Form of 4.400% Note due 2030

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Note Agreements
EX-4.6 6 c95991_ex4-6.htm

Exhibit 4.6

 

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, NOT TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ADDITIONAL SECURITY OF THIS SERIES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THE SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THE SECURITY),] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE DATE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) WAS FIRST OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN RULE 902 OF REGULATION S) IN RELIANCE ON REGULATION S,] OTHER THAN (A) TO THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTOR OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER AND TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-US PERSONS (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM.

 

[IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF A U.S. PERSON, OTHER THAN A DISTRIBUTOR, AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.]

 

Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), to the Company or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

 

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY.

 

GE CAPITAL FUNDING, LLC

 

4.400% Note due 2030

 

No. [    ] $[        ]

 

CUSIP No. [    ]

 

GE Capital Funding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of General Electric Company, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (the “Guarantor”), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum of [   ] DOLLARS ($[       ]) on May 15, 2030, and to pay interest thereon from May 18, 2020 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semiannually on May 15 and November 15 in each year, commencing November 15, 2020, at the rate of 4.400% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment. The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this Security is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable. A “Business Day” shall mean, when used with respect to any Place of Payment, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law or regulation to close. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record

 

Date for such interest, which shall be May 1 or November 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date, provided that interest payable at the Maturity of the principal hereof or on a Redemption Date shall be payable to the Person to whom the principal of this Security is paid. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Securities of this series may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

 

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Paying Agent maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in writing by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register at least fifteen days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date.

 

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual, facsimile or electronic signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

Dated: June 15, 2020

 

  GE CAPITAL FUNDING, LLC
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

[Signature Page to 4.400% Note due 2030]

 

REVERSE OF SECURITY

 

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of May 18, 2020 (herein called the “Indenture,” which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company, the Guarantor and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, limited in aggregate principal amount to $1,500,000,000; provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this series may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect; and provided further, that additional Securities of this series may not be issued under the same CUSIP number unless such additional Securities and the original Securities of this series are fungible for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and provided further, that additional Securities of this series will rank equally and ratably with this series in all respects, or in all respects except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of those additional Securities.

 

The Securities of this series will be consolidated with, have the same CUSIP and ISIN number as, and form a single series with the $1,400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.400% Notes due 2030 issued by the Company on May 18, 2020.

 

The Securities of this series are subject to redemption on at least 10 days’, but not more than 60 days’, notice by mail, at any time and from time to time prior to the Par Call Date, as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities of this series to be redeemed; and (2) the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments (as defined below) on the Securities of this series to be redeemed (exclusive of interest accrued and unpaid to, but not including, the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis, assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 50 basis points; plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest to, if any, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

 

The Securities of this series are subject to redemption on at least 10 days’, but not more than 60 days’, notice by mail, at any time and from time to time after the Par Call Date, as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Securities to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

 

With respect to the foregoing, “Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Securities of this series to be

 

redeemed (assuming that such Securities matured on the applicable Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a comparable maturity to the remaining term of such Securities (assuming that such Securities matured on the applicable Par Call Date). “Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (A) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations. “Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Company. “Par Call Date” means February 15, 2030. “Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., an affiliate of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC and a Primary Treasury Dealer (as defined below) selected by SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., which are primary U.S. Government securities dealers in The City of New York (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), and their respective successors plus three other Primary Treasury Dealers selected by the Company; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing or their affiliates ceases to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer. “Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker by the Reference Treasury Dealers at 3:30 p.m. New York time on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date. “Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to each Security of this series to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due after the related Redemption Date but for such redemption if such Securities matured on the Par Call Date; provided, however, that, if such Redemption Date is not an Interest Payment Date with respect to such Securities, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be deemed to be reduced (solely for the purposes of this calculation) by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such Redemption Date. “Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated yield to maturity, computed as of the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date, of the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for such Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the applicable Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

 

In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

 

The Indenture contains provisions for satisfaction and discharge of the entire indebtedness of this Security upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

 

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security or certain covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

 

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the Guarantor, and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of all series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of all series to be affected, treated as one class. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company or the Guarantor with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

 

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and the Trustee shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for herein.

 

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

 

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company

 

and the Security Registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

The Securities of this series are issuable only in fully registered, book-entry form without coupons in denominations of $200,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

 

All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

THE INDENTURE AND THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

 

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.

 

Date:  June 15, 2020 The Bank of New York Mellon,
As Trustee
     
  By:            
    Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to 4.400% Note due 2030]

 

GUARANTEE

 

For value received, the Guarantor hereby fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees for the benefit of each Holder the due and punctual payment of all of the obligations of Company under the Indenture and the Securities, whether for the payment of principal, of premium, if any, or interest, together with any Additional Interest, if any on the Securities or otherwise, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise. This Guarantee will not become effective until the Trustee or authenticating agent duly executes the certificate of authentication on this Security.

 

The Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be irrevocable and unconditional, irrespective of the validity, legality or enforceability of any Security to which this Guarantee applies, the absence of any action to enforce such Security, the recovery of any judgment against the Company or any action to enforce the same or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding of or with respect to the Company or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. The Guarantor hereby expressly waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all rights of setoff, recoupment and counterclaim (provided that nothing herein shall prevent the assertions of such claims by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim), the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting the Guarantor’s liability hereunder, diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding of or with respect to the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest or notice with respect to said Security or the indebtedness evidenced thereby and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in this Guarantee. The Guarantor hereby further expressly waives all other defenses or benefits with respect to this Guarantee that may be afforded by applicable law limiting the liability of or exonerating guarantors as sureties.

 

An Event of Default under, non-payment of or acceleration of any series of the Securities shall entitle the Holders thereof to exercise their rights and remedies against the Guarantor under its Guarantee in the same manner and to the same extent as they have the right to do so against the Company under the terms of the Indenture when and as originally executed (as amended pursuant to the terms of the Indenture). If any principal, interest or other amounts on any Security is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding of or with respect to the Company, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, the Guarantor’s obligations under its Guarantee with respect to such payment will be reinstated as though such payment has been due but not made at such time.

 

Until the Holder of said Security has received, from the Company or out of its assets, or from the Guarantor or out of its assets, moneys which such Holder is entitled to retain for its own account, equal in the aggregate to the unpaid principal amount of (including premium, if any, on) said Security plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and any additional amounts with respect to each Security, the Guarantor will remain liable on its Guarantee.

 

The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holder of the Security to which its Guarantee applies against the Company in respect of any amounts paid by such Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of such Guarantee; provided that the Guarantor shall not be entitled to enforce or receive any payment arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts due on or to become due on or in respect of all the Securities to which the Guarantees relate shall have been paid in full or duly provided for.

 

This Guarantee constitutes a guarantee of payment and not collection and is unsecured and ranks equally and ratably with all other unsecured obligations of the Guarantor.

 

THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

 

Dated: June 15, 2020

 

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

 

By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Guarantee of 4.400% Note due 2030]