PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED JUNE 24, 1997)

$1,250,000,000
CONSECO, INC.
 SENIOR MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES A
SUBORDINATED MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES A
DUE NINE MONTHS OR MORE FROM DATE OF ISSUE CONSECO LOGO
Conseco, Inc. (the "Company") may offer from time to time up to
$1,250,000,000 aggregate initial offering price, or the equivalent thereof in
one or more foreign or composite currencies, of its Senior Medium-Term Notes, Series A Due Nine Months or More From Date of Issue (the "Senior Notes") and its Subordinated Notes, Series A Due Nine Months or More From Date of Issue (the "Subordinated Notes" and, together with the Senior Notes, the "Notes"). Such aggregate initial offering price is subject to reduction as a result of the sale by the Company of other Securities described in the accompanying Prospectus. Each Note will mature on any day nine months or more from the date of issue, as specified in the applicable pricing supplement hereto (each, a "Pricing Supplement"), and may be subject to redemption at the option of the Company or repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, in each case, in whole or in part, prior to its Stated Maturity Date, if specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. In addition, each Note will be denominated and/or payable in United States dollars or a foreign or composite currency, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. The Notes, other than Foreign Currency Notes, will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, while Foreign Currency Notes will be issued in the minimum denominations specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
The Company may issue Notes that bear interest at fixed rates ("Fixed Rate Notes") or at floating rates ("Floating Rate Notes"). The applicable Pricing Supplement will specify whether a Floating Rate Note is a Regular Floating Rate Note, a Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note or an Inverse Floating Rate Note and whether the rate of interest thereon is determined by reference to one or more of the CD Rate, the CMT Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, the Federal Funds Rate, LIBOR, the Prime Rate or the Treasury Rate (each, an "Interest Rate Basis"), or any other interest rate basis or formula, as adjusted by any Spread and/or Spread Multiplier. Interest on each Floating Rate Note will accrue from its date of issue and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, will be payable monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually in arrears, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, and on the Maturity Date. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the rate of interest on each Floating Rate Note will be reset daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Interest on each Fixed Rate Note will accrue from its date of issue and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, will be payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year and on the Maturity Date. The Company may also issue Discount Notes, Indexed Notes and Amortizing Notes.
The interest rate, or formula for the determination of the interest rate, if any, applicable to each Note and the other variable terms thereof will be established by the Company on the date of issue of such Note and will be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Interest rates or formulas and other terms of Notes are subject to change by the Company, but no such change will affect any Note previously issued or as to which an offer to purchase has been accepted by the Company.
Each Note will be issued in book-entry form (a "Book-Entry Note") or in fully registered certificated form (a "Certificated Note"), as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Each Book-Entry Note will be represented by one or more fully registered global securities (the "Global Securities") deposited with or on behalf of The Depository Trust Company (or such other depositary identified in the applicable Pricing Supplement) (the "Depositary") and registered in the name of the Depositary or the Depositary's nominee. Interests in the Global Securities will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to its participants) and the Depositary's participants (with respect to beneficial owners). Except in limited circumstances, Book-Entry Notes will not be exchangeable for Certificated Notes.
SEE "RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE NOTES" COMMENCING ON PAGE S-2 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN RISKS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES OFFERED HEREBY.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE PROSPECTUS OR ANY
SUPPLEMENT HERETO. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

=================================================================================================================================
                                                     PRICE TO                AGENTS' DISCOUNTS               PROCEEDS TO
                                                    PUBLIC(1)              AND COMMISSIONS(1)(2)            COMPANY(1)(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Note..................................             100%                     .125%-.750%                99.875%-99.250%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(4)..................................        $1,250,000,000           $1,562,500-$9,375,000     $1,248,437,500-$1,240,625,000
=================================================================================================================================	

(1)Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, BancAmerica Robertson Stephens, Chase Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., First Union Capital Markets, a division of Wheat First Securities, Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC, Salomon Brothers Inc, SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc. and such other agent or agents as the Company may from time to time appoint and identify in the applicable Pricing Supplement (the "Agents"), individually or in a syndicate, may purchase Notes, as principal, from the Company for resale to investors and other purchasers at varying prices relating to prevailing market prices at the time of resale as determined by the applicable Agent or, if so specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, for resale at a fixed offering price. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, any Note sold to an Agent as principal will be purchased by such Agent at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof less a percentage of the principal amount equal to the commission applicable to an agency sale (as described below) of a Note of identical maturity. If agreed to by the Company and an Agent, such Agent may utilize its reasonable efforts on an agency basis to solicit offers to purchase the Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. The Company will pay a commission to an Agent, ranging from .125% to .750% of the principal amount of a Note, depending upon its stated maturity, sold through an Agent. Commissions with respect to Notes with stated maturities in excess of 30 years that are sold through such Agent will be negotiated between the Company and such Agent at the time of such sale. See "Supplemental Plan of Distribution."
(2) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Agents against, and to provide contribution with respect to, certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Supplemental Plan of Distribution."
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $1,666,666.
(4) Or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign or composite currencies.

The Notes are being offered on a continuing basis by the Company to or through the Agents. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. There is no assurance that the Notes offered hereby will be sold or, if sold, that there will be a secondary market for the Notes or liquidity in the secondary market if one develops. The Company reserves the right to cancel or modify the offer made hereby without notice. The Company or an Agent, if it solicits the offer on an agency basis, may reject any offer to purchase Notes in whole or in part. See "Supplemental Plan of Distribution." MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
BANCAMERICA ROBERTSON STEPHENS
CHASE SECURITIES INC.
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES
FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES LLC
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
SBC WARBURG DILLON READ INC.
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is June 8, 1998.

CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN AN OFFERING OF NOTES PURCHASED BY ONE OR MORE AGENTS AS PRINCIPAL MAY MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF SUCH NOTES, INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND SHORT-COVERING TRANSACTIONS IN SUCH NOTES, AND THE IMPOSITION OF A PENALTY BID, IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH OFFERING. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION."

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
All statements, trend analyses and other information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus and elsewhere (such as in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases, presentations or oral statements) relative to markets for the Company's products and trends in the Company's operations or financial results, as well as other statements including words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," and other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results to be materially different from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things: (1) general economic conditions and other factors, including prevailing interest rate levels, short-term interest rate fluctuations, stock market performance and health care inflation, which may affect the ability of the Company to sell its products, make loans and access capital resources, the market value of the Company's investments and the lapse rate and profitability of the Company's policies and the level of defaults and prepayments of loans; (2) the Company's ability to achieve anticipated levels of operational efficiencies at recently acquired companies, as well as through other cost-saving initiatives; (3) customer response to new products, distribution channels and marketing initiatives; (4) mortality, morbidity, usage of health care services and other factors which may affect the profitability of the Company's insurance products;
(5) changes in the federal income tax laws and regulations which may affect the relative tax advantages of some of the Company's products; (6) increasing competition in the sale of insurance and annuities and in the consumer finance business; (7) regulatory changes or actions, including those relating to regulation of financial services affecting (among other things) bank sales and underwriting of insurance products, regulation of the sale, underwriting and pricing of insurance products, and health care regulation affecting the Company's supplemental health insurance products; (8) the availability and terms of future acquisitions; and (9) the risk factors or uncertainties listed from time to time in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
RISK FACTORS
RELATING TO THE NOTES
This Prospectus Supplement does not describe all of the risks of an investment in Notes, whether resulting from such Notes being denominated or payable in or determined by reference to a currency or composite currency other than United States dollars or to one or more interest rate, currency or other indices or formulas, or otherwise. The Company and the Agents disclaim any responsibility to advise prospective investors of such risks as they exist at the date of this Prospectus Supplement or as they change from time to time. Prospective investors should consult their own financial and legal advisors as to the risks entailed by an investment in such Notes and the suitability of investing in such Notes in light of their particular circumstances. Such Notes are not an appropriate investment for investors who are unsophisticated with respect to foreign currency transactions or transactions involving the applicable interest rate or currency index or other indices or formulas. Prospective investors should carefully consider, among other factors, the matters described below.
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STRUCTURE RISKS
An investment in Notes indexed, as to principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, to one or more interest rate, currency (including exchange rates and swap indices between currencies or composite currencies) or other indices or formulas, either directly or inversely, entails significant risks that are not associated with similar investments in a conventional fixed rate or floating rate debt security. Such risks include, without limitation, the possibility that such indices or formulas may be subject to significant changes, that no interest will be payable in respect of such Notes or will be payable at a rate lower than one applicable to a conventional fixed rate or floating rate debt security issued by the Company at the same time, that repayment of the principal and/or premium, if any, in respect of such Notes may occur at times other than that expected by the Holders (as defined in the accompanying Prospectus), and that the Holders could lose all or a substantial portion of principal and/or premium, if any, payable with respect to such Notes on the Maturity Date (as defined under "Description of Notes -- General"). Such risks depend on a number of interrelated factors, including economic, financial and political events, over which the Company has no control. Additionally, if the formula used to determine the amount of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, payable with respect to such Notes contains a multiplier or leverage factor, the effect of any change in the applicable index or indices or formula or formulas will be magnified. In recent years, values of certain indices and formulas have been highly volatile and such volatility may be expected to continue in the future. Fluctuations in the value of any particular index or formula that have occurred in the past are not necessarily indicative, however, of fluctuations that may occur in the future.
Any optional redemption feature of Notes might affect the market value of such Notes. Since the Company may be expected to redeem such Notes when prevailing interest rates are relatively low, Holders generally will not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as the current interest rate on such Notes.
The Notes will not have an established trading market when issued, and there can be no assurance of a secondary market for the Notes or the liquidity of the secondary market if one develops. See "Supplemental Plan of Distribution."
The secondary market, if any, for Notes will be affected by a number of factors independent of the creditworthiness of the Company and the value of the applicable index or indices or formula or formulas, including the complexity and volatility of each such index or formula, the method of calculating the principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, in respect of such Notes, the time remaining to the maturity of such Notes, the outstanding amount of such Notes, any redemption features of such Notes, the amount of other debt securities linked to such index or formula and the level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally. Such factors also will affect the market value of such Notes. In addition, certain Notes may be designed for specific investment objectives or strategies and, therefore, may have a more limited secondary market and experience more price volatility than conventional debt securities. Holders may not be able to sell such Notes readily or at prices that will enable them to realize their anticipated yield. No investor should purchase Notes unless such investor understands and is able to bear the risk that such Notes may not be readily saleable, that the value of such Notes will fluctuate over time and that such fluctuations may be significant.
EXCHANGE RATES AND EXCHANGE CONTROLS
An investment in Foreign Currency Notes (as defined under "Description of Notes -- General") entails significant risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a debt security denominated and payable in United States dollars. Such risks include, without limitation, the possibility of significant changes in the rate of exchange between the United States dollar and the Specified Currency (as defined under "Description of Notes -- General") and the possibility of the imposition or modification of exchange controls by the applicable governments or monetary authorities. Such risks generally depend on factors over which the Company has no control, such as economic, financial and political events and the supply and demand for the applicable currencies or composite currencies. In addition, if the formula used to determine the amount of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, payable with respect to Foreign Currency Notes contains a
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multiplier or leverage factor, the effect of any change in the applicable currencies or composite currencies will be magnified. In recent years, rates of exchange between the United States dollar and foreign or composite currencies have been highly volatile and such volatility may be expected to continue in the future. Fluctuations in any particular exchange rate that have occurred in the past are not necessarily indicative, however, of fluctuations that may occur in the future. Depreciation of the Specified Currency applicable to a Foreign Currency Note against the United States dollar would result in a decrease in the United States dollar-equivalent yield of such Foreign Currency Note, in the United States dollar-equivalent value of the principal and premium, if any, payable on the Maturity Date of such Foreign Currency Note, and, generally, in the United States dollar-equivalent market value of such Foreign Currency Note.
Governments or monetary authorities have imposed from time to time, and may in the future impose or revise, exchange controls at or prior to the date on which any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, a Foreign Currency Note is due, which could affect exchange rates as well as the availability of the Specified Currency on such date. Even if there are no exchange controls, it is possible that the Specified Currency would not be available on the applicable payment date due to other circumstances beyond the control of the Company. In such cases, the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations in respect of such Foreign Currency Note in United States dollars. See "Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes -- Availability of Specified Currency."
CREDIT RATINGS
The credit ratings assigned to the Company's medium-term note program may not reflect the potential impact of all risks related to structure and other factors on the value of the Notes. Accordingly, prospective investors should consult their own financial and legal advisors as to the risks entailed by an investment in the Notes and the suitability of investing in such Notes in light of their particular circumstances.
SUBORDINATION
All Subordinated Debt Securities (as defined under "Description of Notes -- General"), including the Subordinated Notes, issued and to be issued under the Subordinated Indenture (as defined under "Description of Notes") will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Subordinated Indenture, to all Senior Indebtedness (as hereinafter defined) of the Company and, along with the Senior Notes, will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities and obligations of the Company's subsidiaries. At March 31, 1998, the aggregate amount of Senior Indebtedness and liabilities and obligations of the Company's subsidiaries that would have effectively ranked senior to the Subordinated Notes was approximately $30 billion. "Senior Indebtedness" means (i) all indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on the date of the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, that is for borrowed money, or evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any business, properties or assets, including securities, (ii) any indebtedness of any other person of the kind described in the preceding clause (i) for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as guarantor or otherwise and (iii) amendments, renewals, extensions and refundings of any such indebtedness. Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and to be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of the Senior Indebtedness or extension or renewal of the Senior Indebtedness. Senior Indebtedness does not include (A) any indebtedness of the Company to any of its subsidiaries, (B) indebtedness incurred for the purchase of goods or materials or for services obtained in the ordinary course of business and (C) any indebtedness which by its terms is expressly made pari passu with or subordinated to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
S-4

USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds received by the Company from the sale of any Notes offered hereby are expected to be used towards the reduction of indebtedness, for the financing of acquisitions and for other general corporate purposes.
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
The Senior Notes will be issued as a series of Senior Debt Securities under an Indenture, dated as of November 13, 1997, as amended or modified from time to time (the "Senior Indenture"), between the Company and LTCB Trust Company, as trustee (the "Senior Trustee"). The Subordinated Notes will be issued as a series of Subordinated Debt Securities under an Indenture dated as of November 14, 1996, as amended or modified from time to time (the "Subordinated Indenture" and, together with the Senior Indenture, the "Indentures"), between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, successor to Fleet National Bank, as trustee (the "Subordinated Trustee" and, together with the Senior Trustee, the "Trustees"). Each Indenture is subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The following summary of certain provisions of the Notes and the Indentures does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the actual provisions of the Notes and the applicable Indenture. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the accompanying Prospectus, the Notes or the applicable Indenture, as the case may be. The terms "Senior Debt Securities" and "Subordinated Debt Securities," as used in this Prospectus Supplement, refers to all debt securities, including the Notes, issued and issuable from time to time under the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture, respectively. The following description of Notes will apply to each Note offered hereby unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
GENERAL
All Senior Debt Securities, including the Senior Notes, issued and to be issued under the Senior Indenture will be unsecured and will rank pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company. All Subordinated Debt Securities, including the Subordinated Notes, issued and to be issued under the Subordinated Indenture will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Subordinated Indenture, to all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, including the Senior Debt Securities. The Indentures do not limit the aggregate initial offering price of Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities that may be issued respectively thereunder, nor do they limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Company. Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued under the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture, respectively, from time to time in one or more series up to the aggregate initial offering price from time to time authorized by the Company for each series. The Company may, from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, provide for the issuance of Notes or other Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities, as the case may be, under the applicable Indenture in addition to the $1,250,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of Notes offered hereby.
The Notes are currently limited to up to $1,250,000,000 aggregate initial offering price, or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign or composite currencies. Each Note will mature on any day nine months or more from its date of issue (the "Stated Maturity Date"), as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, unless the principal thereof (or any installment of principal thereof) becomes due and payable prior to the Stated Maturity Date, whether by the declaration of acceleration of maturity, notice of redemption at the option of the Company, notice of the Holder's option to elect repayment or otherwise (the Stated Maturity Date or such prior date, as the case may be, is herein referred to as the "Maturity Date" with respect to the principal of such Note repayable on such date). Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest-bearing Notes will either be Fixed Rate Notes or Floating Rate Notes, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. The Company may also issue Discount Notes, Indexed Notes and Amortizing Notes (as such terms are hereinafter defined).
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Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Notes will be denominated in, and payments of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, in respect thereof will be made in, United States dollars. The Notes also may be denominated in, and payments of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, in respect thereof may be made in, one or more foreign or composite currencies ("Foreign Currency Notes"). See "Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes -- Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest, if any." The currency or composite currency in which a particular Note is denominated (or, if such currency or composite currency is no longer legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, such other currency or composite currency of the relevant country which is then legal tender for the payment of such debts) is herein referred to as the "Specified Currency" with respect to such Note. References herein to "United States dollars", "U.S. dollars" or "$" are to the lawful currency of the United States of America (the "United States").
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, purchasers are required to pay for the Notes in the applicable Specified Currencies. At the present time, there are limited facilities in the United States for the conversion of United States dollars into foreign or composite currencies and vice versa, and commercial banks do not generally offer non-United States dollar checking or savings account facilities in the United States. The Agent from or through which a Foreign Currency Note is purchased will be prepared to arrange for the conversion of United States dollars into the Specified Currency in order to enable the purchaser to pay for such Foreign Currency Note, provided that a request is made to such Agent on or prior to the fifth Business Day (as hereinafter defined) preceding the date of delivery of such Foreign Currency Note, or by such other day as determined by such Agent. Each such conversion will be made by such Agent on such terms and subject to such conditions, limitations and charges as such Agent may from time to time establish in accordance with its regular foreign exchange practices. All costs of exchange will be borne by the purchaser of each such Foreign Currency Note. See "Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes."
Interest rates offered by the Company with respect to the Notes may differ depending upon, among other factors, the aggregate principal amount of Notes purchased in any single transaction. Notes with different variable terms other than interest rates may also be offered concurrently to different investors. Interest rates or formulas and other terms of Notes are subject to change by the Company from time to time, but no such change will affect any Note previously issued or as to which an offer to purchase has been accepted by the Company.
Each Note will be issued as a Book-Entry Note represented by one or more fully registered Global Securities or as a fully registered Certificated Note. The minimum denominations of each Note other than a Foreign Currency Note will be $1,000 and integral multiples thereof, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, while the minimum denominations of each Foreign Currency Note will be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
Payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, Book-Entry Notes will be made by the Company through the appropriate Trustee to the Depositary. See "-- Book-Entry Notes." In the case of Certificated Notes, payment of principal and premium, if any, due on the Maturity Date will be made in immediately available funds upon presentation and surrender thereof (and, in the case of any repayment on an Optional Repayment Date (as hereinafter defined), upon submission of a duly completed election form in accordance with the provisions described below) at the office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, currently, with respect to Senior Notes, the corporate trust office of the Senior Trustee located at 165 Broadway, 47th Floor New York, New York 10006 and, with respect to Subordinated Notes, the corporate trust office of the Subordinated Trustee located at State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A., 61 Broadway, 15th floor, Corporate Trust Window, New York, New York 10006. Payment of interest, if any, due on the Maturity Date of a Certificated Note will be made to the person to whom payment of the principal thereof and premium, if any, thereon shall be made. Payment of interest, if any, due on a Certificated Note on any Interest Payment Date (as hereinafter defined) other than the Maturity Date will be made by check mailed to the address of the Holder entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Holder of $10,000,000 (or, if the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the equivalent thereof in such Specified Currency) or more in aggregate principal amount of Certificated Notes (whether having identical or different
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terms and provisions) will be entitled to receive interest payments, if any, on any Interest Payment Date other than the Maturity Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds if appropriate wire transfer instructions have been received in writing by the appropriate Trustee not less than 15 days prior to such Interest Payment Date. Any such wire transfer instructions received by such Trustee shall remain in effect until revoked by such Holder. For special payment terms applicable to Foreign Currency Notes, see "Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes -- Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest, if any."
As used herein, "Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in The City of New York; provided, however, that, with respect to Foreign Currency Notes, such day is also not a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in the Principal Financial Center (as hereinafter defined) of the country issuing the Specified Currency (unless the Specified Currency is European Currency Units ("ECU"), in which case such day is also not a day that appears as an ECU non-settlement day on the display designated as "ISDE" on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or is not a day designated as an ECU non-settlement day by the ECU Banking Association) or, if ECU non-settlement days do not appear on that page (and are not so designated), a day that is not a day on which payments in ECU cannot be settled in the international interbank market); provided, further, that, with respect to Notes as to which LIBOR is an applicable Interest Rate Basis, such day is also a London Business Day (as hereinafter defined). "London Business Day" means a day on which dealings in the Designated LIBOR Currency (as hereinafter defined) are transacted in the London interbank market.
"Principal Financial Center" means (i) the capital city of the country issuing the Specified Currency (except as described in the immediately preceding paragraph with respect to ECU) or (ii) the capital city of the country to which the Designated LIBOR Currency, if applicable, relates (or, in the case of ECU, Luxembourg), except, in each case, that with respect to United States dollars, Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, Deutsche marks, Dutch guilders, Italian lire and Swiss francs, the "Principal Financial Center" shall be The City of New York, Sydney, Toronto, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Milan (solely in the case of clause
(i) above) and Zurich, respectively.
Book-Entry Notes may be transferred or exchanged only through the Depositary. See "-- Book-Entry Notes." Registration of transfer or exchange of Certificated Notes will be made at the office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, currently, with respect to Senior Notes the corporate trust office of the Senior Trustee located at 165 Broadway, 47th Floor, New York, New York 10006 and, with respect to Subordinated Notes, the corporate trust office of the Subordinated Trustee located at State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A., 61 Broadway, 15th floor, Corporate Trust Window, New York, New York 10006. No service charge will be made by the Company or either Trustee for any such registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith (other than exchanges pursuant to the applicable Indenture not involving any transfer).
The defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions contained in the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture shall apply to the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes, respectively.
REDEMPTION AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund. The Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Company prior to the Stated Maturity Date only if an Initial Redemption Date is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. If so specified, the Notes will be subject to redemption at the option of the Company on any date on and after the applicable Initial Redemption Date in whole or from time to time in part in increments of $1,000 or such other minimum denomination specified in such Pricing Supplement (provided that any remaining principal amount thereof shall be at least $1,000 or such minimum denomination), at the applicable Redemption Price (as hereinafter defined), together with unpaid interest accrued thereon to the date of redemption, on written notice given to the Holders thereof not more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the date of redemption and in
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accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture. "Redemption Price", with respect to a Note, means an amount equal to the Initial Redemption Percentage specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement (as adjusted by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if applicable) multiplied by the unpaid principal amount to be redeemed. The Initial Redemption Percentage, if any, applicable to a Note shall decline at each anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date by an amount equal to the applicable Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if any, until the Redemption Price is equal to 100% of the unpaid principal amount to be redeemed. For a discussion of the redemption of Discount Notes, see "-- Discount Notes."
REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER
The Notes will be repayable by the Company at the option of the Holders thereof prior to the Stated Maturity Date only if one or more Optional Repayment Dates are specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. If so specified, the Notes will be subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof on any Optional Repayment Date in whole or from time to time in part in increments of $1,000 or such other minimum denomination specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement (provided that any remaining principal amount thereof shall be at least $1,000 or such other minimum denomination), at a repayment price equal to 100% of the unpaid principal amount, or such other repayment price specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, to be repaid, together with unpaid interest accrued thereon to the date of repayment. For any Note to be repaid, such Note must be received, together with the form thereon entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" duly completed, by the appropriate Trustee at its office maintained for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, currently, with respect to Senior Notes, the corporate trust office of the Senior Trustee located at 165 Broadway, 47th Floor, New York, New York 10006 and, with respect to Subordinated Notes, the corporate trust office of the Subordinated Trustee located at State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A., 61 Broadway, 15th floor, Corporate Trust Window, New York, New York 10006, not more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the date of repayment. Exercise of such repayment option by the Holder will be irrevocable. For a discussion of the repayment of Discount Notes, see "-- Discount Notes."
Only the Depositary may exercise the repayment option in respect of Global Securities representing Book-Entry Notes. Accordingly, Beneficial Owners (as hereinafter defined) of Global Securities that desire to have all or any portion of the Book-Entry Notes represented by such Global Securities repaid must instruct the Participant (as hereinafter defined) through which they own their interest to direct the Depositary to exercise the repayment option on their behalf by delivering the related Global Security and duly completed election form to the appropriate Trustee as aforesaid. In order to ensure that such Global Security and election form are received by such Trustee on a particular day, the applicable Beneficial Owner must so instruct the Participant through which it owns its interest before such Participant's deadline for accepting instructions for that day. Different firms may have different deadlines for accepting instructions from their customers. Accordingly, Beneficial Owners should consult the Participants through which they own their interest for the respective deadlines for such Participants. All instructions given to Participants from Beneficial Owners of Global Securities relating to the option to elect repayment shall be irrevocable. In addition, at the time such instructions are given, each such Beneficial Owner shall cause the Participant through which it owns its interest to transfer such Beneficial Owner's interest in the Global Security or Securities representing the related Book-Entry Notes, on the Depositary's records, to the appropriate Trustee. See "-- Book-Entry Notes."
If applicable, the Company will comply with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules promulgated thereunder, and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with any such repayment.
The Company may at any time purchase Notes at any price or prices in the open market or otherwise. Notes so purchased by the Company may, at the discretion of the Company, be held, resold or surrendered to the appropriate Trustee for cancellation.
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INTEREST
General
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, each interest-bearing Note will bear interest from its date of issue at the rate per annum, in the case of a Fixed Rate Note, or pursuant to the interest rate formula, in the case of a Floating Rate Note, in each case as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, until the principal thereof is paid or duly made available for payment. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest payments in respect of Fixed Rate Notes and Floating Rate Notes will be made in an amount equal to the interest accrued from and including the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date in respect of which interest has been paid or duly made available for payment (or from and including the date of issue, if no interest has been paid or duly made available for payment) to but excluding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be (each, an "Interest Period").
Interest on Fixed Rate Notes and Floating Rate Notes will be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date and on the Maturity Date. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the first payment of interest on any such Note originally issued between a Record Date (as hereinafter defined) and the related Interest Payment Date will be made on the Interest Payment Date immediately following the next succeeding Record Date to the Holder on such next succeeding Record Date. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, a "Record Date" shall be the fifteenth calendar day (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding the related Interest Payment Date.
Fixed Rate Notes
Interest on Fixed Rate Notes will be payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year or on such other date(s) specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement (each, an "Interest Payment Date" with respect to Fixed Rate Notes) and on the Maturity Date. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest on Fixed Rate Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
If any Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date of a Fixed Rate Note falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest will be made on the next succeeding Business Day as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding Business Day.
Floating Rate Notes
Interest on Floating Rate Notes will be determined by reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Interest Rate Bases, which may, as described below, include (i) the CD Rate, (ii) the CMT Rate, (iii) the Commercial Paper Rate, (iv) the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, (v) the Federal Funds Rate,
(vi) LIBOR, (vii) the Prime Rate, (viii) the Treasury Rate, or (ix) such other Interest Rate Basis or interest rate formula as may be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. The applicable Pricing Supplement will specify certain terms with respect to which each Floating Rate Note is being delivered, including: whether such Floating Rate Note is a "Regular Floating Rate Note," a "Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note" or an "Inverse Floating Rate Note," the Fixed Rate Commencement Date, if applicable, Fixed Interest Rate, if applicable, Interest Rate Basis or Bases, Initial Interest Rate, if any, Initial Interest Reset Date, Interest Reset Dates, Interest Payment Dates, Index Maturity, Maximum Interest Rate and/or Minimum Interest Rate, if any, and Spread and/or Spread Multiplier, if any, as such terms are defined below. If one or more of the applicable Interest Rate Bases is LIBOR or the CMT Rate, the applicable Pricing Supplement will also specify the Designated LIBOR Currency and Designated LIBOR Page or the Designated CMT Maturity Index and Designated CMT Telerate Page, respectively, as such terms are defined below.
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The interest rate borne by the Floating Rate Notes will be determined as follows:
(i) Unless such Floating Rate Note is designated as a "Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note" or an "Inverse Floating Rate Note", or as having an Addendum attached or having "Other/Additional Provisions" apply, in each case relating to a different interest rate formula, such Floating Rate Note will be designated as a "Regular Floating Rate Note" and, except as described below or in the applicable Pricing Supplement, will bear interest at the rate determined by reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a) plus or minus the applicable Spread, if any, and/or (b) multiplied by the applicable Spread Multiplier, if any. Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at which interest on such Regular Floating Rate Note shall be payable shall be reset as of each Interest Reset Date; provided, however, that the interest rate in effect for the period, if any, from the date of issue to the Initial Interest Reset Date will be the Initial Interest Rate.
(ii) If such Floating Rate Note is designated as a "Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note," then, except as described below or in the applicable Pricing Supplement, such Floating Rate Note will bear interest at the rate determined by reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a) plus or minus the applicable Spread, if any, and/or (b) multiplied by the applicable Spread Multiplier, if any. Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at which interest on such Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note shall be payable shall be reset as of each Interest Reset Date; provided, however, that (y) the interest rate in effect for the period, if any, from the date of issue to the Initial Interest Reset Date will be the Initial Interest Rate and (z) the interest rate in effect for the period commencing on the Fixed Rate Commencement Date to the Maturity Date shall be the Fixed Interest Rate, if such rate is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement or, if no such Fixed Interest Rate is specified, the interest rate in effect thereon on the day immediately preceding the Fixed Rate Commencement Date.
(iii) If such Floating Rate Note is designated as an "Inverse Floating Rate Note," then, except as described below or in the applicable Pricing Supplement, such Floating Rate Note will bear interest at the Fixed Interest Rate minus the rate determined by reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a) plus or minus the applicable Spread, if any, and/or (b) multiplied by the applicable Spread Multiplier, if any; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the interest rate thereon will not be less than zero. Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at which interest on such Inverse Floating Rate Note shall be payable shall be reset as of each Interest Reset Date; provided, however, that the interest rate in effect for the period, if any, from the date of issue to the Initial Interest Reset Date will be the Initial Interest Rate.
The "Spread" is the number of basis points to be added to or subtracted from the related Interest Rate Basis or Bases applicable to such Floating Rate Note. The "Spread Multiplier" is the percentage of the related Interest Rate Basis or Bases applicable to such Floating Rate Note by which such Interest Rate Basis or Bases will be multiplied to determine the applicable interest rate on such Floating Rate Note. The "Index Maturity" is the period to maturity of the instrument or obligation with respect to which the related Interest Rate Basis or Bases will be calculated.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the interest rate with respect to each Interest Rate Basis will be determined in accordance with the applicable provisions below. Except as set forth above or in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the interest rate in effect on each day shall be (i) if such day is an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate determined as of the Interest Determination Date (as hereinafter defined) immediately preceding such Interest Reset Date or (ii) if such day is not an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate determined as of the Interest Determination Date immediately preceding the most recent Interest Reset Date.
The applicable Pricing Supplement will specify whether the rate of interest on the related Floating Rate Note will be reset daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually or on such other specified basis (each, an "Interest Reset Period") and the dates on which such rate of interest will be reset (each, an "Interest Reset Date"). Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Interest Reset Dates will be, in the case of Floating Rate Notes which reset: (i) daily, each Business Day; (ii) weekly, the Wednesday of each week (with the exception of weekly reset Floating Rate Notes as to which the Treasury
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Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis, which will reset the Tuesday of each week, except as described below); (iii) monthly, the third Wednesday of each month (with the exception of monthly reset Floating Rate Notes as to which the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis, which will reset on the first calendar day of the month); (iv) quarterly, the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December of each year; (v) semiannually, the third Wednesday of the two months specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; and (vi) annually, the third Wednesday of the month specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; provided however, that, with respect to Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Notes, the rate of interest thereon will not reset after the applicable Fixed Rate Commencement Date. If any Interest Reset Date for any Floating Rate Note would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Reset Date will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day, except that in the case of a Floating Rate Note as to which LIBOR is an applicable Interest Rate Basis and such Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Reset Date will be the immediately preceding Business Day.
The interest rate applicable to each Interest Reset Period commencing on the related Interest Reset Date will be the rate determined by the Calculation Agent (as hereinafter defined) as of the applicable Interest Determination Date and calculated on or prior to the Calculation Date (as hereinafter defined), except with respect to LIBOR and the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, which will be calculated on such Interest Determination Date. The "Interest Determination Date" with respect to the CD Rate, the CMT Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate, the Federal Funds Rate and the Prime Rate will be the second Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date; the "Interest Determination Date" with respect to the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate will be the last working day of the month immediately preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date on which the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (the "FHLB of San Francisco") publishes the Index (as hereinafter defined); and the "Interest Determination Date" with respect to LIBOR will be the second London Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date, unless the Designated LIBOR Currency is British pounds sterling, in which case the "Interest Determination Date" will be the applicable Interest Reset Date. With respect to the Treasury Rate, the "Interest Determination Date" will be the day in the week in which the applicable Interest Reset Date falls on which day Treasury Bills (as hereinafter defined) are normally auctioned (Treasury Bills are normally sold at an auction held on Monday of each week, unless that day is a legal holiday, in which case the auction is normally held on the following Tuesday, except that such auction may be held on the preceding Friday); provided, however, that if an auction is held on the Friday of the week preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date, the "Interest Determination Date" will be such preceding Friday; provided, further, that if the Interest Determination Date would otherwise fall on an Interest Reset Date, then such Interest Reset Date will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day. The "Interest Determination Date" pertaining to a Floating Rate Note the interest rate of which is determined by reference to two or more Interest Rate Bases will be the most recent Business Day which is at least two Business Days prior to the applicable Interest Reset Date for such Floating Rate Note on which each Interest Rate Basis is determinable. Each Interest Rate Basis will be determined as of such date, and the applicable interest rate will take effect on the applicable Interest Reset Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Floating Rate Note may also have either or both of the following: (i) a Maximum Interest Rate, or ceiling, that may accrue during any Interest Period and (ii) a Minimum Interest Rate, or floor, that may accrue during any Interest Period. In addition to any Maximum Interest Rate that may apply to any Floating Rate Note, the interest rate on Floating Rate Notes will in no event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by New York law, as the same may be modified by United States law of general application.
Except as provided below or in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest will be payable, in the case of Floating Rate Notes which reset: (i) daily, weekly or monthly, on the third Wednesday of each month or on the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December of each year, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; (ii) quarterly, on the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December of each year; (iii) semiannually, on the third Wednesday of the two months of each year specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; and (iv) annually, on the third Wednesday of the month of each year specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement (each, an "Interest Payment Date" with respect to Floating Rate
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Notes) and, in each case, on the Maturity Date. If any Interest Payment Date other than the Maturity Date for any Floating Rate Note would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day, except that in the case of a Floating Rate Note as to which LIBOR is an applicable Interest Rate Basis and such Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Payment Date will be the immediately preceding Business Day. If the Maturity Date of a Floating Rate Note falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest will be made on the next succeeding Business Day as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after the Maturity Date to the date of such payment on the next succeeding Business Day.
All percentages resulting from any calculation on Floating Rate Notes will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five-one millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) would be rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655)), and all amounts used in or resulting from such calculation on Floating Rate Notes will be rounded, in the case of United States dollars, to the nearest cent or, in the case of a foreign or composite currency, to the nearest unit (with one-half cent or unit being rounded upwards).
With respect to each Floating Rate Note, accrued interest is calculated by multiplying its principal amount by an accrued interest factor. Such accrued interest factor is computed by adding the interest factor calculated for each day in the applicable Interest Period. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the interest factor for each such day will be computed by dividing the interest rate applicable to such day by 360, in the case of Floating Rate Notes for which an applicable Interest Rate Basis is the CD Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, the Federal Funds Rate, LIBOR or the Prime Rate, or by the actual number of days in the year in the case of Floating Rate Notes for which an applicable Interest Rate Basis is the CMT Rate or the Treasury Rate. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the interest factor for Floating Rate Notes for which the interest rate is calculated with reference to two or more Interest Rate Bases will be calculated in each period in the same manner as if only the applicable Interest Rate Basis specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement applied.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, The Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, Ltd. will be the "Calculation Agent" with respect to any Floating Rate Note that is a Senior Note and Fleet National Bank will be the "Calculation Agent" with respect to any Floating Rate Note that is a Subordinated Note. Upon request of the Holder of any Floating Rate Note, the Calculation Agent will disclose the interest rate then in effect and, if determined, the interest rate that will become effective as a result of a determination made for the next succeeding Interest Reset Date with respect to such Floating Rate Note. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the "Calculation Date," if applicable, pertaining to any Interest Determination Date will be the earlier of (i) the tenth calendar day after such Interest Determination Date or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day or (ii) the Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Calculation Agent shall determine each Interest Rate Basis in accordance with the following provisions.
CD RATE. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, "CD Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined with reference to the CD Rate (a "CD Rate Interest Determination Date"), the rate on such date for negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in "Statistical Release H.15(519), Selected Interest Rates" or any successor publication ("H.15(519)") under the heading "CDs (Secondary Market)," or, if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, the rate on such CD Rate Interest Determination Date for negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit of the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in its daily statistical release "Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities" or any successor publication ("Composite Quotations") under the heading "Certificates of Deposit." If such rate is not yet published in either H.15(519) or Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M.,
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New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CD Rate on such CD Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be the arithmetic mean of the secondary market offered rates as of 10:00
A.M., New York City time, on such CD Rate Interest Determination Date, of three leading nonbank dealers in negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit in The City of New York (which may include the Agents or their affiliates) selected by the Calculation Agent for negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit of major United States money center banks for negotiable certificates of deposit with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement in an amount that is representative for a single transaction in that market at that time; provided, however, that if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the CD Rate determined as of such CD Rate Interest Determination Date will be the CD Rate in effect on such CD Rate Interest Determination Date.
CMT RATE. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, "CMT Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined with reference to the CMT Rate (a "CMT Rate Interest Determination Date"), the rate displayed on the Designated CMT Telerate Page under the caption "...Treasury Constant Maturities...Federal Reserve Board Release H.15...Mondays Approximately 3:45 P.M.," under the column for the Designated CMT Maturity Index for (i) if the Designated CMT Telerate Page is 7055, the rate on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date and (ii) if the Designated CMT Telerate Page is 7052, the weekly or monthly average, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, for the week or the month, as applicable, ended immediately preceding the week or the month, as applicable, in which the related CMT Rate Interest Determination Date falls. If such rate is no longer displayed on the relevant page or is not displayed by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate for such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be such treasury constant maturity rate for the Designated CMT Maturity Index as published in H.15(519). If such rate is no longer published or is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be such treasury constant maturity rate for the Designated CMT Maturity Index (or other United States Treasury rate for the Designated CMT Maturity Index) for the CMT Rate Interest Determination Date with respect to such Interest Reset Date as may then be published by either the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the United States Department of the Treasury that the Calculation Agent determines to be comparable to the rate formerly displayed on the Designated CMT Telerate Page and published in H.15(519). If such information is not provided by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate on the CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be a yield to maturity, based on the arithmetic mean of the secondary market offered rates as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date reported, according to their written records, by three leading primary United States government securities dealers in The City of New York (which may include the Agents or their affiliates) (each, a "Reference Dealer") selected by the Calculation Agent (from five such Reference Dealers selected by the Calculation Agent and eliminating the highest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the highest) and the lowest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the lowest)), for the most recently issued direct noncallable fixed rate obligations of the United States ("Treasury Notes") with an original maturity of approximately the Designated CMT Maturity Index and a remaining term to maturity of not less than such Designated CMT Maturity Index minus one year. If the Calculation Agent is unable to obtain three such Treasury Note quotations, the CMT Rate on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be a yield to maturity based on the arithmetic mean of the secondary market offered rates as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date of three Reference Dealers in The City of New York (from five such Reference Dealers selected by the Calculation Agent and eliminating the highest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the highest) and the lowest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the lowest)), for Treasury Notes with an original maturity of the number of years that is the next highest to the Designated CMT Maturity Index and a remaining term to maturity closest to the Designated CMT Maturity Index and in an amount of at least $100 million. If three or four (and not five) of such Reference Dealers are quoting as described above, then the CMT Rate will be based on the arithmetic mean of the offered rates obtained and
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neither the highest nor the lowest of such quotes will be eliminated; provided, however, that if fewer than three Reference Dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are quoting as mentioned herein, the CMT Rate determined as of such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be the CMT Rate in effect on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date. If two Treasury Notes with an original maturity as described in the second preceding sentence have remaining terms to maturity equally close to the Designated CMT Maturity Index, the Calculation Agent will obtain quotations for the Treasury Note with the shorter remaining term to maturity.
"Designated CMT Telerate Page" means the display on the Dow Jones Telerate Service (or any successor service) on the page specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement (or any other page as may replace such page on such service) for the purpose of displaying Treasury Constant Maturities as reported in H.15(519). If no such page is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Designated CMT Telerate Page shall be 7052 for the most recent week.
"Designated CMT Maturity Index" means the original period to maturity of the U.S. Treasury securities (either 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20 or 30 years) specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement with respect to which the CMT Rate will be calculated or, if no such maturity is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, 2 years.
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATE. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, "Commercial Paper Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined with reference to the Commercial Paper Rate (a "Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date"), the Money Market Yield (as hereinafter defined) on such date of the rate for commercial paper having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Commercial Paper -- Nonfinancial". In the event that such rate is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the Commercial Paper Rate on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Money Market Yield of the rate for commercial paper having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as published in Composite Quotations under the heading "Commercial Paper" (with an Index Maturity of one month or three months being deemed to be equivalent to an Index Maturity of 30 days or 90 days, respectively). If such rate is not yet published in either H.15(519) or Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the Commercial Paper Rate on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be the Money Market Yield of the arithmetic mean of the offered rates at approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date of three leading dealers of commercial paper in The City of New York (which may include the Agents or their affiliates) selected by the Calculation Agent for commercial paper having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement placed for an industrial issuer whose bond rating is "Aa", or the equivalent, from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization; provided, however, that if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Commercial Paper Rate determined as of such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Commercial Paper Rate in effect on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date.
"Money Market Yield" means a yield (expressed as a percentage) calculated in accordance with the following formula:

                            D X 360
Money Market Yield  =    -------------   X   100
                         360 - (D X M)	

where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for commercial paper quoted on a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, and "M" refers to the actual number of days in the applicable Interest Reset Period.
ELEVENTH DISTRICT COST OF FUNDS RATE. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, "Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined with reference to the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate (an "Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date"), the rate equal to the
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monthly weighted average cost of funds for the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date falls, as set forth under the caption "11th District" on Telerate Page 7058 as of 11:00 A.M., San Francisco time, on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date. If such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 7058 on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date, then the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date shall be the monthly weighted average cost of funds paid by member institutions of the Eleventh Federal Home Loan Bank District that was most recently announced (the "Index") by the FHLB of San Francisco as such cost of funds for the calendar month immediately preceding such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date. If the FHLB of San Francisco fails to announce the Index on or prior to such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date for the calendar month immediately preceding such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate determined as of such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate in effect on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date.
FEDERAL FUNDS RATE. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, "Federal Funds Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined with reference to the Federal Funds Rate (a "Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date"), the rate on such date for United States dollar federal funds as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Federal Funds (Effective)" or, if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, the rate on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date as published in Composite Quotations under the heading "Federal Funds/Effective Rate." If such rate is not published in either H.15(519) or Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the Federal Funds Rate on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be the arithmetic mean of the rates for the last transaction in overnight United States dollar federal funds arranged by three leading brokers of federal funds transactions in The City of New York (which may include the Agents or their affiliates) selected by the Calculation Agent prior to 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date; provided, however, that if the brokers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Federal Funds Rate determined as of such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date.
LIBOR. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, "LIBOR" means the rate determined in accordance with the following provisions:
(i) With respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined with reference to LIBOR (a "LIBOR Interest Determination Date"), LIBOR will be either: (a) if "LIBOR Reuters" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the arithmetic mean of the offered rates (unless the Designated LIBOR Page by its terms provides only for a single rate, in which case such single rate shall be used) for deposits in the Designated LIBOR Currency having the Index Maturity specified in such Pricing Supplement, commencing on the applicable Interest Reset Date, that appear (or, if only a single rate is required as aforesaid, appears) on the Designated LIBOR Page as of 11:00
A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date, or (b) if "LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement or if neither "LIBOR Reuters" nor "LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the method for calculating LIBOR, the rate for deposits in the Designated LIBOR Currency having the Index Maturity specified in such Pricing Supplement, commencing on such Interest Reset Date, that appears on the Designated LIBOR Page as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date. If fewer than two such offered rates so appear, or if no such rate so appears, as applicable, LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be determined in accordance with the provisions described in clause (ii) below.
(ii) With respect to a LIBOR Interest Determination Date on which fewer than two offered rates appear, or no rate appears, as the case may be, on the Designated LIBOR Page as specified in clause (i) above, the Calculation Agent will request the principal London offices of each of four major reference
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banks (which may include affiliates of the Agents) in the London interbank market, as selected by the Calculation Agent, to provide the Calculation Agent with its offered quotation for deposits in the Designated LIBOR Currency for the period of the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, commencing on the applicable Interest Reset Date, to prime banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date and in a principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in the Designated LIBOR Currency in such market at such time. If at least two such quotations are so provided, then LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations. If fewer than two such quotations are so provided, then LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00
A.M., in the applicable Principal Financial Center, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date by three major banks (which may include affiliates of the Agents) in such Principal Financial Center selected by the Calculation Agent for loans in the Designated LIBOR Currency to leading European banks, having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement and in a principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in the Designated LIBOR Currency in such market at such time; provided, however, that if the banks so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, LIBOR determined as of such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be LIBOR in effect on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date.
"Designated LIBOR Currency" means the currency or composite currency specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as to which LIBOR shall be calculated or, if no such currency or composite currency is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, United States dollars.
"Designated LIBOR Page" means (a) if "LIBOR Reuters" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the display on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or any successor service) on the page specified in such Pricing Supplement (or any other page as may replace such page on such service) for the purpose of displaying the London interbank rates of major banks for the Designated LIBOR Currency, or (b) if "LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement or neither "LIBOR Reuters" nor "LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the method for calculating LIBOR, the display on the Dow Jones Telerate Service (or any successor service) on the page specified in such Pricing Supplement (or any other page as may replace such page on such service) for the purpose of displaying the London interbank rates of major banks for the Designated LIBOR Currency.
PRIME RATE. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, "Prime Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined with reference to the Prime Rate (a "Prime Rate Interest Determination Date"), the rate on such date as such rate is published in H.15(519) under the heading "Bank Prime Loan." If such rate is not published prior to 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the Prime Rate shall be the arithmetic mean of the rates of interest publicly announced by each bank that appears on the Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page (as hereinafter defined) as such bank's prime rate or base lending rate as in effect for such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date. If fewer than four such rates appear on the Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page for such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date, then the Prime Rate shall be the arithmetic mean of the prime rates or base lending rates quoted on the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by a 360-day year as of the close of business on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date by four major money center banks (which may include affiliates of the Agents) in The City of New York selected by the Calculation Agent. If fewer than four such quotations are so provided, then the Prime Rate shall be the arithmetic mean of four prime rates quoted on the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by a 360-day year as of the close of business on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date as furnished in The City of New York by the major money center banks, if any, that have provided such quotations and by a reasonable number of substitute banks or trust companies (which may include affiliates of the Agents) to obtain four such prime rate quotations, provided such substitute banks or trust companies are organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof, each having total equity capital of at least $500 million and being subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority, selected by the Calculation Agent to provide such rate or rates; provided, however, that if the banks
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or trust companies so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Prime Rate determined as of such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Prime Rate in effect on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date.
"Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page" means the display on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or any successor service) on the "USPRIME1" page (or such other page as may replace the USPRIME1 page on such service) for the purpose of displaying prime rates or base lending rates of major United States banks.
TREASURY RATE. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, "Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined by reference to the Treasury Rate (a "Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date"), the rate from the auction held on such Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date (the "Auction") of direct obligations of the United States ("Treasury Bills") having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, as such rate is published in H.15(519) under the heading "Treasury Bills-auction average (investment)" or, if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, the auction average rate of such Treasury Bills (expressed as a bond equivalent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis) as otherwise announced by the United States Department of the Treasury. In the event that the results of the Auction of Treasury Bills having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement are not reported as provided by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, or if no such Auction is held, then the Treasury Rate will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be a yield to maturity (expressed as a bond equivalent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis) of the arithmetic mean of the secondary market bid rates, as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date, of three leading primary United States government securities dealers (which may include the Agents or their affiliates) selected by the Calculation Agent, for the issue of Treasury Bills with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; provided, however, that if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Treasury Rate determined as of such Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Treasury Rate in effect on such Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date.
OTHER/ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS; ADDENDUM
Any provisions with respect to the Notes, including the specification and determination of one or more Interest Rate Bases, the calculation of the interest rate applicable to a Floating Rate Note, the Interest Payment Dates, the Stated Maturity Date, any redemption or repayment provisions or any other term relating thereto, may be modified and/or supplemented as specified under "Other/Additional Provisions" on the face thereof or in an Addendum relating thereto, if so specified on the face thereof and described in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
DISCOUNT NOTES
The Company may offer Notes ("Discount Notes") from time to time that have an Issue Price (as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement) that is less than 100% of the principal amount thereof (i.e. par) by more than a percentage equal to the product of 0.25% and the number of full years to the Stated Maturity Date. Discount Notes may not bear any interest currently or may bear interest at a rate that is below market rates at the time of issuance. The difference between the Issue Price of a Discount Note and par is referred to herein as the "Discount." In the event of redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity of a Discount Note, the amount payable to the Holder of such Discount Note will be equal to the sum of (i) the Issue Price (increased by any accruals of Discount) and, in the event of any redemption of such Discount Note (if applicable), multiplied by the Initial Redemption Percentage (as adjusted by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if applicable) and (ii) any unpaid interest accrued thereon to the date of such redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity, as the case may be.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, for purposes of determining the amount of Discount that has accrued as of any date on which a redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity
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occurs for a Discount Note, such Discount will be accrued using a constant yield method. The constant yield will be calculated using a 30-day month, 360-day year convention, a compounding period that, except for the Initial Period (as hereinafter defined), corresponds to the shortest period between Interest Payment Dates for the applicable Discount Note (with ratable accruals within a compounding period), a coupon rate equal to the initial coupon rate applicable to such Discount Note and an assumption that the maturity of such Discount Note will not be accelerated. If the period from the date of issue to the initial Interest Payment Date for a Discount Note (the "Initial Period") is shorter than the compounding period for such Discount Note, a proportionate amount of the yield for an entire compounding period will be accrued. If the Initial Period is longer than the compounding period, then such period will be divided into a regular compounding period and a short period with the short period being treated as provided in the preceding sentence. The accrual of the applicable Discount may differ from the accrual of original issue discount for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), certain Discount Notes may not be treated as having original issue discount within the meaning of the Code, and Notes other than Discount Notes may be treated as issued with original issue discount for federal income tax purposes. See "United States Federal Income Tax Considerations".
INDEXED NOTES
The Company may from time to time offer Notes ("Indexed Notes") with the amount of principal, premium and/or interest payable in respect thereof to be determined with reference to the price or prices of specified commodities or stocks, to the exchange rate of one or more designated currencies (including a composite currency such as the ECU) relative to an indexed currency or to other items, in each case as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. In certain cases, Holders of Indexed Notes may receive a principal payment on the Maturity Date that is greater than or less than the principal amount of such Indexed Notes depending upon the relative value on the Maturity Date of the specified indexed item. Information as to the method for determining the amount of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, payable in respect of Indexed Notes, certain historical information with respect to the specified indexed item and any material tax considerations associated with an investment in Indexed Notes will be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. See also "Risk Factors."
AMORTIZING NOTES
The Company may from time to time offer Notes ("Amortizing Notes") with the amount of principal thereof and interest thereon payable in installments over the term of such Notes. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest on each Amortizing Note will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Payments with respect to Amortizing Notes will be applied first to interest due and payable thereon and then to the reduction of the unpaid principal amount thereof. Further information concerning additional terms and provisions of Amortizing Notes will be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, including a table setting forth repayment information for such Amortizing Notes.
CERTAIN COVENANTS
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Notes will contain the following covenants:
Limitations on Issuance or Disposition of Stock of Significant Subsidiaries. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Significant Subsidiary to, issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Capital Stock (other than non-voting Preferred Stock) of any Significant Subsidiary, except for (i) directors' qualifying shares; (ii) sales or other dispositions to the Company or to one or more wholly owned Significant Subsidiaries; (iii) the sale or other disposition of all or any part of the Capital Stock of any Significant Subsidiary for consideration which is at least equal to the fair value of such Capital Stock as determined by the Company's board of directors (acting in good faith); or (iv) any issuance, sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition made in compliance with an order of a court or regulatory authority of competent jurisdiction, other than an order issued at the request of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary.
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Limitation on Liens. Except as provided below, neither the Company nor any Significant Subsidiary may incur, issue, assume or guarantee any Indebtedness secured by a Lien on any property or assets of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, or any shares of Capital Stock of any Significant Subsidiary, without effectively providing that the Notes (together with, if the Company shall so determine, any other Indebtedness which is not subordinated to the Notes) shall be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Indebtedness, so long as such Indebtedness shall be so secured; provided, however, that this covenant shall not apply to Indebtedness secured by (i) Liens existing on the date of the applicable Pricing Supplement; (ii) Liens on property of, or on any shares of stock of, any corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Significant Subsidiary or merges into or consolidates with the Company or a Significant Subsidiary; (iii) Liens on property or on shares of stock existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary; (iv) Liens to secure the financing of the acquisition, construction or improvement of property, or the acquisition of shares of stock by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, provided that such Liens are created not later than one year after such acquisition or, in the case of property, no later than one year after completion of construction or commencement of commercial operation, whichever is later, are limited to the property acquired, constructed or improved or the shares of stock acquired and do not secure indebtedness in excess of the cost of such acquisition, construction or improvement; (v) Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary; (vi) Liens in favor of, or required by, governmental authorities; and (vii) any extension, renewal or replacement as a whole or in part of any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) to (vi) inclusive; provided, however, that (a) such extension, renewal or replacement Lien shall be limited to all or a part of the same property or shares of stock that secured the Lien extended, renewed or replaced and (b) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not so increased.
The restrictions in the immediately preceding paragraph do not apply if, immediately after the incurrence, issuance, assumption or guarantee of any Indebtedness secured by a Lien, the aggregate principal amount of such secured Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness secured by Liens described in clauses (i) to (vii), inclusive, of the immediately preceding paragraph) would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Capitalization.
Neither the Notes nor the Indenture contain any provisions other than the foregoing which will restrict the Company from incurring, assuming or becoming liable with respect to any indebtedness or other obligations, whether secured or unsecured, or from paying dividends or making other distributions on its capital stock or purchasing or redeeming its capital stock. Neither the Notes nor the Indenture contain any financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity to which the Company must adhere. In addition, neither the Notes nor the Indenture contain any provision which would require the Company to repurchase or redeem or otherwise modify the terms of any of the Notes upon a change in control or other events involving the Company which may adversely affect the creditworthiness of the Notes.
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Set forth below is a summary of certain defined terms used in the Notes.
"Capital Lease Obligations" of a Person means any obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on the face of a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.
"Capital Stock" means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interest in (however designated) corporate stock, including any Preferred Stock.
"Consolidated Capitalization" means the sum of the Company's consolidated shareholders' equity, redeemable preferred stock and preferred securities in any trust, partnership, corporation or other entity of which more than 50% of the voting equity is owned directly or indirectly by the Company, including, without limitation, the trust securities issued by Conseco Financing Trust I, Conseco Financing Trust II, Conseco Financing Trust III and Conseco Financing Trust IV.
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"Indebtedness" means: (i) any liability of any Person (1) for borrowed money, or under any reimbursement obligation relating to a letter of credit (other than letters of credit obtained in the ordinary course of business), or
(2) evidenced by a bond, note, debenture or similar instrument (including a purchase money obligation) given in connection with the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind or with services incurred in connection with capital expenditures (other than accounts payable or other indebtedness to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business), or
(3) for the payment of money relating to a Capital Lease Obligation; (ii) any liability of others described in the preceding clause (i) that the Person has guaranteed or that is otherwise its legal liability; and (iii) any amendment, supplement, modification, deferral, renewal, extension or refunding of any liability of types referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above.
"Lien" means any lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any lease in the nature thereof).
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock or limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Preferred Stock," as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such corporation.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary with net earnings which constituted at least 20% of the Company's consolidated total net earnings, as determined as of the date of the Company's most recently prepared quarterly financial statements for the 12-month period then ended.
"Stated Maturity," when used with respect to any security or any installment of interest on any security, means the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the principal of such security or such installment of interest, respectively, is finally due and payable, except as otherwise provided in the case of Capital Lease Obligations.
"Subsidiary" means a corporation of which a majority of the Capital Stock having voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect a majority of the board of directors is owned directly or indirectly by the Company or by one or more Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more Subsidiaries.
BOOK-ENTRY NOTES
The Company has established a depositary arrangement with The Depository Trust Company with respect to the Book-Entry Notes, the terms of which are summarized below. Any additional or differing terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to the Book-Entry Notes will be described in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
Upon issuance, all Book-Entry Notes of like tenor and terms up to $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount will be represented by a single Global Security. Each Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary and will be registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. No Global Security may be transferred except as a whole by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or such nominee to a successor of the Depositary or a nominee of such successor.
So long as the Depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of a Global Security, the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be the sole Holder of the Book-Entry Notes represented thereby for all purposes under the applicable Indenture. Except as otherwise provided below, the Beneficial Owners of the Global Security or Securities representing Book-Entry Notes will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Certificated Notes and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose under the applicable Indenture, and no Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes shall be exchangeable or transferable. Accordingly, each Beneficial Owner must rely on the procedures of the Depositary and, if such Beneficial
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Owner is not a Participant, on the procedures of the Participant through which such Beneficial Owner owns its interest in order to exercise any rights of a Holder under such Global Security or the applicable Indenture. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in certificated form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, each Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes will be exchangeable for Certificated Notes of like tenor and terms and of differing authorized denominations in a like aggregate principal amount, only if (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Securities or the Company becomes aware that the Depositary has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in any such case, the Company shall not have appointed a successor to the Depositary within 60 days thereafter, (ii) the Company, in its sole discretion, determines that the Global Securities shall be exchangeable for Certificated Notes or (iii) an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the Notes under the applicable Indenture. Upon any such exchange, the Certificated Notes shall be registered in the names of the Beneficial Owners of the Global Security or Securities representing Book-Entry Notes, which names shall be provided by the Depositary's relevant Participants (as identified by the Depositary) to the appropriate Trustee.
The following is based on information furnished by the Depositary:
The Depositary will act as securities depository for the Book-Entry Notes. The Book-Entry Notes will be issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (the Depositary's partnership nominee). One fully registered Global Security will be issued for each issue of Book-Entry Notes, each in the aggregate principal amount of such issue, and will be deposited with the Depositary. If, however, the aggregate principal amount of any issue exceeds $200,000,000, one Global Security will be issued with respect to each $200,000,000 of principal amount and an additional Global Security will be issued with respect to any remaining principal amount of such issue.
The Depositary 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. The Depositary holds securities that its participants ("Participants") deposit with the Depositary. The Depositary 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 of the Depositary ("Direct Participants") include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. The Depositary 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 Depositary's system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). The rules applicable to the Depositary and its Participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Purchases of Book-Entry Notes under the Depositary's system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for such Book-Entry Notes on the Depositary's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each Book-Entry Note represented by a Global Security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the records of Direct Participants and Indirect Participants. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from the Depositary of their purchase, but Beneficial Owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct Participants or Indirect Participants through which such Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in a Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes are to be accomplished by entries made on
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the books of Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners of a Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes will not receive Certificated Notes representing their ownership interests therein, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for such Book-Entry Notes is discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Global Securities representing Book-Entry Notes which are deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary are registered in the name of the Depositary's nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of Global Securities with, or on behalf of, the Depositary and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. effect no change in beneficial ownership. The Depositary has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Global Securities representing the Book-Entry Notes; the Depositary's records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such Book-Entry Notes are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by the Depositary to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
Neither the Depositary nor Cede & Co. will consent or vote with respect to the Global Securities representing the Book-Entry Notes. Under its usual procedures, the Depositary mails an Omnibus Proxy to the Company as soon as possible after the applicable record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts the Book-Entry Notes are credited on the applicable record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
Principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, payments on the Global Securities representing the Book-Entry Notes will be made in immediately available funds to the Depositary. The Depositary's practice is to credit Direct Participants' accounts on the applicable payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on the Depositary's records unless the Depositary has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on such date. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name", and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of the Agents, the Depositary, either Trustee or the Company, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, to the Depositary is the responsibility of the Company and the appropriate Trustee, disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants shall be the responsibility of the Depositary, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners shall be the responsibility of Direct Participants and Indirect Participants.
If applicable, redemption notices shall be sent to Cede & Co. If less than all of the Book-Entry Notes of like tenor and terms are being redeemed, the Depositary's practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.
A Beneficial Owner shall give notice of any option to elect to have its Book-Entry Notes repaid by the Company, through its Participant, to the appropriate Trustee, and shall effect delivery of such Book-Entry Notes by causing the Direct Participant to transfer the Participant's interest in the Global Security or Securities representing such Book-Entry Notes, on the Depositary's records, to such Trustee. The requirement for physical delivery of Book-Entry Notes in connection with a demand for repayment will be deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the Global Security or Securities representing such Book-Entry Notes are transferred by Direct Participants on the Depositary's records.
The Depositary may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to the Book-Entry Notes at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Company or the appropriate Trustee. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depository is not obtained, Certificated Notes are required to be printed and delivered.
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The Company may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through the Depositary (or a successor securities depository). In that event, Certificated Notes will be printed and delivered.
The information in this section concerning the Depositary and the Depositary's system has been obtained from sources that the Company believes to be reliable, but the Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES
GENERAL
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, Foreign Currency Notes will not be sold in, or to residents of, the country issuing the applicable currency. The information set forth in this Prospectus Supplement is directed to prospective purchasers who are United States residents and, with respect to Foreign Currency Notes, is by necessity incomplete. The Company and the Agents disclaim any responsibility to advise prospective purchasers who are residents of countries other than the United States with respect to any matters that may affect the purchase, holding or receipt of payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, Foreign Currency Notes. Such persons should consult their own financial and legal advisors with regard to such matters. See "Risk Factors--Exchange Rates and Exchange Controls."
PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM, IF ANY, AND INTEREST, IF ANY
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Company is obligated to make payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, a Foreign Currency Note in the Specified Currency. Any such amounts payable by the Company in the Specified Currency will be converted by the exchange rate agent named in the applicable Pricing Supplement (the "Exchange Rate Agent") into United States dollars for payment to Holders unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement or the Holder of such Foreign Currency Note elects, in the manner hereinafter described, to receive such amounts in the Specified Currency.
Any United States dollar amount to be received by a Holder of a Foreign Currency Note will be based on the highest bid quotation in The City of New York received by the Exchange Rate Agent at approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding the applicable payment date from three recognized foreign exchange dealers (one of whom may be the Exchange Rate Agent) selected by the Exchange Rate Agent and approved by the Company for the purchase by the quoting dealer of the Specified Currency for United States dollars for settlement on such payment date in the aggregate amount of such Specified Currency payable to all Holders of Foreign Currency Notes scheduled to receive United States dollar payments and at which the applicable dealer commits to execute a contract. All currency exchange costs will be borne by the Holders of such Foreign Currency Notes by deductions from such payments. If three such bid quotations are not available, payments will be made in the Specified Currency.
Holders of Foreign Currency Notes may elect to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, in the Specified Currency by submitting a written request for such payment to the appropriate Trustee at its corporate trust office in The City of New York on or prior to the applicable Record Date or at least fifteen calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be. Such written request may be mailed or hand delivered or sent by cable, telex or other form of facsimile transmission. Holders of Foreign Currency Notes may elect to receive all or a specified portion of all future payments in the Specified Currency and need not file a separate election for each payment. Such election will remain in effect until revoked by written notice to the appropriate Trustee, but written notice of any such revocation must be received by such Trustee on or prior to the applicable Record Date or at least fifteen calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be. Holders of Foreign Currency Notes to be held in the name of a broker or nominee should contact such broker or nominee to determine whether and how an election to receive payments in the Specified Currency may be made.
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Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, if the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, a Beneficial Owner of the related Global Security or Securities which elects to receive payments of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, in the Specified Currency must notify the Participant through which it owns its interest on or prior to the applicable Record Date or at least fifteen calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be, of such Beneficial Owner's election. Such Participant must notify the Depositary of such election on or prior to the third Business Day after such Record Date or at least twelve calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be, and the Depositary will notify the appropriate Trustee of such election on or prior to the fifth Business Day after such Record Date or at least ten calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be. If complete instructions are received by the Participant from the Beneficial Owner and forwarded by the Participant to the Depositary, and by the Depositary to the appropriate Trustee, on or prior to such dates, then such Beneficial Owner will receive payments in the Specified Currency.
Payments of the principal of, and premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, on, Foreign Currency Notes which are to be made in United States dollars will be made in the manner specified herein with respect to Notes denominated in United States dollars. See "Description of Notes--General." Payments of interest, if any, on Foreign Currency Notes which are to be made in the Specified Currency on an Interest Payment Date other than the Maturity Date will be made by check mailed to the address of the Holders of such Foreign Currency Notes as they appear in the Security Register, subject to the right to receive such interest payments by wire transfer of immediately available funds under the circumstances described under "Description of Notes--General." Payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, on, Foreign Currency Notes which are to be made in the Specified Currency on the Maturity Date will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account with a bank designated at least fifteen calendar days prior to the Maturity Date by each Holder thereof, provided that such bank has appropriate facilities therefor and that the applicable Foreign Currency Note is presented and surrendered at the office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, currently, with respect to Senior Notes, the corporate trust office of the Senior Trustee located at 165 Broadway 47th floor, New York, New York 10006 and, with respect to Subordinated Notes, the corporate trust office of the Subordinated Trustee located at State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A., 61 Broadway, 15th floor, Corporate Trust Window, New York, New York 10006, in time for the appropriate Trustee to make such payments in such funds in accordance with its normal procedures.
AVAILABILITY OF SPECIFIED CURRENCY
Except as set forth below, if the Specified Currency for a Foreign Currency Note is not available for the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, in respect thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to the Holder of such Foreign Currency Note by making such payment in United States dollars on the basis of the Market Exchange Rate, computed by the Exchange Rate Agent, on the second Business Day prior to such payment or, if such Market Exchange Rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Market Exchange Rate, or as otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
If the Specified Currency for a Foreign Currency Note is a composite currency that is not available for the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, in respect thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to the Holder of such Foreign Currency Note by making such payment in United States dollars on the basis of the equivalent of the composite currency in United States dollars. The component currencies of the composite currency for this purpose (the "Component Currencies") shall be the currency amounts that were components of the composite currency as of the last day on which the composite currency was used. The equivalent of the composite currency in United States dollars shall be calculated by aggregating the United States dollar equivalents of the Component Currencies. The United States dollar equivalent of each of the Component Currencies shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent on the basis of the Market Exchange Rate on the second Business Day prior to the required payment or, if such
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Market Exchange Rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Market Exchange Rate for each such Component Currency, or as otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
If the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the number of units of the currency as a Component Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If two or more Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the amounts of those currencies as Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such single currency equal to the sum of the amounts of the consolidated Component Currencies expressed in such single currency. If any Component Currency is divided into two or more currencies, the amount of the original Component Currency shall be replaced by the amounts of such two or more currencies, the sum of which shall be equal to the amount of the original Component Currency.
The "Market Exchange Rate" for a Specified Currency other than United States dollars means the noon dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such Specified Currency as certified for customs purposes (or, if not so certified, as otherwise determined) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Any payment made in United States dollars under the circumstances set forth above where the required payment is in a Specified Currency other than United States dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under the applicable Indenture with respect to the Notes.
All determinations referred to above made by the Exchange Rate Agent shall be at its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and binding on the Holders of the Foreign Currency Notes.
JUDGMENTS
Under current New York law, a state court in the State of New York rendering a judgment in respect of a Foreign Currency Note would be required to render such judgment in the Specified Currency, and such foreign currency judgment would be converted into United States dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of entry of such judgment. Accordingly, the Holder of such Foreign Currency Note would be subject to exchange rate fluctuations between the date of entry of such foreign currency judgment and the time the amount of such foreign currency judgment is paid to such Holder in United States dollars and converted by such Holder into the Specified Currency. It is not certain, however, whether a non-New York state court would follow the same rules and procedures with respect to conversions of foreign currency judgments.
The Company will indemnify the Holder of any Note against any loss incurred by such Holder as a result of any judgment or order being given or made for any amount due under such Note and such judgment or order requiring payment in a currency or composite currency (the "Judgment Currency") other than the Specified Currency, and as a result of any variation between (i) the rate of exchange at which the Specified Currency amount is converted into the Judgment Currency for the purpose of such judgment or order, and (ii) the rate of exchange at which the Holder of such Note, on the date of payment of such judgment or order, is able to purchase the Specified Currency with the amount of the Judgment Currency actually received by such Holder, as the case may be.
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following summary describes the principal United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Notes to beneficial owners ("holders") of Notes purchasing Notes at their original issuance. This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), legislative history, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations, changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this Prospectus Supplement may affect the tax consequences described herein. Any such change may apply retroactively.
This summary discusses only the principal United States federal income tax consequences to holders holding Notes as capital assets within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the Code. It does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a holder in light of the holder's particular circumstances or to holders subject to special rules (including pension plans and other tax-exempt investors, banks, thrifts,
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insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, dealers in securities, currencies and persons so treated for federal income tax purposes, persons whose functional currency (as defined in Section 985 of the Code) is other than the United States dollar, and persons who hold Notes as part of a straddle, hedging or conversion transaction).
Persons considering the purchase of Notes should consult their tax advisors with regard to the application of United States federal income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any tax consequences to them arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction. State, local and foreign income tax laws may differ substantially from the corresponding federal income tax laws, and this discussion does not purport to describe any aspect of the tax laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction.
As used herein, the term "United States Holder" means a holder of a Note who or which is, for United States federal income tax purposes, (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof or (iii) an estate or trust described in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code. The term also includes certain holders who are former citizens of the United States whose income and gain from the Notes will be subject to United States taxation.
TAXATION OF INTEREST
The taxation of interest on a Note depends on whether the interest is "qualified stated interest" (as defined below). Interest on a Note that constitutes qualified stated interest is includible in a United States Holder's income as ordinary income when actually or constructively received (if such Holder uses the cash method of accounting for federal income tax purposes) or when accrued (if such Holder uses an accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes). Interest that is not qualified stated interest is includible in a United States Holder's income under the rules governing "original issue discount," described below, regardless of such Holder's method of accounting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest that is payable on a Note with a maturity of one year or less from its issue date (a "Short-Term Note") is includible in a United States Holder's income under rules described below under "Short-Term Notes."
Definition of Qualified Stated Interest
Interest on a Note is "qualified stated interest" if the interest is unconditionally payable, or will be constructively received under Section 451 of the Code, in cash or in property (other than debt instruments of the Company) at least annually at a single fixed rate (in the case of a Fixed Rate Note) or at a single "qualified floating rate" or "objective rate" (in the case of a Floating Rate Note that qualifies as a variable rate debt instrument). If a Floating Rate Note that qualifies as a variable rate debt instrument provides for interest other than at a single qualified floating rate or single objective rate, special rules apply to determine the portion of such interest that is qualified stated interest. See "Original Issue Discount -- Floating Rate Notes that are VRDIs," below.
Definition of Variable Rate Debt Instrument (VRDI), Qualified Floating Rate and Objective Rate
A Floating Rate Note is a variable rate debt instrument ("VRDI") if all four of the following conditions are met. First, the "issue price" (as defined under "Original Issue Discount") of the Note must not exceed the total noncontingent principal payments by more than an amount equal to the lesser of
(i) .015 multiplied by the product of the total noncontingent principal payments and the number of complete years to maturity from the issue date (as defined under "Original Issue Discount") (or, in the case of a Note that provides for payment of any amount other than qualified stated interest before maturity, its weighted average maturity) and (ii) 15% of the total noncontingent principal payments.
Second, except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Note must not provide for any principal payments that are contingent.
Third, the Note must provide for stated interest (compounded or paid at least annually) at (a) one or more qualified floating rates, (b) a single fixed rate and one or more qualified floating rates, (c) a single
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objective rate or (d) a single fixed rate and a single objective rate that is a "qualified inverse floating rate" (as defined below).
Fourth, the Note must provide that a qualified floating rate or objective rate in effect at any time during the term of the Note is set at the value of the rate on any day that is no earlier than three months prior to the first day on which that value is in effect and no later than one year following that first day.
Subject to certain exceptions, a variable rate of interest on a Note is a "qualified floating rate" if variations in the value of the rate can reasonably be expected to measure contemporaneous fluctuations in the cost of newly borrowed funds in the currency in which the Note is denominated. A variable rate is considered a qualified rate if the variable rate equals (i) the product of an otherwise qualified floating rate and a fixed multiple (i.e., a Spread Multiplier) that is greater than .65 but not more than 1.35 or (ii) the product described in clause (i) plus or minus a fixed rate (i.e., a Spread). If the variable rate equals the product of an otherwise qualified floating rate and a single Spread Multiplier greater than 1.35 or less than or equal to .65, however, such rate generally is an objective rate, described more fully below. A variable rate is not considered a qualified floating rate if the variable rate is subject to a cap, floor, governor (i.e., a restriction on the amount of increase or decrease in the stated interest rate) or similar restriction that is reasonably expected as of the issue date to cause the yield on the Note to be significantly more or less than the expected yield determined without the restriction (other than a cap, floor or governor that is fixed throughout the term of the Note).
Subject to certain exceptions, an "objective rate" is a rate (other than a qualified floating rate) that is determined using a single fixed formula and that is based on objective financial or economic information that is neither within the control of the issuer (or a related party) nor unique to the circumstances of the issuer (or a related party). For example, an objective rate generally includes a rate that is based on one or more qualified floating rates or on the yield of actively traded personal property (within the meaning of
Section 1092(d)(1) of the Code). Notwithstanding the first sentence of this paragraph, a rate is not an objective rate if it is reasonably expected that the average value of the rate during the first half of the Note's term will be either significantly less than or significantly greater than the average value of the rate during the final half of the Note's term. The Internal Revenue Service may designate rates other than those specified above that will be treated as objective rates. As of the date of this Prospectus Supplement, no such other rates have been designated. An objective rate is a "qualified inverse floating rate" if (a) the rate is equal to a fixed rate minus a qualified floating rate and (b) the variations in the rate can reasonably be expected to reflect inversely contemporaneous variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds (disregarding any caps, floors, governors or similar restrictions that would not, as described above, cause a rate to fail to be a qualified floating rate).
If interest on a Note is stated at a fixed rate for an initial period of one year or less, followed by a variable rate that is either a qualified floating rate or an objective rate for a subsequent period, and the value of the variable rate on the issue date is intended to approximate the fixed rate, the fixed rate and the variable rate together are treated as a single qualified floating rate or objective rate.
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
Original issue discount with respect to a Note is the excess, if any, of a Note's "stated redemption price at maturity" over its "issue price." A Note's "stated redemption price at maturity" is the sum of all payments provided by the Note (whether designated as interest or as principal) other than payments of qualified stated interest. The "issue price" and "issue date" of a Note are the first price and the first settlement date or closing date (whichever is applicable), respectively, at which a substantial amount of the Notes in the issuance that includes the Note is sold for money (excluding sales to bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers).
United States Holders of Notes with original issue discount (other than Short-Term Notes, as defined below) generally will be required to include such original issue discount in income as it accrues in accordance with the constant yield method described below, before the receipt of the related cash payments. A United States Holder's tax basis in a Note is increased by each accrual of original issue discount and decreased by each payment other than a payment of qualified stated interest.
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The amount of original issue discount with respect to a Note will be treated as zero if the original issue discount is less than an amount equal to .0025 multiplied by the product of the stated redemption price at maturity and the number of complete years to maturity (or weighted average maturity, in the case of a Note that provides for payment of any amount other than qualified stated interest prior to maturity). If the amount of original issue discount with respect to a Note is less than that amount, all payments of stated interest are treated as payments of qualified stated interest and the original issue discount that is not included in payments of stated interest is included in income as capital gain as principal payments are made. The amount includible with respect to a principal payment equals the product of the total amount of original issue discount and a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of such principal payment and the denominator of which is the stated principal amount of the Note.
Fixed Rate Notes
In the case of a Fixed Rate Note with original issue discount, the amount of original issue discount includible in the income of a United States Holder for any taxable year is determined under the constant yield method, as follows. First, the "yield to maturity" of the Note is computed. The yield to maturity is the discount rate that, when used in computing the present value of all interest and principal payments to be made under the Note (including payments of qualified stated interest) produces an amount equal to the issue price of the Note. The yield to maturity is constant over the term of the Note and, when expressed as a percentage, must be calculated to at least two decimal places.
Second, the term of the Note is divided into "accrual periods." Accrual periods may be of any length and may vary in length over the term of the Note, provided that each accrual period is no longer than one year and that each scheduled payment of principal or interest occurs either on the final day of an accrual period or on the first day of an accrual period.
Third, the total amount of original issue discount on the Note is allocated among accrual periods. In general, the original issue discount allocable to an accrual period equals the product of the "adjusted issue price" of the Note at the beginning of the accrual period and the yield to maturity of the Note, less the amount of any qualified stated interest allocable to the accrual period. The adjusted issue price of a Note at the beginning of the first accrual period is its issue price. Thereafter, the adjusted issue price of the Note is its issue price, increased by the amount of original issue discount previously includible in the gross income of any holder and decreased by the amount of any payment previously made on the Note other than a payment of qualified stated interest. For purposes of computing the adjusted issue price of a Note, the amount of original issue discount previously includible in the gross income of any holder is determined without regard to "premium" and "acquisition premium," as those terms are defined below under "Premium and Acquisition Premium."
Fourth, the "daily portions" of original issue discount are determined by allocating to each day in an accrual period its ratable portion of the original issue discount allocable to the accrual period.
A United States Holder includes in income in any taxable year the daily portions of original issue discount for each day during the taxable year that such Holder held Notes. Under the constant yield method described above, United States Holders generally are required to include in income increasingly greater amounts of original issue discount in successive accrual periods.
In the case of a Note that is redeemable at the option of the Company or repayable by the Company at the option of the United States Holder, the maturity and the yield to maturity of the Note are determined by assuming that the Company and the United States Holder will exercise or not exercise the options available to them in a manner that minimizes the yield, in the case of options available to the Company, or maximizes the yield, in the case of options available to the United States Holder. Unless specified to the contrary in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Redemption Price payable by the Company upon the exercise of any option to redeem is at all times at least equal to the principal amount of the Note redeemed plus accrued interest and the repayment price payable by the Company upon exercise of the United States Holder's option is at all times equal to the principal amount of the Note so repaid plus accrued interest. Accordingly, the
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existence of such options should not generally affect the determination of the maturity and the yield to maturity of Notes having an issue price equal to 100% of the principal amount.
Floating Rate Notes that are VRDIs
The taxation of original issue discount (including interest that is not qualified stated interest) on a Floating Rate Note depends on whether the Note is a "VRDI," as defined above.
In the case of a VRDI that provides for qualified stated interest, the amount of qualified stated interest and original issue discount, if any, includible in income during a taxable year are determined under the rules applicable to Fixed Rate Notes by assuming that the variable rate is a fixed rate equal to (i) in the case of a qualified floating rate or a qualified inverse floating rate, the value, as of the issue date, of the qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate, and (ii) in the case of an objective rate (other than a qualified inverse floating rate), the rate that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for the Note. Qualified stated interest allocable to an accrual period is increased (or decreased) if the interest actually paid during an accrual period exceeds (or is less than) the interest assumed to be paid during the accrual period.
If a VRDI does not provide for qualified stated interest as described above and does not provide for a fixed rate, the amount of interest and original issue discount accruals are determined by constructing an equivalent fixed rate debt instrument, as follows.
First, a fixed rate substitute for each variable rate provided by the Note is determined. The fixed rate substitute for each qualified floating rate provided by the Note is the value of that qualified floating rate on the issue date. If the Note provides for two or more qualified floating rates with different intervals between interest adjustment dates (e.g., the 30-day Commercial Paper Rate and quarterly LIBOR), the fixed rate substitutes are based on intervals that are equal in length (e.g., the 90-day Commercial Paper Rate and quarterly LIBOR, or the 30-day Commercial Paper Rate and monthly LIBOR). The fixed rate substitute for an objective rate that is a qualified inverse floating rate is the value of the qualified inverse floating rate on the issue date. The fixed rate substitute for an objective rate (other than a qualified inverse floating rate) is a fixed rate that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for the Note.
Second, a hypothetical equivalent fixed rate debt instrument is constructed that has terms identical to those provided under the Note, except that the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument provides for the fixed rate substitutes determined in the first step, in lieu of the qualified floating rates or objective rate provided by the Note.
Third, the amount of qualified stated interest and original issue discount for the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument are determined under the rules described above for Fixed Rate Notes. These amounts are taken into account as if the United States Holder held the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument. See "Taxation of Interest" and "Original Issue Discount -- Fixed Rate Notes," above.
Fourth, appropriate adjustments are made for the actual values of the variable rates. In this step, qualified stated interest or original issue discount allocable to an accrual period is increased (or decreased) if the interest actually accrued or paid during the accrual period exceeds (or is less than) the interest assumed to be accrued or paid during the accrual period under the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument.
If a VRDI provides for stated interest either at one or more qualified floating rates or at a qualified inverse floating rate, and in addition provides for stated interest at a single fixed rate, the amount of interest and original issue discount accruals are determined as in the preceding four paragraphs with the modification that the VRDI is treated, for purposes of the first three steps of the determination, as if it provided for a qualified floating rate (or qualified inverse floating rate) rather than the fixed rate. The qualified floating rate (or qualified inverse floating rate) replacing the fixed rate must be such that the fair market value of the VRDI as of the issue date would be approximately the same as the fair market value of an otherwise identical debt instrument that provides for the qualified floating rate (or qualified inverse floating rate) rather than the fixed rate.
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Contingent Notes
A Floating Rate Note that is not a VRDI (a "Contingent Note"), will be taxable under the rules applicable to contingent payment debt instruments (the "Contingent Debt Regulations"), as follows.
First, the Company is required to determine, as of the issue date, the comparable yield for the Contingent Note. The comparable yield is generally the yield at which the Company would issue a fixed rate debt instrument with terms and conditions similar to those of the Contingent Note (including the level of subordination, term, timing of payments and general market conditions) but not taking into consideration the risk of the contingencies or the liquidity of the Contingent Note. Further, the comparable yield may not be less than the applicable Federal Rate announced monthly by the Internal Revenue Service (the "AFR"). In certain cases where Contingent Notes are marketed or sold in substantial part to tax-exempt investors or other investors for whom the prescribed inclusion of interest is not expected to have a substantial effect on their United States tax liability, the comparable yield for the Contingent Note is, without proper evidence to the contrary, presumed to be the AFR.
Second, solely for tax purposes, the Company constructs a projected schedule of payments determined under the Contingent Debt Regulations for the Contingent Note (the "Schedule"). The Schedule is determined as of the issue date and generally remains in place throughout the term of the Contingent Note. If a right to a contingent payment is based on market information, the amount of the projected payment is the forward price of the contingent payment. If a contingent payment is not based on market information, the amount of the projected payment is the expected value of the contingent payment as of the issue date. The Schedule must produce the comparable yield determined as set forth above. Otherwise, the Schedule must be adjusted under the rules set forth in the Contingent Debt Regulations.
Third, under the usual rules applicable to Notes issued with original issue discount and based on the Schedule, the interest income on the Contingent Note for each accrual period is determined by multiplying the comparable yield of the Contingent Note (adjusted for the length of the accrual period) by the Contingent Note's adjusted issue price at the beginning of the accrual period (determined under rules set forth in the Contingent Debt Regulations). The amount so determined is then allocated on a ratable basis to each day in the accrual period that the United States Holder held the Contingent Note.
Fourth, appropriate adjustments are made to the interest income determined under the foregoing rules to account for any differences between the Schedule and actual contingent payments. Under the rules set forth in the Contingent Debt Regulations, interest income is generally increased (or decreased) if the actual contingent payment is more (or less) than the projected payment. Differences between the actual amounts of any contingent payments made in a calendar year and the projected amounts of such payments are generally aggregated and taken into account, in the case of a positive difference, as additional interest income, or, in the case of a negative difference, first as a reduction in interest income for such year and thereafter, subject to certain limitations, as ordinary loss.
The Contingent Debt Regulations require the Company to provide each holder of a Contingent Note with the Schedule. If the Company does not create the Schedule or the Schedule is unreasonable, a United States Holder must set its own projected payment schedule and explicitly disclose the fact that the United States Holder's schedule is being used and the reason therefor. Unless otherwise prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Holder must make such disclosure on a statement attached to the United States Holder's timely filed federal income tax return for the taxable year in which the Contingent Note was acquired.
In general, any gain realized by a United States Holder on the sale, exchange, redemption, or retirement of a Contingent Note is interest income. In general, any loss on a Contingent Note accounted for under the method described above is ordinary loss to the extent it does not exceed the United States Holder's prior interest inclusions on the Contingent Note (net of negative adjustments). Special rules apply in determining the tax basis of a Contingent Note and the amount realized on the retirement of a Contingent Note.
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Other Rules
The Treasury Regulations relating to the tax treatment of original issue discount contain certain language ("aggregation rules") stating in general that, with some exception, if more than one type of Notes is issued in connection with the same transaction or related transactions, such Notes may be treated as a single debt instrument with a single issue price, maturity date, yield to maturity and stated redemption price at maturity for purposes of calculating and accruing any original issue discount. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Company does not expect to treat different types of Notes as being subject to the aggregation rules for purposes of computing original issue discount.
MARKET DISCOUNT
If a United States Holder acquires a Note having a maturity date of more than one year from the date of its issuance and has a tax basis in the Note that is, in the case of a Note that does not have original issue discount, less than its stated redemption price at maturity, or, in the case of a Note that has original issue discount, less than an amount which generally equals its adjusted issue price (as defined above), the amount of such difference is treated as "market discount" for federal income tax purposes, unless such difference is less than 1/4 of one percent of the stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity (from the date of acquisition).
Under the market discount rules of the Code, a United States Holder is required to treat any principal payment (or, in the case of a Note that has original issue discount, any payment that is not qualified stated interest) on, or any gain on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition of, a Note as ordinary income to the extent of the accrued market discount that has not previously been included in income. Thus, partial principal payments are treated as ordinary income to the extent of accrued market discount that has not previously been included in income. If the Note is disposed of by the United States Holder in certain otherwise nontaxable transactions, accrued market discount is includible as ordinary income by the United States Holder as if such Holder had sold the Note at its then fair market value.
In general, the amount of market discount that has accrued is determined on a ratable basis. A United States Holder may, however, elect to determine the amount of accrued market discount on a constant yield to maturity basis. This election is made on a Note-by-Note basis and is irrevocable.
A United States Holder may not be allowed to deduct immediately a portion of the interest expense on any indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or to carry Notes with market discount. A United States Holder may elect to include market discount in income currently as it accrues, in which case the interest deferral rule set forth in the preceding sentence will not apply. Such an election will apply to all debt instruments acquired by the United States Holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which such election applies and is irrevocable without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service. A United States Holder's tax basis in a Note will be increased by the amount of market discount included in such Holder's income under such an election.
The application of the foregoing rules may be different in the case of Contingent Notes where a United States Holder's tax basis in a Contingent Notes is less than the Contingent Note's adjusted issue price (determined under special rules set out in the Contingent Debt Regulations). Accordingly, prospective purchasers of Contingent Notes should consult with their tax advisors with respect to the application of the market discount rules to such Notes.
PREMIUM AND ACQUISITION PREMIUM
If a United States Holder purchases a Note for an amount in excess of the sum of all amounts payable on the Note after the date of acquisition (other than payments of qualified stated interest), such Holder will be considered to have purchased such Note with "amortizable bond premium" equal in amount to such excess, and generally will not be required to include any original issue discount in income. Generally, a United States Holder may elect to amortize such premium as an offset to qualified stated interest income, using a constant yield method similar to that described above (see "-- Original Issue Discount"), over the remaining term of
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the Note (where such Note is not redeemable prior to its maturity date). In the case of Notes that may be redeemed prior to maturity, the premium is calculated assuming that the Company or United States Holder will exercise or not exercise its redemption rights in a manner that maximizes the United States Holder's yield. A United States Holder who elects to amortize bond premium must reduce such Holder's tax basis in the Note by the amount of the premium used to offset qualified stated interest income as set forth above. An election to amortize bond premium applies to all taxable debt obligations then owned and thereafter acquired by such Holder and may be revoked only with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service.
If a United States Holder purchases a Note issued with original issue discount at an "acquisition premium," the amount of original issue discount that the United States Holder includes in gross income is reduced to reflect the acquisition premium. A Note is purchased at an acquisition premium if its adjusted basis, immediately after its purchase, is (a) less than or equal to the sum of all amounts payable on the Note after the purchase date other than payments of qualified stated interest and (b) greater than the Note's "adjusted issue price" (as described above under "Original Issue Discount -- Fixed Rate Notes").
If a Note is purchased at an acquisition premium, the United States Holder reduces the amount of original issue discount otherwise includible in income during an accrual period by a fraction. The numerator of this fraction is the excess of the adjusted basis of the Note immediately after its acquisition by the purchaser over the adjusted issue price of the Note. The denominator of the fraction is the excess of the sum of all amounts payable on the Note after the purchase date, other than payments of qualified stated interest, over the Note's adjusted issue price.
As an alternative to reducing the amount of original issue discount otherwise includible in income by this fraction, the United States Holder may elect to compute original issue discount accruals by treating the purchase as a purchase at original issuance and applying the constant yield method described above under "Original Issue Discount -- Fixed Rate Notes."
The application of the foregoing rules may be different in the case of Contingent Notes where a United States Holder's tax basis in a Contingent Note is greater than the Contingent Note's adjusted issue price (determined under special rules set out in the Contingent Debt Regulations). Accordingly, prospective purchasers of Contingent Notes should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to the application of the acquisition premium and amortizable bond premium rules to such Notes.
ELECTION TO TREAT ALL INTEREST AS ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
United States Holders may elect to include in gross income all interest that accrues on a Note, including any stated interest, acquisition discount, original issue discount, market discount, de minimis original issue discount, de minimis market discount and unstated interest (as adjusted by amortizable bond premium and acquisition premium), by using the constant yield method described above under "Original Issue Discount." Such an election for a Note with amortizable bond premium results in a deemed election to amortize bond premium for all debt instruments owned and later acquired by the United States Holder with amortizable bond premium and may be revoked only with the permission of the Internal Revenue Service. Similarly, such an election for a Note with market discount results in a deemed election to accrue market discount in income currently for such Note and for all other bonds acquired by the United States Holder with market discount on or after the first day of the taxable year to which such election first applies, and may be revoked only with the permission of the Internal Revenue Service. A United States Holder's tax basis in a Note is increased by each accrual of the amounts treated as original issue discount under the constant yield election described in this paragraph.
The application of the foregoing rules may be different in the case of Contingent Notes. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should consult with their tax advisors with respect to the application of the market discount, acquisition premium and amortizable bond premium rules to such Notes.
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SALE, EXCHANGE, REDEMPTION OR RETIREMENT OF NOTES
A United States Holder generally recognizes gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of a Note equal to the difference between the amount realized upon such sale, exchange, redemption or retirement and the United States Holder's adjusted basis in the Note. Such adjusted basis in the Note generally equals the cost of the Note, increased by original issue discount, acquisition discount or market discount previously included in respect thereof, and reduced (but not below zero) by any payments on the Note other than payments of qualified stated interest and by any premium that the United States Holder has taken into account. To the extent attributable to accrued but unpaid qualified stated interest, the amount realized by the United States Holder is treated as a payment of interest. Subject to the discussion under "Foreign Currency Notes" below, generally, any gain or loss is capital gain or loss except as provided under "Market Discount" above and "Short-Term Notes," below. The excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses is taxed at a lower rate than ordinary income for certain non-corporate taxpayers. The distinction between capital gain or loss and ordinary income or loss is also relevant for purposes of, among other things, limitations on the deductibility of capital losses.
The application of the foregoing rules may be different in the case of Contingent Notes. Accordingly, prospective purchasers of Contingent Notes should consult with their tax advisors with respect to rules governing the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of such Notes.
SHORT-TERM NOTES
In the case of a Note with a maturity of one year or less from its issue date (a "Short-Term Note"), no interest is treated as qualified stated interest, and therefore all interest is included in original issue discount. United States Holders that report income for federal income tax purposes on an accrual method and certain other United States Holders, including banks and dealers in securities, are required to include original issue discount in income on such Short-Term Notes on a straight-line basis, unless an election is made to accrue the original issue discount according to a constant yield method based on daily compounding.
Any other United States Holder of a Short-Term Note is not required to accrue original issue discount for federal income tax purposes, unless it elects to do so. In the case of a United States Holder that is not required, and does not elect, to include original issue discount in income currently, any gain realized on the sale, exchange or retirement of a Short-Term Note is ordinary income to the extent of the original issue discount accrued on a straight-line basis (or, if elected, according to a constant yield method based on daily compounding) through the date of sale, exchange or retirement. In addition, United States Holders that are not required, and do not elect, to include original issue discount in income currently are required to defer deductions for any interest paid on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry a Short-Term Note in an amount not exceeding the deferred interest income with respect to such Short-Term Note (which includes both the accrued original issue discount and accrued interest that are payable but that have not been included in gross income), until such deferred interest income is realized. A United States Holder of a Short-Term Note may elect to apply the foregoing rules (except for the rule characterizing gain on sale, exchange or retirement as ordinary) with respect to "acquisition discount" rather than original issue discount. Acquisition discount is the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity of the Short-Term Note over the United States Holder's basis in the Short-Term Note. This election applies to all obligations acquired by the taxpayer on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which such election applies, unless revoked with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service. A United States Holder's tax basis in a Short-Term Note is increased by the amount included in such Holder's income on such a Note.
INTEGRATION OF NOTES WITH OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Any United States Holder of Notes that also acquires or has acquired any financial instrument which, in combination with such Notes, would permit the calculation of a single yield to maturity or could generally constitute a VRDI of an equivalent term, may in certain circumstances treat such Notes and such financial instrument as an integrated debt instrument for purposes of the Code, with a single determination of issue price and the character and timing of income, deductions, gains and losses. (For purposes of determining
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original issue discount, none of the payments under the integrated debt instrument will be treated as qualified stated interest.) Moreover, the Internal Revenue Service may require in certain circumstances that a United States Holder who owns Notes integrate such Notes with a financial instrument held or acquired by such Holder or related party. United States Holders should consult their tax advisors as to the possible integration of the Notes under the Contingent Debt Regulations.
FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES
The following summary describes special rules that apply, in addition to the rules described above, to Foreign Currency Notes. The treatment of a debt instrument, such as a Foreign Currency Note, that provides for interest payments that are not fixed in amount at the time that the debt instrument is issued (like the treatment of a Floating Rate Note) depends on whether the debt instrument qualifies as a VRDI. A Foreign Currency Note qualifying as a VRDI is subject to the rules discussed above in "Taxation of Interest" and "Original Issue Discount" in addition to the rules discussed below. Foreign Currency Notes not qualifying as VRDIs may be subject to the rules discussed above in "Original Issue Discount -- Floating Rate Notes that are Not VRDIs" in addition to the rules discussed below.
Interest Includible In Income Upon Receipt
An interest payment on a Foreign Currency Note that is not required to be included in income by the United States Holder prior to the receipt of such payment (e.g., qualified stated interest received by a cash method United States Holder) is includible in income by the United States Holder based on the United States dollar value of the foreign currency determined on the date such payment is received, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted to United States dollars at that time. Such United States dollar value is the United States Holder's tax basis in the foreign currency received.
Interest Includible In Income Prior To Receipt
In the case of interest income on a Foreign Currency Note that is required to be included in income by the United States Holder prior to the receipt of payment (e.g., stated interest on a Foreign Currency Note held by an accrual basis United States Holder or accrued original issue discount or accrued market discount that is includible in income as it accrues), a United States Holder is required to include in income the United States dollar value of the amount of interest income that has accrued and is otherwise required to be taken into account with respect to a Foreign Currency Note during an accrual period. Unless the United States Holder makes the election discussed in the next paragraph, the United States dollar value of such accrued income is determined by translating such income at the average rate of exchange for the accrual period or, with respect to an accrual period that spans two taxable years, at the average rate for the portion of the accrual period within the taxable year. The average rate of exchange for the accrual period (or partial period) is the simple average of the spot exchange rates for each business day of such period (or other method if such method is reasonably derived and consistently applied). Such United States Holder recognizes, as ordinary gain or loss, foreign currency exchange gain or loss with respect to accrued interest income on the date such income is actually received. The amount of gain or loss recognized equals the difference between the United States dollar value of the foreign currency payment received in respect of such accrual period determined based on the exchange rate on the date such payment is received and the United States dollar value of interest income that has accrued during such accrual period (as determined above).
Under the so-called "spot rate convention election," a United States Holder may, in lieu of applying the rules described in the preceding paragraph, elect to translate accrued interest income into United States dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the last day of the relevant accrual period for original issue discount, market discount or accrued interest, or in the case of an accrual period that spans two taxable years, at the exchange rate in effect on the last day of the taxable year. Such United States Holder will recognize ordinary income or loss with respect to accrued interest income on the date such income is actually received, equal to the difference (if any) between the United States dollar value of the foreign currency payment received (determined on the date such payment is received) and the United States dollar value of interest income translated at the relevant spot rate described in the preceding sentence. Additionally, if a payment of such
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income is actually received within five business days of the last day of the accrual period or taxable year, an electing United States Holder may instead translate such income into United States dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the day of actual receipt. Any such election applies to all debt instruments held by the United States Holder at the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election applies or thereafter acquired by the United States Holder and is irrevocable without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service.
Purchase, Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Retirement
A United States Holder that converts United States dollars to a foreign currency and immediately uses that currency to purchase a Foreign Currency Note denominated in the same foreign currency normally does not recognize gain or loss in connection with such conversion and purchase. However, a United States Holder that purchases a Foreign Currency Note with previously owned foreign currency does recognize ordinary income or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between such Holder's tax basis in the foreign currency and the United States dollar market value of the Foreign Currency Note on the date of the purchase. A United States Holder's tax basis in a Foreign Currency Note (and the amount of any subsequent adjustment to such Holder's tax basis) is the United States dollar value of the foreign currency amount paid for such Foreign Currency Note (or of the foreign currency amount of the adjustment) determined on the date of such purchase or adjustment. In the case of an adjustment resulting from accrual of original issue discount or market discount, such adjustment is made at the rate at which such original issue discount or market discount is translated into United States dollars under the rules described above.
Gain or loss realized upon the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of, or the receipt of principal on, a Foreign Currency Note, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, is generally ordinary income or loss. Gain or loss attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates equals the difference between (i) the United States dollar value of the foreign currency purchase price for such Note, determined on the date such Note is disposed of, and (ii) the United States dollar value of the foreign currency purchase price for such Note, determined on the date such United States Holder acquired such Note. Any portion of the proceeds of such sale, exchange, redemption or retirement attributable to accrued interest income may result in exchange gain or loss under the rules set forth above. Such foreign currency gain or loss is recognized only to the extent of the overall gain or loss realized by a United States Holder on the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of the Foreign Currency Note. In general, the source of such foreign currency gain or loss is determined by reference to the residence of the United States Holder or the "qualified business unit" of such Holder on whose books the Note is properly reflected. Any gain or loss realized by a United States Holder in excess of such foreign currency gain or loss is capital gain or loss (except to the extent of any accrued market discount not previously included in such Holder's income or, in the case of a Short-Term Note having original issue discount, to the extent of any original issue discount not previously included in such Holder's income).
The tax basis of a United States Holder in any foreign currency received on the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of a Foreign Currency Note is equal to the United States dollar value of such foreign currency, determined at the time of such sale, exchange, redemption or retirement. Treasury Regulations provide a special rule for purchases and sales of publicly traded securities by a cash method taxpayer under which units of foreign currency paid or received are translated into United States dollars at the spot rate on the settlement date of the purchase or sale. Accordingly, no exchange gain or loss results from currency fluctuations between the trade date and the settlement of such a purchase or sale. An accrual method taxpayer may elect the same treatment required of a cash method taxpayer with respect to the purchase and sale of publicly traded securities provided the election is applied consistently. Such election cannot be changed without consent of the Internal Revenue Service. United States Holders should consult their tax advisors concerning the applicability to Foreign Currency Notes of the special rules summarized in this paragraph.
Market discount, acquisition premium and amortizable bond premium of a Foreign Currency Note are determined in the relevant foreign currency. The amount of such market discount or acquisition premium that is included in (or reduces) income currently is to be determined for any accrual period in the relevant foreign currency and then translated into United States dollars on the basis of the average exchange rate in effect during such accrual period or with reference to the spot rate convention election as described above. Exchange
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gain or loss realized with respect to such accrued market discount or acquisition premium is determined and recognized in accordance with the rules relating to accrued interest described above. The amount of accrued market discount (other than market discount that is included in income currently) taken into account upon the receipt of any partial principal payment or upon the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition of a Foreign Currency Note is the United States dollar value of such accrued market discount, determined on the date of receipt of such partial principal payment or upon the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition, and no portion thereof is treated as exchange gain or loss. Exchange gain or loss with respect to amortizable bond premium is determined by treating the portion of premium amortized with respect to any period as a return of principal. With respect to a United States Holder of a Foreign Currency Note that does not elect to amortize premium, the amount of premium, if any, is treated as a capital loss when such Note matures.
The Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 988 of the Code do not discuss the tax consequences of the acquisition of a Foreign Currency Note that is denominated either in a so-called hyperinflationary currency or in more than one currency, or that does not qualify as a VRDI and thus is treated as a Contingent Note. Foreign Currency Notes containing such features may be subject to rules that differ from the general rules described above. United States Holders intending to purchase Foreign Currency Notes with such a feature should examine the applicable Pricing Supplement and should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of such a Foreign Currency Note.
FOREIGN HOLDERS
As used herein, the term "non-United States Holder" means a holder of a Note that is not a United States Holder, for United States federal income tax purposes.
In general, non-United States Holders will not be subject to United States federal withholding tax with respect to payments of principal and interest (including original issue discount) on Notes, provided that certain conditions are met. Under current United States federal income tax law now in effect, and subject to the rules under Section 871(h)(4) requiring withholding with respect to certain contingent interests (summarized below) and to the discussion of backup withholding in the following section, payments of principal and interest (including original issue discount) with respect to a Note by the Company or by any paying agent to any non-United States Holder are not subject to United States federal withholding tax, provided, in the case of interest (including original issue discount), that (i) such Holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled to vote, (ii) such Holder is not for federal income tax purposes a controlled foreign corporation related, directly or indirectly, to the Company through stock ownership, (iii) such Holder is not a bank receiving interest described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code and (iv) either (A) the beneficial owner of the Note certifies, under penalties of perjury, to the Company or paying agent, as the case may be, that such owner is a non-United States Holder and provides such owner's name and address, or (B) a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers' securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business (a "financial institution") and holds the Note, certifies, under penalties of perjury, to the Company or paying agent, as the case may be, that such certificate has been received from the beneficial owner by it or by a financial institution between it and the beneficial owner and furnishes the payor with a copy thereof. A certificate described in this paragraph is effective only with respect to payments of interest (including original issue discount) made to the certifying non-United States Holder after the issuance of the certificate in the calendar year of its issuance and the two immediately succeeding calendar years. Under temporary Treasury Regulations, the foregoing certification may be provided by the beneficial owner of a Note on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8.
On October 14, 1997, the Internal Revenue Service published in the Federal Register final regulations (the "1997 Final Regulations") which affect the United States taxation of non-United States Holders. As promulgated, the 1997 Final Regulations are effective for payments after December 31, 1998, regardless of the issue date of the instrument with respect to which such payments are made, subject to certain transition rules. The Internal Revenue Service recently announced its intention to amend the 1997 Final Regulations to extend this date to December 31, 1999, subject to certain transition rules. The discussion under this heading and
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under "Backup Withholding and Information Reporting," below, is not intended to be a complete discussion of the provisions of the 1997 Final Regulations, and prospective holders of the Notes are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of their investment in light of the 1997 Final Regulations.
The 1997 Final Regulations provide documentation procedures designed to simplify compliance by withholding agents. The 1997 Final Regulations generally do not affect the documentation rules described above, but add other certification options. Under one such option, a withholding agent will be allowed to rely on an intermediary withholding certificate furnished by a "qualified intermediary" (as defined below) on behalf of one or more beneficial owners (or other intermediaries) without having to obtain the beneficial owner certificate described above. "Qualified intermediaries" include: (i) foreign financial institutions or foreign clearing organizations (other than a United States branch or United States office of such institution or organization) or
(ii) foreign branches or offices of United States financial institutions or foreign branches or offices of United States clearing organizations, which, as to both (i) and (ii), have entered into withholding agreements with the Internal Revenue Service. In addition to certain other requirements, qualified intermediaries must obtain withholding certificates, such as revised Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 (see below), from each beneficial owner. Under another option, an authorized foreign agent of a United States withholding agent will be permitted to act on behalf of the United States withholding agent, provided certain conditions are met.
For purposes of the certification requirements, the 1997 Final Regulations generally treat, as the beneficial owners of payments on a Note, those persons that, under United States tax principles, are the taxpayers with respect to such payments, rather than persons such as nominees or agents legally entitled to such payments. In the case of payments to an entity classified as a foreign partnership under United States tax principles, the partners, rather than the partnership, generally will be required to provide the required certifications to qualify for the withholding exemption described above. A payment to a United States partnership, however, is treated for these purposes as payment to a United States payee, even if the partnership has one or more foreign partners. The 1997 Final Regulations provide certain presumptions with respect to withholding for holders not furnishing the required certifications to qualify for the withholding exemption described above. In addition, the 1997 Final Regulations will replace a number of current tax certification forms (including Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 and Internal Revenue Service Form 4224, discussed below) with a single, revised Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 (which, in certain circumstances, requires information in addition to that previously required). Under the 1997 Final Regulations, this Form W-8 will remain valid until the last day of the third calendar year following the year in which the certificate is signed. The 1997 Final Regulations contain detailed rules, which might be changed in light of the recent Internal Revenue Service announcement that the effective date will be postponed, governing tax certifications during the transition period prior to and immediately following the effectiveness of the 1997 Final Regulations.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest described in Section 871(h)(4) of the Code is subject to United States withholding tax at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be provided by an applicable treaty). In general, interest described in Section 871(h)(4) of the Code includes (subject to certain exceptions) any interest the amount of which is determined by reference to receipts, sales or other cash flow of the issuer or a related person, any income or profits of the issuer or a related person, any change in the value of any property of the issuer or a related person or any dividends, partnership distribution or similar payments made by the issuer or a related person. Interest described in Section 871(h)(4) of the Code may include other types of contingent interest identified by the Internal Revenue Service in future Treasury Regulations.
If a non-United States Holder is engaged in a trade or business in the United States and interest (including original issue discount) on the Note is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business, the non-United States Holder, although exempt from the withholding tax discussed in the preceding paragraphs, is subject to United States federal income tax on such interest (including original issue discount) in the same manner as if it were a United States Holder. In lieu of the certificate described above, such Holder must provide a properly executed Internal Revenue Service Form 4224 in order to claim an exemption from withholding tax. In addition, if such Holder is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits tax
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equal to 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable treaty) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to adjustments. For this purpose, interest (including original issue discount) on, and any gain recognized on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition of, a Note is included in the earnings and profits of such Holder if such interest (including original issue discount) or gain is effectively connected with the conduct by such Holder of a trade or business in the United States.
Generally, any gain or income (other than that attributable to accrued interest or original issue discount, which is taxable in the manner described above) realized upon the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition of a Note is not subject to federal income tax unless (i) such gain or income is effectively connected with a trade or business in the United States of the non-United States Holder or (ii) in the case of a non-United States Holder who is a nonresident alien individual, the non-United States Holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of such sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition and either (a) such individual has a "tax home" (as defined in Section 911(d)(3) of the Code) in the United States or (b) the gain is attributable to an office or other fixed place of business maintained by such individual in the United States.
Under the 1997 Final Regulations, withholding of United States federal income tax may apply to payments on a taxable sale or other disposition of a Note having original issue discount by a non-United States Holder who does not provide appropriate certification to the withholding agent with respect to such transaction.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX AND INFORMATION REPORTING
Under current United States federal income tax law, information reporting requirements apply to interest (including original issue discount) and principal payments made to, and to the proceeds of sales before maturity by, certain non-corporate United States Holders. In addition, a 31% backup withholding tax applies if (i) the non-corporate United States Holder fails to furnish such person's Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN") (which, for an individual, is his or her Social Security Number) to the payor in the manner required, (ii) the non-corporate United States Holder furnishes an incorrect TIN and the payor is so notified by the Internal Revenue Service, (iii) the payor is notified by the Internal Revenue Service that such person has failed properly to report payments of interest and dividends or (iv) in certain circumstances, the non-corporate United States Holder fails to certify, under penalties of perjury, that such person has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that such person is subject to backup withholding for failure properly to report interest and dividend payments. Backup withholding does not apply with respect to payments made to certain exempt recipients, such as corporations and tax-exempt organizations.
The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a United States Holder will be allowed as a credit against such Holder's United States federal income tax liability and may entitle such Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
In the case of a non-United States Holder, under currently applicable United States Treasury Regulations, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to payments of principal or interest made by the Company or any paying agent thereof on a Note (absent actual knowledge that the Holder is a United States Holder) if such Holder has provided the required certification under penalties of perjury that it is not a United States Holder (as defined above) or has otherwise established an exemption. If such Holder does not provide the required certification, such Holder may nevertheless avoid backup withholding or information reporting in the circumstances described below, but might be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax as described above under "Foreign Holders".
Under currently applicable United States Treasury Regulations if payments of principal or interest are collected outside the United States by a foreign office of a custodian, nominee or other agent acting on behalf of a beneficial owner of a Note, such custodian, nominee or other agent will not be required to apply backup withholding to such payments made to such beneficial owner, and generally will not be subject to information reporting requirements. However, if such custodian, nominee or other agent is a United States person, a controlled foreign corporation for United States tax purposes or a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross
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income is effectively connected with a United States trade or business for a specified three-year period. Information reporting (but not backup withholding) will be required unless such custodian, nominee or other agent has in its records documentary evidence that the beneficial owner is not a United States Holder and certain other conditions are met or the beneficial owner otherwise establishes an exemption.
Under currently applicable United States Treasury Regulations, payments on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition of a Note made to or through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to backup withholding, and generally will not be subject to information reporting requirements. Such payments, however, will be subject to information reporting (but not backup withholding) if the broker is, for United States federal income tax purposes, a United States person, a controlled foreign corporation or a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively connected with a United States trade or business for a specified three-year period, unless the broker has in its records documentary evidence that the beneficial owner is not a United States Holder and certain other conditions are met or the beneficial owner otherwise establishes an exemption. Payments made to or through the United States office of a broker will be subject to backup withholding and information reporting unless the non-United States Holder certifies, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United States person or otherwise establishes an exemption.
In general, the 1997 Final Regulations do not significantly alter the substantive backup withholding and information reporting requirements described above. As under current law, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to (i) payments to a non-United States Holder of principal and interest and (ii) payments to a non-United States Holder on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition of a Note, in each case if such non-United States Holder provides the required certification to establish an exemption from the withholding of United States federal income tax or otherwise establishes an exemption. Similarly, even if a non-United States Holder does not provide such certification or otherwise establish an exemption, unless the payor has actual knowledge that the payee is a United States Holder, backup withholding will not apply to (i) payments of interest made outside the United States to certain offshore accounts and (ii) payments on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition of a Note effected outside the United States. However, information reporting (but not backup withholding) will apply to (i) payments of interest made by a payor outside the United States and
(ii) payments on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition of a Note effected outside the United States if payment is made by a broker that is, for United States federal income tax purposes, (a) a United States person,
(b) a controlled foreign corporation, (c) a United States branch of a foreign bank or foreign insurance company, (d) a foreign partnership controlled by United States persons or engaged in a United States trade or business or (e) a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business for a specified three-year period, in such case unless such payor or broker has in its records documentary evidence that the beneficial owner is not a United States Holder and certain other conditions are met or the beneficial owner otherwise establishes an exemption (in which case neither information reporting nor backup withholding will apply). As noted above, the Internal Revenue Service has announced that the 1997 Final Regulations will be amended to be effective generally for payments after December 31, 1999, subject to certain transition rules.
Non-United States Holders of Notes should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding in their particular situations, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if available. Any amounts withheld from a payment to a non-United States Holder under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against such Holder's United States federal income tax liability and may entitle such Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER'S PARTICULAR SITUATION. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES , INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
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SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Notes are being offered on a continuous basis for sale by the Company to or through Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, BancAmerica Robertson Stephens, Chase Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., First Union Capital Markets, a division of Wheat First Securities, Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC, Salomon Brothers Inc, SBC Warburg Dillon Read, Inc. and such other agent or agents as the Company may from time to time appoint and identify in the applicable Pricing Supplement (the "Agents"). The Agents, individually or in a syndicate, may purchase Notes, as principal, from the Company from time to time for resale to investors and other purchasers at varying prices relating to prevailing market prices at the time of resale as determined by the applicable Agent or, if so specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, for resale at a fixed offering price. If agreed to by the Company and an Agent, such Agent may also utilize its reasonable efforts on an agency basis to solicit offers to purchase the Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. The Company will pay a commission to an Agent, ranging from .125% to .750% of the principal amount of each Note, depending upon its stated maturity, sold through such Agent as an agent of the Company. Commissions with respect to Notes with stated maturities in excess of 30 years that are sold through an Agent as an agent of the Company will be negotiated between the Company and such Agent at the time of such sale.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, any Note sold to an Agent as principal will be purchased by such Agent at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof less a percentage of the principal amount equal to the commission applicable to an agency sale of a Note of identical maturity. An Agent may sell Notes it has purchased from the Company as principal to certain dealers less a concession equal to all or any portion of the discount received in connection with such purchase. Such Agent may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a discount to certain other dealers. After the initial offering of Notes, the offering price (in the case of Notes to be resold on a fixed offering price basis), the concession and the reallowance may be changed.
The Company reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer made hereby without notice and may reject offers in whole or in part (whether placed directly with the Company or through an Agent). Each Agent will have the right, in its discretion reasonably exercised, to reject in whole or in part any offer to purchase Notes received by it on an agency basis.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, payment of the purchase price of the Notes will be required to be made in immediately available funds in the Specified Currency in The City of New York on the date of settlement. See "Description of Notes--General."
Upon issuance, the Notes will not have an established trading market. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. The Agents may from time to time purchase and sell Notes in the secondary market, but the Agents are not obligated to do so, and there can be no assurance that there will be a secondary market for the Notes or that there will be liquidity in the secondary market if one develops. From time to time, the Agents may make a market in the Notes, but the Agents are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making activity at any time.
In connection with an offering of Notes purchased by one or more Agents as principal on a fixed offering price basis, such Agent(s) will be permitted to engage in certain transactions that stabilize the price of Notes. Such transactions may consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of Notes. If the Agent creates or the Agents create, as the case may be, a short position in Notes, i.e., if it sells or they sell Notes in an aggregate principal amount exceeding that set forth in the applicable Pricing Supplement, such Agent(s) may reduce that short position by purchasing Notes in the open market. In general, purchases of Notes for the purpose of stabilization or to reduce a short position could cause the price of Notes to be higher than it might be in the absence of such purchases.
Neither the Company nor any of the Agents makes any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described in the immediately preceding paragraph may have on the price of Notes. In addition, neither the Company nor any of the Agents makes any representation that the
S-40

Agents will engage in any such transactions or that such transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
The Agents may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Company has agreed to indemnify the Agents against, and to provide contribution with respect to, certain liabilities (including liabilities under the Securities Act). The Company has agreed to reimburse the Agents for certain other expenses.
In the ordinary course of its business, the Agents and their affiliates have engaged and may in the future engage in investment and commercial banking transactions with the Company and certain of its affiliates. In particular, affiliates of certain of the Agents participate in the Company's revolving credit facility and, accordingly, if any proceeds from the sale of Notes are applied by the Company to repay amounts borrowed under such facility, such affiliates will receive a proportionate share of repaid amounts. Because certain of the Agents are affiliated with banking institutions with which the Company maintains credit facilities, it is possible that more than 10% of the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes may be used to repay indebtedness owed by the Company to such banking institutions. Accordingly, the offering of the Notes is being made in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2710(c)(8) of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
From time to time, the Company may issue and sell other Securities described in the accompanying Prospectus, and the amount of Notes offered hereby is subject to reduction as a result of such sales.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Notes will be passed upon for the Company by John J. Sabl, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, and for the Agents by Sidley & Austin, Chicago, Illinois. In rendering their opinions, Sidley & Austin will rely as to matters of Indiana law on the opinion of Mr. Sabl. Certain other matters with respect to the offering will be passed upon for the Company by Locke Reynolds Boyd & Weisell, Indianapolis, Indiana. Mr. Sabl is a full-time employee and owns shares, and has options to purchase shares, of Common Stock of the Company. Sidley & Austin provides legal services to the Company in certain other matters.
S-41

PROSPECTUS
$1,500,000,000
CONSECO, INC.
DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK, DEPOSITARY SHARES, COMMON STOCK AND WARRANTS
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST IV
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST V
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VI
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VII
PREFERRED SECURITIES FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED
 BY CONSECO, INC.
Conseco, Inc., an Indiana corporation ("Conseco" or the "Company"), may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more series, (i) its debt securities, consisting of debentures, notes and/or other evidences of indebtedness representing unsecured obligations of Conseco (the "Debt Securities"), (ii) shares of its preferred stock, no par value per share ("Preferred Stock"), which may be represented by depositary shares (the "Depositary Shares") as described herein, (iii) shares of its common stock, no par value per share ("Common Stock"), and (iv) warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock or other securities or rights ("Warrants").
Conseco Financing Trust IV, Conseco Financing Trust V, Conseco Financing Trust VI and Conseco Financing Trust VII (each, a "Conseco Trust"), statutory business trusts formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, may offer, from time to time, preferred securities, representing preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the respective Conseco Trusts ("Preferred Securities"). The payment of periodic cash distributions ("Distributions") with respect to Preferred Securities out of moneys held by each of the Conseco Trusts, and payments on liquidation, redemption or otherwise with respect to such Preferred Securities, will be guaranteed by the Company to the extent described herein (each, a "Trust Guarantee"). See "Description of Preferred Securities" and "Description of Trust Guarantees." The Company's obligations under the Trust Guarantees will rank junior and subordinate in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Company and pari passu with its obligations under the senior most preferred or preference stock of the Company. See "Description of Trust Guarantees -- Status of the Trust Guarantees." Subordinated Debt Securities (as defined herein) may be issued and sold by the Company in one or more series to a Conseco Trust or a trustee of such Conseco Trust in connection with the investment of the proceeds from the offering of Preferred Securities and Common Securities (as defined herein) of such Conseco Trust. The Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by a Conseco Trust may be subsequently distributed pro rata to holders of Preferred Securities and Common Securities in connection with the dissolution of such Conseco Trust. The Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock, Warrants and Preferred Securities are herein collectively referred to as the "Securities."
Certain specific terms of the particular Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in an accompanying supplement to this Prospectus (the "Prospectus Supplement"), which will describe, without limitation and where applicable, the following: (i) in the case of Debt Securities, the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, ranking as senior or subordinated Debt Securities, denomination, maturity, premium, if any, interest rate (which may be fixed or variable), time and method of calculating interest, if any, place or places where principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable, the currencies or currency units in which principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable, any terms of redemption or conversion, any sinking fund provisions, the purchase price, any listing on a securities exchange, any right of the Company to defer payment of interest on the Debt Securities and the maximum length of such deferral period and other special terms; (ii) in the case of Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares, the specific designation, stated value and

liquidation preference per share and number of shares offered, the purchase price, dividend rate (which may be fixed or variable), method of calculating payment of dividends, place or places where dividends on such Preferred Stock will be payable, any terms of redemption, dates on which dividends shall be payable and dates from which dividends shall accrue, any listing on a securities exchange, voting and other rights, including conversion or exchange rights, if any, and other special terms, including whether interests in the Preferred Stock will be represented by Depositary Shares and, if so, the fraction of a share of Preferred Stock represented by each Depositary Share; (iii) in the case of Common Stock, the number of shares offered, the initial offering price, market price and dividend information; (iv) in the case of Warrants, the specific designation, the number, purchase price, exercise price and other terms thereof, any listing of the Warrants or the underlying Securities on a securities exchange or any other terms in connection with the offering, sale and exercise of the Warrants, as well as the terms on which and the Securities for which such Warrants may be exercised; and (v) in the case of Preferred Securities, the specific designation, number of securities, liquidation amount per security, the purchase price, any listing on a securities exchange, distribution rate (or method of calculation thereof), dates on which distributions shall be payable and dates from which distributions shall accrue, any voting rights, terms for any conversion or exchange into other securities, any redemption, exchange or sinking fund provisions, any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions relating to the Preferred Securities and the terms upon which the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred Securities shall be used to purchase a specific series of Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company.
The offering price to the public of the Securities will be limited to U.S. $1,500,000,000 in the aggregate (or its equivalent (based on the applicable exchange rate at the time of issue), if Securities are offered for consideration denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units as shall be designated by the Company). The Debt Securities may be denominated in United States dollars or, at the option of the Company if so specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, in one or more foreign currencies or currency units. The Debt Securities may be issued in registered form or bearer form, or both. If so specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more temporary or permanent global securities.
The Securities may be sold to or through underwriters, through dealers or agents or directly to purchasers. See "Plan of Distribution." The names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement. See "Plan of Distribution" for possible indemnification arrangements for dealers, underwriters and agents.
This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Securities unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Prospectus is June 24, 1997.
2

FOR NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS: THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE FOR THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, NOR HAS THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE RULED UPON THE ACCURACY OR THE ADEQUACY OF THIS DOCUMENT.
State insurance holding company laws and regulations applicable to the Company generally provide that no person may acquire control of the Company, and thus indirect control of its insurance subsidiaries, unless such person has provided certain required information to, and such acquisition is approved (or not disapproved) by, the appropriate insurance regulatory authorities. Generally, any person acquiring beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Common Stock would be presumed to have acquired such control, unless the appropriate insurance regulatory authorities upon advance application determine otherwise.
NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED OR DEEMED INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER, DEALER OR AGENT. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE REGISTERED SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES, OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THOSE SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES, IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by Conseco with the Commission can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following regional offices of the Commission: New York Regional Office, 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048; and Chicago Regional Office, Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, upon payment of the prescribed rates. In addition, the Commission maintains a Web site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants, including the Company, that file electronically with the Commission. Copies of such reports, proxy statements and other information can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
The Company and the Conseco Trusts have filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the Securities offered hereby. This Prospectus, which constitutes part of the Registration Statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. Statements contained herein or in any Prospectus Supplement concerning the provisions of any document do not purport to be complete and, in each instance, are qualified in all respects by reference to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission. For further information with respect to the Company, the Conseco Trusts and the Securities, reference is hereby made to such Registration Statement, including the exhibits thereto and the documents incorporated herein by reference, which can be examined at the Commission's principal office, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, or copies of which can be obtained from the Commission at such office upon payment of the fees prescribed by the Commission.
No separate financial statements of the Conseco Trusts have been included or incorporated by reference herein. The Company does not consider that such financial statements would be material to holders of the
3

Preferred Securities because (i) all of the voting securities of the Conseco Trusts will be owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, a reporting company under the Exchange Act, (ii) the Conseco Trusts have and will have no independent operations but exist for the sole purpose of issuing securities representing undivided beneficial interests in their assets and investing the proceeds thereof in Subordinated Debt Securities issued by the Company, and
(iii) the Company's obligations described herein and in any accompanying prospectus supplement, under the Declaration (including the obligation to pay expenses of the Conseco Trusts), the Subordinated Indenture and any supplemental indentures thereto, the Subordinated Debt Securities issued to the Conseco Trust and the Trust Guarantees taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of payments due on the Preferred Securities. See "Description of Preferred Securities of the Conseco Trusts" and "Description of Trust Guarantees."
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents previously filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by this reference:
1. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 including Part III thereof which is incorporated by reference from the Company's proxy statement dated April 10, 1997 for its annual meeting of shareholders (the "Company's Annual Report");
2. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997;
3. Current Reports on Form 8-K dated April 1, 1997 and April 30, 1997; and
4. The description of the Company's Common Stock in its Registration Statements filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating any such description.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the termination of the offering made hereby shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained herein, or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement. To the extent that any proxy statement is incorporated by reference herein, such incorporation shall not include any information contained in such proxy statement that is not, pursuant to the Commission's rules, deemed to be "filed" with the Commission or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents). Any such request should be directed to James W. Rosensteele, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Conseco, Inc., 11825 N. Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032 (telephone number: (317) 817-2893).
4

THE COMPANY
The Company is a financial services holding company. The Company develops, markets and administers annuity, individual health insurance and individual life insurance products. The Company's operating strategy is to grow the insurance business within its subsidiaries by focusing its resources on the development and expansion of profitable products and strong distribution channels. The Company has supplemented such growth by acquiring companies that have profitable niche products, strong distribution systems and progressive management teams who can work with the Company to implement the Company's operating and growth strategies. Once a company has been acquired, the Company's operating strategy has been to consolidate and streamline management and administrative functions, to realize superior investment returns through active asset management, to eliminate unprofitable products and distribution channels, and to expand and develop the profitable distribution channels and products.
The Company's principal executive offices are located at 11825 N. Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032. Its telephone number is (317) 817-6100.
THE CONSECO TRUSTS
Each of the Conseco Trusts is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law pursuant to (i) a declaration of trust (each a "Declaration") executed by the Company as sponsor for such trust (the "Sponsor"), and the Conseco Trustees (as defined herein) of such trust and (ii) the filing of a certificate of trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 23, 1997. Each Conseco Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling the Preferred Securities and common securities representing common undivided beneficial interests in the assets of such Conseco Trust (the "Common Securities" and, together with the Preferred Securities, the "Trust Securities"), (ii) using the gross proceeds from the sale of the Trust Securities to acquire the Subordinated Debt Securities and (iii) engaging in only those other activities necessary, appropriate, convenient or incidental thereto. All of the Common Securities will be directly or indirectly owned by the Company. The Common Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Preferred Securities, except that, if an event of default under the Declaration has occurred and is continuing, the rights of the holders of the Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Securities. The Company will directly or indirectly acquire Common Securities, in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to at least 3% of the total capital of each Conseco Trust.
Each Conseco Trust has a term of approximately 55 years but may terminate earlier, as provided in the Declaration. Each Conseco Trust's business and affairs will be conducted by the trustees (the "Conseco Trustees") appointed by the Company as the direct or indirect holder of all of the Common Securities. The holder of the Common Securities will be entitled to appoint, remove or replace any of, or increase or reduce the number of, the Conseco Trustees of each Conseco Trust. The duties and obligations of the Conseco Trustees shall be governed by the Declaration of such Conseco Trust. A majority of the Conseco Trustees (the "Regular Trustees") of each Conseco Trust will be persons who are employees or officers of or who are affiliated with the Company. One Conseco Trustee of each Conseco Trust will be a financial institution that is not affiliated with the Company and has a minimum amount of combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000, which shall act as property trustee and as indenture trustee for the purposes of compliance with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), pursuant to the terms set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the "Property Trustee"). In addition, unless the Property Trustee maintains a principal place of business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, one Conseco Trustee of each Conseco Trust will be an entity having a principal place of business in, or a natural person resident of, the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee"). The Company will pay all fees and expenses related to the Conseco Trusts and the offering of the Trust Securities.
The Property Trustee for each Conseco Trust is Fleet National Bank, 777 Main Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06115. The Delaware Trustee for each Conseco Trust is First Union Trust Company, National Association, and its address in the State of Delaware is One Rodney Square, 920 King Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The principal place of business of each Conseco Trust shall be c/o Conseco, Inc., 11825 N. Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032; telephone
(317) 817-6100.
5

USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise indicated in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, the net proceeds received by the Company from the sale of any Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Warrants offered hereby are expected to be used for general corporate purposes. The proceeds from the sale of Preferred Securities by the Conseco Trusts will be invested in the Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company. Except as may otherwise be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Preferred Securities, the Company expects to use the net proceeds from the sale of such Subordinated Debt Securities to the Conseco Trusts for general corporate purposes. Any specific allocation of the proceeds to a particular purpose that has been made at the date of any Prospectus Supplement will be described therein.
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES, EARNINGS TO FIXED
CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
AND EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES, PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS ON COMPANY-OBLIGATED MANDATORILY
REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARY TRUSTS
The following table sets forth the Company's ratios of earnings to fixed charges, earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends and earnings to fixed charges, preferred stock dividends and distributions on Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary trusts for each of the five years ended December 31, 1996 and for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1997.

                                                                                    THREE MONTHS
                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,          ENDED MARCH 31,
                                           -------------------------------------   ---------------
                                           1992    1993    1994    1995    1996     1996     1997
                                           -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   ------   ------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges:
  As reported............................  1.54X   2.19X   2.26X   1.57X   1.61X    1.69X    1.89X
  Excluding interest on annuities and
     financial products(1)(2)............  6.24X   8.85X   4.55X   3.80X   4.55X    4.51X    7.36X
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and
  preferred dividends:
     As reported.........................  1.50X   2.04X   1.95X   1.50X   1.50X    1.54X    1.84X
     Excluding interest on annuities and
       financial products(1)(2)..........  5.09X   6.00X   3.14X   3.06X   3.14X    3.01X    6.21X
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
  preferred dividends and distributions
  on Company-obligated mandatorily
  redeemable preferred securities of
  subsidiary trusts:
     As reported.........................  1.50X   2.04X   1.95X   1.50X   1.49X    1.54X    1.74X
     Excluding interest on annuities and
       financial products(1)(2)..........  5.09X   6.00X   3.14X   3.06X   3.06X    3.01X    4.54X	

(1) These ratios are included to assist the reader in analyzing the impact of interest on annuities and financial products (which is not generally required to be paid in cash in the period it is recognized). Such ratios are not intended to, and do not, represent the following ratios prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"): the ratio of earnings to fixed charges; the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends; or the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, preferred dividends and distributions on Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary trusts.
(2) Excludes interest credited to annuity and financial products of $506.8 million, $408.5 million, $134.7 million, $585.4 million and $668.6 million for the years ended December 31, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and $139.1 million and $189.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
6

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The Debt Securities offered hereby, consisting of notes, debentures and other evidences of indebtedness, are to be issued in one or more series constituting either senior Debt Securities ("Senior Debt Securities") or subordinated Debt Securities ("Subordinated Debt Securities"). The Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to indentures described below (as applicable, the "Senior Indenture" or the "Subordinated Indenture", each, an "Indenture" and, together, the "Indentures"), in each case between the Company and the trustee identified therein (the "Trustee"), the forms of which have been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. Except for the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture, for which there are no counterparts in the Senior Indenture, the provisions of the Subordinated Indenture are substantially identical in substance to the provisions of the Senior Indenture that bear the same section numbers.
The statements herein relating to the Debt Securities and the following summaries of certain general provisions of the Indentures do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Indentures (as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time), including the definitions therein of certain terms capitalized in this Prospectus. All article and section references appearing herein are to articles and sections of the applicable Indenture and whenever particular Sections or defined terms of the Indentures (as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time) are referred to herein or in a Prospectus Supplement, such Sections or defined terms are incorporated herein or therein by reference.
GENERAL
The Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company. The Indentures do not limit the aggregate amount of Debt Securities which may be issued thereunder, nor do they limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Company. The Debt Securities issued under the Senior Indenture will be unsecured and will rank pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company. The Debt Securities issued under the Subordinated Indenture will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Subordinated Indenture, to all Senior Indebtedness of the Company. See "-- Subordination under the Subordinated Indenture."
Reference is made to the applicable Prospectus Supplement which will accompany this Prospectus for a description of the specific series of Debt Securities being offered thereby, including: (1) the title, designation and purchase price, of such Debt Securities; (2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities; (3) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on such Debt Securities will mature or the method of determining such date or dates; (4) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which such Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, or the method of calculating such rate or rates; (5) the date or dates from which interest, if any, will accrue or the method by which such date or dates will be determined; (6) the date or dates on which interest, if any, will be payable and the record date or dates therefor; (7) the place or places where principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable;
(8) the right, if any, of the Company to defer payment of interest on Debt Securities and the maximum length of any such deferral period; (9) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company; (10) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or upon the happening of a specified event and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which, such Debt Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations; (11) the denominations in which such Debt Securities are authorized to be issued; (12) the currency or currency unit for which Debt Securities may be purchased or in which Debt Securities may be denominated and/or the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable and whether the Company or the holders of any such Debt Securities may elect to receive payments in respect of such Debt Securities in a currency or currency unit other than that in which such Debt Securities are stated to be payable; (13) if other than the principal amount
7

thereof, the portion of the principal amount of such Debt Securities which will be payable upon declaration of the acceleration of the maturity thereof or the method by which such portion shall be determined; (14) the person to whom any interest on any such Debt Security shall be payable if other than the person in whose name such Debt Security is registered on the applicable record date; (15) any addition to, or modification or deletion of, any Event of Default or any covenant of the Company specified in the Indenture with respect to such Debt Securities; (16) the application, if any, of such means of defeasance or covenant defeasance as may be specified for such Debt Securities; (17) whether such Debt Securities are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more temporary or permanent global securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary for such global security or securities; (18) any United States Federal income tax considerations applicable to holders of the Debt Securities; and (19) any other special terms pertaining to such Debt Securities. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. (Section 3.1.)
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Debt Securities will be issued in fully-registered form without coupons. Where Debt Securities of any series are issued in bearer form, the special restrictions and considerations, including special offering restrictions and special Federal income tax considerations, applicable to any such Debt Securities and to payment on and transfer and exchange of such Debt Securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Bearer Debt Securities will be transferable by delivery. (Section 3.5.)
Debt Securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. Certain Federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any such Debt Securities, or to Debt Securities issued at par that are treated as having been issued at a discount, will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
If the purchase price of any of the Debt Securities is payable in one or more foreign currencies or currency units or if any Debt Securities are denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units or if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Debt Securities is payable in one or more foreign currencies or currency units, or by reference to commodity prices, equity indices or other factors, the restrictions, elections, certain U.S. Federal income tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to such issue of Debt Securities and such foreign currency or currency units or commodity prices, equity indices or other factors will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In general, holders of such series of Debt Securities may receive a principal amount on any principal payment date, or a payment of premium, if any, on any premium interest payment date or a payment of interest on any interest payment date, that is greater than or less than the amount of principal, premium, if any, or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending on the value on such dates of the applicable currency, commodity, equity index or other factor.
PAYMENT, REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payments in respect of the Debt Securities will be made in the designated currency at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose as the Company may designate from time to time, except that, at the option of the Company, interest payments, if any, on Debt Securities in registered form may be made (i) by checks mailed to the holders of Debt Securities entitled thereto at their registered addresses or (ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by the person entitled thereto as specified in the Register. (Sections 3.7(a) and 9.2.) Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of any installment of interest on Debt Securities in registered form will be made to the person in whose name such Debt Security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest. (Section 3.7(a).)
Payment in respect of Debt Securities in bearer form will be made in the currency and in the manner designated in the Prospectus Supplement, subject to any applicable laws and regulations, at such paying agencies outside the United States as the Company may appoint from time to time. The paying agents outside the United States initially appointed by the Company for a series of Debt Securities will be named in the
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Prospectus Supplement. The Company may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agents, except that, if Debt Securities of a series are issuable as Registered Securities, the Company will be required to maintain at least one paying agent in each Place of Payment for such series and, if Debt Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will be required to maintain a paying agent in a Place of Payment outside the United States where Debt Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment.
(Section 9.2.)
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Debt Securities in registered form will be transferable or exchangeable at the agency of the Company maintained for such purpose as designated by the Company from time to time. (Sections 3.5 and 9.2.) Debt Securities may be transferred or exchanged without service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith. (Section 3.5.)
GLOBAL DEBT SECURITIES
The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more fully registered global securities (a "Registered Global Security") that will be deposited with a depository (the "Depository") or with a nominee for the Depository identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In such a case, one or more Registered Global Securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities of the series to be represented by such Registered Global Security or Securities. (Section 3.3 of each Indenture.) Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities in definitive certificated form, a Registered Global Security may not be registered for transfer or exchange except as a whole by the Depository for such Registered Global Security to a nominee of such Depository or by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by such Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository for such series or a nominee of such successor Depository and except in the circumstances described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Section 3.5.)
The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to any portion of a series of Debt Securities to be represented by a Registered Global Security will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company expects that the following provisions will apply to such depository arrangements.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Registered Global Security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants (as such term is defined below). Upon the issuance of any Registered Global Security, and the deposit of such Registered Global Security with or on behalf of the Depository for such Registered Global Security, the Depository will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the Debt Securities represented by such Registered Global Security to the accounts of institutions ("participants") that have accounts with the Depository or its nominee. The accounts to be credited will be designated by the underwriters or agents engaging in the distribution of such Debt Securities or by the Company, if such Debt Securities are offered and sold directly by the Company. Ownership of beneficial interests by participants in such Registered Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of such beneficial interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depository for such Registered Global Security or by its nominee. Ownership of beneficial interests in such Registered Global Security by persons that hold through participants will be shown on, and the transfer of such beneficial interests within such participants will be effected only through, records maintained by such participants. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in certificated form. The foregoing limitations and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in such Registered Global Security.
So long as the Depository for a Registered Global Security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of such Registered Global Security, such Depository or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Debt Securities represented by such Registered Global Security for all purposes under the applicable Indenture. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and except as specified below, owners of beneficial interests in such Registered Global Security will not be entitled to have Debt Securities of the series represented by such Registered Global Security registered in their names, will not
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receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Debt Securities of such series in certificated form and will not be considered the holders thereof for any purposes under the relevant Indenture. (Section 3.8.) Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in such Registered Global Security must rely on the procedures of the Depository and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the relevant Indenture. The Depository may grant proxies and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the relevant Indenture. The Company understands that, under existing industry practices, if the Company requests any action of holders or if any owner of a beneficial interest in such Registered Global Security desires to give any notice or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the relevant Indenture, the Depository would authorize the participants to give such notice or take such action, and such participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to give such notice or take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payments with respect to principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on Debt Securities represented by a Registered Global Security registered in the name of a Depository or its nominee will be made to such Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of such Registered Global Security.
The Company expects that the Depositary for any Debt Securities represented by a Registered Global Security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest, will immediately credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such Registered Global Security as shown on the records of such Depositary. The Company also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Registered Global Security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers registered in "street names," and will be the responsibility of such participants. None of the Company, the respective Trustees or any agent of the Company or the respective Trustees shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial interests of a Registered Global Security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests.
(Section 3.8.)
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if the Depository for any Debt Securities represented by a Registered Global Security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as Depository or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a duly registered successor Depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company will issue such Debt Securities in definitive certificated form in exchange for such Registered Global Security. In addition, the Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine not to have any of the Debt Securities of a series represented by one or more Registered Global Securities and, in such event, will issue Debt Securities of such series in definitive certificated form in exchange for all of the Registered Global Security or Securities representing such Debt Securities. (Section 3.5.)
The Debt Securities of a series may also be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more bearer global securities (a "Bearer Global Security") that will be deposited with a depository, or with a nominee for such depository, identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Any such Bearer Global Security may be issued in temporary or permanent form. (Section 3.4.) The specific terms and procedures, including the specific terms of the depository arrangement, with respect to any portion of a series of Debt Securities to be represented by one or more Bearer Global Securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE BY THE COMPANY
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or sell its assets substantially as an entirety, unless: (i) the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the corporation which acquires its assets is organized in the United States; (ii) the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or which acquires the Company's assets substantially
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as an entirety expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Company under each Indenture; (iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have happened and be continuing, and (iv) if, as a result of such transaction, properties or assets of the Company would become subject to an encumbrance which would not be permitted by the terms of any series of Debt Securities, the Company or the successor corporation, as the case may be, shall take such steps as are necessary to secure such Debt Securities equally and ratably with all indebtedness secured thereunder. Upon any such consolidation, merger or sale, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for the Company under each Indenture.
(Section 7.1.)
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND CERTAIN RIGHTS ON DEFAULT
Each Indenture provides that, if an Event of Default specified therein occurs with respect to the Debt Securities of any series and is continuing, the Trustee for such series or the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of all of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company (and to the Trustee for such series, if notice is given by such holders of Debt Securities), may declare the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount specified in the Prospectus Supplement) and accrued interest on all the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable (provided, with respect to any Debt Securities issued under the Subordinated Indenture, that the payment of principal and interest on such Debt Securities shall remain subordinated to the extent provided in Article 12 of the Subordinated Indenture). (Section 5.2.)
Events of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any series are defined in each Indenture as being: (a) default for 30 days in payment of any interest on any Debt Security of that series or any coupon appertaining thereto or any additional amount payable with respect to Debt Securities of such series as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement when due; (b) default in payment of principal, or premium, if any, at maturity or on redemption or otherwise, or in the making of a mandatory sinking fund payment of any Debt Securities of that series when due; (c) default for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee for such series, or by the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding, in the performance of any other agreement in the Debt Securities of that series, in the Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or board resolution referred to therein under which the Debt Securities of that series may have been issued; (d) default resulting in acceleration of other indebtedness of the Company for borrowed money where the aggregate principal amount so accelerated exceeds $25 million and such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled within 30 days after the written notice thereof to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding, provided that such Event of Default will be remedied, cured or waived if the default that resulted in the acceleration of such other indebtedness is remedied, cured or waived; and (e) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company. (Section 5.1.) The definition of "Event of Default" in each Indenture specifically excludes a default under a secured debt under which the obligee has recourse (exclusive of recourse for ancillary matters such as environmental indemnities, misapplication of funds, costs of enforcement, etc.) only to the collateral pledged for repayment, and where the fair market value of such collateral does not exceed two percent of Total Assets (as defined in the Indenture) at the time of the default. Events of Default with respect to a specified series of Debt Securities may be added to the Indenture and, if so added, will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Sections 3.1 and 5.1(7).)
Each Indenture provides that the Trustee will, within 90 days after the occurrence of a Default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, give to the holders of the Debt Securities of that series notice of all Defaults known to it unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided that except in the case of a Default in payment on the Debt Securities of that series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding such notice is in the interests of the holders of the Debt Securities of that series. (Section 6.6.) "Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both, would be, an Event of Default. (Section 1.1.)
Each Indenture provides that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of each series affected (with each such series voting as a class) may, subject to certain limited
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conditions, direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee for such series, or exercising any trust or power conferred on such Trustee. (Section 5.8.)
Each Indenture includes a covenant that the Company will file annually with the Trustee a certificate as to the Company's compliance with all conditions and covenants of such Indenture. (Section 9.5.)
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of Debt Securities by notice to the Trustee for such series may waive, on behalf of the holders of all Debt Securities of such series, any past Default or Event of Default with respect to that series and its consequences except a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Debt Security, and except in respect of an Event of Default resulting from the breach of a covenant or provision of either Indenture which, pursuant to the applicable Indenture, cannot be amended or modified without the consent of the holders of each outstanding Debt Security of such series affected. (Section 5.7.)
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES
Each Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of any of the Debt Securities in order (i) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company and the assumption of the covenants of the Company by a successor to the Company; (ii) to add to the covenants of the Company or surrender any right or power of the Company; (iii) to add additional Events of Default with respect to any series of Debt Securities; (iv) to add or change any provisions to such extent as necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities in bearer form; (v) to change or eliminate any provision affecting only Debt Securities not yet issued; (vi) to secure the Debt Securities; (vii) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities; (viii) to evidence and provide for successor Trustees; (ix) if allowed without penalty under applicable laws and regulations, to permit payment in respect of Debt Securities in bearer form in the United States; (x) to correct any defect or supplement any inconsistent provisions or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under such Indenture, provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of Debt Securities of any series; or (xi) to cure any ambiguity or correct any mistake. The Subordinated Indenture also permits the Company and the Trustee thereunder to enter into such supplemental indentures to modify the subordination provisions contained in the Subordinated Debenture except in a manner adverse to any outstanding Debt Securities. (Section 8.1.)
Each Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities affected by such supplemental indenture (with the Debt Securities of each series voting as a class), to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing or eliminating any of the provisions of such Indenture or any supplemental indenture or modifying the rights of the holders of Debt Securities of such series, except that, without the consent of the holder of each Debt Security so affected, no such supplemental indenture may: (i) change the time for payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest on any Debt Security; (ii) reduce the principal of, or any installment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Debt Security, or change the manner in which the amount of any of the foregoing is determined; (iii) reduce the amount of premium, if any, payable upon the redemption of any Debt Security; (iv) reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of any Original Issue Discount or Index Security; (v) change the currency or currency unit in which any Debt Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable; (vi) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security; (vii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities affected thereby the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of such Indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; (viii) change the obligation of the Company to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in such Indenture; (ix) modify the provisions relating to the subordination of outstanding Debt Securities of any series in a manner adverse to the holders thereof; or (x) modify the provisions relating to waiver of certain defaults or any of the foregoing provisions. (Section 8.2.)
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SUBORDINATION UNDER THE SUBORDINATED INDENTURE
In the Subordinated Indenture, the Company will covenant and agree that any Subordinated Debt Securities issued thereunder are subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness to the extent provided in the Subordinated Indenture. (Section 12.1 of the Subordinated Indenture.) The Subordinated Indenture defines the term "Senior Indebtedness" as the principal, premium, if any, and interest on: (i) all indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on the date of the issuance of Subordinated Debt Securities or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, which is for money borrowed, or evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any business, properties or assets, including securities;
(ii) any indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the preceding clause
(i) for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as guarantor or otherwise; and (iii) amendments, renewals, extensions and refundings of any such indebtedness, unless in any instrument or instruments evidencing or securing such indebtedness or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, or in any such amendment, renewal, extension or refunding, it is expressly provided that such indebtedness is not superior in right of payment to Subordinated Debt Securities. The Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of the Senior Indebtedness or extension or renewal of the Senior Indebtedness. (Section 12.2 of the Subordinated Indenture.)
If (i) the Company defaults in the payment of any principal, or premium, if any, or interest on any Senior Indebtedness when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or declaration or otherwise or (ii) an event of default occurs with respect to any Senior Indebtedness permitting the holders thereof to accelerate the maturity thereof and written notice of such event of default (requesting that payments on Subordinated Debt Securities cease) is given to the Company by the holders of Senior Indebtedness, then unless and until such default in payment or event of default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, no direct or indirect payment (in cash, property or securities, by set-off or otherwise) shall be made or agreed to be made on account of the Subordinated Debt Securities or interest thereon or in respect of any repayment, redemption, retirement, purchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Debt Securities.
(Section 12.4 of the Subordinated Indenture.)
In the event of (i) any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, readjustment, composition or other similar proceeding relating to the Company, its creditors or its property, (ii) any proceeding for the liquidation, dissolution or other winding-up of the Company, voluntary or involuntary, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings,
(iii) any assignment by the Company for the benefit of creditors or (iv) any other marshalling of the assets of the Company, all Senior Indebtedness (including, without limitation, interest accruing after the commencement of any such proceeding, assignment or marshalling of assets) shall first be paid in full before any payment or distribution, whether in cash, securities or other property, shall be made by the Company on account of Subordinated Debt Securities. In any such event, any payment or distribution, whether in cash, securities or other property (other than securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture with respect to the indebtedness evidenced by Subordinated Debt Securities, to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness at the time outstanding and to any securities issued in respect thereof under any such plan of reorganization or readjustment), which would otherwise (but for the subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable in respect of Subordinated Debt Securities (including any such payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of Subordinated Debt Securities) shall be paid or delivered directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, or to their representative or trustee, in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders until all Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full. (Section 12.3 of the Subordinated Indenture.) No present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness shall be prejudiced in the right to enforce subordination of the indebtedness evidenced by Subordinated Debt Securities by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company. (Section 12.9 of the Subordinated Indenture.)
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Senior Indebtedness shall not be deemed to have been paid in full unless the holders thereof shall have received cash, securities or other property equal to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness then outstanding. Upon the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the holders of Subordinated Debt Securities shall be subrogated to all the rights of any holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive any further payments or distributions applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until all Subordinated Debt Securities shall have been paid in full, and such payments or distributions received by any holder of Subordinated Debt Securities, by reason of such subrogation, of cash, securities or other property which otherwise would be paid or distributed to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, shall, as between the Company and its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, on the one hand, and the holders of Subordinated Debt Securities, on the other, be deemed to be a payment by the Company on account of Senior Indebtedness, and not on account of Subordinated Debt Securities. (Section 12.7 of the Subordinated Indenture.)
The Subordinated Indenture provides that the foregoing subordination provisions, insofar as they relate to any particular issue of Subordinated Debt Securities, may be changed prior to such issuance. Any such change would be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to such Subordinated Debt Securities.
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
If indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company may elect either (i) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to the Debt Securities of or within any series (except as otherwise provided in the relevant Indenture) ("defeasance") or (ii) to be released from its obligations with respect to certain covenants applicable to the Debt Securities of or within any series ("covenant defeasance"), upon the deposit with the relevant Trustee (or other qualifying trustee), in trust for such purpose, of money and/or Government Obligations which through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient, without reinvestment, to pay the principal of and any premium or interest on such Debt Securities to Maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon. As a condition to defeasance or covenant defeasance, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel 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 defeasance or covenant defeasance 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 defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such Opinion of Counsel, in the case of defeasance under clause (i) above, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable Federal income tax law occurring after the date of the relevant Indenture. (Article 4.) If indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, in addition to obligations of the United States or an agency or instrumentality thereof, Government Obligations may include obligations of the government or an agency or instrumentality of the government issuing the currency or currency unit in which Debt Securities of such series are payable. (Section 3.1.)
In addition, with respect to the Subordinated Indenture, in order to be discharged no event or condition shall exist that, pursuant to certain provisions described under "-- Subordination under the Subordinated Indenture" above, would prevent the Company from making payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Subordinated Debt Securities at the date of the irrevocable deposit referred to above. (Section 4.6(j) of the Subordinated Indenture.)
The Company may exercise its defeasance option with respect to such Debt Securities notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Company exercises its defeasance option, payment of such Debt Securities may not be accelerated because of a Default or an Event of Default. (Section 4.4.) If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of such Debt Securities may not be accelerated by reason of a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the covenants to which such covenant defeasance is applicable. However, if such acceleration were to occur by reason of another Event of Default, the realizable value at the acceleration date of the money and Government Obligations in the defeasance trust could be less than the principal and interest then due on such Debt Securities, in that the required deposit in the defeasance trust is based upon scheduled cash flow rather than market value, which will vary depending upon interest rates and other factors.
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THE TRUSTEES
LTCB Trust Company will be the Trustee under the Senior Indenture. Fleet National Bank will be the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture. The Company may also maintain banking and other commercial relationships with each of the Trustees and their affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
At May 16, 1997, the authorized capital stock of the Company was 1,020,000,000 shares, consisting of:
(a) 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, of which 2,177,500 shares of Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities, 7% PRIDES, were outstanding; and
(b) 1,000,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 179,880,594 shares were outstanding.
In general, the classes of authorized capital stock are afforded preferences with respect to dividends and liquidation rights in the order listed above. The Board of Directors of the Company is empowered, without approval of the shareholders, to cause the Preferred Stock to be issued in one or more series, with the numbers of shares of each series and the rights, preferences and limitations of each series to be determined by it including, without limitation, the dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and liquidation preferences, if any, of any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock (or of the entire class of Preferred Stock if none of such shares have been issued), the number of shares constituting each such series and the terms and conditions of the issue thereof. The descriptions set forth below do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (the "Articles of Incorporation").
The Prospectus Supplement relating to an offering of Common Stock will describe terms relevant thereto, including the number of shares offered, the initial offering price, market price and dividend information.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the following terms of any Preferred Stock in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered (to the extent applicable to such Preferred Stock): (i) the specific designation, number of shares, seniority and purchase price; (ii) any liquidation preference per share; (iii) any date of maturity; (iv) any redemption, repayment or sinking fund provisions; (v) any dividend rate or rates and the dates on which any such dividends will be payable (or the method by which such rates or dates will be determined); (vi) any voting rights; (vii) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which such Preferred Stock is denominated and/or in which payments will or may be payable; (viii) the method by which amounts in respect of such Preferred Stock may be calculated and any commodities, currencies or indices, or value, rate or price, relevant to such calculation; (ix) whether the Preferred Stock is convertible or exchangeable and, if so, the securities or rights into which such Preferred Stock is convertible or exchangeable (which may include other Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Common Stock or other securities or rights of the Company (including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies or indices) or a combination of the foregoing), and the terms and conditions upon which such conversions or exchanges will be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange prices or rates, the conversion or exchange period and any other related provisions; (x) the place or places where dividends and other payments on the Preferred Stock will be payable; and (xi) any additional voting, dividend, liquidation, redemption and other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions.
As described under "Description of Depositary Shares", the Company may, at its option, elect to offer Depositary Shares evidenced by depositary receipts ("Depositary Receipts"), each representing an interest (to be specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular series of the Preferred Stock) in a share of the particular series of the Preferred Stock issued and deposited with a Preferred Stock Depositary (as defined herein).
All shares of Preferred Stock offered hereby, or issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of Securities, will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable.
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COMMON STOCK
Dividends. Except as provided below, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property of the Company, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of assets or funds of the Company legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in all such dividends and other distributions (subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock).
Voting Rights. At every meeting of shareholders, every holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share. Subject to any voting rights which may be granted to holders of Preferred Stock any action submitted to shareholders is approved if the number of votes cast in favor of such action exceeds the number of votes against, except where other provision is made by law and subject to applicable quorum requirements.
Liquidation Rights. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the business of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary (any such event, a "Liquidation"), the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share equally in the assets available for distribution after payment of all liabilities and provision for the liquidation preference of any shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding.
Miscellaneous. The holders of Common Stock have no preemptive rights, cumulative voting rights, subscription rights, or conversion rights and the Common Stock is not subject to redemption.
The transfer agent and registrar with respect to the Common Stock and the PRIDES is First Union National Bank of North Carolina.
All shares of Common Stock offered hereby, or issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of Securities, will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable. The Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CNC".
PRIDES
General. The PRIDES are shares of convertible preferred stock and rank prior to the Common Stock as to payment of dividends and distribution of assets upon liquidation. The shares of PRIDES mandatorily convert into shares of Common Stock on February 1, 2000, (the "Mandatory Conversion Date"), and the Company has the option to redeem the shares of PRIDES, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time on or after February 1, 1999 and prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date pursuant to the terms described below and payable in shares of Common Stock. In addition, the shares of PRIDES are convertible into shares of Common Stock at the option of the holder at any time prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date as set forth below.
Dividends. Holders of shares of PRIDES are entitled to receive annual cumulative dividends at a rate per annum of 7% of the stated liquidation preference (equivalent to $4.279 per each share of PRIDES) payable quarterly in arrears on each February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Mandatory Conversion. On the Mandatory Conversion Date, unless previously redeemed or converted, each outstanding share of PRIDES will mandatorily convert into (i) two shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment in certain events, and (ii) the right to receive cash in an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (other than previously declared dividends payable to a holder of record as of a prior date).
Optional Redemption. Shares of PRIDES are not redeemable prior to February 1, 1999. At any time and from time to time on or after February 1, 1999 and ending immediately prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date, the Company may redeem any or all of the outstanding shares of PRIDES. Upon any such redemption, each holder will receive, in exchange for each share of PRIDES, the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Call Price (which is the sum of (i) $62.195, declining after February 1, 1999 to $61.125 until the Mandatory Conversation Date and (ii) all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (other than previously declared dividends payable to a holder of record as of a prior date)) divided by the current market price on the applicable date of determination, but in no event less than 3.42 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment. The number of shares of Common Stock to be delivered in payment of the applicable Call Price will be determined on the basis of the current market price of the Common Stock prior to the announcement of the redemption.
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Conversion at the Option of the Holder. At any time prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date, unless previously redeemed, each share of PRIDES is convertible at the option of the holder thereof into 3.42 shares of Common Stock (the "Optional Conversion Rate"), equivalent to the conversion price of $17.8728 per share of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as described herein. The right of holders to convert shares of PRIDES called for redemption will terminate immediately prior to the close of business on the redemption date.
Voting Rights. The holders of shares of PRIDES will have the right with the holders of Common Stock to vote in the election of directors and upon each other matter coming before any meeting of the holders of Common Stock on the basis of 4/5 of one vote for each share of PRIDES. On such matters, the holders of shares of PRIDES and the holders of Common Stock will vote together as one class except as otherwise provided by law or the Company's Articles of Incorporation. In addition, (i) whenever dividends on the shares of PRIDES or any other series of the Company's preferred stock with like voting rights are in arrears and unpaid for six quarterly dividend periods, and in certain other circumstances, the holders of the shares of PRIDES (voting separately as a class with the holders of all other series of the Company's preferred stock with like voting rights that are exercisable) will be entitled to vote, on the basis of one vote for each share of PRIDES, for the election of two directors of the Company, such directors to be in addition to the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors immediately prior to the accrual of such right, and (ii) the holders of the shares of PRIDES may have voting rights with respect to certain alterations of the Company's Articles of Incorporation and certain other matters, voting on the same basis or separately as a series.
Liquidation Preference and Ranking. The shares of PRIDES rank prior to the Common Stock as to payment of dividends and distribution of assets upon liquidation. The liquidation preference of each share of PRIDES is an amount equal to the sum of (i) $61.125 per share and (ii) all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS OF CONSECO
Certain provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and the Code of By-laws of the Company (the "By-laws") may make it more difficult to effect a change in control of the Company if the Board of Directors determines that such action would not be in the best interests of the shareholders. It could be argued, contrary to the belief of the Board of Directors, that such provisions are not in the best interests of the shareholders to the extent that they will have the effect of tending to discourage possible takeover bids, which might be at prices involving a premium over then recent market quotations for the Common Stock. The most important of those provisions are described below.
The Articles of Incorporation authorize the establishment of a classified Board of Directors pursuant to the By-laws. The By-laws, in turn, provide that the Directors serve staggered three-year terms, with the members of only one class being elected in any year.
A classified Board of Directors may increase the difficulty of removing incumbent directors, providing such directors with enhanced ability to retain their positions. A classified Board of Directors may also make the acquisition of control of the Company by a third party by means of a proxy contest more difficult. In addition, the classification may make it more difficult to replace a majority of directors for business reasons unrelated to a change in control.
The Articles of Incorporation provide that holders of the Company's voting stock shall not be entitled to vote on certain business transactions (defined to include, among other things, certain mergers, consolidations, sales, leases, transfers or other dispositions of a substantial part of the Company's assets) with certain related persons (which includes persons beneficially owning more than 10% of the Company's outstanding voting stock), nor may such business combination transactions be effected, unless (i) the relevant business combination shall have been approved by two-thirds of the continuing directors or (ii) the aggregate amount of the cash and the fair value of any consideration other than cash to be received by any holder of the Company's Common Stock or Preferred Stock in the business combination for each such share of Common Stock or Preferred Stock shall be at least equal to the highest per share price paid by the related person in
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order to acquire any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, beneficially owned by such related person.
As discussed above, Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series with such rights, preferences, limitations and restrictions as may be determined by the Board of Directors. The issuance of Preferred Stock could be used, under certain circumstances, as a method of delaying or preventing a change of control of the Company and could have a detrimental effect on the rights of holders of Common Stock, including loss of voting control.
The provisions of the Articles of Incorporation regarding the classified Board of Directors and certain business combination transactions may not be amended without the affirmative approval of holders of not less than 80% of the outstanding voting stock of the Company.
The By-laws may be amended by majority vote of the Board of Directors.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF CORPORATE AND INSURANCE LAWS
In addition to the Articles of Incorporation and By-laws, certain provisions of Indiana law may delay, deter or prevent a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt of the Company.
Under the Indiana Business Corporation Law (the "IBCL"), a director may, in considering the best interests of a corporation, consider the effects of any action on shareholders, employees, suppliers and customers of the corporation, on communities in which offices or other facilities of the corporation are located, and any other factors the director considers pertinent.
The IBCL provides that no business combination (defined to include certain mergers, sales of assets, sales of 5% or more of outstanding stock, loans, recapitalizations or liquidations or dissolutions) involving a corporation and an interested shareholder (defined to include any holder of 10% or more of such corporation's voting stock) may be entered into unless (1) it has been approved by the board of directors of the corporation or (2) (a) five years have expired since the acquisition of shares of the corporation by the interested shareholder, (b) all requirements of the corporation's articles of incorporation relating to business combinations have been satisfied and (c) either (i) a majority of shareholders of the corporation (excluding the interested shareholder) approve the business combination or (ii) all shareholders are paid fair value (as defined in the statute) for their stock. However, such law does not restrict any offer to purchase all of a corporation's shares.
The IBCL also provides that when a target corporation (such as the Company), incorporated in Indiana and having its principal place of business, principal office or substantial assets in Indiana, has a certain threshold of ownership by Indiana residents, any acquisition which, together with its previous holdings, gives the acquiror at least 20% of the target's voting stock triggers a shareholder approval mechanism. If the acquiror files a statutorily required disclosure statement, the target's management has 50 days within which to hold a special meeting of shareholders at which all disinterested shareholders of the target (those not affiliated with the acquiror or any officer or inside director of the target) consider and vote upon whether the acquiror shall have voting rights with respect to the shares of the target held by it. Without shareholder approval, the shares acquired by the acquiror have no voting rights. If the acquiror fails to file the statutorily required disclosure statement, the target can redeem the acquiror's shares at a price to be determined according to procedures devised by the target. In order for these provisions of the IBCL not to apply to a particular Indiana company, the company must affirmatively so provide in its articles of incorporation or bylaws.
In addition, the insurance laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which the Company's insurance subsidiaries do business may impede or delay a business combination involving the Company.
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
The description set forth below of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement (as defined below) and of the Depositary Shares and Depositary Receipts summarizes the material terms of the Deposit Agreement and of the Depositary Shares and Depositary Receipts and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of
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Deposit Agreement and form of Depositary Receipts relating to each series of the Preferred Stock, as well as the Articles of Incorporation or any required amendment thereto describing the applicable series of Preferred Stock.
GENERAL
The Company may, as its option, elect to have shares of Preferred Stock be represented by Depositary Shares. The shares of any series of the Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement (the "Deposit Agreement") to be entered into by the Company and a bank or trust company selected by the Company (the "Preferred Stock Depositary") a form of which will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Depositary Shares will set forth the name and address of the Preferred Stock Depositary. Subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, each owner of a Depositary Share will be entitled, proportionately, to all the rights, preferences and privileges of the Preferred Stock represented thereby (including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion, exchange and liquidation rights).
The Depositary Shares will be evidenced by Depositary Receipts issued pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, each of which will represent the fractional interest in the number of shares of a particular series of the Preferred Stock described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
The Preferred Stock Depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions in respect of the series of Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares to the record holders of Depositary Receipts in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of Depositary Shares owned by such holders. The Depositary, however, will distribute only such amount as can be distributed without attributing to any Depositary Share a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed will be added to and treated as part of the next sum received by the Depositary for distribution to record holders of Depositary Receipts then outstanding.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash in respect of the Preferred Stock, the Preferred Stock Depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of Depositary Receipts in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of Depositary Shares owned by such holders, unless the Preferred Stock Depositary determines (after consultation with the Company) that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the Preferred Stock Depositary may, with the approval of the Company, adopt such method as it deems equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including a public or private sale, of such property, and distribution of the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.
The amount so distributed to record holders of Depositary Receipts in any of the foregoing cases will be reduced by any amount required to be withheld by the Company or the Preferred Stock Depositary on account of taxes.
CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE
If any series of Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares is subject to provisions relating to its conversion or exchange, as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, each record holder of Depositary Receipts will have the right or obligation to convert or exchange the Depositary Shares represented by such Depositary Receipts pursuant to the terms thereof.
REDEMPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
If any series of Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares is subject to redemption, the Depositary Shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the Preferred Stock Depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of the Preferred Stock held by the Preferred Stock Depositary. Whenever the Company redeems Preferred Stock from the Preferred Stock Depositary, the Preferred Stock Depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date a proportionate number of Depositary Shares representing the shares
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of Preferred Stock that were redeemed. If less than all the Depositary Shares are to be redeemed, the Depositary Shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as may be determined by the Company.
After the date fixed for redemption, the Depositary Shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the Depositary Shares will cease, except the right to receive the redemption price upon such redemption. Any funds deposited by the Company with the Preferred Stock Depositary for any Depositary Shares which the holders thereof fail to redeem shall be returned to the Company after a period of two years from the date such funds are so deposited.
VOTING
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any shares of Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares are entitled to vote, the Preferred Stock Depositary will mail the information contained in such notice to the record holders of the Depositary Receipts. Each record holder of such Depositary Receipts on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the Preferred Stock) will be entitled to instruct the Preferred Stock Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of Preferred Stock underlying such holder's Depositary Shares. The Preferred Stock Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares in accordance with such instructions, and the Company will agree to take all reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the Preferred Stock Depositary in order to enable the Preferred Stock Depositary to do so. The Preferred Stock Depositary will abstain from voting any of the Preferred Stock to the extent it does not receive specific written instructions from holders of Depositary Receipts representing such Preferred Stock.
RECORD DATE
Whenever (i) any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable, any distribution other than cash shall be made, or any rights, preferences or privileges shall be offered with respect to the Preferred Stock, or (ii) the Preferred Stock Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting at which holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote or of which holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to notice, or of the mandatory conversion of, or any election on the part of the Company to call for the redemption of, any Preferred Stock, the Preferred Stock Depositary shall in each such instance fix a record date (which shall be the same as the record date for the Preferred Stock) for the determination of the holders of Depositary Receipts (x) that shall be entitled to receive such dividend, distribution, rights, preferences or privileges or the net proceeds of the sale thereof or (y) that shall be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting or to receive notice of such meeting or of such redemption or conversion, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
WITHDRAWAL OF PREFERRED STOCK
Upon surrender of Depositary Receipts at the principal office of the Preferred Stock Depositary, upon payment of any unpaid amount due the Preferred Stock Depositary, and subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the owner of the Depositary Shares evidenced thereby is entitled to delivery of the number of whole shares of Preferred Stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by such Depositary Shares. Partial shares of Preferred Stock will not be issued. If the Depositary Receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of Depositary Shares in excess of the number of Depositary Shares representing the number of whole shares of Preferred Stock to be withdrawn, the Preferred Stock Depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new Depositary Receipt evidencing such excess number of Depositary Shares. Holders of Preferred Stock thus withdrawn will not thereafter be entitled to deposit such shares under the Deposit Agreement or to receive Depositary Receipts evidencing Depositary Shares therefor.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
The Deposit Agreement will provide that the form of Depositary Receipt and any provision of the Deposit Agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Preferred Stock
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Depositary. However, any amendment which imposes or increases any fees, taxes or other charges payable by the holders of Depositary Receipts (other than taxes and other governmental charges, fees and other expenses payable by such holders as stated under "Charges of Preferred Stock Depositary"), or which otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of holders of Depositary Receipts, will not take effect as to outstanding Depositary Receipts until the expiration of 90 days after notice of such amendment has been mailed to the record holders of outstanding Depositary Receipts.
Whenever so directed by the Company, the Preferred Stock Depositary will terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the record holders of all Depositary Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. The Preferred Stock Depositary may likewise terminate the Deposit Agreement if at any time 45 days shall have expired after the Preferred Stock Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment. If any Depositary Receipts remain outstanding after the date of termination, the Preferred Stock Depositary thereafter will discontinue the transfer of Depositary Receipts, will suspend the distribution of dividends to the holders thereof, and will not give any further notices (other than notice of such termination) or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement except as provided below and except that the Preferred Stock Depositary will continue (i) to collect dividends on the Preferred Stock and any other distributions with respect thereto and (ii) to deliver the Preferred Stock together with such dividends and distributions and the net proceeds of any sales of rights, preferences, privileges or other property, without liability for interest thereon, in exchange for Depositary Receipts surrendered. At any time after the expiration of two years from the date of termination, the Preferred Stock Depositary may sell the Preferred Stock then held by it at public or private sales, at such place or places and upon such terms as it deems proper, and may thereafter hold the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any money and other property then held by it, without liability for interest thereon, for the pro rata benefit of the holders of Depositary Receipts which have not been surrendered.
CHARGES OF PREFERRED STOCK DEPOSITARY
The Company will pay all charges of the Preferred Stock Depositary including charges in connection with the initial deposit of the Preferred Stock, the initial issuance of the Depositary Receipts, the distribution of information to the holders of Depositary Receipts with respect to matters on which Preferred Stock is entitled to vote, withdrawals of the Preferred Stock by the holders of Depositary Receipts or redemption or conversion of the Preferred Stock, except for taxes (including transfer taxes, if any) and other governmental charges and such other charges as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of holders of Depositary Receipts or persons depositing Preferred Stock.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Preferred Stock Depositary will make available for inspection by holders of Depositary Receipts, at its Corporate Office and its New York Office, all reports and communications from the Company which are delivered to the Preferred Stock Depositary as the holder of Preferred Stock.
Neither the Preferred Stock Depositary nor the Company will be liable if it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. The obligations of the Preferred Stock Depositary under the Deposit Agreement are limited to performing its duties thereunder without negligence or bad faith. The obligations of the Company under the Deposit Agreement are limited to performing its duties thereunder in good faith. Neither the Company nor the Preferred Stock Depositary is obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any Depositary Shares or Preferred Stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. The Company and the Preferred Stock Depositary are entitled to rely upon advice of or information from counsel, accountants or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
The Preferred Stock Depositary may resign at any time or be removed by the Company, effective upon the acceptance by its successor of its appointment; provided, that if a successor Preferred Stock Depositary has not been appointed or accepted such appointment within 45 days after the Preferred Stock Depositary has
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delivered a notice of election to resign to the Company, the Preferred Stock Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement. See "Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement" above.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
GENERAL
The Company may issue Warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock or any combination thereof, and such Warrants may be issued independently or together with any such Securities and may be attached to or separate from such Securities. Each series of Warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement (each a "Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a warrant agent ("Warrant Agent") a form of which will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Warrant Agent will act solely as an agent of the Company in connection with the Warrants of each such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of Warrants. The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the Warrants offered hereby. Further terms of the Warrants and the applicable Warrant Agreement will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of any Warrants in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, including the following: (i) the title of such Warrants; (ii) the aggregate number of such Warrants; (iii) the price or prices at which such Warrants will be issued; (iv) the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of such Warrants may be payable; (v) the designation and terms of the Securities (other than Preferred Securities and Common Securities) purchasable upon exercise of such Warrants; (vi) the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the Securities (other than Preferred Securities and Common Securities) purchasable upon exercise of such Warrants may be purchased; (vii) the date on which the right to exercise such Warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; (viii) whether such Warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form; (ix) if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such Warrants which may be exercised at any one time; (x) if applicable, the designation and terms of the Securities (other than Preferred Securities and Common Securities) with which such Warrants are issued and the number of such Warrants issued with each such Security; (xi) if applicable, the date on and after which such Warrants and the related Securities (other than Preferred Securities and Common Securities) will be separately transferable; (xii) information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; (xiii) if applicable, a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations; and (xiv) any other terms of such Warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such Warrants.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SECURITIES OF THE CONSECO TRUSTS
GENERAL
Each Conseco Trust may issue, from time to time, only one series of Preferred Securities having terms described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. The Declaration of each Conseco Trust authorizes the Regular Trustees of such Conseco Trust to issue on behalf of such Conseco Trust one series of Preferred Securities. Each Declaration will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The Property Trustee, an independent trustee, will act as indenture trustee for the Preferred Securities for purposes of compliance with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. The Preferred Securities will have such terms, including distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation rights and such other preferred, deferred or other special rights or such restrictions as shall be established by the Regular Trustees in accordance with the applicable Declaration or as shall be set forth in the Declaration or made part of the Declaration by the Trust Indenture Act. Reference is made to any Prospectus Supplement relating to the Preferred Securities of a Conseco Trust for specific terms of the Preferred Securities, including, to the extent applicable, (i) the distinctive designation of such Preferred Securities, (ii) the number of Preferred Securities issued by such Conseco Trust, (iii) the annual distribution rate (or method of determining such rate) for Preferred Securities issued by such Conseco Trust and the date or dates upon which such distributions shall be payable
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(provided, however, that distributions on such Preferred Securities shall, subject to any deferral provisions, and any provisions for payment of defaulted distributions, be payable on a quarterly basis to holders of such Preferred Securities as of a record date in each quarter during which such Preferred Securities are outstanding), (iv) any right of such Conseco Trust to defer quarterly distributions on the Preferred Securities as a result of an interest deferral right exercised by the Company on the Subordinated Debt Securities held by such Conseco Trust; (v) whether distributions on Preferred Securities shall be cumulative, and, in the case of Preferred Securities having such cumulative distribution rights, the date or dates or method of determining the date or dates from which distributions on Preferred Securities shall be cumulative, (vi) the amount or amounts which shall be paid out of the assets of such Conseco Trust to the holders of Preferred Securities upon voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of such Conseco Trust, (vii) the obligation or option, if any, of such Conseco Trust to purchase or redeem Preferred Securities and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Preferred Securities shall be purchased or redeemed, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation or option with such redemption price to be specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, (viii) the voting rights, if any, of Preferred Securities in addition to those required by law, including the number of votes per Preferred Security and any requirement for the approval by the holders of Preferred Securities as a condition to specified action or amendments to the Declaration,
(ix) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which Subordinated Debt Securities held by such Conseco Trust may be distributed to holders of Preferred Securities, and (x) any other relevant rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions of Preferred Securities consistent with the Declaration or with applicable law. All Preferred Securities offered hereby will be guaranteed by the Company to the extent set forth below under "Description of Trust Guarantees." The Trust Guarantee issued to each Conseco Trust, when taken together with the Company's back-up undertakings, consisting of its obligations under each Declaration (including the obligation to pay expenses of each Conseco Trust), the Indenture and any applicable supplemental indentures thereto and the Subordinated Debt Securities issued to any Conseco Trust will provide a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of amounts due on the Preferred Securities issued by each Conseco Trust. The payment terms of the Preferred Securities will be the same as the Subordinated Debt Securities issued to the applicable Conseco Trust by the Company.
Each Declaration authorizes the Regular Trustees to issue on behalf of the applicable Trust one series of Common Securities having such terms including distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation rights or such restrictions as shall be established by the Regular Trustees in accordance with the Declaration or as shall otherwise be set forth therein. The terms of the Common Securities issued by each Conseco Trust will be substantially identical to the terms of the Preferred Securities issued by such Conseco Trust, and the Common Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Preferred Securities except that, if an event of default under such Declaration has occurred and is continuing, the rights of the holders of the Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Securities. The Common Securities will also carry the right to vote and to appoint, remove or replace any of the Conseco Trustees of such Conseco Trust. All of the Common Securities of each Conseco Trust will be directly or indirectly owned by the Company.
The financial statements of any Conseco Trust that issues Preferred Securities will be reflected in the Company's consolidated financial statements with the Preferred Securities shown as Company-obligated mandatorily-redeemable preferred securities of a subsidiary trust under minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries. In a footnote to the Company's audited financial statements there will be included statements that the applicable Conseco Trust is wholly-owned by the Company and that the sole asset of such Conseco Trust is the Subordinated Debt Securities (indicating the principal amount, interest rate and maturity date thereof).
DESCRIPTION OF TRUST GUARANTEES
Set forth below is a summary of information concerning the Trust Guarantees that will be executed and delivered by the Company for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of Preferred Securities. Each Trust Guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. Fleet National Bank will act as
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independent indenture trustee for Trust Indenture Act purposes under each Trust Guarantee (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee"). The terms of each Trust Guarantee will be those set forth in such Trust Guarantee and those made part of such Trust Guarantee by the Trust Indenture Act. The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the form of Trust Guarantee, a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part, and the Trust Indenture Act. Each Trust Guarantee will be held by the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities of the applicable Conseco Trust.
GENERAL
Pursuant to each Trust Guarantee, the Company will agree, to the extent set forth therein, to pay in full to the holders of the Preferred Securities, the Guarantee Payments (as defined below) (except to the extent paid by such Conseco Trust), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which such Conseco Trust may have or assert. The following payments or distributions with respect to the Preferred Securities (the "Guarantee Payments"), to the extent not paid by such Conseco Trust, will be subject to the Trust Guarantee (without duplication): (i) any accrued and unpaid distributions that are required to be paid on such Preferred Securities, to the extent such Conseco Trust shall have funds available therefor, (ii) the redemption price, including all accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Price"), to the extent such Conseco Trust has funds available therefor, with respect to any Preferred Securities called for redemption by such Conseco Trust and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of such Conseco Trust (other than in connection with such distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of Preferred Securities or the redemption of all of the Preferred Securities upon maturity or redemption of the Subordinated Debt Securities) the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid distributions on such Preferred Securities to the date of payment, to the extent such Conseco Trust has funds available therefor or (b) the amount of assets of such Conseco Trust remaining for distribution to holders of such Preferred Securities in liquidation of such Conseco Trust. The Company's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Company to the holders of Preferred Securities or by causing the applicable Conseco Trust to pay such amounts to such holders.
Each Trust Guarantee will not apply to any payment of distributions except to the extent the applicable Conseco Trust shall have funds available therefor. If the Company does not make interest or principal payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by such Conseco Trust, such Conseco Trust will not pay distributions on the Preferred Securities issued by such Conseco Trust and will not have funds available therefore.
The Company has also agreed to guarantee the obligations of each Conseco Trust with respect to the Common Securities (the "Common Guarantee") issued by such Conseco Trust to the same extent as the Trust Guarantee, except that, if an Event of Default under the Subordinated Indenture has occurred and is continuing, holders of Preferred Securities under the Trust Guarantee shall have priority over holders of the Common Securities under the Trust Common Guarantee with respect to distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption or otherwise.
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
In each Trust Guarantee, the Company will covenant that, so long as any Preferred Securities issued by the applicable Conseco Trust remain outstanding, if there shall have occurred any event of default under such Trust Guarantee or under the Declaration of such Conseco Trust, then (a) the Company will not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock; (b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including guarantees) issued by the Company which rank pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities issued to the applicable Conseco Trust and (c) the Company shall not make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing (other than pursuant to a Trust Guarantee); provided, however, that the Company
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may (i) declare and pay a stock dividend where the dividend stock is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid and (ii) purchase or acquire shares of Company Common Stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Company of its obligations under any employee benefit plans.
MODIFICATION OF THE TRUST GUARANTEES; ASSIGNMENT
Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of holders of Preferred Securities (in which case no consent of such holders will be required), each Trust Guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation amount of the outstanding Preferred Securities of such Conseco Trust. The manner of obtaining any such approval of holders of such Preferred Securities will be set forth in accompanying Prospectus Supplement. All guarantees and agreements contained in a Trust Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities of the applicable Conseco Trust then outstanding.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
An event of default under a Trust Guarantee will occur upon the failure of the Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations thereunder. The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities to which such Trust Guarantee relates have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee in respect of such Trust Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee under such Trust Guarantee.
If the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce such Trust Guarantee, any record holder of Preferred Securities to which such Trust Guarantee relates may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee's rights under such Trust Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the applicable Conseco Trust, the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company has failed to make a Guarantee Payment under a Trust Guarantee, a record holder of Preferred Securities to which such Trust Guarantee relates may directly institute a proceeding against the Company for enforcement of such Trust Guarantee for such payment to the record holder of the Preferred Securities to which such Trust Guarantee relates of the principal of or interest on the applicable Subordinated Debt Securities on or after the respective due dates specified in the Subordinated Debt Securities, and the amount of the payment will be based on the holder's pro rata share of the amount due and owing on all of the Preferred Securities to which such Trust Guarantee relates. The Company has waived any right or remedy to require that any action be brought first against the applicable Conseco Trust or any other person or entity before proceeding directly against the Company. The record holder in the case of the issuance of one or more global Preferred Securities certificates will be The Depository Trust Company acting at the direction of the beneficial owners of the Preferred Securities.
The Company will be required to provide annually to the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee a statement as to the performance by the Company of certain of its obligations under each outstanding Trust Guarantee and as to any default in such performance.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee, prior to the occurrence of a default to a Trust Guarantee, undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in such Trust Guarantee and, after default with respect to such Trust Guarantee, shall exercise the same degree of care as a prudent individual would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to such provision, the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by a Trust Guarantee at the request of any holder of Preferred Securities to which such Trust Guarantee relates unless it is offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred thereby.
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TERMINATION
Each Trust Guarantee will terminate as to the Preferred Securities issued by the applicable Conseco Trust upon full payment of the Redemption Price of all Preferred Securities of such Conseco Trust, upon distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities held by such Conseco Trust to the holders of all of the Preferred Securities of such Conseco Trust or upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration of such Conseco Trust upon liquidation of such Conseco Trust. Each Trust Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of Preferred Securities issued by the applicable Conseco Trust must restore payment of any sums paid under such Preferred Securities or such Trust Guarantee.
STATUS OF THE TRUST GUARANTEES
The Trust Guarantees will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Company and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Company, including the Subordinated Debt Securities, except those liabilities of the Company made pari passu or subordinate by their terms,
(ii) pari passu with the most senior preferred or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Company and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Company in respect of any preferred or preference stock of any affiliate of the Company and (iii) senior to the Company's Common Stock. The terms of the Preferred Securities provide that each holder of Preferred Securities by acceptance thereof agrees to the subordination provisions and other terms of the Trust Guarantee relating thereto.
Each Trust Guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection (that is, the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce its rights under such Trust Guarantee without instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity).
GOVERNING LAW
The Trust Guarantees will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Company and/or any Conseco Trust may sell any of the Securities being offered hereby in any one or more of the following ways from time to time: (i) through agents; (ii) to or through underwriters; (iii) through dealers; or (iv) directly to purchasers.
The Prospectus Supplement with respect to the Securities will set forth the terms of the offering of the Securities, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; the purchase price of the Securities and the proceeds to the Company and/or a Conseco Trust from such sale; any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters' or agents' compensation; any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed. Any initial public offering price, discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
The distribution of the Securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
Offers to purchase Securities may be solicited by agents designated by the Company from time to time. Any such agent involved in the offer or sale of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust to such agent will be set forth, in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in such Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a reasonable best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the Securities so offered and sold.
26

If Securities are sold by means of an underwritten offering, the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust will execute an underwriting agreement with an underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for such sale is reached, and the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transaction, including commissions, discounts and any other compensation of the underwriters and dealers, if any, will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered to the public. If underwriters are utilized in the sale of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered, the Securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying prices determined by the underwriter at the time of sale. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by the managing underwriters. If any underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale of the Securities, unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the underwriting agreement will provide that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters with respect to a sale of Securities will be obligated to purchase all such Securities of a series if any are purchased.
If a dealer is utilized in the sales of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered, the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust will sell such Securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell such Securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. Any such dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter, as such term is defined in the Securities Act, of the Securities so offered and sold. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
Offers to purchase Securities may be solicited directly by the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust and the sale thereof may be made by the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale thereof. The terms of any such sales will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under relevant agreements to indemnification or contribution by the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Agents, underwriters and dealers may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, the Company and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
Securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more firms ("remarketing firms"), acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with its compensation will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as such term is defined in the Securities Act, in connection with the Securities remarketed thereby. Remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust to indemnification or contribution by the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for Conseco and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain types of institutions to purchase Securities from the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust at the public offering prices set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts ("Contracts") providing for payment and delivery on a specified date or dates in the future. A commission indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement will be paid to underwriters, dealers and agents soliciting purchases of Securities pursuant to Contracts accepted by the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the legal validity of Securities (other than the Preferred Securities) will be passed upon for the Company by Karl W. Kindig, Senior Vice President, Legal of Conseco Services, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company. Mr. Kindig is a full-time employee of the Company and owns shares and holds options to purchase shares of Company common stock.
Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the Preferred Securities will be passed upon for the Conseco Trusts by Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., Wilmington, Delaware, special Delaware counsel to the Conseco Trusts.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and schedules of the Company as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein and are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE APPLICABLE PRICING SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE APPLICABLE PRICING SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE AGENTS. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE APPLICABLE PRICING SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE APPLICABLE PRICING SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                               PAGE
                                               ----
               PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Cautionary Statements Regarding
  Forward-Looking Statements.................   S-2
Risk Factors Relating to the Notes...........   S-2
Use of Proceeds..............................   S-5
Description of Notes.........................   S-5
Special Provisions Relating to Foreign
  Currency Notes.............................  S-23
Certain United States Federal Income Tax
  Considerations.............................  S-25
Supplemental Plan of Distribution............  S-40
Legal Matters................................  S-41
                    PROSPECTUS
Available Information........................     3
Incorporation of Certain Documents By
  Reference..................................     4
The Company..................................     5
The Conseco Trusts...........................     5
Use of Proceeds..............................     6
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges, Earnings
  to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock
  Dividends and Earnings to Fixed Charges,
  Preferred Stock Dividends and Distributions
  on Company-Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable
  Preferred Securities of Subsidiary
  Trusts.....................................     6
Description of Debt Securities...............     7
Description of Capital Stock.................    15
Description of Depositary Shares.............    18
Description of Warrants......................    22
Description of Preferred Securities of the
  Conseco Trusts.............................    22
Description of Trust Guarantees..............    23
Plan of Distribution.........................    26
Legal Matters................................    28
Experts......................................    28	

$1,250,000,000 
CONSECO, INC.
SENIOR MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES A
SUBORDINATED MEDIUM-TERM NOTES,
SERIES A
DUE NINE MONTHS OR MORE
FROM DATE OF ISSUE

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
BANCAMERICA ROBERTSON STEPHENS
CHASE SECURITIES INC.
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES
FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES LLC
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
SBC WARBURG DILLON READ INC.
 June 8, 1998