Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions, 43069-43081 [2014-17424]

Agencies

• Employee Benefits Security Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 142 (Thursday, July 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43069-43081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17424]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employee Benefits Security Administration


Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions

AGENCY: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Grant of Individual Exemptions.

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SUMMARY: This document contains exemptions issued by the Department of 
Labor (the Department) from certain of the prohibited transaction 
restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 
(ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). 
This notice includes the following: 2014-04, Northwestern Mutual 
Investment Services, Inc., D-11496; 2014-05, Liberty Media 401(k) 
Savings Plan, D-11756; 2014-06, AT&T Inc., D-11758; 2014-07, The 
Delaware County Bank and Trust Company Employee 401(k) Retirement Plan, 
D-11773; and 2014-08, The Home Savings and Loan Company 401(k) Savings 
Plan, D-11780.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A notice was published in the Federal 
Register of the pendency before the Department of a proposal to grant 
such exemption. The notice set forth a summary of facts and 
representations contained in the application for exemption and referred 
interested persons to the application for a complete statement of the 
facts and representations. The application has been available for 
public inspection at the Department in Washington, DC. The notice also 
invited interested persons to submit comments on the requested 
exemption to the Department. In addition the notice stated that any 
interested person might submit a written request that a public hearing 
be held (where appropriate). The applicant has represented that it has 
complied with the requirements of the notification to interested 
persons. No requests for a hearing were received by the Department. 
Public comments were received by the Department as described in the 
granted exemption.
    The notice of proposed exemption was issued and the exemption is 
being granted solely by the Department

[[Page 43070]]

because, effective December 31, 1978, section 102 of Reorganization 
Plan No. 4 of 1978, 5 U.S.C. App. 1 (1996), transferred the authority 
of the Secretary of the Treasury to issue exemptions of the type 
proposed to the Secretary of Labor.

Statutory Findings

    In accordance with section 408(a) of the Act and/or section 
4975(c)(2) of the Code and the procedures set forth in 29 CFR Part 
2570, Subpart B (76 FR 66637, 66644, October 27, 2011) \1\ and based 
upon the entire record, the Department makes the following findings:
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    \1\ The Department has considered exemption applications 
received prior to December 27, 2011 under the exemption procedures 
set forth in 29 CFR Part 2570, Subpart B (55 FR 32836, 32847, August 
10, 1990).
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    (a) The exemption is administratively feasible;
    (b) The exemption is in the interests of the plan and its 
participants and beneficiaries; and
    (c) The exemption is protective of the rights of the participants 
and beneficiaries of the plan.

Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, Inc. Located in Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin

[Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2014-04; Application No. D-11496]

Exemption

Section I. Transactions Involving Plans Described in Both Title I and 
Title Ii of ERISA
    The restrictions of section 406(a)(1)(A), (B), and (D) and section 
406(b)(1) and (2) of ERISA,\2\ and the taxes imposed by section 4975(a) 
and (b) of the Code, by reason of section 4975(c)(1)(A), (B), (D), and 
(E) of the Code, shall not apply, effective February 1, 2008, to the 
following transactions, if the conditions set forth in Section III have 
been met:
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    \2\ For purposes of this exemption, references to section 406 of 
ERISA should be read to refer as well to the corresponding 
provisions of section 4975 of the Code.
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    (a) The sale or exchange of an Auction Rate Security (as defined in 
Section IV(b)) by a Plan (as defined in Section IV(h)) to the Sponsor 
(as defined in Section IV(g)) of such Plan; or
    (b) A lending of money or other extension of credit to a Plan in 
connection with the holding of an Auction Rate Security by the Plan, 
from: (1) Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, Inc. or an affiliate 
(Northwestern Mutual); (2) an Introducing Broker (as defined in Section 
IV(f)); or (3) a Clearing Broker (as defined in Section IV(d)); where 
the loan is: (i) Repaid in accordance with its terms; and (ii) 
guaranteed by the Plan Sponsor.
Section II. Transactions Involving Plans Described in Title Ii of ERISA 
Only
    The sanctions resulting from the application of section 4975(a) and 
(b) of the Code, by reason of section 4975(c)(1)(A), (B), (D), and (E) 
of the Code, shall not apply, effective February 1, 2008, to the 
following transactions, if the conditions set forth in Section III have 
been met:
    (a) The sale or exchange of an Auction Rate Security by a Title II 
Only Plan (as defined in Section IV(i)) to the Beneficial Owner (as 
defined in Section IV(c)) of such Plan; or
    (b) A lending of money or other extension of credit to a Title II 
Only Plan in connection with the holding of an Auction Rate Security by 
the Title II Only Plan, from: (1) Northwestern Mutual; (2) an 
Introducing Broker; or (3) a Clearing Broker; where the loan is: (i) 
Repaid in accordance with its terms and; (ii) guaranteed by the 
Beneficial Owner.
Section III. Conditions
    (a) Northwestern Mutual acted as a broker or dealer, non-bank 
custodian, or fiduciary in connection with the acquisition or holding 
of the Auction Rate Security that is the subject of the transaction 
described in Section I or II of this exemption;
    (b) For transactions involving a Plan (including a Title II Only 
Plan) not sponsored by Northwestern Mutual for its own employees, the 
decision to enter into the transaction is made by a Plan fiduciary who 
is Independent (as defined in Section IV(e)) of Northwestern Mutual. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an employee of Northwestern Mutual who 
is the Beneficial Owner of a Title II Only Plan may direct such Plan to 
engage in a transaction described in Section II, if all of the other 
conditions of this Section III have been met;
    (c) The last auction for the Auction Rate Security was 
unsuccessful;
    (d) The Plan does not waive any rights or claims in connection with 
the sale or loan as a condition of engaging in the above-described 
transaction;
    (e) The Plan does not pay any fees or commissions in connection 
with the transaction;
    (f) The transaction is not part of an arrangement, agreement or 
understanding designed to benefit a party in interest;
    (g) With respect to any sale described in Section I(a) or Section 
II(a):
    (1) The sale is for no consideration other than cash payment 
against prompt delivery of the Auction Rate Security; and
    (2) For purposes of the sale, the Auction Rate Security is valued 
at par, plus any accrued but unpaid interest;
    (h) With respect to an in-kind exchange described in Section (I)(a) 
or Section II(a), the exchange involves the transfer by a Plan of an 
Auction Rate Security in return for a Delivered Security, as such term 
is defined in Section IV(j), where:
    (1) The exchange is unconditional;
    (2) For purposes of the exchange, the Auction Rate Security is 
valued at par, plus any accrued but unpaid interest;
    (3) The Delivered Security is valued at fair market value, as 
determined at the time of the in-kind exchange by a third party pricing 
service or other objective source;
    (4) The Delivered Security is appropriate for the Plan and is a 
security that the Plan is otherwise permitted to hold under applicable 
law; \3\ and
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    \3\ The Department notes that the Act's general standards of 
fiduciary conduct also would apply to the transactions described 
herein. In this regard, section 404 requires, among other things, 
that a fiduciary discharge his duties respecting a plan solely in 
the interest of the plan's participants and beneficiaries and in a 
prudent manner. Accordingly, a plan fiduciary must act prudently 
with respect to, among other things: (1) The decision to exchange an 
Auction Rate Security for a Delivery Security; and (2) the 
negotiation of the terms of such exchange (or a cash sale or loan 
described above), including the pricing of such securities. The 
Department further emphasizes that it expects plan fiduciaries, 
prior to entering into any of the transactions, to fully understand 
the risks associated with these types of transactions following 
disclosure by Northwestern Mutual of all relevant information.
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    (5) The total value of the Auction Rate Security (i.e., par plus 
any accrued but unpaid interest) is equal to the fair market value of 
the Delivered Security;
    (i) With respect to a loan described in Section I(b) or II(b):
    (1) The loan is documented in a written agreement containing all of 
the material terms of the loan, including the consequences of default;
    (2) The Plan does not pay an interest rate that exceeds one of the 
following three rates as of the commencement of the loan:
    (A) The coupon rate for the Auction Rate Security;
    (B) The Federal Funds Rate; or
    (C) The Prime Rate;
    (3) The loan is unsecured; and
    (4) The amount of the loan is not more than the total par value of 
the Auction Rate Securities held by the Plan.

Section IV. Definitions

    (a) The term ``affiliate'' means: Any person directly or 
indirectly, through

[[Page 43071]]

one or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by, or under common 
control with such other person;
    (b) The term ``Auction Rate Security'' or ``ARS'' means a security:
    (1) That is either a debt instrument (generally with a long-term 
nominal maturity) or preferred stock; and
    (2) With an interest rate or dividend that is reset at specific 
intervals through a Dutch auction process;
    (c) The term ''Beneficial Owner'' means: The individual for whose 
benefit the Title II Only Plan is established and includes a relative 
or family trust with respect to such individual;
    (d) The term ``Clearing Broker'' means: A member of a securities 
exchange that acts as a liaison between an investor and a clearing 
corporation and that helps to ensure that a trade is settled 
appropriately, that the transaction is successfully completed and that 
is responsible for maintaining the paper work associated with the 
clearing and executing of a transaction;
    (e) The term ``Independent'' means a person who is: (1) Not 
Northwestern Mutual or an affiliate; and (2) not a relative (as defined 
in ERISA section 3(15)) of the party engaging in the transaction;
    (f) The term ``Introducing Broker'' means: A registered broker that 
is able to perform all the functions of a broker except for the ability 
to accept money, securities, or property from a customer;
    (g) The term ``Sponsor'' means: A plan sponsor as described in 
section 3(16)(B) of the Act and any Affiliates;
    (h) The term ``Plan'' means: Any plan described in section 3(3) of 
the Act and/or section 4975(e)(1) of the Code;
    (i) The term ``Title II Only Plan'' means: Any plan described in 
section 4975(e)(1) of the Code which is not an employee benefit plan 
covered by Title I of ERISA;
    (j) The term ``Delivered Security'' means a security that is: (1) 
Listed on a national securities exchange (excluding OTC Bulletin Board-
eligible securities and Pink Sheets-quoted securities); or (2) a U.S. 
Treasury obligation; or (3) A fixed income security that has a rating 
at the time of the exchange that is in one of the two highest generic 
rating categories from an independent nationally recognized statistical 
rating organization (e.g., a highly rated municipal bond or a highly 
rated corporate bond); or (4) A certificate of deposit insured by the 
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Notwithstanding the above, the 
term ``Delivered Security'' shall not include any Auction Rate 
Security, or any related Auction Rate Security, including derivatives 
or securities materially comprised of Auction Rate Securities or any 
illiquid securities.

Written Comments

    The Department invited all interested persons to submit written 
comments and/or requests for a public hearing with respect to the 
notice of proposed exemption, published on April 9, 2014, at 79 FR 
19642. All comments and requests for hearing were due by May 24, 2014. 
During the comment period, the Department received no comments and no 
requests for a hearing from interested persons. Accordingly, after 
giving full consideration to the entire record, the Department has 
decided to grant the exemption. The complete application file 
(Application No. D-11496), including all supplemental submissions 
received by the Department, is available for public inspection in the 
Public Disclosure Room of the Employee Benefits Security 
Administration, Room N-1513, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210.
    For a more complete statement of the facts and representations 
supporting the Department's decision to grant this exemption, refer to 
the notice of proposed exemption published on April 9, 2014, at 79 FR 
19642.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Scott Ness of the Department, 
telephone (202) 693-8561. (This is not a toll-free number.)

Liberty Media 401(k) Savings Plan (the Plan) Located in Englewood, 
Colorado

[Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2014-05; Exemption Application No. D-
11756]

Exemption

Section I. Transactions
    The restrictions of sections 406(a)(1)(E), 406(a)(2), 406(b)(1), 
406(b)(2), and 407(a)(1)(A) of the Act and the sanctions resulting from 
the application of section 4975 of the Code, by reason of section 
4975(c)(1)(E) of the Code,\4\ shall not apply, effective August 9, 
2012, until October 9, 2012, to:
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    \4\ For purposes of this exemption, references to specific 
provisions of Title I of the Act, unless otherwise specified, refer 
also to the corresponding provisions of the Code.
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    (a) The acquisition by the individually-directed accounts (the 
Accounts) in the Plan of certain participants (the Invested 
Participants) of stock subscription rights (the Rights) pursuant to a 
stock rights offering (the Rights Offering) by Liberty Interactive 
Corporation (LIC), a party in interest with respect to the Plan; and
    (b) The holding of the Rights by the Invested Participants' 
Accounts during the subscription period.
Section II. Conditions
    (a) The receipt of the Rights by the Invested Participants' 
Accounts occurred in connection with the Rights Offering, and the 
Rights were made available by LIC to all shareholders of Series A 
Liberty Interactive common stock (the LIC Stock);
    (b) The acquisition of the Rights by the Invested Participants' 
Accounts resulted from an independent corporate act of LIC;
    (c) Each shareholder of LIC Stock, including each Invested 
Participant's Account, received the same proportionate number of 
Rights, and this proportionate number of Rights was based on the number 
of shares of the LIC Stock held by each such shareholder;
    (d) The Rights were acquired pursuant to, and in accordance with, 
provisions under the Plan for individually-directed investment of the 
Invested Participants' Accounts, all or a portion of whose Accounts in 
the Plan held the LIC Stock;
    (e) The decision with regard to the disposition of the Rights by an 
Account was made by the Invested Participant whose Account received the 
Rights. Notwithstanding the above, if any of the Invested Participants 
failed to give instructions as to the disposition of the Rights 
received in the Rights Offering, such Rights were sold on the Nasdaq 
Global Market System and the proceeds from the sale were distributed to 
such Invested Participant's Account; and
    (f) No brokerage fees, commissions, or other fees or expenses were 
paid by the Plan or by the Invested Participants' Accounts to any 
broker related to Fidelity Management Trust Company (Fidelity), the 
Plan trustee, or to Liberty Media Corporation (LMC) or LIC in 
connection with the acquisition, holding or sale of the Rights.

DATES: Effective Date: This exemption is effective for the period 
beginning August 9, 2012, through and including October 9, 2012.

Written Comments

    In the Notice of Proposed Exemption (the Notice), the Department 
invited all interested persons to submit written comments and requests 
for a hearing within 45 days of the publication, on April 9, 2014, of 
the Notice in the Federal Register. In an email dated April 15, 2014, 
LMC's representative confirmed that the required notification was sent 
to all interested persons via first class mail no later than April 14, 
2014.

[[Page 43072]]

    During the comment period, the Department received no requests for 
a hearing. In addition, the Department did not receive any written 
comments.
    After full consideration and review of the entire record, the 
Department has decided to grant the exemption. The complete application 
file (D-11756) is available for public inspection in the Public 
Disclosure Room of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, Room 
N-1515, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20210.
    For a more complete statement of the facts and representations 
supporting the Department's decision to grant this exemption, refer to 
the proposed exemption published in the Federal Register on April 9, 
2014 at 79 FR 19653.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Blessed Chuksorji-Keefe of the 
Department at (202) 693-8567. (This is not a toll-free number.)

AT&T Inc. (together with AT&T Inc.'s affiliates, AT&T) Located in 
Dallas, TX

[Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2014-06; Exemption Application No. D-
11758]

Exemption

Section I. Covered Transactions
    The restrictions of sections 406(a)(1)(A), 406(a)(1)(B), 
406(a)(1)(D), 406(a)(1)(E), 406(a)(2), 406(b)(1), 406(b)(2), and 407(a) 
of the Act and the sanctions resulting from the application of section 
4975 of the Code, by reason of section 4975(c)(1)(A), 4975(c)(1)(B), 
4975(c)(1)(D) and 4975(c)(1)(E) of the Code, shall not apply, effective 
September 9, 2013, to the following transactions, provided that the 
conditions described in Section II are satisfied:
    (a) The one-time, in-kind contribution (the Contribution) by AT&T 
of 320 million series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Membership 
Interests (the Preferred Interests) of AT&T Mobility II LLC (the 
Issuer) to the SBC Master Pension Trust, which holds assets of the AT&T 
Pension Benefit Plan (the Plan) in accordance with the terms of the 
Contribution Agreement;
    (b) The holding of the Preferred Interests by the Trust on behalf 
of the Plan;
    (c) The disposition of the Preferred Interests by the Trust in 
connection with the exercise of the Put Option by the Independent 
Fiduciary, in accordance with the terms of the Contribution Agreement;
    (d) The disposition of the Preferred Interests by the Independent 
Fiduciary on behalf of the Trust in connection with the exercise of the 
Call Option, in accordance with the terms of the Contribution 
Agreement;
    (e) The disposition, restructuring, adjustment, or recapitalization 
of the Preferred Interests resulting from a Change of Control of the 
Issuer, in accordance with the terms of the Contribution Agreement;
    (f) The acquisition and holding by the Trust of shares in AT&T 
common stock (the AT&T Shares) received in connection with the exercise 
of the Put Option or the Call Option, in accordance with the terms of 
the Contribution Agreement, to the extent such acquisition and holding 
is not permitted by section 407(a) of ERISA; and
    (g) The deferred payment by AT&T to the Trust of any amounts due 
under the Call Option or the Put Option, in accordance with the terms 
of the Contribution Agreement.
Section II. Conditions
    (a) The Preferred Interests have a liquidation value of $25 per 
Preferred Interest and carry distribution rights of $1.75 per Preferred 
Interest, or $560 million per year in cash payable to the Trust (the 
Distributions) in accordance with the terms of the Contribution 
Agreement;
    (b) The Plan incurs no fees, costs or other charges in connection 
with the transactions described in paragraphs (a)-(g) of Section I, 
other than fees and expenses paid by the Plan to the Independent 
Fiduciary for duties required by this exemption;
    (c) AT&T makes $700 million in additional cash payments (the 
Additional Payments) to the Trust in the following manner:
    (1) $175 million paid at the time the Preferred Interests are 
contributed to the Trust; and
    (2) $175 million paid no later than the due date for AT&T's tax 
return for each of the next three years (i.e., 2014, 2015 and 2016);
    (d) AT&T makes an additional cash contribution to the Trust, equal 
to the ``Net Lookback Amount,'' no later than September 15, 2019. The 
Net Lookback Amount will be calculated as follows:
    (1) Looking back from January 1, 2018, AT&T will recalculate the 
minimum required contribution to the Plan after application of any 
carryover balances (the Mandatory Funding Obligation) for each of the 
2013 through 2017 Plan Years, subject to the following requirements:
    (i) The calculation of each Mandatory Funding Obligation will use 
actuarial assumptions in effect for funding purposes as of the first 
day of the Plan Year for which such contribution is calculated, and the 
calculation of plan assets will assume each Mandatory Funding 
Obligation is contributed when required for the 2013 through 2017 Plan 
Years and earn actual Trust returns for each such year;
    (ii) The value of the Preferred Interests will be disregarded;
    (iii) Actual cash contributions to the Trust, including the 
Additional Payments and Distributions, will be disregarded; and
    (iv) Earnings on all cash contributions, including any earnings on 
the Additional Payments and Distributions, will be included;
    (2) The amounts described in Section (II)(d)(1)(i)-(iv), in the 
aggregate (the Gross Lookback Amount), shall be reduced by the 
following items to arrive at the Net Lookback Amount:
    (i) Actual cash contributions to the Trust, including the 
Additional Payments and the Distributions paid to the Trust prior to 
the date the Net Lookback Amount is paid to the Trust;
    (ii) The value of the Preferred Interests as of January 1, 2018, 
that is not in excess of 10 percent of the total value of the Trust's 
assets, and for the purpose of this clause (ii), the determination of 
the total value of the Trust's assets includes the actual cash 
contributions to the Trust, such as cash contributions made in 
connection with the Additional Payments and Distributions (including 
contribution receivables); and
    (iii) Any consideration paid to the Trust pursuant to any exercise 
of the Put or Call Options at any time prior to the date the Net 
Lookback Amount is paid to the Trust;
    (e) An Independent Fiduciary, acting solely on behalf of the Plan 
and the Trust, represents the Plan's interests for all purposes with 
respect to the Preferred Interests, and determines, prior to entering 
into any of the transactions described in Section I (a)-(g), that each 
such transaction is in the interest of the Plan.
    (f) The Independent Fiduciary will have complete discretion 
regarding the disposition of AT&T Shares in accordance with the IMA and 
the Registration Rights Agreement;
    (g) The Independent Fiduciary negotiated and approved, on behalf of 
the Plan and the Trust, the terms and conditions of the Contribution 
Agreement, including the terms of the Preferred Interests, the Call 
Option and the Put Option, as well as the terms of the IMA and 
Registration Rights Agreement;
    (h) The Independent Fiduciary manages the holding and disposition 
of

[[Page 43073]]

the Preferred Interests and takes whatever actions it deems necessary 
to protect the rights of the Plan with respect to the Preferred 
Interests or the AT&T Shares received in connection with the exercise 
of the Call Option or the Put Option;
    (i) The Independent Fiduciary monitors the credit rating of AT&T 
Inc. for purposes of determining whether the Put Option is triggered 
due to AT&T Inc. being rated below investment grade for two consecutive 
calendar quarters by at least two of the following rating agencies: 
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, Moody's Investor Services, Inc. or 
FitchRatings, Inc.;
    (j) An Independent Appraiser, acting on behalf of the Plan, 
determines the fair market value of the Preferred Interests contributed 
to the Trust on behalf of the Plan as of the date of the Contribution 
and while the Preferred Interests are held on behalf of the Plan, and 
for all purposes under this exemption, consistent with sound principles 
of valuation;
    (k) The Preferred Interests rank senior to any other equity holders 
of the Issuer in respect of: The right to receive Distributions; and 
the right to receive Distributions or payments out of the assets of the 
Issuer upon liquidation of the Issuer, in accordance with the terms of 
the Contribution Agreement;
    (l) In the event that the Distributions are in arrears, AT&T is 
restricted from making certain transfers of cash out of the Issuer or 
declaring dividends on and repurchasing shares of AT&T stock, in 
accordance with the terms of the Contribution Agreement;
    (m) The Committee and the Independent Fiduciary maintain for a 
period of six (6) years from the date any Preferred Interests are 
contributed to the Trust, for a period of six (6) years from the date 
of any disposition of Preferred Interests by the Trust or the purchase 
of Preferred Interests by AT&T, and for a period of six (6) years from 
the last date that the Trust holds AT&T Shares received in connection 
with the exercise of the Put Option or the Call Option in violation of 
section 406(a)(2) of ERISA, in a manner that is convenient and 
accessible for audit and examination, the records necessary to enable 
the persons described in paragraph (n)(1) below to determine whether 
conditions of this exemption have been met, except that (i) a 
prohibited transaction will not be considered to have occurred if, due 
to circumstances beyond the control of the Committee and/or the 
Independent Fiduciary, the records are lost or destroyed prior to the 
end of the six-year period, and (ii) no party in interest other than 
the Committee or the Independent Fiduciary shall be subject to the 
civil penalty that may be assessed under ERISA section 502(i) if the 
records are not maintained, or are not available for examination as 
required by paragraph (n) below; and
    (n)(1) Except as provided in section (2) of this paragraph and not 
withstanding any provisions of subsections (a)(2) and (b) of section 
504 of ERISA, the records referred to in paragraph (m) above shall be 
unconditionally available at their customary location during normal 
business hours to:
    (i) Any duly authorized employee or representative of the 
Department or the Internal Revenue Service;
    (ii) AT&T or any duly authorized representative of AT&T;
    (iii) the Independent Fiduciary or any duly authorized 
representative of the Independent Fiduciary;
    (iv) the Committee or any duly authorized representative of the 
Committee; and
    (v) any participant or beneficiary of the Plan, or any duly 
authorized representative of such participant or beneficiary;
    (2) None of the persons described above in paragraph (n)(1) (iii) 
or (v) shall be authorized to examine the trade secrets of AT&T or 
commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential, 
and should AT&T refuse to disclose information on the basis that such 
information is exempt from disclosure; AT&T shall by the close of the 
thirtieth (30th) day following the request, provide a written notice 
advising that person of the reasons for the refusal and that the 
Department may request such information.

III. Definitions

    For purposes of this exemption:
    (a) The term ``Affiliate'' means:
    (1) Any person directly or indirectly through one or more 
intermediaries, controlling, controlled by, or under common control 
with the person;
    (2) Any officer, director, employee, relative, or partner in any 
such person;
    (3) Any corporation or partnership of which such person is an 
officer, director, partner, or employee. For the purposes of clause 
(a)(1) above, the term ``control'' means the power to exercise a 
controlling influence over the management or policies of a person other 
than an individual.
    (b) The term ``Committee'' means the AT&T Inc. Benefit Plan 
Investment Committee, which has been delegated the power and authority 
to appoint and remove trustees and investment managers, and to enter 
into and amend trust agreements and other agreements relating to the 
management of Plan assets and, in respect of such power and authority, 
has been designated by AT&T Services, Inc. as a ``named fiduciary'' of 
the Plan.
    (c) The term ``Trust'' means the SBC Master Pension Trust, 
established and maintained pursuant to an agreement between AT&T Inc. 
and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as amended and restated effective as of 
February 1, 2012.
    (d) The term ``IMA'' means the Investment Management Agreement by 
and between AT&T Services, Inc., the AT&T Benefit Plan Investment 
Committee, AT&T Inc. and Brock Fiduciary Services LLC, effective on 
September 9, 2013.
    (e) The term ``Contribution Agreement'' means the Contribution 
Agreement between Brock Fiduciary Services LLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, 
N.A., as Directed Trustee of the Trust, AT&T Inc. and AT&T Mobility II 
LLC, dated August 30, 2013, which, among other things, sets forth the 
terms and conditions of the Contribution, the Put Option and the Call 
Option.
    (f) The term ``Registration Rights Agreement'' means the 
Registration Rights Agreement by and among AT&T Inc., the SBC Master 
Pension Trust and Brock Fiduciary Services LLC, as Independent 
Fiduciary and investment manager with respect to the AT&T Pension 
Benefit Plan, a participating plan in the SBC Master Pension Trust, 
dated August 30, 2013.
    (g) The term ``Change of Control'' means (i) the occurrence of any 
merger, reorganization or other transaction that results in AT&T, 
directly or indirectly, owning less than fifty percent of the capital 
or profits interests (where the Issuer remains taxable as a 
partnership), or equity (if the Issuer becomes taxable as a 
corporation), of the Issuer, exclusive of the Preferred Interests, or 
(ii) a transfer of fifty percent or more of the Plan liabilities and 
Trust assets to an entity not under common control with AT&T Inc.
    (h) The term ``Independent Fiduciary'' means Brock Fiduciary 
Services LLC and any other fiduciary who (1) is independent or 
unrelated to AT&T Inc. and its affiliates and has the appropriate 
training, experience, and facilities to act on behalf of the Plan 
regarding the covered transactions in accordance with the fiduciary 
duties and responsibilities prescribed by ERISA (including, if 
necessary, the responsibility to seek the counsel of knowledgeable 
advisors to assist in its compliance with ERISA), and (2) if relevant, 
succeeds Brock Fiduciary Services LLC pursuant to the terms of the 
Investment Management Agreement, Independent Fiduciary

[[Page 43074]]

Agreement, or other relevant agreement. The Independent Fiduciary will 
not be deemed to be independent of and unrelated to AT&T Inc. and its 
affiliates if: (i) Such fiduciary directly or indirectly controls, is 
controlled by or is under common control, with AT&T and its affiliates; 
(ii) such fiduciary directly or indirectly receives any compensation or 
other consideration in connection with any transaction described in 
this exemption other than for acting as an Independent Fiduciary in 
connection with the transactions described herein, provided that the 
amount or payment of such compensation is not contingent upon, or in 
any way affected by, the Independent Fiduciary's ultimate decision; and 
(iii) the annual gross revenue received by the Independent Fiduciary, 
during any year of its engagement, from AT&T Inc. and its affiliates, 
exceeds two percent of the Independent Fiduciary's annual gross revenue 
from all sources (for federal income tax purposes) for its prior tax 
year. For the purpose of this Section III(h), the term ``control'' has 
the meaning set forth in Section III(a) above.
    (i) The term ``Put Option'' means the right of the Independent 
Fiduciary to require AT&T to purchase the Preferred Interests from the 
Trust, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the 
Contribution Agreement, at the Option Price per Preferred Interest at 
any time and from time to time on or after the earliest of: (1) The 
first date that the Issuer's debt-to-total-capitalization ratio (as 
defined in the Contribution Agreement) exceeds that of AT&T; (2) the 
date on which AT&T, Inc. is rated below investment grade for two 
consecutive calendar quarters by at least two of the following rating 
agencies: (x) Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, (y) Moody's Investor 
Services, Inc., or (z) FitchRatings, Inc.; (3) a Change of Control; or 
(4) the seventh anniversary of the date on which the Preferred 
Interests are contributed to the Trust.
    (j) The term ``Call Option'' means the right of AT&T to purchase 
all or any portion of the Preferred Interests from the Trust, pursuant 
to the terms and conditions set forth in the Contribution Agreement, at 
a price per Preferred Interest equal to the Option Price per Preferred 
Interest, at any time and from time to time: (1) During the twelve 
month period following the date AT&T issues an annual report reflecting 
that the Plan is fully funded as determined under U.S. GAAP and 
calculated by including the fair market value of the Preferred 
Interests; (2) on or after a Change of Control; or (3) on or after the 
fifth anniversary of the date on which the Preferred Interests are 
contributed to the Trust.
    (k) The term ``Trustee'' means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or any 
successor trustee retained by the Trust to hold the assets of the 
Trust, acting solely as a directed trustee with no discretionary 
authority over the investment of Trust assets.
    (l) The term ``Option Price'' means an amount equal to the greater 
of: (1) The fair market value of the Preferred Interest, determined by 
the Independent Fiduciary as of the last date of the calendar quarter 
preceding the date of notice of exercise of a Call Option or Put 
Option, as the case may be, without regard to the occurrence of any 
prior event described in clauses (1) or (2) of the definition of Call 
Option or in clauses (1) through (3) of the definition of Put Option, 
or, for the portion of Preferred Interests that are not immediately 
purchased by AT&T pursuant to the Put Option because of the limitation 
on AT&T's obligation to purchase the Preferred Interests pursuant to 
the Put Option to no more than 106,666,667 Preferred Interests in any 
twelve month period, the fair market value of the Preferred Interest, 
determined by the Independent Fiduciary as of the last date of the 
calendar quarter immediately preceding the date such portion of the 
Preferred Interest is actually purchased by AT&T Inc., without regard 
to the occurrence of any prior event described in clauses (1) or (2) of 
the definition of Call Option or in clauses (1) through (3) of the 
definition of Put Option; and (2) the sum of $25.00 (i.e., $8 billion 
in the aggregate) plus any accrued and unpaid Distributions.
    (m) The term ``Independent Fiduciary Agreement'' means the 
Independent Fiduciary Agreement dated May 1, 2012, as amended, by and 
among AT&T Services, AT&T Inc. and Brock.
    (n) The term ``Independent Appraiser'' means an individual or 
entity meeting the definition of a ``Qualified Independent Appraiser'' 
under 25 CFR 2570.31(i) retained to determine, on behalf of the Plan, 
the fair market value of the Preferred Interests as of the date of the 
Contribution and while the Preferred Interests are held on behalf of 
the Plan. For avoidance of doubt, the Independent Appraiser may be the 
Independent Fiduciary, provided it qualifies as a Qualified Independent 
Appraiser.

DATES: Effective Date: This exemption is effective as of September 9, 
2013.

Background \5\
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    \5\ The Background information is based on AT&T's 
representations and does not reflect the views of the Department, 
unless indicated otherwise.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    AT&T Inc. (together with its affiliates, AT&T) is a provider of 
telecommunications services, including wireless communications, with 
its principal executive offices in Dallas, Texas. AT&T sponsors the 
AT&T Pension Benefit Plan (the Plan), a noncontributory qualified 
defined benefit pension plan whose assets are held in trust by the SBC 
Master Pension Trust (the Trust). The Plan covers substantially all 
U.S. bargained and non-bargained employees of the participating 
subsidiaries of AT&T. As of December 31, 2013, the Plan had 536,500 
participants and assets with an approximate fair market value of $56.45 
billion, including the Preferred Interests with a value of $9.21 
billion. As of the same date, the Plan was underfunded by $9.32 
billion, excluding the Preferred Interests, and by $113 million, 
including the Preferred Interests.\6\
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    \6\ Prior to the Contribution, as of December 31, 2012, the Plan 
had 551,187 participants and assets with an approximate fair market 
value of $45.06 billion. As of the same date the Plan was 
underfunded by $13.85 billion.
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    On September 9, 2013, AT&T made an in-kind contribution (the 
Contribution) to the Trust of 320 million Series A Cumulative Perpetual 
Preferred Membership Interests (i.e., the Preferred Interests) of AT&T 
Mobility II LLC (the Issuer), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of 
AT&T Inc. The Applicant stated that the Contribution would provide the 
Plan with a valuable asset in the fastest growing part of AT&T's 
business and would be substantially in excess of the legally required 
Plan contributions and would allow AT&T to enhance the sound funding of 
the Plan.
    The Preferred Interests will pay annual distributions of $1.75 per 
Preferred Interest, or $560 million, to the Trust (the 
Distributions).\7\ The liquidation value of the Preferred Interests 
equals $25.00 per Preferred Interest (i.e., $8 billion in the 
aggregate) plus any accrued and unpaid Distributions. In addition, the 
Preferred Interests will rank senior to any other class or series of 
equity interests in the Issuer upon voluntary or involuntary

[[Page 43075]]

liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer.
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    \7\ AT&T informed the Department that three Distributions have 
been made since the date of the Contribution. Specifically, AT&T 
represents that $34,222,222 was paid to the Trust on November 1, 
2013, for the 22 days the Trust held the Preferred Interests in the 
third quarter of 2013, $140 million was paid to the Trust on 
February 3, 2014, for the fourth quarter of 2013, and $140 million 
was paid to the Trust on May 1, 2014, for the first quarter of 2014.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Preferred Interests are transferable to AT&T upon exercise of a 
call option (the Call Option) and a put option (the Put Option). The 
Call Option and the Put Option are exercisable upon the occurrence of 
certain events, including as of the 5 year and 7 year anniversaries, 
respectively, of the date of the Contribution. At the sole election of 
AT&T, Inc., payment of the Option Price may be made in: (i) Shares of 
AT&T Inc. common stock (AT&T Shares); (ii) cash; or (iii) a combination 
of AT&T Shares and cash.
    In connection with the Contribution, the Applicant is committed to 
make additional cash contributions to the Trust, in order to 
approximate the minimum required contributions that would otherwise be 
payable to the Plan by AT&T in cash, computed as if the Contribution 
had never been made, for as long as relief under the proposed exemption 
is in effect, comprised of (i) lump sum cash payments totaling $700 
million (the Additional Payments); and (ii) a ``lookback'' payment (the 
Lookback Amount).
    The Independent Fiduciary, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brock 
Capital Group, was appointed by AT&T to serve as an independent 
fiduciary on behalf of the Plan and the Plan's participants and 
beneficiaries with respect to the Contribution, and was appointed to 
serve as the investment manager with respect to the holding, management 
and disposition of the Preferred Interests held by the Trust. 
Furthermore, the fair market value of the Preferred Interests at any 
point in time will be determined by the Independent Fiduciary in its 
sole discretion.

Written Comments

    In the Notice of Proposed Exemption (the Notice), published in the 
Federal Register at 78 FR 55103 (September 9, 2013), the Department 
invited all interested persons to submit written comments and requests 
for a hearing on the proposed exemption. All comments and requests for 
hearing were due by November 3, 2013. During the comment period, the 
Department received a total of 44 comments from Plan participants (the 
Commenters). The Department also received a comment letter from AT&T 
(the AT&T Comment Letter) and a supplemental response (together with 
the AT&T Comment Letter, the AT&T Comment).\8\ Due to a 
misunderstanding by AT&T regarding the date of the last day in the 
comment period, the Department agreed to grant AT&T a 3-day extension 
of the comment period, and received the AT&T Comment Letter on November 
6, 2013. In the AT&T Comment, AT&T sought: (1) minor changes to Section 
II(b), Section II(d) and Section III(d) of the Notice; (2) 
clarifications to the Notice; and (3) changes to the effective date of 
the Notice.
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    \8\ On November 18, 2013, AT&T also forwarded to the Department 
a statement in support of the Contribution from the Communications 
Workers of America (the CWA) that the CWA had posted on its Web 
site. AT&T represents that the CWA is the union that covers the vast 
majority of AT&T's collectively bargained employees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participant Comments

    Seventeen of the Commenters raised issues beyond the scope of the 
exemption request. Five Commenters expressed support for the adoption 
of the proposed exemption. Twenty-two Commenters expressed opposition 
to the exemption and expressed concerns regarding the transactions 
described in the Notice. These concerns generally related to:
    (a) The prudence of the Contribution and risk to the Plan; (b) Plan 
diversification; (c) fiduciary oversight; (d) the preference for a cash 
contribution; (e) the valuation of the Preferred Interests; (f) the 
benefits of the Contribution to AT&T; and (g) the accuracy of 
assumptions made in estimating AT&T's minimum funding contributions. 
The following summarizes AT&T's response to these concerns.
(a) The Prudence of the Contribution and Risk to the Plan
    A number of the Commenters expressed concern regarding whether the 
Contribution was prudent, protective of the Plan, and in the Plan's 
best interest. Several of these Commenters also expressed concern that 
AT&T needed an exemption from certain restrictions imposed by ERISA, 
including the 10 percent limitation on employer securities imposed by 
section 407(a)(2) of ERISA. Other Commenters questioned whether the 
Contribution would be too risky, in particular because the Contribution 
would result in the Trust holding a greater percentage of its equity 
holdings in AT&T securities. In addition, one Commenter suggested that 
AT&T be compelled to fully fund the Plan with assets that have a value 
unrelated to AT&T's earnings. Another Commenter questioned whether the 
Company's decision to contribute the Preferred Interests to the Plan, 
as opposed to cash, was indicative of financial instability within the 
Company.
(i) Prudence of the Contribution
    In response to Commenters' prudence concerns, AT&T states that the 
Preferred Interests represent a better value and less risk than a cash 
contribution of an equal amount. In this regard, AT&T represents that 
the Preferred Interests will, pursuant to their terms, provide annual 
cash Distributions worth $560 million to the Plan, so long as the 
Preferred Interests are held by the Trust. In connection with the 
Contribution, AT&T will additionally contribute the Additional 
Payments, worth $700 million in cash, to the Plan ($175 million was 
contributed on the date of the Contribution). AT&T states that over the 
course of the next five years, the Distributions and Additional 
Payments will total $3.5 billion, which is more than AT&T currently 
projects as its required contributions during this period if the 
Contribution had not been made. Further, AT&T represents that the Trust 
has approximately $33 billion in publicly traded, relatively liquid 
assets which are sufficient to pay benefit claims for eight years 
without taking into account investment growth on those assets. AT&T 
represents that the Trust's annual rate of return over the past five 
years through 2013 has been approximately 12 percent, which is 
indicative of the continued growth potential of the Trust's assets.
    AT&T states that in order to ensure that the Plan's acceptance of 
the Contribution was prudent, it retained Brock Fiduciary Services, 
LLC, (the Independent Fiduciary), to represent the Plan's interests as 
an independent fiduciary with regard to the acceptance, management and 
disposition of the Preferred Interests. AT&T represents that the 
Independent Fiduciary, after taking into account the features of the 
Preferred Interests as well as the percentage of Plan assets 
represented by such securities, concluded that it was prudent for the 
Plan to accept the Contribution and that the Contribution is in the 
best interests of the Plan and its participants and beneficiaries, and 
protective of the rights of the participants and beneficiaries.
    One Commenter indicated that the Contribution was not in the best 
interests of Plan participants because the Contribution would act as a 
poison pill preventing corporate transactions involving AT&T. In 
response, AT&T disagrees that the Contribution would have a deterrent 
effect on corporate transactions. AT&T states that even without the 
Contribution, the unfunded liability of the Plan could affect any 
potential corporate transaction. Moreover, AT&T represents that the

[[Page 43076]]

Independent Fiduciary negotiated with AT&T for rights that protect the 
Plan's interests in the event of a significant corporate transaction 
involving AT&T.\9\
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    \9\ AT&T states that, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, 
these types of transactions are comprised of (A) any merger, 
corporate reorganization or other transaction that results in AT&T, 
directly or indirectly, owning less than fifty percent of the 
capital or profits interests or equity of the Issuer, or (B) a 
transfer of fifty percent or more of the Plan liabilities and Trust 
assets to an entity that is not under common control with AT&T Inc. 
Thus, AT&T explains that the Independent Fiduciary has the authority 
to require AT&T Inc. to purchase the Preferred Interests if there is 
a significant (fifty percent or more) spin off of Plan assets/
liabilities or if fifty percent or more of the Issuer is acquired or 
spun out of the AT&T Inc. family of companies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A Commenter expressed concern that existing shareholders of AT&T 
common stock would be penalized by a dilution of their shares and that 
the Plan would receive diluted shares of AT&T common stock. In 
response, AT&T states that the Contribution did not, in fact, result in 
material dilution to its common stock. AT&T explains that there would, 
however, be dilution of AT&T common stock if the Preferred Interests 
were repurchased by AT&T using its common stock, and not cash. 
Nevertheless, AT&T suggests that any purchase of the Preferred 
Interests by AT&T would most likely be for cash, in order to avoid such 
dilution.
(ii) Plan Safeguards
    In response to whether the Contribution is protective of the Plan, 
AT&T states that the Contribution Agreement between Brock Fiduciary 
Services LLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Directed Trustee of the 
Trust, AT&T Inc. and the Issuer (the Contribution Agreement) will 
provide additional safeguards to the Trust. For example, AT&T 
represents that the Contribution Agreement provides the Trust with a 
Put Option that permits the Trust to cause AT&T to purchase the 
Preferred Interests with cash or unregistered, publicly-traded shares 
of AT&T common stock (such shares are referred to as the AT&T Shares), 
upon the occurrence of certain specified events, including a decline in 
AT&T Inc.'s credit rating by certain independent rating agencies.\10\ 
AT&T represents that the terms of the Contribution Agreement also 
provide that AT&T may not pay dividends and the Issuer may not transfer 
any cash to AT&T or any of its affiliated owners if any quarterly cash 
Distributions payable on the Preferred Interests are in arrears. 
Furthermore, AT&T represents that the Preferred Interests rank senior 
to any other class or series of equity interests in the Issuer. 
Therefore, according to AT&T, upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation 
or dissolution of the Issuer, the Plan would have the right to receive 
payments or distributions equal to not less than the Preferred 
Interests' stated value, $8 billion, plus any unpaid Distributions, out 
of the assets of the Issuer before AT&T and AT&T's creditors. Finally, 
in connection with the Contribution, the Preferred Interests will pay 
the Distributions pursuant to their terms at an ``above-market'' rate 
of return, and AT&T is obligated to make $700 million in Additional 
Payments described above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ AT&T notes that if it uses its common stock to purchase the 
Preferred Interests, the Trust, acting through the Independent 
Fiduciary, can sell such shares in the public market pursuant to a 
Registration Rights Agreement between AT&T and the Trust, acting 
through the Independent Fiduciary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(iii) Preferred Interests Held by Plan in Excess of the 10 Percent 
Limit Imposed by ERISA
    AT&T explains that because the Preferred Interests represent more 
than 10 percent of the Trust's assets, AT&T agreed to make certain 
additional ``lookback'' payments equal to the Lookback Amount that 
provide protection to the Plan in the event that AT&T's projections 
regarding its required contributions turn out to be lower than the 
actual requirements. In this regard, AT&T explains that it agreed to 
make a cash contribution to the Trust equal to the Lookback Amount as 
of the end of 2017 in the event that the Plan's legally required 
contributions from 2013 through 2017, calculated as if the Preferred 
Interests had not been contributed, would have been larger than the 
cash actually received by the Trust through the Distributions and the 
Additional Payments. For purposes of calculating the Lookback Amount, 
AT&T may also offset a portion of the value of the Preferred Interests 
that is not in excess of the 10 percent limit contained in ERISA. Thus, 
AT&T contends that as of the end of 2017, in no event can the Trust be 
worse off than if the exemption had not been granted.
(iv) Risks to the Plan Related to the Contribution
    With respect to the Commenters' concern regarding the risk posed by 
the Contribution to the Plan, AT&T represents that the Contribution 
provides to the Plan an asset with a value, as of the date of the 
Contribution, of approximately $9.1 billion, that is well in excess of 
the amount AT&T was legally required to contribute to the Plan for 2013 
through 2017. Furthermore, AT&T states that the Contribution provides a 
future stream of cash flow on which the Plan can rely for benefit 
payments and other purposes. AT&T states that the unique features of 
the Preferred Interests that it negotiated with the Independent 
Fiduciary are otherwise unavailable in the current market.
    In addition, AT&T represents that the Plan has always been in 
compliance with its legal funding requirements and AT&T cannot be 
compelled to immediately fund the Plan in full. AT&T observes that the 
Independent Fiduciary noted that the ``voluntary contribution of 
valuable assets to the Plan . . . will far exceed what [AT&T] 
represents it would contribute if it were to make only a cash 
contribution.'' AT&T asserts that the Contribution, together with the 
Additional Payments and the Lookback Amount discussed above provide the 
Plan and its participants with substantial assets in excess of its 
legal funding requirements that mitigate the risk to the Plan and 
protect their benefits now and in the future.
(v) Proposed Exemption and Risk of Bankruptcy
    With respect to one Commenter's concern that AT&T's decision to 
contribute the Preferred Interests to the Plan, rather than cash, may 
be indicative of financial instability within the company, AT&T 
represents that its financial condition, including the Issuer, is 
robust, as demonstrated by its ``A'' credit rating.
(b) Plan Diversification
    Two Commenters conveyed a general concern that the Plan would lack 
adequate diversification due to the Contribution. In response, AT&T 
represents that the Committee is in the process of reassessing the 
allocation of the Plan's other investments, thereby taking into account 
diversification requirements. As discussed above, AT&T believes the 
Contribution represents a better value and less risk than a cash 
contribution of an equal amount, even after taking into account the 
higher proportion of Plan assets that will be invested in AT&T 
securities, including, potentially, AT&T common stock. AT&T notes that 
this belief is shared by the Independent Fiduciary. Furthermore, as 
discussed above, AT&T states that it has agreed to provide significant 
protections to the Plan in connection with the Contribution, and that 
such protections are intended to mitigate risks to the Plan related to 
the Contribution, including those related to diversification.

[[Page 43077]]

(c) Fiduciary Oversight
    Five Commenters questioned whether the acceptance of the 
Contribution was in the interest of Plan participants and whether there 
was adequate fiduciary oversight. Three Commenters raised issues 
related to the qualification of the Independent Fiduciary and whether 
the Independent Fiduciary was sufficiently independent from AT&T. In a 
related comment, the Commenter expressed concern regarding the 
valuations because they were completed by the Independent Fiduciary, 
who was appointed by AT&T. A different Commenter stated that the 
Independent Fiduciary had a conflict of interest because it was 
coordinating the approval process of the Contribution.
    In response, AT&T states that the Independent Fiduciary represents 
exclusively the interests of the Plan and its participants and 
accordingly, its duties are to the Plan rather than to AT&T. AT&T 
states that the Independent Fiduciary's responsibilities include, among 
other duties, determining whether the terms of the Contribution are 
prudent and in the interest of the Plan and the Trust. Furthermore, 
AT&T states that the Independent Fiduciary does not receive any 
compensation or other consideration from AT&T for its services to the 
Plan. AT&T states that the Independent Fiduciary was separately engaged 
and compensated for its respective roles as Independent Fiduciary and 
as investment manager. Moreover, AT&T stresses that the Independent 
Fiduciary is independent of AT&T and its subsidiaries and has never 
provided services to AT&T or any of its subsidiaries. In addition, AT&T 
states that the Independent Fiduciary made its own determination of the 
prudence of the Plan's acceptance and holding of the Preferred 
Interests, and the Independent Fiduciary will have the exclusive 
authority to manage the Preferred Interests while held by the Plan.
    AT&T represents further that the Independent Fiduciary has 
demonstrated that it is qualified to act as independent fiduciary and 
investment manager. For example, AT&T states that the Independent 
Fiduciary serves as the independent fiduciary for the Chrysler Group 
LLC (Chrysler) United Auto Workers voluntary employee beneficiary 
association (UAW VEBA), where, as independent fiduciary for the 
Chrysler UAW VEBA, it successfully challenged Fiat SpA's proposed 
purchase of the Chrysler interests held by the Chrysler UAW VEBA. AT&T 
has provided the following link for additional information regarding 
the qualifications of the Independent Fiduciary's personnel working on 
this matter: https://www.brockcapital.com/our-team/alphabetically.
    AT&T also represents that the Independent Fiduciary has extensive 
experience as an appraiser of non-publicly traded securities, including 
securities like the Preferred Interests. Further, AT&T states that the 
Independent Fiduciary is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brock Capital 
Group and therefore has the capability to call upon the members of 
Brock Capital Group if required to provide expertise in the appraisal 
of employer securities to be contributed.
    One other Commenter requested that a rank and file employee be 
involved in the decision-making process with respect to the 
Contribution. In response, AT&T represents that the interests of Plan 
participants are in fact being represented by the Independent 
Fiduciary, which is qualified to represent their interests. In 
addition, AT&T states its belief that delegating investment authority 
to a rank and file employee would interfere with the ability of the 
Independent Fiduciary to carry out its duties. AT&T adds that the 
Communications Workers of America, a union that represents many Plan 
participants, has publicly expressed its support for the exemption.
(d) The Preference for a Cash Contribution
(i) Contribution of Cash Compared to Contribution of Preferred 
Interests
    Many Commenters expressed a preference for a cash contribution 
rather than the Contribution of Preferred Interests. In response, AT&T 
notes that, in fulfillment of the conditions of the exemption, AT&T 
contributed $175 million of the $700 million in Additional Payments in 
cash in 2013 at the time of the Contribution, and it must provide $525 
million more in Additional Payments prior to 2018. AT&T represents that 
the Plan also will receive the Distributions, equal to $560 million in 
cash, each year in which it holds the Preferred Interests. Therefore, 
according to AT&T, the Contribution in and of itself provides a 
significant source of cash to the Plan.
    In addition, AT&T represents that, as described above, the Plan's 
decision to accept the Contribution is made by the Independent 
Fiduciary, in its sole discretion, and notes that the Independent 
Fiduciary, after taking into account the features of the Preferred 
Interests, concluded that it is prudent for the Plan to accept the 
Contribution and that the Contribution is in the best interests of the 
Plan and its participants and beneficiaries and protective of the 
rights of the participants and beneficiaries.
    As indicated elsewhere, AT&T believes that the Contribution 
represents a better value and less risk than a cash contribution of an 
equal amount.\11\ In this regard, AT&T opines that a cash contribution 
would present its own investment challenges because cash must be 
invested. For example, AT&T argues that the Preferred Interests have a 
significantly better risk/return profile than would an investment of 
cash in the Trust's current, broad portfolio. According to AT&T, the 
Contribution provides to the Plan an asset with a value, as of the date 
of the Contribution, of approximately $9.1 billion, which is an amount 
well in excess of the amount that AT&T was legally required to 
contribute to the Plan for 2013 and far exceeds the amount of cash that 
AT&T would voluntarily agree to contribute to the Plan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ The Department is expressing no view herein as to whether 
the Contribution represents better value and less risk than a cash 
contribution of equal amount.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(ii) Rate of Return on Preferred Interests and Cash Contribution
    One Commenter questioned whether the rate of return on AT&T Shares 
would be lower than the Plan's projected returns on Plan assets based 
on performance in prior years. In response, AT&T notes that the 
securities contributed under the proposed exemption are Preferred 
Interests in the Issuer that pay a fixed rate of Distributions equal to 
$1.75 per Preferred Interest, or an annual amount of $560 million. AT&T 
explains that by comparison, the rate of return on the Plan's other 
equity investments are subject to market conditions, and will vary from 
time to time. AT&T explains further that the Preferred Interests 
include a minimum preferred liquidation value that mitigates generally 
applicable market valuation impacts, absent a reduction in the credit 
worthiness of AT&T Mobility. AT&T confirms that other Plan assets are, 
and will continue to be, invested in a variety of securities in 
compliance with the diversification requirements of ERISA. As discussed 
above, the Trust has approximately $33 billion in publicly-traded, 
relatively liquid assets, which are sufficient to pay benefit claims 
for eight years, even assuming that the Trust earned nothing on its 
assets.

[[Page 43078]]

    In a related comment, a Commenter expressed concern that the 
Contribution would limit future earnings of the Plan. However, AT&T 
responds that, as discussed above, the Preferred Interests would not 
limit future earnings, but would provide a secure, above market rate of 
return for a portion of the Plan's investments.
    Five Commenters expressed concern regarding AT&T's ability to meet 
its obligations to the Plan. One of these Commenters also noted that if 
AT&T is successful, it should be able to fund the Plan, which the 
Commenter asserted was frozen as to new participants as of 1999. In 
response, AT&T states that, in fact, the Plan has not been frozen and 
continues to cover newly-hired eligible employees. AT&T confirms that 
it is currently funding, and will continue to fund, the Plan. AT&T 
further states that it did not contribute the Preferred Interests 
because it lacks the capital to meet its minimum funding requirements; 
rather, AT&T represents that the purpose of the Contribution is to 
benefit the Plan and enhance the sound funding of the Plan while 
improving AT&T's standing in the capital markets.
(iii) Borrowing Money To Make Cash Contribution
    Another Commenter suggested that AT&T borrow money to fund the 
Plan, rather than contributing the Preferred Interests. AT&T states 
that it would not consider using its borrowing capacity for pension 
funding purposes. AT&T believes that its borrowing capacity is 
important to support the capital requirements of its business, which, 
in turn, strengthens the long-term viability of the company and 
ultimately the Plan.
(iv) Sale of Preferred Interests in Public Market
    Three Commenters questioned why the Preferred Interests were being 
contributed to the Plan rather than sold in the public market to raise 
money for a cash contribution. AT&T notes that the Preferred Interests 
are limited liability company interests, and because of their design, 
there is no public market for the Preferred Interests or any other 
interests in the Issuer (AT&T notes that the value of the Preferred 
Interests was determined by the Independent Fiduciary, as explained in 
further detail below). AT&T represents that, as indicated above, it 
worked with the Independent Fiduciary to negotiate and design a 
security with unique features unavailable in the current market that 
represents a better value and less risk than a cash contribution of an 
equal amount, which in turn would have to be invested in other assets.
(e) The Valuation of the Preferred Interests
    Two Commenters questioned how the Preferred Interests could be 
valued if they were not being sold in the public marketplace. Two other 
Commenters expressed concern that the valuations of the Preferred 
Interests would change over time. Specifically, one Commenter stated 
its concern that the valuations in the industry, which is rapidly 
changing & being eroded by new forms of competition, are likely to 
change, while another Commenter worried that the Issuer has likely 
peaked & the valuation is mostly likely inflated and will decline.
    In response, AT&T explains that private investments can be valued, 
even if they are not publicly traded. AT&T represents that the value of 
the Preferred Interests was, and will continue to be, determined by the 
Independent Fiduciary's highly qualified and experienced staff. AT&T 
states that in its valuation of the Preferred Interests, the 
Independent Fiduciary applied generally accepted valuation 
methodologies, reviewed relevant investment and financial studies and 
conducted other such analyses deemed appropriate.
    AT&T represents that the value of the Preferred Interests is based 
on the fixed stated value of the Preferred Interests, i.e., their $8 
billion liquidation preference, the rate of return represented by the 
Distributions, and the financial viability of the Issuer. Thus, AT&T 
states that the valuation of the Preferred Interests was $9.1 billion 
at the time of the Contribution. AT&T represents that, as of December 
31, 2013, the Preferred Interests were valued by the Independent 
Fiduciary at approximately $9.2 billion, representing an increase in 
value of approximately $100 million in under 4 months.
    AT&T states further that it is bound by the conditions of the 
exemption to pay the Lookback Amount, which could require AT&T to make 
an additional cash contribution to the Trust in the event that the 
actual minimum required contributions (calculated as if the Preferred 
Interests had not been contributed) are greater than the cash actually 
received (i.e., the Distributions and the Additional Payments). AT&T 
represents that these ``safeguards'' provide additional protection to 
the value of the Preferred Interests.
(f) The Benefits of the Contribution to AT&T
    One Commenter expressed concern that the Contribution would benefit 
AT&T at the expense of its shareholders. This Commenter indicated that 
the Contribution would create a false impression of profitability, 
which would result in increased bonuses to management employees. In 
response, AT&T represents that it proposed the Contribution for the 
purpose of enhancing the Plan's financial status, which, in turn, 
benefits Plan participants and the retirees, as well as AT&T. AT&T 
states that it designed the terms of the Preferred Interests to 
represent a better risk/reward profile than the assets available in the 
public market in which a cash contribution would be invested. AT&T 
represents that any benefits the company would receive are incidental 
to the benefits to the Plan and its participants. Further, AT&T 
represents that any such benefits, including corporate tax deductions, 
are inherent in the maintenance of a pension plan such as the Plan. In 
addition, AT&T represents that the Contribution is not intended to, and 
does not have the effect of, increasing management bonus payments.
    Another Commenter suggested that the Contribution was intended to 
provide a tax benefit to AT&T. In response to this comment, AT&T points 
out that its entitlement to tax deductions for its contributions is not 
limited to the Contribution of Preferred Interests, but is available 
for all its contributions.
    Another Commenter expressed concern that the Contribution would 
enable AT&T to declare that the Plan was overfunded and withdraw assets 
from the Plan. In response, AT&T represents that it is not legally 
permitted to withdraw assets from the Plan in this manner.
    Yet another Commenter indicated that the Contribution of Preferred 
Interests was no different than borrowing money from the Plan. In 
response, AT&T states that the Commenter conflated equity and debt, and 
explains that unlike a typical borrowing situation, AT&T did not 
receive any cash from the Plan in exchange for the Contribution. AT&T 
further states that, in light of the fact that it contributed cash to 
satisfy its $175 million minimum required contribution for 2013, the 
Contribution is not being used to satisfy any current mandatory funding 
obligation. AT&T states further that the Contribution involves the 
contribution of equity interests, not debt.

[[Page 43079]]

    Two Commenters expressed concern that the Contribution might be 
related to AT&T's recent corporate transaction activity involving its 
failed merger with T-Mobile and money spent on various corporate 
marketing initiatives. In response, AT&T states that the Contribution 
is wholly unrelated to any corporate transaction that it has 
undertaken, including its failed merger with T-Mobile. In addition, 
AT&T represents that it would not be making this Contribution if it did 
not believe that the Contribution is in the best interests of the Plan 
participants and its stockholders.
(g) The Accuracy of the Assumptions Made in Estimating AT&T's Minimum 
Funding Contributions
    One Commenter expressed concern about the accuracy of the 
assumptions used in the Notice to estimate AT&T's anticipated minimum 
funding contributions. Specifically, the Commenter stated that AT&T's 
assumptions regarding the annual returns (and related contribution 
amounts) on the Plan's assets for the years 2013 and 2014 of 12.0 
percent and for the years 2015 through 2019 of 7.75 percent were of 
particular concern, as the Commenter believed these projected return 
levels to be too ``optimistic.'' The Commenter suggested that the 
Department should require AT&T to revise downward its annual return 
assumptions consistent with current financial realities including 
current marketplace interest rate projections and equity returns. The 
Commenter further suggested that the Department should require AT&T to 
revise upward, as necessary, the required minimum contribution for the 
years 2013 through 2019 and also revise upward, as necessary, AT&T's 
$700 million cash contribution payable over five years. The Commenter 
believed these suggested actions to be prudent given the uncertainties 
regarding current fiscal projections and the national debt level. In 
response, AT&T states that the assumptions that the Plan's assets will 
earn an annual return of 12.0 percent for 2013 and 2014 and 7.75 
percent thereafter are based on the historical investment performance 
of the Plan's assets and estimates of future performance. AT&T 
represents that for calendar year 2012, the Plan's assets returned 12.1 
percent, and for 2013, 12.9 percent (including the Preferred 
Interests), which can be indicative, but certainly not a guarantee, of 
future performance.\12\ Further, AT&T states that, as discussed above, 
it agreed to contribute the Lookback Amount to provide additional 
protection to the Plan in the event that AT&T's projections regarding 
investment returns and its minimum required contributions turn out to 
be different than these assumptions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ The Department is aware that the projections supplied by 
the Applicant cover a two-year period, and may not accurately 
reflect the actual rate of return that will be experienced by the 
Plan over the next five-year period. To address this, the exemption 
contains a make-whole provision, described above, designed to ensure 
that AT&T makes additional cash contributions to the plan equal to 
the ``Lookback Amount,'' that take into consideration the Plan's 
actual investment performance over such five-year period. The 
Department notes further that the Independent Fiduciary has a duty 
to manage the Trust's holding of the Preferred Interests and to 
enforce the Plan's rights with respect to the terms of the Preferred 
Interests and the Contribution Agreement, including AT&T's 
obligations under such make-whole provisions and the calculation of 
the Lookback Amount.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The AT&T Comment

    1. Requested changes to Section II(b), Section II(d) and Section 
III(d) of the Notice. AT&T notes that a condition for relief in Section 
II(b) of the Notice requires that the Plan will not incur any fees, 
costs or other charges, in connection with the transactions described 
in the Notice, other than fees paid to the Independent Fiduciary. 
However, AT&T points out that, as provided in Representation 20 of the 
Notice at 78 FR 55108 and pursuant to the Independent Fiduciary 
Agreement dated May 1, 2012, the Plan can also pay the related expenses 
of the Independent Fiduciary, in addition to the specified fees. 
Therefore, AT&T suggests that the Department revise the relevant 
portion of Section II(b) of the Notice to read ``The Plan incurs no 
fees, costs or other charges in connection with the transactions 
described in paragraphs (a)-(g) of Section I, other than fees and 
expenses paid by the Plan to the Independent Fiduciary.'' In response 
to this comment, the Department has revised Section II(b) of the 
exemption to read, ``The Plan incurs no fees, costs or other charges in 
connection with the transactions described in paragraphs (a)-(g) of 
Section I, other than fees and expenses paid by the Plan to the 
Independent Fiduciary for duties required by this exemption.''
    In addition, AT&T represents that the phrase ``Lump Sum Payments,'' 
defined at Representation 38 of the Notice (78 FR 55110) and referenced 
in Section II(d)(2)(ii) of the Notice, Representations 37, 38 and 39 of 
the Notice at 78 FR 55110, and Footnote 19 of the Notice at 78 FR 
55110, represent the ``Additional Payments,'' defined at Section II(c) 
of the Notice, and referenced in Section II(d) of the Notice. For the 
avoidance of confusion, AT&T suggests replacing all references to 
``Lump Sum Payments'' with ``Additional Payments.'' In response to this 
comment, the Department has adopted the requested revision to Section 
II(d) of the Notice. The Department also notes corresponding 
modifications to Representations 37 through 39 and Footnote 19 of the 
Notice.
    Further, Section III(d) of the Notice provides, in pertinent part, 
that the IMA is effective ``on or about September 9, 2013.'' AT&T 
confirms that the IMA became effective on September 9, 2013, the date 
of the Contribution. Accordingly, the Department has changed the 
language in Section III(d) from ``on or about September 9, 2013'' to 
``on September 9, 2013'' for the sake of clarity.
    2. Clarification of Certain Information in the Notice. AT&T notes 
that Representation 5 of the Notice at 78 FR 55104 states that ``[a]s 
of December 31, 2012, there were approximately 551,187 employees 
participating in the Plan.'' However, AT&T clarifies that 551,187 is 
the number of participants in the Plan and not just the number of 
participating employees, and suggests that the foregoing sentence be 
revised to read, ``As of December 31, 2012, there were approximately 
551,187 participants in the Plan.'' The Department notes the 
clarification to Representation 5 of the Notice.
    In addition, AT&T notes that Representation 38 of the Notice, under 
the subsection ``Additional Cash Contribution and `Lookback' 
Calculation,'' at 78 FR 55110, indicates that AT&T will make cash 
contributions of ``$175 million paid no later than the due date for 
AT&T's tax return for each of the next three years (i.e., 2014, 2015 
and 2016).'' For the avoidance of doubt, AT&T would like to clarify 
that the payments will be made ``no later than the due date for AT&T's 
tax return for each of the next three years (i.e., the due date for 
AT&T's tax returns for 2014, 2015 and 2016).'' The Department notes the 
clarification to Representation 38 of the Notice.
    3. Correction to the Effective Date. While the Notice states that 
the effective date of the exemption is September 1, 2013, AT&T 
confirmed in the AT&T Comment that the Contribution was actually made 
on September 9, 2013, and has agreed to change the effective date to 
the date of the Contribution. Accordingly, the effective date of the 
exemption has been changed to September 9, 2013.

[[Page 43080]]

Conclusion

    The Department has carefully considered the issues expressed by the 
Commenters. After giving full consideration to the entire record, 
including the comments, the Department has determined to grant the 
exemption subject to the modifications and clarifications described 
herein. For further information regarding the comments and other 
matters discussed herein, Interested Persons are encouraged to obtain 
copies of the exemption application file (Exemption Application No. D-
11758) the Department is maintaining in this case. The complete 
application file, as well as all supplemental submissions received by 
the Department, are made available for public inspection in the Public 
Disclosure Room of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, Room 
N-1515, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20210. For a more complete statement of the facts and 
representations supporting the Department's decision to grant this 
exemption, refer to the Notice published in the Federal Register on 
September 9, 2013, at 78 FR 55103.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Mpras Vaughan of the Department, 
telephone (202) 693-8565. (This is not a toll-free number.)

The Delaware County Bank and Trust Company Employee 401(k) Retirement 
Plan (the Plan) Located in Lewis Center, OH

[Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2014-07; Application No. D-11773]

Exemption

Section I: Covered Transactions
    The restrictions of sections 406(a)(1)(E), 406(a)(2), 406(b)(1), 
406(b)(2) and 407(a)(1)(A) of the Employee Retirement Income Security 
Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA) and the sanctions resulting from the 
application of section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as 
amended (the Code), by reason of section 4975(c)(1)(E) of the Code, 
shall not apply: \13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ For purposes of this exemption, references to the 
provisions of Title I of ERISA, unless otherwise specified, refer 
also to the corresponding provisions of the Code.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (a) To the acquisition of certain subscription rights (the Stock 
Rights) by the Plan in connection with an offering (the Offering) of 
shares of common stock (the Stock) of DCB Financial Corp (DCBF), a 
party in interest with respect to the Plan; and
    (b) To the holding of the Stock Rights received by the Plan during 
the subscription period of the Offering; provided that the conditions 
set forth in Section II of this exemption were satisfied for the 
duration of the acquisition and holding.
Section II: Conditions
    (a) The acquisition of the Stock Rights by the Plan was made 
pursuant to terms that were the same for all shareholders of DCBF 
Stock;
    (b) The acquisition of the Stock Rights by the Plan resulted from 
an independent, corporate act of DCBF;
    (c) Each shareholder of the Stock, including the Plan, received the 
same proportionate number of Stock Rights, and this proportionate 
number of Stock Rights was based on the number of shares of Stock held 
by each such shareholder;
    (d) The Stock Rights were acquired pursuant to, and in accordance 
with, provisions under the Plan for individually directed investments 
of the accounts of the individual participants, a portion of whose 
accounts in the Plan held the Stock (the Invested Participants);
    (e) The decisions with regard to the holding and disposition of the 
Stock Rights by the Plan were made by the Invested Participants who 
received the Stock Rights in their Plan accounts; and
    (f) No brokerage fees, no subscription fees and no other charges 
were paid by the Plan with respect to the acquisition and holding of 
the Stock Rights, and no brokerage fees, no commissions and no other 
monies were paid by the Plan to any broker in connection with the 
exercise of the Stock Rights to acquire DCBF shares.
DATES: Effective Date: This exemption is effective from October 16, 
2012, to November 26, 2012.

Written Comments

    The Department invited all interested persons to submit written 
comments and/or requests for a public hearing with respect to the 
notice of proposed exemption published in the Federal Register on April 
9, 2014 at 79 FR 19645 (the Notice), on or before May 24, 2014. During 
the comment period, the Department received no comments and no requests 
for a hearing from interested persons. Accordingly, after giving full 
consideration to the entire record, the Department has decided to grant 
the exemption, as described above. The complete application file 
(Application No. D-11773) is available for public inspection in the 
Public Disclosure Room of the Employee Benefits Security 
Administration, Room N-1515, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210.
    For a more complete statement of the facts and representations 
supporting the Department's decision to grant this exemption, refer to 
the proposed exemption published in the Federal Register on April 9, 
2014, at 79 FR 19645.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jennifer Erin Brown of the 
Department at (202) 693-8352. (This is not a toll-free number.) The 
Home Savings and Loan Company 401(k) Savings Plan (The Plan), United 
Community Financial Corporation (UCFC), and the Home Savings and Loan 
Company (Home Savings), located in Youngstown, OH.

[Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2014-08; Application No. D-11780]

Exemption

Section I: Transactions
    Effective for the period beginning April 30, 2013, and ending May 
31, 2013, the restrictions of sections 406(a)(1)(E), 406(a)(2), 
406(b)(1), 406(b)(2), and 407(a)(1)(A) of the Act and the sanctions 
resulting from the application of section 4975 of the Code, by reason 
of section 4975(c)(1)(E) of the Code,\14\ shall not apply:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ For purposes of this exemption, references to specific 
provisions of Title I of the Act, unless otherwise specified, refer 
also to the corresponding provisions of the Code.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (a) To the acquisition of certain subscription right(s) (the 
Rights) by the individually-directed account(s) (the Account(s)) of 
certain participant(s) in the Plan (Invested Participants) in 
connection with an offering (the Offering) of shares of common stock 
(the Stock) of United Community Financial Corporation (UCFC) by UCFC, a 
party in interest with respect to the Plan; and
    (b) To the holding of the Rights received by the Accounts during 
the subscription period of the Offering, provided that the conditions, 
as set forth in Section II, below, were satisfied for the duration of 
the acquisition and holding.
Section II: Conditions
    (a) The acquisition of the Rights by the Accounts of Invested 
Participants occurred in connection with the Offering, and the Rights 
were made available by UCFC to all shareholders of the Stock other than 
the Employee Stock Ownership Plan sponsored by UCFC;
    (b) The acquisition of the Rights by the Accounts of Invested 
Participants resulted from an independent corporate act of UCFC;
    (c) Each shareholder of Stock, including each of the Accounts of

[[Page 43081]]

Invested Participants, received the same proportionate number of 
Rights, and this proportionate number of Rights was based on the number 
of shares of Stock held by each such shareholder;
    (d) The Rights were acquired pursuant to, and in accordance with, 
provisions under the Plan for individually-directed investments of the 
Accounts by the individual participants in the Plan, a portion of whose 
Accounts in the Plan held the Stock;
    (e) The decision with regard to the holding and disposition of the 
Rights by an Account was made by the Invested Participant whose Account 
received the Rights; and
    (f) No brokerage fees, commissions, or other fees or expenses were 
paid by the Plan to any related broker in connection with the exercise 
of any of the Rights, and no brokerage fees, commissions, subscription 
fees, or other charges were paid by the Plan with respect to the 
acquisition and holding of the Stock.
DATES: Effective Date: This exemption is effective for the period 
beginning on April 30, 2013, the commencement date of the Offering, and 
ending on May 31, 2013, the close of the Offering.

Written Comments

    The Department invited all interested persons to submit written 
comments and/or requests for a public hearing with respect to the 
notice of proposed exemption, published in the Federal Register on 
April 9, 2014, at 79 FR 19649. All comments and requests for hearing 
were due by May 26, 2014. During the comment period, the Department 
received no comments and no requests for a hearing from interested 
persons. Accordingly, after giving full consideration to the entire 
record, the Department has decided to grant the exemption. The complete 
application file (Application No. D-11780), including all supplemental 
submissions received by the Department, is available for public 
inspection in the Public Disclosure Room of the Employee Benefits 
Security Administration, Room N-1515, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210.
    For a more complete statement of the facts and representations 
supporting the Department's decision to grant this exemption, refer to 
the notice of proposed exemption published in the Federal Register on 
April 9, 2014, at 79 FR 19649.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Erin S. Hesse of the Department, 
telephone (202) 693-8546. (This is not a toll-free number.)

General Information

    The attention of interested persons is directed to the following:
    (1) The fact that a transaction is the subject of an exemption 
under section 408(a) of the Act and/or section 4975(c)(2) of the Code 
does not relieve a fiduciary or other party in interest or disqualified 
person from certain other provisions to which the exemption does not 
apply and the general fiduciary responsibility provisions of section 
404 of the Act, which among other things require a fiduciary to 
discharge his duties respecting the plan solely in the interest of the 
participants and beneficiaries of the plan and in a prudent fashion in 
accordance with section 404(a)(1)(B) of the Act; nor does it affect the 
requirement of section 401(a) of the Code that the plan must operate 
for the exclusive benefit of the employees of the employer maintaining 
the plan and their beneficiaries;
    (2) These exemptions are supplemental to and not in derogation of, 
any other provisions of the Act and/or the Code, including statutory or 
administrative exemptions and transactional rules. Furthermore, the 
fact that a transaction is subject to an administrative or statutory 
exemption is not dispositive of whether the transaction is in fact a 
prohibited transaction; and
    (3) The availability of these exemptions are subject to the express 
condition that the material facts and representations contained in the 
applications accurately describe all material terms of the transaction 
which is the subject of the exemption.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 16th day of July, 2014.
Lyssa E. Hall,
Acting Director of Exemption Determinations, Employee Benefits Security 
Administration, U.S. Department Of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2014-17424 Filed 7-23-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-29-P