S-3ASR
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2022

Registration No. 333-          

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

CME GROUP INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   36-4459170

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

20 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

(312) 930-1000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Kathleen M. Cronin, Esq.

Senior Managing Director, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

CME Group Inc.

20 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

(312) 930-1000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copy to:

Michael J. Zeidel, Esq.

Michael J. Hong, Esq.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

One Manhattan West

New York, NY 10001

(212) 735-3000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS

 

 

LOGO

Debt Securities

Class A Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

 

 

From time to time, we may offer debt securities, Class A Common Stock, Preferred Stock or warrants.

We will provide the specific terms of any offering and the offered securities in supplements to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you make your investment decision.

We may sell the securities to or through underwriters and also to other purchasers or through agents. The names of the underwriters will be stated in the prospectus supplements and other offering material. We may also sell securities directly to investors. The securities also may be resold by selling securityholders, whether or not they own securities on the date hereof.

This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement or a free writing prospectus.

Our Class A Common Stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CME.” Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully read and consider the risk factors included in our periodic reports, in any prospectus supplements relating to specific offerings of securities and in other documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). See “Risk Factors” on page 6 and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

None of the SEC, any state securities commission or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of any of these securities or determined if this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is March 1, 2022.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     1  

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     2  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     3  

CME GROUP INC.

     5  

RISK FACTORS

     6  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     6  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     7  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     15  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     21  

LEGAL MATTERS

     22  

EXPERTS

     22  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf’ registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell, from time to time, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, at our discretion in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time that securities are sold, a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus containing specific information about the terms of that offering, including the securities offered, will be provided. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement or other offering material about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are only summaries. If SEC rules require that any agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, you should refer to that agreement or document for its complete contents. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus is accurate on any date other than the date of such document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus is delivered or securities are sold on a later date. Neither the delivery of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus nor any distribution of securities pursuant to such documents shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the information set forth in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus or in our affairs since the date of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus.

Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, in this prospectus the terms “CME Group,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to CME Group Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements and other materials with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including CME Group Inc., that file electronically with the SEC.

General information about us, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments and exhibits to those reports, is available free of charge through our Internet website at http://investor.cmegroup.com/investor-relations. Information on our Internet website is not incorporated into this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or our other securities filings and is not a part of this prospectus or any such prospectus supplement or other securities filings.

 

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC’s rules allow “incorporation by reference” into this prospectus of information contained in documents that we file with the SEC. This permits us to disclose important information to you by referring you to those filed documents. Any information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and any information that we file with the SEC and incorporate herein by reference (or that is so filed and deemed incorporated herein by reference) after the date of this prospectus will be deemed automatically to update and supersede this information. The following documents previously filed with the SEC are incorporated herein by reference (other than documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022;

 

   

the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on March 18, 2021; and

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 3, 2022 and February 17, 2022; and

 

   

the description of our Class A Common Stock contained in the prospectus included in our Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, which description is incorporated by reference in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on November 29, 2002, including any amendments or reports filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description.

Whenever after the date of this prospectus, and before the termination of the offering of the securities made under this prospectus, we file reports or documents under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, those reports and documents will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus from the time they are filed (other than documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules). Any statement made in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, without charge, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus, excluding any exhibits other than exhibits that are specifically incorporated by reference in that information. Requests should be directed to the following address, telephone number or email:

CME Group Inc.

20 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Tel: (312) 930-3484

Attention: Investor Relations

Email: investors@cmegroup.com

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, as well as those contained in other written reports and verbal statements, that are not historical facts, including discussions of our expectations regarding future performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “estimate,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “expect” and similar expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data, current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industries in which we operate and management’s beliefs and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. We want to caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the factors that might affect our performance are:

 

   

increasing competition by foreign and domestic entities, including increased competition from new entrants into our markets and consolidation of existing entities;

 

   

our ability to keep pace with rapid technological developments, including our ability to complete the development, implementation and maintenance of the enhanced functionality required by our customers while maintaining reliability and ensuring that such technology is not vulnerable to security risks;

 

   

our ability to continue introducing competitive new products and services on a timely, cost-effective basis, including through our electronic trading capabilities, and our ability to maintain the competitiveness of our existing products and services, including our ability to provide effective services to the swaps market;

 

   

our ability to adjust our fixed costs and expenses if our revenues decline;

 

   

our ability to maintain existing customers at substantially similar trading levels, develop strategic relationships and attract new customers;

 

   

our ability to expand and globally offer our products and services;

 

   

changes in regulations, including the impact of any changes in laws or government policies with respect to our products or services or our industry, such as any changes to regulations and policies that require increased financial and operational resources from us or our customers, as well as the impact or escalation of geopolitical events;

 

   

the costs associated with protecting our intellectual property rights and our ability to operate our business without violating the intellectual property rights of others;

 

   

decreases in revenue from our market data as a result of decreased demand or changes to regulations in various jurisdictions;

 

   

changes in our rate per contract due to shifts in the mix of the products traded, the trading venue and the mix of customers (whether the customer receives member or non-member fees or participates in one of our various incentive programs) and the impact of our tiered pricing structure;

 

   

the ability of our credit and liquidity risk management practices to adequately protect us from the credit risks of clearing members and other counterparties, and to satisfy the margin and liquidity requirements associated with the BrokerTec matched principal business;

 

   

the ability of our compliance and risk management programs to effectively monitor and manage our risks, including our ability to prevent errors and misconduct and protect our infrastructure against security breaches and misappropriation of our intellectual property assets;

 

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our dependence on third-party providers and exposure to risk through third parties, including risks related to the performance, reliability and security of technology used by our third-party providers;

 

   

volatility in commodity, equity and fixed income prices, and price volatility of financial benchmarks and instruments such as interest rates, credit spreads, equity indices, fixed income instruments and foreign exchange rates;

 

   

economic, social, political and market conditions, including the volatility of the capital and credit markets and the impact of economic conditions on the trading activity of our current and potential customers;

 

   

the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and response by governments and other third parties;

 

   

our ability to accommodate increases in contract volume and order transaction traffic and to implement enhancements without failure or degradation of the performance of our trading and clearing systems;

 

   

our ability to execute our growth strategy and maintain our growth effectively;

 

   

our ability to manage the risks, control the costs and achieve the synergies associated with our strategy for acquisitions, investments and alliances, including those associated with our joint venture with IHS Markit and our partnership with Google Cloud;

 

   

uncertainty related to the transition from LIBOR;

 

   

our ability to continue to generate funds and/or manage our indebtedness to allow us to continue to invest in our business;

 

   

industry and customer consolidation;

 

   

decreases in trading and clearing activity;

 

   

the imposition of a transaction tax or user fee on futures and options transactions and/or repeal of the 60/40 tax treatment of such transactions;

 

   

our ability to maintain our brand and reputation; and

 

   

the unfavorable resolution of material legal proceedings.

The factors identified above are believed to be important factors, but not necessarily all of the important factors, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Unpredictable or unknown factors could also have material adverse effects on us. All forward-looking statements included in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements and by the risk factors included in this prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, rule or regulation, we undertake no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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CME GROUP INC.

This summary highlights information about CME Group. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our securities. You should read carefully this entire prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents that we incorporate herein and therein by reference, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and our financial statements and related notes. You may obtain a copy of the documents that we incorporate by reference without charge by following the instructions in “Where You Can Find More Information.”

CME Group enables clients to trade futures, options, cash and over-the-counter (OTC) markets, optimize portfolios, and analyze data—empowering market participants worldwide to efficiently manage risk and capture opportunities.

CME Group exchanges offer the widest range of global benchmark products across interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange (FX), agricultural commodities, energy and metals. We also offer cash and repo fixed income trading via BrokerTec, and cash and OTC FX trading via EBS. In addition, we operate one of the world’s leading central counterparty clearing providers, CME Clearing, operated by CME.

CME Group Inc. is a Delaware corporation incorporated in 2001. CME Group Inc.’s Class A Common Stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CME.” Our principal executive offices are located at 20 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and our telephone number is (312) 930-1000.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks. Before you decide whether to purchase any of our securities, in addition to the other information, documents or reports included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or other offering materials, you should carefully consider the risk factors in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in any prospectus supplement as well as our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Current Reports on Form 8-K filed subsequently to the Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement in their entirety, as the same may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by our filings under the Exchange Act. For more information, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” These risks could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities described in this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include, without limitation, acquisitions, debt repayments or other purposes. We may temporarily invest the net proceeds or use them to repay short term debt until they are used for their stated purpose.

We will not receive any proceeds in the event that securities are sold by a selling securityholder unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Senior and Subordinated Debt Securities

As used in this prospectus, debt securities means the debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness that we may issue from time to time. The debt securities will either be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture dated as of August 12, 2008 between us and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture, to be entered into between us and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. This prospectus sometimes refers to the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture collectively as the indentures. The senior indenture and a form of the subordinated indenture have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

The statements and descriptions in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement regarding provisions of the indentures and debt securities are summaries thereof, do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indentures (and any amendments or supplements we may enter into from time to time as permitted under each indenture) and the debt securities, including the definitions therein of certain terms.

As used in this “Description of Debt Securities,” the terms “CME Group,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to CME Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, and do not, unless otherwise provided, include subsidiaries of CME Group Inc.

General

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be direct unsecured obligations of CME Group. The senior debt securities will rank equally with any of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any senior debt, as defined, and described more fully, under “—Subordination,” to the extent and in the manner set forth in the subordinated indenture.

The indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that we may issue and provide that we may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series, in each case with the same or various maturities, at par or at a discount. Unless indicated in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of the issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the applicable indenture and will be equal in ranking.

In the event that our secured creditors, if any, exercise their rights with respect to our assets pledged to them, our secured creditors would be entitled to be repaid in full from the proceeds of those assets before those proceeds would be available for distribution to our other creditors, including the holders of debt securities of any series.

CME Group’s subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the debt securities of any series or to make any funds available to CME Group, whether by dividend, loan or other payment, unless such subsidiaries guarantee the debt securities issued by CME Group. Therefore, without such guarantees, the assets of CME Group’s subsidiaries will be subject to the prior claims of all their respective creditors, including the lenders under any credit facilities maintained by our subsidiaries and trade creditors of our subsidiaries. The payment of dividends or the making of loans or advances to CME Group by its subsidiaries may be subject to contractual, statutory or regulatory restrictions, are contingent upon the earnings of those subsidiaries and are subject to various business considerations.

 

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Prospectus Supplement

Each prospectus supplement will describe the terms relating to the specific series of debt securities being offered. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

   

the title of the debt securities and whether they are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;

 

   

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of debt securities of such series;

 

   

the purchase price for the debt securities and the denominations of the debt securities, if other than denominations of $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000;

 

   

the date or dates upon which the debt securities are payable and whether the stated maturity date may be extended or the method used to determine or extend those dates;

 

   

the rate or rates at which the debt securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, which may be fixed or variable, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined;

 

   

the basis for calculating interest if other than a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

   

the date or dates from which any interest will accrue or the method by which such date or dates will be determined;

 

   

the dates on which we will pay interest on the debt securities and the regular record date for determining who is entitled to the interest payable on any interest payment date, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined;

 

   

the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of any such deferral period;

 

   

any provisions that would determine payments on the debt securities by reference to any index, formula or other method, and the manner of determining the amount of such payments;

 

   

the place or places where payments on the debt securities will be payable, where any securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion, as applicable, and notices and demands may be delivered to or upon us pursuant to the applicable indenture;

 

   

the rate or rates of amortization of the debt securities, if any;

 

   

our obligation or discretion, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase debt securities by making periodic payments to a sinking fund or through an analogous provision or at the option of holders of the debt securities, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which any debt securities of such series shall be redeemed, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

   

the terms and conditions, if any, regarding the mandatory conversion or exchange of debt securities;

 

   

the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which any debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option and, if other than by a board resolution, the manner in which any election by us to redeem the debt securities shall be evidenced;

 

   

any restriction or condition on the transferability of the debt securities of a particular series;

 

   

the portion, or methods of determining the portion, of the principal amount of the debt securities which we must pay upon the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities in connection with an event of default, as defined below, if other than the full principal amount;

 

   

the currency or currencies in which the debt securities will be denominated and in which principal, any premium and any interest will or may be payable or a description of any units based on or relating to a currency or currencies in which the debt securities will be denominated;

 

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provisions, if any, granting special rights to holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events;

 

   

any deletions from or modifications or additions to the events of default or our covenants with respect to the applicable series of debt securities, and any provision for the suspension of certain covenants based on credit ratings or other criteria applicable to us or securities issued by us;

 

   

the application, if any, of the terms of the applicable indenture relating to discharge, defeasance and covenant defeasance, which terms are described below, to the debt securities;

 

   

the terms, if any, upon which the holders may convert or exchange the debt securities into or for our common stock, preferred stock or other securities or property;

 

   

whether we are issuing the debt securities in whole or in part in global form;

 

   

the depositary for global or certificated debt securities;

 

   

the names of any trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or other agents with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

to whom any interest on any debt security shall be payable, if other than the person in whose name the security is registered on the record date for such interest, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global debt security will be paid if other than in the manner provided in the applicable indenture;

 

   

if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of any debt security of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the stated maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such debt securities as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or which shall be deemed to be outstanding as of any date prior to the stated maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);

 

   

whether, under what circumstances and the currency in which we will pay any additional amounts on the debt securities as contemplated in the applicable indenture in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay such additional amounts (and the terms of any such option);

 

   

whether and the extent to which the debt securities are entitled to the benefits of any guarantees by any of our subsidiaries or any other form of guarantee;

 

   

whether the subordination provisions summarized below or different subordination provisions will apply to the debt securities; and

 

   

any other specific terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the indenture.

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and will be issued in fully-registered form without coupons.

Holders of the debt securities may present their securities for exchange and may present registered debt securities for transfer in the manner described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as limited by the applicable indenture, we will provide these services without charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with the exchange or transfer.

Debt securities may bear interest at a fixed rate or a variable rate, as specified in the prospectus supplement. In addition, if specified in the prospectus supplement, we may sell debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate, or at a discount below their stated principal amount. We will describe in the prospectus supplement any special federal income tax considerations applicable to these discounted debt securities.

 

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Subordination

The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of subordinated debt securities will describe the specific subordination provisions. However, unless otherwise noted in the prospectus supplement, subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any existing senior debt of CME Group.

The subordinated indenture does not limit the issuance of additional senior debt.

Restrictive Covenants

We will describe any restrictive covenants, including restrictions on any subsidiary, for any series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material for each offering of such debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets and Other Transactions

Unless otherwise noted in a prospectus supplement, we will not merge with or into or consolidate with any other person or sell, assign, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of our properties and assets, taken as a whole, to any other person other than a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, and we will not permit any person (other than a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ours) to merge with or into or consolidate with us or sell, assign, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of its properties and assets to us, unless:

 

   

we are the surviving corporation or, in case we merge into or consolidate with another person or sell, assign, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person, the person into which we are merged or formed by such consolidation or the person which acquires or leases all or substantially all of our properties and assets is a corporation, partnership or trust organized

 

   

the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all of our obligations under the applicable indenture;

 

   

immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default under the applicable indenture has occurred and is continuing; and

 

   

we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with the applicable indenture provisions described in this paragraph and that all conditions precedent provided for in the applicable indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

Unless a prospectus supplement states otherwise, the following shall constitute events of default under the indentures with respect to each series of debt securities:

 

   

our failure to pay any interest on any debt security of such series when due and payable, continued for 30 days;

 

   

our failure to pay principal (or premium, if any) on any debt security of such series when due, regardless of whether such payment became due because of maturity, redemption, acceleration or otherwise, or is required by any sinking fund established with respect to such series;

 

   

our failure to observe or perform any other of its covenants or warranties with respect to such debt securities for 90 days after we receive notice of such failure;

 

   

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of CME Group; and

 

   

any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series.

 

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If an event of default with respect to any debt securities of any series outstanding under either of the indentures shall occur and be continuing, the trustee under such indenture or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series outstanding may declare, by notice as provided in the applicable indenture, the principal amount (or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the debt securities of that series) of all the debt securities of that series outstanding to be due and payable immediately; provided that, in the case of an event of default involving certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, acceleration is automatic; and, provided further, that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all events of default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, have been cured or waived. Upon the acceleration of the maturity of original issue discount securities, an amount less than the principal amount thereof will become due and payable. Reference is made to the prospectus supplement relating to any original issue discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of maturity thereof.

Any past default under either indenture with respect to debt securities of any series, and any event of default arising therefrom, may be waived by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of such series outstanding under such indenture, except in the case of (1) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any debt securities of such series or (2) default in respect of a covenant or provision which may not be amended or modified without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of such series affected.

The trustee is required within 90 days after the occurrence of an event of default (which is known to the trustee and is continuing), with respect to the debt securities of any series (without regard to any grace period or notice requirements), to give to the holders of the debt securities of such series notice of such event of default.

The trustee may require indemnification by the holders of the debt securities of any series with respect to which an event of default has occurred before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the indentures at the request of the holders of the debt securities of such series. Subject to such right of indemnification and to certain other limitations, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series under either indenture may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series, provided that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with the applicable indenture and the trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

No holder of a debt security of any series may institute any action against us under either of the indentures (except actions for payment of overdue principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such debt security or for the conversion or exchange of such debt security in accordance with its terms) unless:

 

   

the holder has given to the trustee written notice of an event of default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the debt securities of such series specifying an event of default, as required under the applicable indenture;

 

   

the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding under such indenture shall have requested the trustee to institute such action and offered to the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

   

the trustee shall not have instituted such action within 60 days of such request; and

 

   

no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series.

We are required to furnish periodically to the trustee statements as to our compliance with all conditions and covenants under each indenture.

 

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Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

We may discharge or defease our obligations under the indenture as set forth below, unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement.

We may discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of debt securities issued under either the senior indenture or the subordinated indenture which have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and which have either become due and payable or are by their terms due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by irrevocably depositing with the trustee money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such debt securities not previously delivered to the trustee for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of debt securities which have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, and we have paid all other sums payable under the applicable indenture.

If indicated in a prospectus supplement, we may elect either (1) 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) (referred to as defeasance) or (2) to be released from our obligations with respect to certain covenants applicable to the debt securities of or within any series (referred to as covenant defeasance), upon the deposit with the relevant indenture 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 to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) 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, we 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 (1) above, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the IRS or a change in applicable federal income tax law occurring after the date of the relevant indenture. In addition, in the case of either defeasance or covenant defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such defeasance or covenant defeasance have been complied with.

We may exercise our defeasance option with respect to such debt securities notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option.

Modification and Waiver

Under the indentures, we and the applicable trustee may supplement the indentures for certain purposes which would not have a material adverse effect on the interests or rights of the holders of debt securities of a series without the consent of those holders. We and the applicable trustee may also modify the indentures or any supplemental indenture in a manner that affects the interests or rights of the holders of debt securities with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series issued under the indenture. However, the indentures require the consent of each holder of debt securities that would be affected by any modification which would:

 

   

change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt securities of any series; 12

 

   

reduce the principal amount of, or the rate of interest on, or any premium payable upon the redemption of, any debt securities of any series;

 

   

change our obligation to pay any additional amounts required to be paid in respect of certain taxes, assessments or governmental charges imposed on holders of the debt securities, as the case may be, except as otherwise contemplated by the applicable indenture;

 

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reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount debt security or any other debt security that would be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;

 

   

change the place of payment where, or the currency in which, any debt security or any premium or interest thereon is payable;

 

   

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any debt security on or after the stated maturity thereof (or in the case of a redemption, on or after the redemption date);

 

   

reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of the indentures or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indentures or for waiver of certain defaults thereunder and their consequences;

 

   

make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any debt security or decreases the conversion or exchange rate or increases the conversion price of any convertible or exchangeable debt security; or

 

   

modify any of the above provisions or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of certain past defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect such action or to provide that certain other provisions cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby.

The indentures permit the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series issued under the indentures which is affected by the modification or amendment to waive our compliance with certain covenants contained in the indentures.

The subordinated indenture may not be amended to alter the subordination of any outstanding subordinated debt securities without the consent of each holder of then outstanding senior indebtedness that would be adversely affected by the amendment.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name a debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal, interest and premium on the debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such paying agent or paying agents as we may designate for such purpose from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at our option, payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address appears in the security register.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, a paying agent designated by us will act as paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. All paying agents initially designated by us for the debt securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

All monies paid by us to a paying agent for the payment of the principal, interest or premium on any debt security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, interest or premium has become due and payable will be repaid to us upon request, and the holder of such debt security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to us for payment thereof.

 

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Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable, in which case the Trust Indenture Act will govern.

Concerning the Trustee

We anticipate appointing U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, the trustee under the indentures, as the paying agent, conversion agent, registrar and custodian with regard to the debt securities. As of the date of this prospectus, U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association is a lender under our multi-currency revolving senior credit facility and under the 364-day multi-currency revolving secured credit facility of our subsidiary Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. The trustee or its affiliates may in the future provide banking and other services to us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their respective businesses.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following is a description of our capital stock. The following description is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and the relevant provisions of Delaware law.

As used in this “Description of Capital Stock,” the terms “CME Group,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to CME Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, and do not, unless otherwise provided, include subsidiaries of CME Group Inc.

General

Our authorized capital stock of 1,010,003,138 shares consists of the following:

 

   

1,000,000,000 authorized shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”);

 

   

625 authorized shares of Class B-1 Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Class B-1 Common Stock”);

 

   

813 authorized shares of Class B-2 Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Class B-2 Common Stock”);

 

   

1,287 authorized shares of Class B-3 Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Class B-3 Common Stock”);

 

   

413 authorized shares of Class B-4 Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Class B-4 Common Stock”); and

 

   

10,000,000 authorized shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

The term “Class B Common Stock” means, collectively, Class B-1 Common Stock, Class B-2 Common Stock, Class B-3 Common Stock and Class B-4 Common Stock. As of February 9, 2022, there were 359,394,585 shares of Class A Common Stock, 625 shares of Class B-1 Common Stock, 813 shares of Class B-2 Common Stock, 1,287 shares of Class B-3 Common Stock and 413 shares of Class B-4 Common Stock issued and outstanding. As of February 9, 2022, there were 4.6 million shares of non-voting Series G preferred stock outstanding. From time to time in this prospectus, we refer to the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock collectively as the common stock.

Common Stock

With the exception of the matters reserved to holders of Class B Common Stock, holders of common stock vote together on all matters for which a vote of common shareholders is required. In these votes, each holder of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock has one vote per share. Matters reserved to the holders of Class B Common Stock, votes applicable to each class of Class B Common Stock in these matters and certain voting restrictions on holders of Class B Common Stock are described below under “—Additional Provisions of Class B Common Stock.”

Holders of common stock are entitled to receive, and to share equally on a per share basis in, such dividends and other distributions, if any, as may be declared by our board of directors (“Board”), subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock. Holders of our common stock have no conversion, preemptive or subscription rights. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of CME Group, holders of common stock are entitled to receive any amounts available for distribution to holders of common stock after the payment of, or provision for, obligations of CME Group and any preferential amounts payable to holders of any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.

 

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Additional Provisions of Class B Common Stock

The Class B Common Stock comprises four classes with the following characteristics:

 

Class

  Authorized
Number
of Shares
   

Associated Exchange Membership

  Number of
Directors
Class
Can Elect
  Number of
Votes Per Share
on
“Core Rights”

Class B-1 Common Stock

    625     CME Division   3   6

Class B-2 Common Stock

    813     International Monetary Market Division   2   2

Class B-3 Common Stock

    1,287     Index and Option Market Division   1   1

Class B-4 Common Stock

    413     Growth and Emerging Markets Division   0   1/6

Associated Exchange Membership. Each class of Class B Common Stock is associated with a membership in a specific division for trading at Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. (“CME”). A CME trading right is a separate asset that is not part of or evidenced by the associated share of Class B Common Stock. The Class B Common Stock is intended only to ensure that the holders of Class B Common Stock retain rights with respect to the election of six members to the Board and approval rights with respect to the Core Rights described below.

Commitment to Open Outcry. Our certificate of incorporation includes a commitment to maintain open outcry floor trading on CME for a particular traded product as long as the open outcry market meets any of the liquidity tests specified in our certificate of incorporation. The commitment requires us to maintain a facility for conducting business, for disseminating price information and for clearing and delivery and to provide reasonable financial support for technology, marketing and research for open outcry markets. If, as a result of a failure to meet the liquidity tests, an open outcry market is not deemed “liquid,” our Board may determine whether that market will be closed.

Voting on Core Rights. Holders of shares of our Class B Common Stock have the right to approve changes to specified rights relating to the trading privileges at CME associated with those shares. These “Core Rights” consist of:

 

   

the divisional product allocation rules applicable to each membership class as set forth in the rules of CME;

 

   

the trading floor access rights and privileges granted to members of CME;

 

   

the number of authorized and issued shares of any class of Class B Common Stock; and

 

   

the eligibility requirements for any person to exercise any of the trading rights or privileges of members in CME.

Votes on changes to Core Rights are weighted by class. Each class of Class B Common Stock has the following number of votes on matters relating to Core Rights: Class B-1 Common Stock, six votes per share; Class B-2 Common Stock, two votes per share; Class B-3 Common Stock, one vote per share; and Class B-4 Common Stock, one-sixth of one vote per share. Any change to Core Rights must be approved by a majority of the aggregate votes cast by the holders of the Class B Common Stock present (in person or by proxy) and voting at the meeting of holders of Class B Common Stock called for the purpose of voting on the proposed change, provided that holders of at least a majority of the aggregate number of votes entitled to vote on the matter are present at such meeting. Under Delaware law, changes to the number of authorized shares of a class also require the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of that class.

Based on the number of shares of each class of Class B Common Stock currently outstanding, because of the weighted voting mechanism for the Class B Common Stock with respect to changes to Core Rights, a change to Core Rights, other than a change to the number of authorized shares of Class B-2 Common Stock, Class B-3 Common Stock or Class B-4 Common Stock, may be effected by the approval of the holders of the Class B-1 Common Stock, even though the holders of shares of the other classes of Class B Common Stock voted against the change.

 

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Election of Directors. Our certificate of incorporation provides that the number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board shall be fixed exclusively by one or more resolutions adopted by our Board, which number shall be no more than 30. Holders of Class B-1 Common Stock, Class B-2 Common Stock and Class B-3 Common Stock have the right to elect six directors to our Board, of which three (the “Class B-1 Directors”) are elected by the holders of Class B-1 Common Stock, two (the “Class B-2 Directors”) are elected by the holders of Class B-2 Common Stock and one (the “Class B-3 Director”) is elected by the holders of Class B-3 Common Stock. We refer to the Class B-1 Directors, the Class B-2 Directors and the Class B-3 Director collectively as the “Class B Directors.” The directors that are not Class B Directors, which we refer to as equity directors, are elected by the holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, voting together as a class. Nominees for election as equity directors are nominated for election by our Board upon the recommendation of the nominating committee of our Board . The holders of shares of Class B-1 Common Stock, Class B-2 Common Stock and Class B-3 Common Stock have the right to elect nominating committees for their respective class, which are responsible for nominating candidates for election to the Board by their class. Our certificate of incorporation requires that director candidates for election by a class of Class B Common Stock own, or be recognized as the owner for the purposes of CME of, at least one share of that class. As of the date of this prospectus, the number of directors that constitutes the whole Board is 23.

Voting Restrictions. Our certificate of incorporation provides that, for so long as any person or group of persons acting in concert beneficially own 15% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of Class B Common Stock, then in any election of directors elected by that class or other exercise of voting rights with respect to Core Rights or with respect to the election or removal of directors, such person or group is only entitled to vote a number of shares of that class of Class B Common Stock that constitutes a percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of that class which is less than or equal to the percentage of Class A Common Stock beneficially owned by such person or group.

Transfer Restrictions. Shares of Class B Common Stock are subject to transfer restrictions contained in our certificate of incorporation. These transfer restrictions prohibit the sale or transfer of any shares of Class B Common Stock separate from the sale of the associated membership interest in CME. No membership in CME may be sold unless the purchaser also acquires the associated share of Class B Common Stock.

Preferred Stock

We are authorized to issue up to 10 million shares of Preferred Stock. Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series at such times and for such consideration as our Board may determine and authorizes our Board to fix the relative powers, rights, designations, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the shares of each wholly unissued series. Our Board may fix the number of shares of each series of Preferred Stock, but not below the number of shares of that series then outstanding, without any further vote or action by our shareholders. Our Board may authorize the issuance of Preferred Stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock.

When CME Group issues Preferred Stock, we will provide specific information about the particular series being offered in a prospectus supplement. This information will include some or all of the following:

 

   

the title or designation of the series;

 

   

the number of shares of the series, which the Board may thereafter (except where otherwise provided in the designations for such series) increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding);

 

   

whether dividends, if any, will be cumulative or noncumulative and the dividend rate of the series;

 

   

the conditions upon which and the dates at which dividends, if any, will be payable, and the relation that such dividends, if any, will bear to the dividends payable on any other series or classes of stock;

 

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the redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series and at whose option such redemption may occur, and any limitations, restrictions or conditions on such redemption;

 

   

the terms and amounts of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series;

 

   

the amounts payable on and the preferences, if any, of shares of the series, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of CME Group;

 

   

whether the shares of the series will be convertible or exchangeable into shares of any other class or series, or any other security of CME Group or any other entity, and, if so, the specification of such other class or series or such other security, the conversion price or prices or exchange rate or rates, any adjustments thereof, the date or dates as of which such shares will be convertible or exchangeable and all other terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange may be made;

 

   

whether the Preferred Stock being offered will be listed on any securities exchange;

 

   

if necessary, a discussion of certain federal income tax considerations applicable to the Preferred Stock being offered;

 

   

the voting rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, if any, of the holders of shares of such series; and

 

   

any other relative rights, preferences, limitations and powers not inconsistent with applicable law, our certificate of incorporation then in effect or our bylaws then in effect.

Upon issuance, the shares of Preferred Stock will be fully paid and non-assessable, which means that its holders will have paid their purchase price in full and we may not require them to pay additional funds.

In 2021, we issued 4.6 million shares of non-voting Series G preferred stock. These shares are convertible to Class A common stock at a 1:1 ratio at the discretion of the holder. Our preferred stock has the same equitable interest in our earnings and the same dividend payments per share as our Class A shares on an as converted basis. As of February 9, 2022, there was one holder of record of our Series G preferred stock.

Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability

Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) authorizes a corporation’s board of directors to grant indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities, including reimbursement for expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

As permitted by Delaware law, our certificate of incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (1) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our shareholders; (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (3) under Section 174 of the DGCL regarding unlawful dividends and stock purchases; or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

As permitted by Delaware law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws provide that (1) we shall indemnify our directors and officers and former directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law; (2) such indemnification includes the right to advancement of expenses, if we have received an undertaking by the person receiving such advance to repay all amounts advanced if it should be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by us; and (3) the rights to indemnification conferred in our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws are not exclusive.

 

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Exclusive Forum

Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceed on behalf of us, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents to us or our shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents arising out of or relating to any provision of the DGCL or our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the State of Delaware; provided, however, that, in the event that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks subject matter jurisdiction over any such action or proceeding described in clauses (i) through (iv) of this paragraph, the sole and exclusive forum for such action or proceeding shall be another state or federal court located within the State of Delaware, in each such case, unless the Court of Chancery (or such other state or federal court located within the State of Delaware, as applicable) has dismissed a prior action by the same plaintiff asserting the same claims because such court lacked personal jurisdiction over an indispensable party named as a defendant therein.

Other Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaw Provisions

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws include a number of anti-takeover provisions that may have the effect of encouraging persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with our Board rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts. These provisions include:

Filling Vacancies on the Board. Our certificate of incorporation provides that vacancies on our Board may be filled by a majority of our Board, and any director elected to fill such a vacancy will have the same remaining term as that of his or her predecessor, but any Class B vacancy must be filled from among the candidates who ran in the previous election for that directorship with the candidates being selected to fill the vacancy in the order of the aggregate number of votes received in the previous election. The inability of shareholders to fill vacancies on our Board will make it more difficult to change the composition of our Board.

Advance Notice Requirements. Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with regard to shareholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or new business to be brought before meetings of shareholders. These procedures provide that notice of shareholder proposals must be timely and given in proper written form to our Secretary prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely, notice must be delivered to our Secretary at our principal executive offices not fewer than 90 days or more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of shareholders. The notice must contain the information required by our bylaws, including information regarding the proposal and the proponent.

Special Meetings of Shareholders. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws deny shareholders the right to call a special meeting of shareholders. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that only the chairman of our board or a majority of the Board may call special meetings of the shareholders.

No Written Consent of Shareholders. Our certificate of incorporation requires all shareholder actions to be taken by a vote of the shareholders at an annual or special meeting and does not permit the shareholders to act by written consent, without a meeting.

Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. Our certificate of incorporation generally requires the approval of not less than two-thirds of the voting power of all outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote to amend any bylaws by shareholder action or the certificate of incorporation provisions, other than those with respect to filling vacancies on the Board, described in this “—Other Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaw Provisions” section. Only our Class B shareholders may amend provisions of our certificate of incorporation relating to the Core Rights described above.

 

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Delaware Takeover Statute

We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL (“Section 203”). Subject to exceptions set forth in Section 203, Section 203 prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

   

prior to such time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

   

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (x) by persons who are directors and also officers and (y) by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

   

at or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 defines a business combination to include generally:

 

   

any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

 

   

any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;

 

   

any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder except (a) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of such corporation, which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the interested stockholder became such, (b) pursuant to a merger of a parent and a wholly-owned subsidiary meeting specified criteria, (c) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the corporation which security is distributed pro rata to all holders of a class or series of stock of the corporation subsequent to the time the interested stockholder became such, (d) pursuant to an exchange offer by the corporation to purchase stock made on the same terms to all holders of said stock or (e) any issuance or transfer of stock by the corporation; provided however, that in no case under the provisions described in the immediately-preceding clauses (c) through (e) shall there be an increase in the interested stockholder’s proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation or of the voting stock of the corporation;

 

   

any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

 

   

the receipt by the interested shareholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any person that is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, or is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within the 3-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested stockholder, and the affiliates and associates of such person.

Transfer Agent

The Transfer Agent and Registrar for our Class A Common Stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, Class A Common Stock or Preferred Stock, collectively referred to as the underlying warrant securities, and such warrants may be issued independently or together with any of the underlying warrant securities and may be attached to or separate from such underlying warrant securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any warrants offered thereby, including:

 

   

the title or designation of such warrants;

 

   

the aggregate number of such warrants;

 

   

the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

 

   

the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which the exercise price of such warrants may be payable;

 

   

the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the underlying warrant securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants, and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrant securities;

 

   

the price at which the underlying warrant securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

   

whether such warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;

 

   

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

   

if applicable, the designation and terms of the underlying warrant securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such underlying warrant security;

 

   

if applicable, the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which any principal, premium, if any, or interest on the underlying warrant securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants will be payable;

 

   

if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related underlying warrant securities will be separately transferable;

 

   

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

   

if necessary, a discussion of certain federal income tax considerations; and

 

   

any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York, will pass upon certain legal matters for us in connection with the securities offered by this prospectus.

Underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, which we will identify in the applicable prospectus supplement and other offering material, may have their counsel pass upon certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered by this prospectus.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of CME Group Inc. appearing in CME Group Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the effectiveness of CME Group Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth estimated expenses relating to the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, to be paid by the registrant.

 

SEC Registration Fee

   $ *  

Trustee’s Fees and Expenses

     **  

Printing and Engraving Fees and Expenses

     **  

Accounting Fees and Expenses

     **  

Legal Fees

     **  

Miscellaneous

     **  
  

 

 

 

Total Expenses

   $ **  

 

*

To be deferred pursuant to Rule 456(b) and calculated in connection with an offering of securities under this registration statement pursuant to Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

**

An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) authorizes a court to award or a corporation’s board of directors to grant indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under some circumstances for liabilities arising under the Securities Act and to provide for the reimbursement of expenses incurred.

As permitted by Delaware law, Article ELEVEN of the certificate of incorporation of CME Group Inc. (“CME Group”) and Article VIII of CME Group’s bylaws provide that (1) CME Group shall indemnify its directors and officers and former directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law; (2) such indemnification includes the right to advancement of expenses if CME Group has received an undertaking by the person receiving such advance to repay all amounts advanced if it should be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by CME Group; and (3) the rights to indemnification conferred in the CME Group certificate of incorporation and bylaws are not exclusive. As permitted by the DGCL, Article TEN of CME Group’s certificate of incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of CME Group’s directors for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to CME Group or its shareholders; (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (c) under Section 174 of the DGCL (regarding payments of dividends, stock purchases or redemptions which are unlawful); or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. This provision in CME Group’s certificate of incorporation does not eliminate the directors’ fiduciary duty, and in appropriate circumstances equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms of non-monetary relief will remain available under Delaware law. In addition, each director will continue to be subject to liability for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to CME Group for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct, for knowing violations of law, for actions leading to improper personal benefit to the director and for payment of dividends or approval of stock repurchases or redemptions that are unlawful under Delaware law. The provision also does not affect a director’s responsibilities under any other law, such as the federal securities laws or state or federal environmental laws.

The foregoing statements are subject to the detailed provisions of Section 145 of the DGCL and the full text of CME Group’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws. Copies of CME Group’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws have been filed as exhibits to this registration statement.

 

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CME Group maintains, at its expense, a policy of insurance which insures its directors and officers, subject to exclusions and deductions as are usual in these kinds of insurance policies, against specified liabilities which may be incurred in those capacities.

 

Item 16.

Exhibits.

The following documents are exhibits to this registration statement:

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  1.1    Form of underwriting agreement.*
  4.1    Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CME Group Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to CME Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2021).
  4.2    Sixteenth Amended and Restated Bylaws of CME Group Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to CME Group Inc.’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 5, 2021).
  4.3    Indenture, dated August  12, 2008, between CME Group Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to CME Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 13, 2008).
  4.4    Subordinated indenture, to be entered into between CME Group Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to CME Group Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC on December 6, 2012).
  4.5    Fifth Supplemental Indenture (including the form of 3.00% note due 2022), dated September  10, 2012, between CME Group Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to CME Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 10, 2012).
  4.6    Sixth Supplemental Indenture (including the form of 5.300% note due 2043), dated September  9, 2013, between CME Group Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to CME Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September  9, 2013).
  4.7    Seventh Supplemental Indenture (including the form of 3.000% note due 2025), dated March  9, 2015, between CME Group Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to CME Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 9, 2015).
  4.8    Eighth Supplemental Indenture (including the form of 3.750% note due 2028), dated as of June  21, 2018, between CME Group Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to CME Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 21, 2018).
  4.9    Ninth Supplemental Indenture (including the form of 4.150% note due 2048), dated as of June  21, 2018, between CME Group Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to CME Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 21, 2018).
  4.10    Form of senior debt security (included in Exhibit 4.3).
  4.11    Form of subordinated debt security (included in Exhibit 4.4).
  4.12    Form of certificate of designations of preferred stock.*
  4.13    Form of preferred stock certificate.*
  4.14    Form of warrant agreement (including form of warrant certificate).*
  5.1    Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.**
23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.**

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description

23.2    Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).**
24.1    Powers of attorney (included on signature pages to the registration statement).**
25.1    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee under the indenture.**
25.2    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee under the subordinated indenture.**
107    Filing Fee Table.**

 

*

To be filed by post-effective amendment or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and incorporated by reference herein.

**

Filed herewith.

 

Item 17.

Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  (1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

  (i)

To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

  (ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

  (iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

  (2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

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  (4)

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

  (i)

Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

  (ii)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

  (5)

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

  (i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

  (ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

  (iii)

The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

  (iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c)

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore,

 

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  unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable ground to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Chicago, State of Illinois, on March 1, 2022.

 

CME GROUP INC.

By:

 

/s/ John W. Pietrowicz

 

John W. Pietrowicz

Senior Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer


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POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Terrence A. Duffy, John W. Pietrowicz and Kathleen M. Cronin, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements relating to this registration statement, any additional registration statement under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and any instruments necessary or appropriate in connection therewith and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney may be executed in counterparts.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated below on March 1, 2022.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/ Terrence A. Duffy

Terrence A. Duffy

   Chairman of the Board, Director and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ John W. Pietrowicz

John W. Pietrowicz

   Senior Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Jack Tobin

Jack Tobin

   Managing Director and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Timothy S. Bitsberger

Timothy S. Bitsberger

   Director

/s/ Charles P. Carey

Charles P. Carey

   Director

/s/ Dennis H. Chookaszian

Dennis H. Chookaszian

   Director

/s/ Elizabeth A. Cook

Elizabeth A. Cook

   Director

/s/ Michael G. Dennis

Michael G. Dennis

   Director

/s/ Bryan T. Durkin

Bryan T. Durkin

   Director

/s/ Ana Dutra

Ana Dutra

   Director

/s/ Martin J. Gepsman

Martin J. Gepsman

  

Director


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Signature

  

Title

/s/ Larry G. Gerdes

Larry G. Gerdes

  

Director

/s/ Daniel R. Glickman

Daniel R. Glickman

  

Lead Director

/s/ Wiliam H. Hobert

Wiliam H. Hobert

  

Director

/s/ Daniel G. Kaye

Daniel G. Kaye

  

Director

/s/ Phyllis M. Lockett

Phyllis M. Lockett

  

Director

/s/ Deborah J. Lucas

Deborah J. Lucas

  

Director

/s/ Patrick W. Maloney

Patrick W. Maloney

  

Director

/s/ Patrick J. Mulchrone

Patrick J. Mulchrone

  

Director

/s/ Terry L. Savage

Terry L. Savage

  

Director

/s/ Rahael Seifu

Rahael Seifu

  

Director

/s/ William R. Shepard

William R. Shepard

  

Director

/s/ Howard J. Siegel

Howard J. Siegel

  

Director

/s/ Dennis A. Suskind

Dennis A. Suskind

  

Director

/s/ Robert J. Tierney Jr.

Robert J. Tierney Jr.

  

Director

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP

 

 

 

DIRECT DIAL

 

DIRECT FAX

 

EMAIL ADDRESS

  

ONE MANHATTAN WEST

NEW YORK, NY 10001

 

—————-

 

TEL: (212) 735-3000

FAX: (212) 735-2000

www.skadden.com

 

March 1, 2022

  

FIRM/AFFILIATE OFFICES

—————-

BOSTON

CHICAGO

HOUSTON

LOS ANGELES

PALO ALTO

WASHINGTON, D.C.

WILMINGTON

—————-

BEIJING

BRUSSELS

FRANKFURT

HONG KONG

LONDON

MOSCOW

MUNICH

PARIS

SÃO PAULO

SEOUL

SHANGHAI

SINGAPORE

TOKYO

TORONTO

 

CME Group Inc.

20 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

 

Re:  CME Group Inc.

 
 

       Registration Statement on Form S-3

 

We have acted as special United States counsel to CME Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale by the Company from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), of (i) shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Preferred Stock”), which may be issued in one or more series, (iii) senior debt securities of the Company (“Senior Debt Securities”), which may be issued in one or more series under the indenture, dated as of August 12, 2008 (the “Senior Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”), which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (iv) subordinated debt securities of the Company (“Subordinated Debt


CME Group Inc.

March 1, 2022

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Securities” and, together with the Senior Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”), which may be issued in one or more series under an indenture proposed to be entered into between the Company and the Trustee, the form of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Subordinated Indenture” and, together with the Senior Indenture, the “Indentures”), (v) warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, shares of Preferred Stock or Debt Securities (“Warrants”), which may be issued pursuant to one or more warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more warrant agents to be named therein and (vi) such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock and indeterminate amount of Debt Securities as may be issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise, as applicable, of any Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or Warrants, including such shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock as may be issued pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments determined at the time of offering (collectively, “Indeterminate Securities”). The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants and Indeterminate Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:

 

  (a)

the Registration Statement;

 

  (b)

an executed copy of the Senior Indenture;

 

  (c)

the form of the Subordinated Indenture incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;

 

  (d)

an executed copy of a certificate of the Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Company, dated the date hereof (the “Secretary’s Certificate”);

 

  (e)

a copy of the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of March 1, 2022, and certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate (the “Certificate of Incorporation”);

 

  (f)

a copy of the Company’s Sixteenth Amended and Restated Bylaws, as in effect as of the date hereof, certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate (the “Bylaws”); and


CME Group Inc.

March 1, 2022

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  (g)

copies of certain resolutions of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”), adopted on July 12, 2008 and February 2, 2022, and certain resolutions of the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors, adopted on August 7, 2008, certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate.

We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated below.

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including electronic signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photocopied copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts relevant to the opinions stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials, including the facts and conclusions set forth in the Secretary’s Certificate.

We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than (i) the laws of the State of New York, and (ii) the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined-on Law”).

As used herein, “Transaction Documents” means the Indentures and the supplemental indentures thereto, the Warrant Agreements and any applicable underwriting or purchase agreement.

The opinions stated in paragraphs 1 through 4 below presume that all of the following (collectively, the “general conditions”) shall have occurred prior to the issuance of the Securities referred to therein: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to such Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations; (iii) the applicable Transaction Documents shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, including, if such Securities are to be sold or otherwise distributed pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement or purchase agreement with respect thereto; (iv) the Board


CME Group Inc.

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of Directors, including any duly authorized committee thereof, shall have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and sale of such Securities and related matters and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all related action as directed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors; and (v) the terms of the applicable Transaction Documents and the issuance and sale of such Securities have been duly established in conformity with the Certificate of Incorporation so as not to violate any applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

1.    With respect to any shares of Common Stock offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Common Stock (the “Offered Common Stock”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) if the Offered Common Stock is to be certificated, certificates in the form required under the DGCL representing the shares of Offered Common Stock are duly executed and countersigned and (c) the shares of Offered Common Stock are registered in the Company’s share registry and delivered upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the shares of Offered Common Stock, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document, will be duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than $0.01 per share of Common Stock.

2.    With respect to the shares of any series of Preferred Stock offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Preferred Stock of such series (the “Offered Preferred Stock”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Board of Directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, has duly adopted a Certificate of Designations for the Offered Preferred Stock in accordance with the DGCL (the “Certificate”), (c) the filing of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware has duly occurred, (d) if the Offered Preferred Stock is to be certificated, certificates in the form required under the DGCL representing the shares of Offered Preferred Stock are duly executed and countersigned and (e) the shares of Offered Preferred Stock are registered in the Company’s share registry and delivered upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the shares of Offered Preferred Stock, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the


CME Group Inc.

March 1, 2022

Page 5

 

applicable Transaction Document, will be duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than $0.01 per share of Preferred Stock.

3.    With respect to any series of Debt Securities offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Debt Securities of such series (the “Offered Debt Securities”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Subordinated Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “TIA”), (c) the issuance, sale and terms of the Offered Debt Securities and related matters have been approved and established in conformity with the applicable Transaction Documents and (d) the certificates evidencing the Offered Debt Securities have been issued in a form that complies with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents and have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture and any other applicable Transaction Documents and issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the Offered Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.

4.    With respect to any Warrants offered by the Company (the “Offered Warrants”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or Debt Securities for which the Offered Warrants are exercisable have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company and (c) certificates evidencing the Offered Warrants have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Warrant Agreement, the Offered Warrants, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.

The opinions stated herein are subject to the following qualifications:

(a)    we do not express any opinion with respect to the effect on the opinions stated herein of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws or governmental orders affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the opinions stated herein are limited by such laws and orders and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law);


CME Group Inc.

March 1, 2022

Page 6

 

(b)    we do not express any opinion with respect to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to any party to any of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any such party or any of its affiliates as a result of the specific assets or business operations of such party or such affiliates;

(c)    except to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, we have assumed that each of the Transaction Documents constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each party to such Transaction Document, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms;

(d)    we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Document relating to any indemnification, contribution, non-reliance, exculpation, release, limitation or exclusion of remedies, waiver or other provisions having similar effect that may be contrary to public policy or violative of federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, or to the extent any such provision purports to, or has the effect of, waiving or altering any statute of limitations;

(e)    we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision of any Transaction Document to the extent that such section purports to bind the Company to the exclusive jurisdiction of any particular federal court or courts;

(f)    we call to your attention that irrespective of the agreement of the parties to any Transaction Document, a court may decline to hear a case on grounds of forum non conveniens or other doctrine limiting the availability of such court as a forum for resolution of disputes; in addition, we call to your attention that we do not express any opinion with respect to the subject matter jurisdiction of the federal courts of the United States of America in any action arising out of or relating to any Transaction Document;

(g)    we have assumed that any agent of service will have accepted appointment as agent to receive service of process and call to your attention that we do not express any opinion if and to the extent such agent shall resign such appointment; further, we do not express any opinion with respect to the irrevocability of the designation of such agent to receive service of process;

(h)    we have assumed that the choice of New York law to govern the Indentures and any supplemental indenture thereto is a valid and legal provision;


CME Group Inc.

March 1, 2022

Page 7

 

(i)    we have assumed that the laws of the State of New York will be chosen to govern any Warrant Agreements and that such choice is and will be a valid and legal provision;

(j)    we have assumed that the Senior Indenture has been, and the Subordinated Indenture and any supplemental indenture establishing the terms of any Debt Securities and each Warrant Agreement will be, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee or the applicable warrant agent, as the case may be, and, in the case of the Subordinated Indenture, in substantially the form reviewed by us, and that any Debt Securities and Warrants that may be issued will be manually authenticated, signed or countersigned, as the case may be, by duly authorized officers of the Trustee and any warrant agent, as the case may be; and

(k)    to the extent that any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions contained in any Transaction Document, the opinions stated herein are subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be subject to, in each case, (i) the exceptions and limitations in New York General Obligations Law sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 and (ii) principles of comity and constitutionality.

In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinions we have assumed that:

(a)    neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the applicable Securities: (i) constitutes or will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture, instrument or other agreement to which the Company or its property is subject, (ii) contravened or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which the Company or its property is subject, or (iii) violates or will violate any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (iii) with respect to the Opined-on Law); and

(b)    neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the applicable Securities, requires or will require the consent, approval, licensing or authorization of, or any filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority under any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction.

We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement. We also


CME Group Inc.

March 1, 2022

Page 8

 

hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

MJZ

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of CME Group Inc. for the registration of debt securities, Class A Common Stock, Preferred Stock, and warrants and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 25, 2022, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of CME Group Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of CME Group Inc., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois

March 1, 2022

EX-25.1

Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2)

 

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

91-1821036

I.R.S. Employer Identification No.

 

800 Nicollet Mall

Minneapolis, Minnesota

  55402
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Linda Garcia

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

190 S. LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60603

(312) 332-6781

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

CME GROUP INC.

(Issuer with respect to the Securities)

 

 

 

Delaware   36-4459170

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

20 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois

  60606
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

 

Senior Debt Securities

(Title of the Indenture Securities)

 

 

 


FORM T-1

 

Item 1.

GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee.

 

  a)

Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency

Washington, D.C.

 

  b)

Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes

 

Item 2.

AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None

 

Items 3-15

Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee.

 

Item 16.

LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification.

 

  1.

A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 1.

 

  2.

A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2.

 

  3.

A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, attached as Exhibit 3.

 

  4.

A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 4.

 

  5.

A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable.

 

  6.

The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6.

 

  7.

Report of Condition of the Trustee as of December 31, 2021 published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois on the 1st of March, 2022.

 

By:  

/s/ Linda Garcia

  Linda Garcia
  Vice President


Exhibit 1

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

U. S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

For the purpose of organizing an association (the “Association) to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned enter into the following Articles of Association:

FIRST. The title of this Association shall be U. S. Bank Trust Company, National Association.

SECOND. The main office of the Association shall be in the city of Portland, county of Multnomah, state of Oregon. The business of the Association will be limited to fiduciary powers and the support of activities incidental to the exercise of those powers. The Association may not expand or alter its business beyond that stated in this article without the prior approval of the Comptroller of the Currency.

THIRD. The board of directors of the Association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, the exact number to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the Association or of a holding company owning the Association, with an aggregate par, fair market, or equity value of not less than $1,000, as of either (i) the date of purchase, (ii) the date the person became a director, or (iii) the date of that person’s most recent election to the board of directors, whichever is more recent. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the Association or holding company may be used.

Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may increase the number of directors up to the maximum permitted by law. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.

Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the Association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determined the number of directors of the Association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.

FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the Bylaws, or if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the

 

- 1 -


Association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases, at least 10 days’ advance notice of the meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.

In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares he or she owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.

A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the Association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.

A director may be removed by the shareholders at a meeting called to remove him or her, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove him or her is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect him or her under cumulative voting is voted against his or her removal.

FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of the Association shall be 1,000,000 shares of common stock of the par value of ten dollars ($10) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States. The Association shall have only one class of capital stock.

No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the Association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the Association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the Association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix.

Transfers of the Association’s stock are subject to the prior written approval of a federal depository institution regulatory agency. If no other agency approval is required, the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency must be obtained prior to any such transfers.

Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the Articles of Association must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.

 

- 2 -


Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval.

Unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.

The Association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether subordinated, which may be issued by the Association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.

SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this Association and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the Association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this Association. A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the Bylaws.

The board of directors shall have the power to:

 

(1)

Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the Association.

 

(2)

Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the Association.

 

(3)

Fix the compensation and enter employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law.

 

(4)

Dismiss officers and employees.

 

(5)

Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof.

 

(6)

Ratify written policies authorized by the Association’s management or committees of the board.

 

(7)

Regulate the manner any increase or decrease of the capital of the Association shall be made; provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the Association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital.

 

- 3 -


(8)

Manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association.

 

(9)

Adopt initial Bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the Articles of Association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the Association.

 

(10)

Amend or repeal Bylaws, except to the extent that the Articles of Association reserve this power in whole or in part to the shareholders.

 

(11)

Make contracts.

 

(12)

Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform.

SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any authorized branch within the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of the Association for a location outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, but not more than thirty miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any office or offices of the Association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.

EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this Association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.

NINTH. The board of directors of the Association, or any shareholder owning, in the aggregate, not less than 25 percent of the stock of the Association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws or the laws of the United States, or waived by shareholders, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed at least 10, and no more than 60, days prior to the date of the meeting to each shareholder of record at his/her address as shown upon the books of the Association. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.

TENTH. These Articles of Association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount; provided, that the scope of the Association’s activities and services may not be expanded without the prior written approval of the Comptroller of the Currency. The Association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the Articles of Association for submission to the shareholders.

 

- 4 -


In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 11th of June, 1997.

 

/s/ Jeffrey T. Grubb

Jeffrey T. Grubb

/s/ Robert D. Sznewajs

Robert D. Sznewajs

/s/ Dwight V. Board

Dwight V. Board

/s/ P. K. Chatterjee

P. K. Chatterjee

/s/ Robert Lane

Robert Lane


Exhibit 2

 

LOGO

Exhibit2Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Washington, DC 20219 CERTIFICATE OF FIDUCIARY POWERS I, Michael J. Hsu, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations. “U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association,” Portland, Oregon (Charter No. 23412), was granted, under the hand and seal of the Comptroller, the right to act in all fiduciary capacities authorized under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved September 28, 1962, 76 Stat. 668, 12 USC 92a, and that the authority so granted remains m full force and effect on the date of this certificate. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today. January 12,2022, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused my seal of office to be affixed to these presents at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia.


Exhibit 3

 

LOGO

Exhibit 3 Office of the Comptroller of the Currency CERTIFICATE OF FIDUCIARY POWERS I, Michael J. Hsu, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations. “U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association,” Portland, Oregon (Charter No. 23412), was granted, under the hand and seal of the Comptroller, the right to act in all fiduciary capacities authorized under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved September 28, 1962, 76 Stat. 668, 12 USC 92a, and that the authority so granted remains m full force and effect on the date of this certificate. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today. January 19, 2022, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused my seal of office to be affixed to these presents at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia.


Exhibit 4

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

Meetings of Shareholders

Section 1.1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders, for the election of directors and the transaction of any other proper business, shall be held at a time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. Notice of such meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) days or more than sixty (60) days prior to the date thereof, to each shareholder of the Association, unless the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) determines that an emergency circumstance exists. In accordance with applicable law, the sole shareholder of the Association is permitted to waive notice of the meeting. If, for any reason, an election of directors is not made on the designated day, the election shall be held on some subsequent day, as soon thereafter as practicable, with prior notice thereof. Failure to hold an annual meeting as required by these Bylaws shall not affect the validity of any corporate action or work a forfeiture or dissolution of the Association.

Section 1.2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specially provided by law, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose, at any time by a majority of the board of directors (the “Board”), or by any shareholder or group of shareholders owning at least ten percent of the outstanding stock. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called upon not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior notice stating the purpose of the meeting.

Section 1.3. Nominations for Directors. Nominations for election to the Board may be made by the Board or by any shareholder.

Section 1.4. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting and any adjournments of such meeting and shall be filed with the records of the meeting.

Section 1.5. Record Date. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting will be thirty days before the date of such meeting, unless otherwise determined by the Board.


Section 1.6. Quorum and Voting. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Association.

Section 1.7. Inspectors. The Board may, and in the event of its failure so to do, the Chairman of the Board may appoint Inspectors of Election who shall determine the presence of quorum, the validity of proxies, and the results of all elections and all other matters voted upon by shareholders at all annual and special meetings of shareholders.

Section 1.8. Waiver and Consent. The shareholders may act without notice or a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all shareholders.

Section 1.9. Remote Meetings. The Board shall have the right to determine that a shareholder meeting not be held at a place, but instead be held solely by means of remote communication in the manner and to the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE II

Directors

Section 2.1. Board of Directors. The Board shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the Association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board.

Section 2.2. Term of Office. The directors of this Association shall hold office for one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.

Section 2.3. Powers. In addition to the foregoing, the Board shall have and may exercise all of the powers granted to or conferred upon it by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws and by law.

Section 2.4. Number. As provided in the Articles of Association, the Board of this Association shall consist of no less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the Association from the twenty-five- member limit. The Board shall consist of a number of members to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of the Board or the shareholders at any meeting thereof, in accordance with the Articles of Association. Between meetings of the shareholders held for the purpose of electing directors, the Board


by a majority vote of the full Board may increase the size of the Board but not to more than a total of twenty-five directors, and fill any vacancy so created in the Board; provided that the Board may increase the number of directors only by up to two directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was fifteen or fewer, and by up to four directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was sixteen or more. Each director shall own a qualifying equity interest in the Association or a company that has control of the Association in each case as required by applicable law. Each director shall own such qualifying equity interest in his or her own right and meet any minimum threshold ownership required by applicable law.

Section 2.5. Organization Meeting. The newly elected Board shall meet for the purpose of organizing the new Board and electing and appointing such officers of the Association as may be appropriate. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within thirty days thereafter, at such time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum present, the directors present may adjourn the meeting until a quorum is obtained.

Section 2.6. Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of the Board shall be held, without notice, as the Chairman or President may designate and deem suitable.

Section 2.7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time, at any place and for any purpose by the Chairman of the Board or the President of the Association, or upon the request of a majority of the entire Board. Notice of every special meeting of the Board shall be given to the directors at their usual places of business, or at such other addresses as shall have been furnished by them for the purpose. Such notice shall be given at least twelve hours (three hours if meeting is to be conducted by conference telephone) before the meeting by telephone or by being personally delivered, mailed, or electronically delivered. Such notice need not include a statement of the business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any such meeting.

Section 2.8. Quorum and Necessary Vote. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board, except when otherwise provided by law; but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. Unless otherwise provided by law or the Articles or Bylaws of this Association, once a quorum is established, any act by a majority of those directors present and voting shall be the act of the Board.


Section 2.9. Written Consent. Except as otherwise required by applicable laws and regulations, the Board may act without a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all directors, to be filed with the Secretary of the Association as part of the corporate records.

Section 2.10. Remote Meetings. Members of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone, video or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 2.11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, the remaining members of the Board may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the Board, or at a special meeting called for that purpose.

ARTICLE III

Committees

Section 3.1. Advisory Board of Directors. The Board may appoint persons, who need not be directors, to serve as advisory directors on an advisory board of directors established with respect to the business affairs of either this Association alone or the business affairs of a group of affiliated organizations of which this Association is one. Advisory directors shall have such powers and duties as may be determined by the Board, provided, that the Board’s responsibility for the business and affairs of this Association shall in no respect be delegated or diminished.

Section 3.2. Trust Audit Committee. At least once during each calendar year, the Association shall arrange for a suitable audit (by internal or external auditors) of all significant fiduciary activities under the direction of its trust audit committee, a function that will be fulfilled by the Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association. The Association shall note the results of the audit (including significant actions taken as a result of the audit) in the minutes of the Board. In lieu of annual audits, the Association may adopt a continuous audit system in accordance with 12 C.F.R. § 9.9(b).


The Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association, fulfilling the function of the trust audit committee:

(1) Must not include any officers of the Association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the Association’s fiduciary activities; and

(2) Must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the Association.

Section 3.3. Executive Committee. The Board may appoint an Executive Committee which shall consist of at least three directors and which shall have, and may exercise, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all the powers of the Board between meetings of the Board or otherwise when the Board is not meeting.

Section 3.4. Trust Management Committee. The Board of this Association shall appoint a Trust Management Committee to provide oversight of the fiduciary activities of the Association. The Trust Management Committee shall determine policies governing fiduciary activities. The Trust Management Committee or such sub-committees, officers or others as may be duly designated by the Trust Management Committee shall oversee the processes related to fiduciary activities to assure conformity with fiduciary policies it establishes, including ratifying the acceptance and the closing out or relinquishment of all trusts. The Trust Management Committee will provide regular reports of its activities to the Board.

Section 3.5. Other Committees. The Board may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more persons who need not be directors, for such purposes and with such powers as the Board may determine; however, the Board will not delegate to any committee any powers or responsibilities that it is prohibited from delegating under any law or regulation. In addition, either the Chairman or the President may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more officers, employees, agents or other persons, for such purposes and with such powers as either the Chairman or the President deems appropriate and proper. Whether appointed by the Board, the Chairman, or the President, any such committee shall at all times be subject to the direction and control of the Board.

Section 3.6. Meetings, Minutes and Rules. An advisory board of directors and/or committee shall meet as necessary in consideration of the purpose of the advisory board of directors or committee, and shall maintain minutes in sufficient detail to indicate actions taken or recommendations made; unless required by the members, discussions, votes or other specific details need not be reported. An advisory board of directors or a committee may, in consideration of its purpose, adopt its own rules for the exercise of any of its functions or authority.


ARTICLE IV

Officers

Section 4.1. Chairman of the Board. The Board may appoint one of its members to be Chairman of the Board to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Chairman shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board.

Section 4.2. President. The Board may appoint one of its members to be President of the Association. In the absence of the Chairman, the President shall preside at any meeting of the Board. The President shall have general executive powers, and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the office of President, or imposed by these Bylaws. The President shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board.

Section 4.3. Vice President. The Board may appoint one or more Vice Presidents who shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board and to perform the duties of the President on those occasions when the President is absent, including presiding at any meeting of the Board in the absence of both the Chairman and President.

Section 4.4. Secretary. The Board shall appoint a Secretary, or other designated officer who shall be Secretary of the Board and of the Association, and shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws to be given; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the Association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the Association; shall, upon request, authenticate any records of the Association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the Secretary, or imposed by these Bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board. The Board may appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries with such powers and duties as the Board, the President or the Secretary shall from time to time determine.


Section 4.5. Other Officers. The Board may appoint, and may authorize the Chairman, the President or any other officer to appoint, any officer as from time to time may appear to the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other officer to be required or desirable to transact the business of the Association. Such officers shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by these Bylaws, the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other authorized officer. Any person may hold two offices.

Section 4.6. Tenure of Office. The Chairman or the President and all other officers shall hold office until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, subject to the right of the Board or authorized officer to discharge any officer at any time.

ARTICLE V

Stock

Section 5.1. The Board may authorize the issuance of stock either in certificated or in uncertificated form. Certificates for shares of stock shall be in such form as the Board may from time to time prescribe. If the Board issues certificated stock, the certificate shall be signed by the President, Secretary or any other such officer as the Board so determines. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall, in proportion to such person’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. Each certificate of stock shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the Association properly endorsed. The Board may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the Association for stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings, and related matters, and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.

ARTICLE VI

Corporate Seal

Section 6.1. The Association shall have no corporate seal; provided, however, that if the use of a seal is required by, or is otherwise convenient or advisable pursuant to, the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction, the following seal may be used, and the Chairman, the President, the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary shall have the authority to affix such seal:


ARTICLE VII

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 7.1. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, checks, drafts, orders, indentures, notes, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, endorsements, assignments, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, guarantees, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, countersigned, executed, acknowledged, endorsed, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the Association, whether in a fiduciary capacity or otherwise, by any officer of the Association, or such employee or agent as may be designated from time to time by the Board by resolution, or by the Chairman or the President by written instrument, which resolution or instrument shall be certified as in effect by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Association. The provisions of this section are supplementary to any other provision of the Articles of Association or Bylaws.

Section 7.2. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws as revised or amended from time to time and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board, and standing committees of the Board, shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for the purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the Secretary, or other officer appointed to act as Secretary of the meeting.

Section 7.3. Trust Files. There shall be maintained in the Association files all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.

Section 7.4. Trust Investments. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and according to law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made and does not vest in the Association a discretion in the matter, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under law.

Section 7.5. Notice. Whenever notice is required by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws or law, such notice shall be by mail, postage prepaid, e- mail, in person, or by any other means by which such notice can reasonably be expected to be received, using the address of the person to receive such notice, or such other personal data, as may appear on the records of the Association.

Except where specified otherwise in these Bylaws, prior notice shall be proper if given not more than 30 days nor less than 10 days prior to the event for which notice is given.


ARTICLE VIII

Indemnification

Section 8.1. The Association shall indemnify such persons for such liabilities in such manner under such circumstances and to such extent as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as now enacted or hereafter amended. The Board may authorize the purchase and maintenance of insurance and/or the execution of individual agreements for the purpose of such indemnification, and the Association shall advance all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any action, suit or proceeding to all persons entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.1. Such insurance shall be consistent with the requirements of 12 C.F.R. § 7.2014 and shall exclude coverage of liability for a formal order assessing civil money penalties against an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u).

Section 8.2. Notwithstanding Section 8.1, however, (a) any indemnification payments to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), for an administrative proceeding or civil action initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be reasonable and consistent with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k) and the implementing regulations thereunder; and (b) any indemnification payments and advancement of costs and expenses to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), in cases involving an administrative proceeding or civil action not initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be in accordance with Delaware General Corporation Law and consistent with safe and sound banking practices.

ARTICLE IX

Bylaws: Interpretation and Amendment

Section 9.1. These Bylaws shall be interpreted in accordance with and subject to appropriate provisions of law, and may be added to, altered, amended, or repealed, at any regular or special meeting of the Board.

Section 9.2. A copy of the Bylaws and all amendments shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the principal office of the Association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during Association hours.


ARTICLE X

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 10.1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on the first day of January in each year and shall end on the thirty-first day of December following.

Section 10.2. Governing Law. This Association designates the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time, as the governing law for its corporate governance procedures, to the extent not inconsistent with Federal banking statutes and regulations or bank safety and soundness.

***

(February 8, 2021)


Exhibit 6

CONSENT

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

Dated: March 1, 2022

 

By:  

/s/ Linda Garcia

  Linda Garcia
  Vice President


Exhibit 7

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

Statement of Financial Condition

as of 12/31/2021*

($000’s)

 

     12/31/2021  

Assets

  

Cash and Balances Due From Depository Institutions

   $ 21,114  

Securities

     0  

Federal Funds

     0  

Loans & Lease Financing Receivables

     0  

Fixed Assets

     0  

Intangible Assets

     0  

Other Assets

     402  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 21,516  

Liabilities

  

Deposits

   $ 0  

Fed Funds

     0  

Treasury Demand Notes

     0  

Trading Liabilities

     0  

Other Borrowed Money

     0  

Acceptances

     0  

Subordinated Notes and Debentures

     0  

Other Liabilities

     43  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ 43  

Equity

  

Common and Preferred Stock

     200  

Surplus

     800  

Undivided Profits

     20,473  

Minority Interest in Subsidiaries

     0  
  

 

 

 

Total Equity Capital

   $ 21,473  

Total Liabilities and Equity Capital

   $ 21,516  

 

*

In connection with the transfer of substantially all of the corporate trust business of U.S. Bank National Association (“USBNA”) to U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (“USBTC”) in January 2022, USBNA made a cash capital contribution of $600,000,000 to USBTC and a non-cash capital contribution of approximately $570,835,000 to USBTC. These contributions will be reflected in the future statements of financial condition.

EX-25.2

Exhibit 25.2

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER

THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2)

 

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

91-1821036

I.R.S. Employer Identification No.

 

 

 

800 Nicollet Mall

Minneapolis, Minnesota

  55402
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Linda Garcia

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

190 S. LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60603

(312) 332-6781

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

CME GROUP INC.

(Issuer with respect to the Securities)

 

 

 

Delaware   36-4459170

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

20 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois

  60606
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

 

Subordinated Debt Securities

(Title of the Indenture Securities)

 

 

 


FORM T-1

 

Item 1.

GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee.

 

  a)

Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency

Washington, D.C.

 

  b)

Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes

 

Item 2.

AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None

 

Items 3-15

Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee.

 

Item 16.

LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification.

 

  1.

A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 1.

 

  2.

A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2.

 

  3.

A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, attached as Exhibit 3.

 

  4.

A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 4.

 

  5.

A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable.

 

  6.

The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6.

 

  7.

Report of Condition of the Trustee as of December 31, 2021 published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois on the 1st of March, 2022.

 

By:  

/s/ Linda Garcia

  Linda Garcia
  Vice President


Exhibit 1

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

U. S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

For the purpose of organizing an association (the “Association) to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned enter into the following Articles of Association:

FIRST. The title of this Association shall be U. S. Bank Trust Company, National Association.

SECOND. The main office of the Association shall be in the city of Portland, county of Multnomah, state of Oregon. The business of the Association will be limited to fiduciary powers and the support of activities incidental to the exercise of those powers. The Association may not expand or alter its business beyond that stated in this article without the prior approval of the Comptroller of the Currency.

THIRD. The board of directors of the Association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, the exact number to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the Association or of a holding company owning the Association, with an aggregate par, fair market, or equity value of not less than $1,000, as of either (i) the date of purchase, (ii) the date the person became a director, or (iii) the date of that person’s most recent election to the board of directors, whichever is more recent. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the Association or holding company may be used.

Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may increase the number of directors up to the maximum permitted by law. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.

Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the Association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determined the number of directors of the Association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.

FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the Bylaws, or if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the

 

- 1 -


Association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases, at least 10 days’ advance notice of the meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.

In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares he or she owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.

A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the Association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.

A director may be removed by the shareholders at a meeting called to remove him or her, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove him or her is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect him or her under cumulative voting is voted against his or her removal.

FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of the Association shall be 1,000,000 shares of common stock of the par value of ten dollars ($10) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States. The Association shall have only one class of capital stock.

No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the Association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the Association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the Association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix.

Transfers of the Association’s stock are subject to the prior written approval of a federal depository institution regulatory agency. If no other agency approval is required, the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency must be obtained prior to any such transfers.

Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the Articles of Association must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.

 

- 2 -


Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval.

Unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.

The Association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether subordinated, which may be issued by the Association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.

SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this Association and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the Association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this Association. A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the Bylaws.

The board of directors shall have the power to:

 

(1)

Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the Association.

 

(2)

Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the Association.

 

(3)

Fix the compensation and enter employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law.

 

(4)

Dismiss officers and employees.

 

(5)

Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof.

 

(6)

Ratify written policies authorized by the Association’s management or committees of the board.

 

(7)

Regulate the manner any increase or decrease of the capital of the Association shall be made; provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the Association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital.

 

- 3 -


(8)

Manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association.

 

(9)

Adopt initial Bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the Articles of Association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the Association.

 

(10)

Amend or repeal Bylaws, except to the extent that the Articles of Association reserve this power in whole or in part to the shareholders.

 

(11)

Make contracts.

 

(12)

Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform.

SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any authorized branch within the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of the Association for a location outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, but not more than thirty miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any office or offices of the Association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.

EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this Association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.

NINTH. The board of directors of the Association, or any shareholder owning, in the aggregate, not less than 25 percent of the stock of the Association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws or the laws of the United States, or waived by shareholders, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed at least 10, and no more than 60, days prior to the date of the meeting to each shareholder of record at his/her address as shown upon the books of the Association. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.

TENTH. These Articles of Association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount; provided, that the scope of the Association’s activities and services may not be expanded without the prior written approval of the Comptroller of the Currency. The Association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the Articles of Association for submission to the shareholders.

 

- 4 -


In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 11th of June, 1997.

 

/s/ Jeffrey T. Grubb

Jeffrey T. Grubb

/s/ Robert D. Sznewajs

Robert D. Sznewajs

/s/ Dwight V. Board

Dwight V. Board

/s/ P. K. Chatterjee

P. K. Chatterjee

/s/ Robert Lane

Robert Lane


Exhibit 2

 

LOGO

Exhibit 2Office of the Comptroller of the Currency CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE I, Michael J. Hsu, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that; The Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of aU national banking associations. “U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association.” Portland. Oregon (Charter No. 23412), is a national banking association formed under the laws of the United States and is authorized thereunder to transact the business of banking on the date of this certificate. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today. January 12, 2022, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused my seal of office to be affixed to these presents at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in the City of Washington. District of Columbia


Exhibit 3

 

LOGO

Exhibit 3 Office of the Comptroller of the Currency CERTIFICATE OF FIDUCIARY POWERS I, Michael J. Hsu, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations. “U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association,” Portland, Oregon (Charter No. 23412), was granted, under the hand and seal of the Comptroller, the right to act in all fiduciary capacities authorized under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved September 28, 1962, 76 Stat. 668, 12 USC 92a, and that the authority so granted remains m full force and effect on the date of this certificate. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today. January 12,2022, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused my seal of office to be affixed to these presents at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia.


Exhibit 4

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

Meetings of Shareholders

Section 1.1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders, for the election of directors and the transaction of any other proper business, shall be held at a time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. Notice of such meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) days or more than sixty (60) days prior to the date thereof, to each shareholder of the Association, unless the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) determines that an emergency circumstance exists. In accordance with applicable law, the sole shareholder of the Association is permitted to waive notice of the meeting. If, for any reason, an election of directors is not made on the designated day, the election shall be held on some subsequent day, as soon thereafter as practicable, with prior notice thereof. Failure to hold an annual meeting as required by these Bylaws shall not affect the validity of any corporate action or work a forfeiture or dissolution of the Association.

Section 1.2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specially provided by law, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose, at any time by a majority of the board of directors (the “Board”), or by any shareholder or group of shareholders owning at least ten percent of the outstanding stock.

Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called upon not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior notice stating the purpose of the meeting.

Section 1.3. Nominations for Directors. Nominations for election to the Board may be made by the Board or by any shareholder.

Section 1.4. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting and any adjournments of such meeting and shall be filed with the records of the meeting.

Section 1.5. Record Date. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting will be thirty days before the date of such meeting, unless otherwise determined by the Board.


Section 1.6. Quorum and Voting. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Association.

Section 1.7. Inspectors. The Board may, and in the event of its failure so to do, the Chairman of the Board may appoint Inspectors of Election who shall determine the presence of quorum, the validity of proxies, and the results of all elections and all other matters voted upon by shareholders at all annual and special meetings of shareholders.

Section 1.8. Waiver and Consent. The shareholders may act without notice or a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all shareholders.

Section 1.9. Remote Meetings. The Board shall have the right to determine that a shareholder meeting not be held at a place, but instead be held solely by means of remote communication in the manner and to the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE II

Directors

Section 2.1. Board of Directors. The Board shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the Association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board.

Section 2.2. Term of Office. The directors of this Association shall hold office for one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.

Section 2.3. Powers. In addition to the foregoing, the Board shall have and may exercise all of the powers granted to or conferred upon it by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws and by law.

Section 2.4. Number. As provided in the Articles of Association, the Board of this Association shall consist of no less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the Association from the twenty-five- member limit. The Board shall consist of a number of members to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of the Board or the shareholders at any meeting thereof, in accordance with the Articles of Association. Between meetings of the shareholders held for the purpose of electing directors, the Board


by a majority vote of the full Board may increase the size of the Board but not to more than a total of twenty-five directors, and fill any vacancy so created in the Board; provided that the Board may increase the number of directors only by up to two directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was fifteen or fewer, and by up to four directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was sixteen or more. Each director shall own a qualifying equity interest in the Association or a company that has control of the Association in each case as required by applicable law. Each director shall own such qualifying equity interest in his or her own right and meet any minimum threshold ownership required by applicable law.

Section 2.5. Organization Meeting. The newly elected Board shall meet for the purpose of organizing the new Board and electing and appointing such officers of the Association as may be appropriate. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within thirty days thereafter, at such time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum present, the directors present may adjourn the meeting until a quorum is obtained.

Section 2.6. Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of the Board shall be held, without notice, as the Chairman or President may designate and deem suitable.

Section 2.7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time, at any place and for any purpose by the Chairman of the Board or the President of the Association, or upon the request of a majority of the entire Board. Notice of every special meeting of the Board shall be given to the directors at their usual places of business, or at such other addresses as shall have been furnished by them for the purpose. Such notice shall be given at least twelve hours (three hours if meeting is to be conducted by conference telephone) before the meeting by telephone or by being personally delivered, mailed, or electronically delivered. Such notice need not include a statement of the business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any such meeting.

Section 2.8. Quorum and Necessary Vote. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board, except when otherwise provided by law; but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. Unless otherwise provided by law or the Articles or Bylaws of this Association, once a quorum is established, any act by a majority of those directors present and voting shall be the act of the Board.


Section 2.9. Written Consent. Except as otherwise required by applicable laws and regulations, the Board may act without a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all directors, to be filed with the Secretary of the Association as part of the corporate records.

Section 2.10. Remote Meetings. Members of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone, video or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 2.11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, the remaining members of the Board may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the Board, or at a special meeting called for that purpose.

ARTICLE III

Committees

Section 3.1. Advisory Board of Directors. The Board may appoint persons, who need not be directors, to serve as advisory directors on an advisory board of directors established with respect to the business affairs of either this Association alone or the business affairs of a group of affiliated organizations of which this Association is one. Advisory directors shall have such powers and duties as may be determined by the Board, provided, that the Board’s responsibility for the business and affairs of this Association shall in no respect be delegated or diminished.

Section 3.2. Trust Audit Committee. At least once during each calendar year, the Association shall arrange for a suitable audit (by internal or external auditors) of all significant fiduciary activities under the direction of its trust audit committee, a function that will be fulfilled by the Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association. The Association shall note the results of the audit (including significant actions taken as a result of the audit) in the minutes of the Board. In lieu of annual audits, the Association may adopt a continuous audit system in accordance with 12 C.F.R. § 9.9(b).

The Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association, fulfilling the function of the trust audit committee:


(1)    Must not include any officers of the Association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the Association’s fiduciary activities; and

(2)    Must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the Association.

Section 3.3. Executive Committee. The Board may appoint an Executive Committee which shall consist of at least three directors and which shall have, and may exercise, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all the powers of the Board between meetings of the Board or otherwise when the Board is not meeting.

Section 3.4. Trust Management Committee. The Board of this Association shall appoint a Trust Management Committee to provide oversight of the fiduciary activities of the Association. The Trust Management Committee shall determine policies governing fiduciary activities. The Trust Management Committee or such sub-committees, officers or others as may be duly designated by the Trust Management Committee shall oversee the processes related to fiduciary activities to assure conformity with fiduciary policies it establishes, including ratifying the acceptance and the closing out or relinquishment of all trusts. The Trust Management Committee will provide regular reports of its activities to the Board.

Section 3.5. Other Committees. The Board may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more persons who need not be directors, for such purposes and with such powers as the Board may determine; however, the Board will not delegate to any committee any powers or responsibilities that it is prohibited from delegating under any law or regulation. In addition, either the Chairman or the President may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more officers, employees, agents or other persons, for such purposes and with such powers as either the Chairman or the President deems appropriate and proper. Whether appointed by the Board, the Chairman, or the President, any such committee shall at all times be subject to the direction and control of the Board.

Section 3.6. Meetings, Minutes and Rules. An advisory board of directors and/or committee shall meet as necessary in consideration of the purpose of the advisory board of directors or committee, and shall maintain minutes in sufficient detail to indicate actions taken or recommendations made; unless required by the members, discussions, votes or other specific details need not be reported. An advisory board of directors or a committee may, in consideration of its purpose, adopt its own rules for the exercise of any of its functions or authority.


ARTICLE IV

Officers

Section 4.1. Chairman of the Board. The Board may appoint one of its members to be Chairman of the Board to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Chairman shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board.

Section 4.2. President. The Board may appoint one of its members to be President of the Association. In the absence of the Chairman, the President shall preside at any meeting of the Board. The President shall have general executive powers, and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the office of President, or imposed by these Bylaws. The President shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board.

Section 4.3. Vice President. The Board may appoint one or more Vice Presidents who shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board and to perform the duties of the President on those occasions when the President is absent, including presiding at any meeting of the Board in the absence of both the Chairman and President.

Section 4.4. Secretary. The Board shall appoint a Secretary, or other designated officer who shall be Secretary of the Board and of the Association, and shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws to be given; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the Association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the Association; shall, upon request, authenticate any records of the Association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the Secretary, or imposed by these Bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board. The Board may appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries with such powers and duties as the Board, the President or the Secretary shall from time to time determine.


Section 4.5. Other Officers. The Board may appoint, and may authorize the Chairman, the President or any other officer to appoint, any officer as from time to time may appear to the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other officer to be required or desirable to transact the business of the Association. Such officers shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by these Bylaws, the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other authorized officer. Any person may hold two offices.

Section 4.6. Tenure of Office. The Chairman or the President and all other officers shall hold office until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, subject to the right of the Board or authorized officer to discharge any officer at any time.

ARTICLE V

Stock

Section 5.1. The Board may authorize the issuance of stock either in certificated or in uncertificated form. Certificates for shares of stock shall be in such form as the Board may from time to time prescribe. If the Board issues certificated stock, the certificate shall be signed by the President, Secretary or any other such officer as the Board so determines. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall, in proportion to such person’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. Each certificate of stock shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the Association properly endorsed. The Board may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the Association for stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings, and related matters, and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.

ARTICLE VI

Corporate Seal

Section 6.1. The Association shall have no corporate seal; provided, however, that if the use of a seal is required by, or is otherwise convenient or advisable pursuant to, the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction, the following seal may be used, and the Chairman, the President, the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary shall have the authority to affix such seal:


ARTICLE VII

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 7.1. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, checks, drafts, orders, indentures, notes, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, endorsements, assignments, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, guarantees, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, countersigned, executed, acknowledged, endorsed, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the Association, whether in a fiduciary capacity or otherwise, by any officer of the Association, or such employee or agent as may be designated from time to time by the Board by resolution, or by the Chairman or the President by written instrument, which resolution or instrument shall be certified as in effect by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Association. The provisions of this section are supplementary to any other provision of the Articles of Association or Bylaws.

Section 7.2. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws as revised or amended from time to time and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board, and standing committees of the Board, shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for the purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the Secretary, or other officer appointed to act as Secretary of the meeting.

Section 7.3. Trust Files. There shall be maintained in the Association files all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.

Section 7.4. Trust Investments. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and according to law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made and does not vest in the Association a discretion in the matter, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under law.

Section 7.5. Notice. Whenever notice is required by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws or law, such notice shall be by mail, postage prepaid, e- mail, in person, or by any other means by which such notice can reasonably be expected to be received, using the address of the person to receive such notice, or such other personal data, as may appear on the records of the Association.

Except where specified otherwise in these Bylaws, prior notice shall be proper if given not more than 30 days nor less than 10 days prior to the event for which notice is given.


ARTICLE VIII

Indemnification

Section 8.1. The Association shall indemnify such persons for such liabilities in such manner under such circumstances and to such extent as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as now enacted or hereafter amended. The Board may authorize the purchase and maintenance of insurance and/or the execution of individual agreements for the purpose of such indemnification, and the Association shall advance all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any action, suit or proceeding to all persons entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.1. Such insurance shall be consistent with the requirements of 12 C.F.R. § 7.2014 and shall exclude coverage of liability for a formal order assessing civil money penalties against an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u).

Section 8.2. Notwithstanding Section 8.1, however, (a) any indemnification payments to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), for an administrative proceeding or civil action initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be reasonable and consistent with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k) and the implementing regulations thereunder; and (b) any indemnification payments and advancement of costs and expenses to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), in cases involving an administrative proceeding or civil action not initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be in accordance with Delaware General Corporation Law and consistent with safe and sound banking practices.

ARTICLE IX

Bylaws: Interpretation and Amendment

Section 9.1. These Bylaws shall be interpreted in accordance with and subject to appropriate provisions of law, and may be added to, altered, amended, or repealed, at any regular or special meeting of the Board.

Section 9.2. A copy of the Bylaws and all amendments shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the principal office of the Association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during Association hours.


ARTICLE X

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 10.1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on the first day of January in each year and shall end on the thirty-first day of December following.

Section 10.2. Governing Law. This Association designates the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time, as the governing law for its corporate governance procedures, to the extent not inconsistent with Federal banking statutes and regulations or bank safety and soundness.

***

(February 8, 2021)


Exhibit 6

CONSENT

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

Dated: March 1, 2022

 

By:  

/s/ Linda Garcia

  Linda Garcia
  Vice President


Exhibit 7

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

Statement of Financial Condition

as of 12/31/2021*

($000’s)

 

     12/31/2021  

Assets

  

Cash and Balances Due From

   $  21,114  

Depository Institutions

  

Securities

     0  

Federal Funds

     0  

Loans & Lease Financing Receivables

     0  

Fixed Assets

     0  

Intangible Assets

     0  

Other Assets

     402  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 21,516  

Liabilities

  

Deposits

   $ 0  

Fed Funds

     0  

Treasury Demand Notes

     0  

Trading Liabilities

     0  

Other Borrowed Money

     0  

Acceptances

     0  

Subordinated Notes and Debentures

     0  

Other Liabilities

     43  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ 43  

Equity

  

Common and Preferred Stock 200

  

Surplus

     800  

Undivided Profits

     20,473  

Minority Interest in Subsidiaries

     0  
  

 

 

 

Total Equity Capital

   $ 21,473  

Total Liabilities and Equity Capital

   $ 21,516  

 

*

In connection with the transfer of substantially all of the corporate trust business of U.S. Bank National Association (“USBNA”) to U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (“USBTC”) in January 2022, USBNA made a cash capital contribution of $600,000,000 to USBTC and a non-cash capital contribution of approximately $570,835,000 to USBTC. These contributions will be reflected in the future statements of financial condition.

EX-FILING FEES

Exhibit 107

Calculation of Filing Fee Tables

Form S-3

(Form Type)

CME GROUP INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities

 

    Security Type   Security Class Title   Fee Calculation or Carry Forward Rule   Amount Registered(1)   Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit(1)   Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)   Fee Rate   Amount of Registration Fee(1)   Carry Forward Form Type   Carry Forward File Number   Carry Forward Initial Effective Date   Filing Fee Previously Paid In Connection With Unsold Securities to be Carried Forward
 

Newly Registered Securities

                         

Fees to be Paid

  Debt   Debt Securities   456(b) and 457(r)                          
                         
    Equity   Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share   456(b) and 457(r)                          
                         
    Equity   Preferred Stock   456(b) and 457(r)                          
                         
    Other   Warrants   456(b) and 457(r)                          
                         

Fees Previously Paid

  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A       N/A                

 

(1)

An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price, principal amount or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices or upon conversion, exchange or exercise of other securities. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities. In accordance with Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act, the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee. Any subsequent registration fees will be paid on a pay-as-you-go basis.