
holders depositary shares. The depositary will then try, as far as practicable, to vote the
number of shares of preferred stock or preference stock underlying those depositary shares in
accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all actions which may be deemed
necessary by the depositary to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote the
underlying shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of
depositary shares underlying the preferred stock or preference stock.
Conversion of Preferred or Preference Stock. If the prospectus supplement relating to the
depositary shares says that the deposited preferred or preference stock is convertible into or
exchangeable for common stock or preferred or preference stock of another series of Pitney Bowes or
securities of any third party, the following will apply. The depositary shares, as such, will not
be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of Pitney Bowes or any third party. Rather,
any holder of the depositary shares may surrender the related depositary receipts to the depositary
with written instructions to instruct us to cause conversion or exchange of the preferred or
preference stock represented by the depositary shares into or for whole shares of common stock or
shares of another series of preferred or preference stock of Pitney Bowes or securities of the
relevant third party, as applicable. Upon receipt of those instructions and any amounts payable by
the holder in connection with the conversion or exchange, we will cause the conversion or exchange
using the same procedures as those provided for conversion or exchange of the deposited preferred
or preference stock. If only some of the depositary shares are to be converted or exchanged, a new
depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted or
exchanged.
Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement. The form of depositary receipt
evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended at any
time by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and
adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless the
amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then
outstanding. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us or by the depositary only if all
outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or converted or exchanged for any other securities
into which the underlying preferred or preference stock is convertible or exchangeable or there has
been a final distribution of the underlying stock in connection with our liquidation, dissolution
or winding up and the underlying stock has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts.
Charges of Depositary. We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges
arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will also pay charges of the
depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the underlying stock and any redemption of the
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underlying stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and
governmental charges and those other charges, including a fee for any permitted withdrawal of
shares of underlying stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the
deposit agreement to be for their accounts.
Reports. The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all reports and
communications from us that we deliver to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the
holders of the underlying stock.
Limitation on Liability. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us is
prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our respective
obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be
limited to performance in good faith of our respective duties under the deposit agreement. Neither
we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of
any depositary shares or underlying stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the
depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by
persons presenting underlying stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons
believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary. The depositary may resign at any time by delivering
notice to us of its election to resign. We may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation
or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of
the appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the
notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in
the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, equity securities or securities of
third parties, including any of our affiliates, or other rights to receive payment in cash or
securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified securities. We may offer
warrants separately or together with any other securities in the form of units, as described in the
applicable prospectus supplement. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant
agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent.
The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the
applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Warrants
The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any warrants being offered, including:
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the title and the aggregate number of warrants; |
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the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued; |
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the currency or currencies in which the price of the warrants will be payable; |
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the securities or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or
securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified securities
purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
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the price at which, and the currency or currencies in which, the securities or other
rights purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased; |
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the periods during which, and places at which, the warrants are exercisable; |
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the date or dates on which the warrants shall commence and the date or dates on
which the warrants will expire; |
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the terms of any mandatory or optional call provisions; |
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the price or prices, if any, at which the warrants may be redeemed at the option of
the holder or will be redeemed upon expiration; |
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whether the warrants will be sold separately or with other securities as part of a
unit; |
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if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants
are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security; |
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if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities
will be separately transferable; |
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any provisions for the adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable
upon exercise of warrants; |
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the identity of the warrant agent; |
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the exchanges, if any, on which the warrants may be listed; |
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the maximum or minimum number of warrants which may be exercised at any time; |
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if applicable, a discussion of any material United States federal income tax
considerations; |
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whether the warrants shall be issued in book-entry form; and |
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any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations
relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants. |
We will issue warrants under one or more warrant agreements to be entered into between us and
a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, in one or more series, which will be described in a
prospectus supplement for the warrants. The following summaries of significant provisions of the
warrant agreements are not intended to be comprehensive and you should review the detailed
provisions of the relevant warrant agreement to be filed with the SEC in connection with the
offering of specific warrants for a full description and for other information regarding the
warrants.
Significant Provisions of the Warrant Agreements
The following terms and conditions of the warrant agreement will apply to each warrant, unless
otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement:
Modifications without Consent of Warrant Holders. We and the warrant agent may amend the
terms of the warrants and the warrant certificates without the consent of the holders to:
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cure any ambiguity; |
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cure, correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision; |
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amend the terms in any other manner which we may deem necessary or desirable and
which will not adversely affect the interests of the affected holders in any material
respect; or |
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reduce the exercise price of the warrants. |
Modifications with Consent of Warrant Holders. We and the warrant agent, with the consent of
the holders of not less than a majority in number of the then outstanding unexercised warrants
affected, may modify or amend the warrant agreements. However, we and the warrant agent may not
make any of the following modifications or amendments without the consent of each affected warrant
holder:
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increase the exercise price of the warrants; |
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reduce the amount or number receivable upon exercise, cancellation or expiration of
the warrants other than in accordance with the antidilution provisions or other similar
adjustment provisions included in the terms of the warrants; |
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shorten the period of time during which the warrants may be exercised; |
35
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materially and adversely affect the rights of the owners of the warrants; or |
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reduce the percentage of outstanding warrants the consent of whose owners is
required for the modification of the applicable warrant agreement. |
Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets. If at any time we merge or consolidate or transfer
substantially all of our assets, the successor corporation will succeed to and assume all of our
obligations under each warrant agreement and the warrant certificates. We will then be relieved of
any further obligation under the warrant agreements and the warrants issued thereunder. See
Description of Debt SecuritiesMerger.
Enforceability of Rights of Warrant Holders. The warrant agents will act solely as our agents
in connection with the warrant certificates and will not assume any obligation or relationship of
agency or trust for or with any holders of warrant certificates or beneficial owners of warrants.
Any holder of warrant certificates and any beneficial owner of warrants, without the consent of any
other person, may enforce by appropriate legal action, on its own behalf, its right to exercise the
warrants evidenced by the warrant certificates in the manner provided for in that series of
warrants or pursuant to the applicable warrant agreement. No holder of any warrant certificate or
beneficial owner of any warrants will be entitled to any of the rights of a holder of the debt
securities or any other securities, including common stock, preference stock or preferred stock, or
any other warrant property purchasable upon exercise of the warrants, including the right to
receive dividends, if any, or interest on any securities, the right to receive payments on debt
securities or any other warrant property or to enforce any of the covenants or rights in the
relevant indenture or any other similar agreement.
Registration and Transfer of Warrants. Subject to the terms of the applicable warrant
agreement, warrants in registered definitive form may be presented for exchange and for
registration of transfer at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent for that series of
warrants or at any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of
warrants, without service charge. However, the holder will be required to pay any taxes and other
governmental charges as described in the warrant agreement. The registration of transfer or
exchange will be effected only if the warrant agent for the series of warrants is satisfied with
the documents of title and identity of the person making the request.
New York Law to Govern. The warrants and each warrant agreement will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
36
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
We may issue units consisting of one or more debt securities or other securities, including
common stock, preference stock, preferred stock, purchase contracts, depositary shares, warrants or
any combination thereof, as described in a prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:
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the designation and the terms of the units and of the debt securities, preferred
stock, preference stock, common stock, purchase contracts, depositary shares and
warrants constituting the units, including whether and under what circumstances the
securities comprising the units may be traded separately; |
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any additional terms of the governing unit agreement; |
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any additional provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or
exchange of the units or of the debt securities, preferred stock, preference stock,
common stock, purchase contracts, depositary shares or warrants constituting the units;
and |
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any applicable United States federal income tax consequences. |
The terms and conditions described under Description of Debt Securities, Description of
Preferred Stock and Preference Stock, Description of Common Stock, Description of Purchase
Contracts, Description of Depositary Shares, Description of Warrants and those described under
Significant Provisions of the Unit Agreement will apply to each unit and to any debt security,
preferred stock, preference stock, common stock, purchase contract, depositary share or warrant
included in each unit, respectively, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
We will issue the units under one or more unit agreements, each referred to as a unit
agreement, to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as unit agent. We may issue
units in one or more series, which will be described in a prospectus supplement. The following
descriptions of material provisions and terms of the unit agreement and units are not complete, and
you should review the detailed provisions of the unit agreement to be filed with the SEC in
connection with the offering of specific units for a full description, including the definition of
some of the terms used in this prospectus and for other information regarding the units.
Significant Provisions of the Unit Agreement
The following terms and conditions of the unit agreement will apply to each unit and to any
debt security, preferred stock, preference stock, common stock, purchase contract, depositary share
or warrant included in each unit, respectively, unless otherwise specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement:
Obligations of Unit Holder. Under the terms of the unit agreement, each owner of a unit will
consent to and agree to be bound by the terms of the unit agreement.
Assumption of Obligations by Transferee. Upon the registration of transfer of a unit, the
transferee will assume the obligations, if any, of the transferor under any security constituting
that unit, and the transferor will be released from those obligations. Under the unit agreement,
we consent to the transfer of these obligations to the transferee, to the assumption of these
obligations by the transferee and
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to the release of the transferor, if the transfer is made in accordance with the provisions of
the unit agreement.
Remedies. Upon the acceleration of the debt securities constituting any units, our
obligations also may be accelerated upon the request of the owners of not less than 25% of the
affected units, on behalf of all the owners.
Limitation on Actions by You as an Individual Holder. No owner of any unit will have any
right under the unit agreement to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in
bankruptcy or otherwise regarding the unit agreement, or for the appointment of a trustee,
receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official, unless the owner has given written
notice to the unit agent and to us of the occurrence and continuance of a default thereunder and in
the case of an event of default under the debt securities or the relevant indenture, unless the
procedures, including notice to us and the trustee, described in the applicable indenture have been
complied with.
If these conditions have been satisfied, any owner of an affected unit may then, but only
then, institute an action or proceeding.
Absence of Protections against All Potential Actions. There are no covenants or other
provisions in the unit agreement providing for a put right or increased interest or otherwise that
would afford holders of units additional protection in the event of a recapitalization transaction,
a change of control or a highly leveraged transaction.
Modification without Consent of Holders. We and the unit agent may amend the unit agreement
without the consent of the holders to:
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cure any ambiguity; |
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correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision; or |
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amend the terms in any other manner which we may deem necessary or desirable and
which will not adversely affect the interests of the affected holders in any material
respect. |
Modification with Consent of Holders. We and the unit agent, with the consent of the holders
of not less than a majority of all series of outstanding units affected, voting as one class, may
modify the rights of the holders of the units of each series so affected. However, we and the unit
agent may not make any of the following modifications without the consent of the holder of each
outstanding unit affected by the modification:
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materially and adversely affect the holders units or the terms of the unit
agreement; or |
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reduce the percentage of outstanding units the consent of whose owners is required
for the modification of the provisions of the unit agreement. |
Modifications of any debt securities included in units may be made only in accordance with the
applicable indenture, as described under Description of Debt SecuritiesModification of the
Indentures.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets. The unit agreement provides that we may not
consolidate or combine with or merge with or into or, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, convey,
lease,
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transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any
person or persons in a single transaction or through a series of transactions, unless:
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we shall be the continuing person or, if we are not the continuing person, the
resulting, surviving or transferee person (the surviving entity) is a company
organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any State or territory; |
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the surviving entity expressly assumes all of our obligations under the debt
securities and each indenture, and will, if required by law to effectuate the
assumption, execute supplemental indentures which will be delivered to the unit agents
and will be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the trustees; |
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immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a
pro forma basis, no default has occurred and is continuing; and |
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we or the surviving entity have delivered to the unit agents an officers
certificate and opinion of counsel stating that the transaction or series of
transactions and a supplemental indenture, if any, complies with this covenant and that
all conditions precedent in the applicable indenture relating to the transaction or
series of transactions have been satisfied. |
If any consolidation or merger or any sale, assignment, conveyance, lease, transfer or other
disposition of all or substantially all of our assets occurs in accordance with the indentures, the
successor corporation will succeed to and be substituted for us, and may exercise our rights and
powers, under the indentures with the same effect as if such successor corporation had been named
as us.
Unit Agreement Not Qualified under Trust Indenture Act. The unit agreement will not be
qualified as an indenture under, and the unit agent will not be required to qualify as a trustee
under, the Trust Indenture Act. Accordingly, the holders of units will not have the benefits of
the protections of the Trust Indenture Act. However, any debt securities issued as part of a unit
will be issued under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, and the trustee under
that indenture will be qualified as a trustee under the Trust Indenture Act.
Title. We, the unit agent, the trustees, the warrant agent and any of their agents will treat
the registered owner of any unit as its owner, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, for all
purposes.
New York Law to Govern. The unit agreement, the units and the purchase contracts constituting
part of the units will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of
New York.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Equiserve Trust Company, N.A. is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock. We
will designate the transfer agent for each series of preferred stock in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement a description of the plan of
distribution of the securities that may be offered under this prospectus.
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VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES
The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, New York, New York. If legal matters in connection with offerings
made by this prospectus are passed on by other counsel for us or by counsel for the underwriters of
an offering of the securities, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
41
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and schedule and managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Managements
Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference
from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 have been so
incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered
public accounting firm, given their authority as experts in auditing and accounting.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following is a statement of the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the
issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts,
commissions and transfer taxes, to be paid by us. The following statement of estimated expenses
has been used to demonstrate the expense of an offering and does not represent an estimate of the
aggregate amount of securities that may be registered or distributed pursuant to this registration
statement because such amount is unknown at this time.
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Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee |
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* |
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Printing Fees and Expenses |
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25,000 |
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Accounting Fees and Expenses |
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100,000 |
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Legal Fees and Expenses |
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100,000 |
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Miscellaneous |
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25,000 |
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Total |
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$ |
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To be deferred pursuant to Rule 456(b) and calculated in connection with the offering of
securities under this registration statement pursuant to Rule 457(r). |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law allows for indemnification of any person
who has been made, or threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative by reason of
the fact that he or she is or was serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of the
registrant or by reason of the fact that he or she is or was serving at the request of the
registrant as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise. In certain circumstances, indemnity may be provided against
expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement if the person
acted in good faith and in the manner reasonably believed by him to be in, or not opposed to, the
best interests of the registrant and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In any proceeding by or in the right of the
registrant, no indemnification may be made if the person is found to be liable to the corporation,
unless and only to the extent the court in which the proceeding is brought or the Delaware Court of
Chancery orders such indemnification.
Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a certificate of
incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director
to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i)
for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for
acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
of law, (iii) under Section 174 (relating to liability
for unauthorized acquisitions or redemptions of, or dividends on, capital stock) of the
Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit. The Companys Restated Certificate of Incorporation includes a
provision limiting such liability.
The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company provides that each person who was or
is made a party to or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a proceeding), by reason of
the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a
director or officer of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the
basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee
or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, shall be
indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware
General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any
such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Company to provide broader
indemnification rights than said law permitted the Company to provide prior to such amendment),
against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise
taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by
such person in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has
ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her
heirs, executors and administrators. Such right to indemnification is a contract right and
includes the right to be paid by the Company the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding
in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, if the Delaware General Corporation
Law requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity
as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such
person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit
plan) in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the
Company of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so
advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to such
indemnity.
The foregoing statements are specifically made subject to the detailed provisions of the
Delaware General Corporation Law and the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
The Company has a directors and officers liability insurance policy that will reimburse the
Company for any payments that it shall make to directors and officers pursuant to law or the
indemnification provisions of its Restated Certificate of Incorporation and that will, subject to
certain exclusions contained in the policy, further pay any other costs, charges and expenses and
settlements and judgments arising from any proceeding involving any director or officer of the
Company in his or her past or present capacity as such, and for which he may be liable, except as
to any liabilities arising from acts that are deemed to be uninsurable.
The provisions contained in the Underwriting Agreements and Distribution Agreement pursuant to
which the Company agrees to indemnify underwriters and agents, as the case may be, and each person,
if any, who controls any underwriters or agents and filed or to be filed as part of Exhibits 1(a),
1(b), 1(c) and 1(d), are incorporated herein by reference.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
the Company has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable.
Item 16. Exhibits
A list of exhibits included as part of this Registration Statement is set forth in the Exhibit
Index which immediately precedes such exhibits and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 17. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made of the securities
registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933;
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price
set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective
registration statement; and
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material
change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply
if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by
the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that
are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of
prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any
purchaser.
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be
deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus
was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5),
or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to
an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of
providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933
shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the
earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the
date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the
prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any
person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new
effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the
registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or
prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document
incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or
prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a
time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any
statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of
the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such
effective date;
(iii) Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of the registration
statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on
Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed
to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first
used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in the
registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or
made in a document incorporated by or deemed incorporated by reference into the
registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement
will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use,
supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or
prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document
immediately prior to such date of first use.
(5) that, for the purpose of determining any liability of the registrant under the Securities
Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned
registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant
pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the
securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of
any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser
and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant
relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on
behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned
registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering
containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities
provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the
undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrants annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and where applicable, each filing of an employee
benefit plans annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that
is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the
opinion of counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that for the purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act:
(i) The information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under
the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of
the time it was declared effective; and
(ii) Each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Stamford and the State of Connecticut, on the 18th day of
June, 2008.
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PITNEY BOWES INC. |
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By:
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/s/ MICHAEL MONAHAN
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Name:
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Michael Monahan |
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Title:
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Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer |
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KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints, jointly and severally, Murray D. Martin, Michael Monahan and Steven J. Green, and
each one of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any
and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and granting unto each of said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and substitute or substitutes, full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises,
as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, and hereby ratifying
and confirming all things that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his,
her or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Signature |
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Title |
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Date |
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/s/ MICHAEL J. CRITELLI
Michael J. Critelli
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Executive ChairmanDirector
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June 18, 2008 |
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/s/ MURRAY D. MARTIN
Murray D. Martin
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President and Chief
Executive Officer
Director (Principal
Executive Officer)
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June 18, 2008 |
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/s/ MICHAEL MONAHAN
Michael Monahan
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Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial
Officer (Principal
Financial Officer)
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June 18, 2008 |
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Signature |
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Title |
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Date |
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/s/ STEVEN J. GREEN
Steven J. Green
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Vice President Finance
and Chief Accounting
Officer (Principal
Accounting Officer)
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June 18, 2008 |
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/s/ RODNEY C. ADKINS
Rodney C. Adkins
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Director
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June 18, 2008 |
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/s/ LINDA G. ALVARADO
Linda G. Alvarado
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Director
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June 18, 2008 |
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/s/ ANNE BUSQUET
Anne Busquet
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Director
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June 18, 2008 |
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/s/ ANNE SUTHERLAND FUCHS
Anne Sutherland Fuchs
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Director
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June 18, 2008 |
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/s/ ERNIE GREEN
Ernie Green
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Director
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June 18, 2008 |
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/s/ JAMES H. KEYES
James H. Keyes
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Director
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June 18, 2008 |
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/s/ JOHN S. MCFARLANE
John S. McFarlane
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Director
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June 18, 2008 |
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/s/ EDUARDO R. MENASCÉ
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Director
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June 18, 2008 |
Eduardo R. Menascé |
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/s/ MICHAEL I. ROTH
Michael I. Roth
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Director
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June 18, 2008 |
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/s/ DAVID L. SHEDLARZ
David L. Shedlarz
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Director
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June 18, 2008 |
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/s/ DAVID B. SNOW
David B. Snow
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Director
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June 18, 2008 |
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Signature |
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Date |
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/s/ ROBERT E. WEISSMAN
Robert E. Weissman
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Director
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June 18, 2008 |
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description |
1(a)
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Form of Underwriting Agreement for debt securities and/or warrants to
purchase debt securities. |
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1(b)
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Form of Underwriting Agreement for equity securities and/or warrants to
purchase equity securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(b)
to Form S-3 filed November 16, 2004).* |
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1(c)
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Form of Underwriting Agreement for convertible debt securities and/or
warrants to purchase convertible debt securities (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 1(c) to Form S-3 filed November 16, 2004).* |
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1(d)
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Form of Distribution Agreement.* |
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3(a)
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Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3 to Form 10-Q filed August 14, 1996). |
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3(a)(1)
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Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i) to Form 10-K filed March 27,
1998). |
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3(b)
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By-laws, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(ii) to
Form 10-Q filed November 16, 1998). |
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4(a)
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Senior Debt Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2005, by and between
the Company and Citibank N.A., as trustee. |
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4(b)
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First Supplemental Indenture, by and among the Company, The Bank of New
York, as trustee, and Citibank, N.A., as resigning trustee
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed October 24,
2007). |
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4(c)
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Form of Subordinated Debt Indenture (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4(a) to Form S-3 filed November 16, 2004). |
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4(d)
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Form of Global Senior Note.* |
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4(e)
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Form of Global Senior Convertible Note.* |
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4(f)
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Form of Global Subordinated Note.* |
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4(g)
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Form of Global Subordinated Convertible Note.* |
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4(h)
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Specimen of Certificate Representing the Companys Common Stock
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form S-3 filed October 26,
2001). |
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4(i)
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Form of Certificate of Designation for Preferred Stock of the Company.* |
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4(j)
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Form of Certificate of Designation for Preference Stock of the Company.* |
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4(k)
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Form of Warrant Agreement.* |
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4(l)
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Form of Depositary Agreement.* |
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4(m)
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Form of Depositary Receipt.* |
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4(n)
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Form of Purchase Contract Agreement.* |
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4(o)
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Form of Unit Agreement.* |
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4(p)
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Form of Unit Certificate.* |
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5(a)
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Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. |
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12
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Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings
to Fixed Charges and Preferred and Preference Stock Dividends. |
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23(a)
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Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. |
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23(b)
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Consent of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (included in the opinion
referred to in Exhibit 5(a) above). |
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24
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Power of Attorney (included on signature page). |
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25(a)
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T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 in
respect of the Senior Debt Indenture (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 25.1 to Form 8-K filed October 24, 2007). |
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description |
25(b)
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T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 in
respect of the Subordinated Debt Indenture (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 25(b) to Form S-3 filed on November 16, 2004). |
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* |
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To be filed by amendment or via Form 8-K. |