S-3

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2009

Registration No. 333-      

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

OLYMPIC STEEL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio	34-1245650
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

5096 Richmond Road

Bedford Heights, Ohio 44146

(216) 292-3800

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

Michael D. Siegal, Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer
Olympic Steel, Inc.
5096 Richmond Road
Bedford Heights, Ohio 44146
(216) 292-3800

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

Copies To:

Christopher M. Kelly

Michael J. Solecki

Jones Day

901 Lakeside Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Phone: (216) 586-3939

Fax: (216) 579-0212

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer þ Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

		Proposed Maximum	Proposed Maximum	Amount of
Title of Each Class of	Amount to be	Offering	Aggregate	Registration
Securities to be Registered	Registered(1)	Price per Unit(1)(2)	Offering Price(1)(3)	Fee(1)
Common Stock, without par value(4)(11)
Preferred Stock, without par value(5)(11)
Depositary Shares(6)(11)
Warrants(7)(11)
Subscription Rights(8)(11)
Debt Securities(9)(11)
Units (10)(11)
Total	$200,000,000	100%	$200,000,000(12)	$11,160

(1)	Not specified as to each class of securities to be registered pursuant to General Instruction II.D. to Form S-3.
(2)	The proposed maximum offering price per unit will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder.
(3)	Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o).
(4)	Subject to note (12) below, there is being registered an indeterminate number of shares of common stock. Each share of common stock includes a right (“Right”) to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, without par value, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Rights Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2000 (the “Rights Agreement”), as amended by Amendment 1 to the Rights Agreement, dated as of September 16, 2008, by and between the registrant and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as successor to National City Bank, as rights agent. The terms of the Rights are described in the Rights Agreement, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on February 15, 2000, as amended by Amendment 1 to the Rights Agreement, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on September 19, 2008.
(5)	Subject to note (12) below, there is being registered an indeterminate number of shares of preferred stock.
(6)	Subject to note (12) below, there is being registered an indeterminate number of depositary shares to be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to a deposit agreement. If the registrant elects to offer to the public fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, then depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional interests and the shares will be issued to the depositary under the deposit agreement.
(7)	Subject to note (12) below, there is being registered an indeterminate amount and number of warrants. The warrants may represent the right to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities.
(8)	Subject to note (12) below, there is being registered an indeterminate number of subscription rights that may represent a right to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities.
(9)	Subject to note (12) below, there is being registered an indeterminate principal amount of debt securities.
(10)	Subject to note (12) below, there is being registered an indeterminate number of units. Each unit will be issued under a unit agreement and will represent an interest in a combination of one or more of the securities registered hereunder.
(11)	Subject to note (12) below, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of securities as may be issued in exchange for, or upon conversion or exercise of, as the case may be, the preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, subscription rights or debt securities registered hereunder. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. No separate consideration will be received for any securities registered hereunder that are issued in exchange for, or upon conversion of, as the case may be, the preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, subscription rights or debt securities.
(12)	In no event will the aggregate initial offering price of all securities issued from time to time pursuant to the prospectus contained in this registration statement exceed $200,000,000 or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies or foreign currency units. Such amount represents the offering price of any common stock, preferred stock and depositary shares, the principal amount of any debt securities issued at their stated principal amount, the issue price rather than the principal amount of any debt securities issued at an original issue discount, the issue price of any warrants, the exercise price of any securities issuable upon the exercise of warrants and the issue price of any securities issuable upon the exercise of subscription rights. The aggregate principal amount of debt securities may be increased if any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount by an amount such that the offering price to be received by the registrant shall be equal to the above amount to be registered. Any offering of securities denominated other than in United States dollars will be treated as the equivalent of United States dollars based on the exchange rate applicable to the purchase of such securities at the time of initial offering. The securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder.

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

Explanatory Note

This registration statement contains two prospectuses:

•  a basic prospectus that covers the offering, issuance and sale, from time to time, of our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, subscription rights and debt securities, as well as units that include any of these securities, in one or more offerings, with an aggregate initial offering price of $200,000,000 or the equivalent amount in other currencies or currency units; and

•  an open market sale agreement prospectus covering the offering, issuance and sale of up to an aggregate initial offering price of $75,000,000 of our common stock that may be issued and sold under an Open Market Sale Agreement that we have entered into with Jefferies & Company, Inc.

The basic prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note. The open market sale agreement prospectus immediately follows the basic prospectus. The shares of common stock that we may offer, issue and sell under the open market sale agreement prospectus are included in the $200,000,000 of securities that we may offer, issue and sell under the basic prospectus.

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 29, 2009

Prospectus

$200,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Debt Securities
Units

We may offer and sell from time to time our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, subscription rights and debt securities, as well as units that include any of these securities. We may sell any combination of these securities in one or more offerings with an aggregate initial offering price of $200,000,000 or the equivalent amount in other currencies or currency units.

We will provide the specific terms of the securities to be offered in one or more supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our securities. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those offered securities.

We may sell the securities directly or to or through underwriters or dealers, and also to other purchasers or through agents. The names of any underwriters or agents that are included in a sale of securities to you, and any applicable commissions or discounts, will be stated in an accompanying prospectus supplement. In addition, the underwriters, if any, may over-allot a portion of the securities.

Investing in any of our securities involves risk. Please read carefully the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4 of this prospectus.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ZEUS.” None of the other securities that we may offer under this prospectus are currently publicly traded.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is          , 2009

Table of Contents

	Page
About This Prospectus		1
Where You Can Find More Information		1
Information We Incorporate By Reference		1
The Company		3
Risk Factors		4
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements		4
Use of Proceeds		6
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges		6
Description of Capital Stock		7
Description of Depositary Shares		10
Description of Warrants		12
Description of Subscription Rights		14
Description of Debt Securities		15
Description of Units		23
Plan of Distribution		24
Legal Matters		26
Experts		26
EX-1.2
EX-4.3
EX-5.1
EX-12.1
EX-23.1
EX-25.1

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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 process, we may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to an aggregate initial offering price of $200,000,000 or the equivalent amount in other currencies or currency units.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. For a more complete understanding of the offering of the securities, you should refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information We Incorporate By Reference.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus that we may provide you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any document incorporated by reference or any free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date, other than the date mentioned on the cover page of these documents. We are not making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.

References in this prospectus to the terms “we,” “us,” “Olympic Steel” or “the Company” or other similar terms mean Olympic Steel, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless we state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise.

Where You Can Find More Information

We are subject to the informational reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by us at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. You may also inspect our SEC reports and other information at the offices of NASDAQ Operations at 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006, or at our website at http://www.olysteel.com. The information contained on or accessible through our website is not a part of this prospectus, other than the documents that we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Information We Incorporate By Reference

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information in documents we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. Any statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in or omitted from this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

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We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until the completion of the offering of securities described in this prospectus:

•  our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008;

•  our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009, June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009;

•  our current reports on Form 8-K filed on April 7, 2009 and July 30, 2009;

•  the description of our common stock set forth in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on January 31, 1994, and all amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating that description; and

•  the description of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock purchase rights under the Rights Agreement filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on February 15, 2000, as amended by Amendment 1 to the Rights Agreement, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on September 19, 2008 (the “Rights Agreement”).

We will not, however, incorporate by reference in this prospectus any documents or portions thereof that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of our current reports on Form 8-K unless, and except to the extent, specified in such current reports.

We will provide you with a copy of any of these filings (other than an exhibit to these filings, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into the filing requested) at no cost, if you submit a request to us by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:

Olympic Steel, Inc.
5096 Richmond Road
Bedford Heights, Ohio 44146
Telephone Number: (216) 292-3800
Attention: Treasurer

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The Company

We are a leading U.S. steel service center with over 55 years of experience. Our primary focus is on the direct sale and distribution of large volumes of processed carbon, coated and stainless flat-rolled sheet, coil and plate products. We act as an intermediary between steel producers and manufacturers that require processed steel for their operations. We serve customers in most carbon steel consuming industries, including manufacturers and fabricators of transportation and material handling equipment, construction and farm machinery, storage tanks, environmental and energy generation, automobiles, food service and electrical equipment, military vehicles and equipment, as well as general and plate fabricators and steel service centers. We distribute our products primarily through a direct sales force.

We operate as a single business segment with strategically-located processing and distribution facilities located throughout the United States. Our geographic footprint allows us to focus on regional customers and larger national and multi-national accounts, primarily located throughout the midwestern, eastern and southern United States.

Corporate Information

We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio. Our principal executive offices are located at 5096 Richmond Road, Bedford Heights, Ohio 44146. Our telephone number is (216) 292-3800. Our website is http://www.olysteel.com. The information contained on or accessible through our website is not part of this prospectus, other than the documents that we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

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Risk Factors

Investing in our securities involves risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in our most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated herein by reference and may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, results of operations and financial condition could suffer. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or a part of your investment.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, contains, and any prospectus supplement may contain, statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of predictive, future-tense or forward-looking terminology, such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “may,” “will” or similar terms. These statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus, the date of the prospectus supplement or the date of the document incorporated by reference, as applicable, and we undertake no ongoing obligation, other than that imposed by law, to update these statements. These statements appear in a number of places in this prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, and relate to, among other things, our intent, belief or current expectations with respect to: our future financial condition, results of operations or prospects; our business and growth strategies; and our financing plans and forecasts. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve significant risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, some of which are unknown, including, without limitation:

•  further deterioration of steel demand and steel pricing;

•  general and global business, economic, financial and political conditions, including the ongoing effects of the global credit crisis;

•  access to capital and global credit markets;

•  competitive factors such as availability and pricing of steel, industry shipping and inventory levels and rapid fluctuations in customer demand and steel pricing;

•  the cyclicality and volatility within the steel industry;

•  the ability of customers (especially those that may be highly leveraged, those in the domestic automotive industry and those with inadequate liquidity) to maintain their credit availability;

•  customer, supplier, and competitor consolidation, bankruptcy or insolvency, especially those in the domestic automotive industry;

•  reduced production schedules, layoffs or work stoppages by our own or our suppliers’ or customers’ personnel;

•  the availability and costs of transportation and logistical services;

•  equipment installation delays or malfunctions;

•  the amounts, successes and our ability to continue our capital investments and our business information system project;

•  the successes of our strategic efforts and initiatives to increase sales volumes, maintain or improve working capital turnover and free cash flows, reduce costs, inventory and debt in a declining market, while improving customer service;

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•  the timing and outcome of inventory lower of cost or market adjustments;

•  the adequacy of our existing information technology and business system software;

•  the successful implementation of our new enterprise-wide information system;

•  the timing and outcome of Olympic Laser Processing’s (a joint venture in which we and the United States Steel Corporation each own 50%) efforts and ability to liquidate its remaining assets;

•  our ability to pay regular quarterly cash dividends and the amounts and timing of any future dividends; and

•  our ability to generate free cash flow through operations, reduce inventory and to repay debt within anticipated timeframes.

These factors and the other risk factors described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference, are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could harm our results. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on us.

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Use of Proceeds

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities for general corporate purposes. These purposes may include, but are not limited to:

•  reduction or refinancing of outstanding indebtedness or other corporate obligations;

•  additions to working capital;

•  capital expenditures; and

•  acquisitions.

Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness.

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

The following table sets forth our ratio of consolidated earnings to fixed charges for the periods presented:

	Nine Months
	Ended
	September 30,	Year Ended December 31,
	2009(2)	2008	2007	2006	2005	2004
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)	—	59.5x	14.2x	18.1x	10.4x	21.8x

(1) For purposes of calculating our ratio of earnings to fixed charges:

•  earnings consist of income (loss) before taxes plus: (i) amortization of previously capitalized interest; (ii) interest (including capitalized interest); and (iii) the interest portion of rental expense less capitalized interest;

•  fixed charges consist of: (i) capitalized interest; (ii) interest and other expense on debt; and (iii) the interest portion of rental expense; and

•  the ratio of earnings to fixed charges is determined by dividing earnings by fixed charges, as defined above.

(2)  Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by approximately $95.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009; accordingly, no ratio is presented for such period.

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Description of Capital Stock

The following description is a general summary of the terms of the common stock and preferred stock that we may issue. The description below and in any prospectus supplement does not include all of the terms of the common stock and preferred stock and should be read together with our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Code of Regulations, copies of which have been filed previously with the SEC. For more information on how you can obtain copies of our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Code of Regulations, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

General

Under our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 25,000,000 shares of capital stock, including:

•  20,000,000 shares of common stock, without par value; and

•  5,000,000 shares of Serial Preferred Stock, without par value, which we refer to as Serial Preferred Shares, consisting of 2,500,000 voting Serial Preferred Shares and 2,500,000 non-voting Serial Preferred Shares.

As of October 29, 2009, 10,883,213 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding.

Common Stock

Each outstanding share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, and there are no cumulative voting rights. Our Amended and Restated Code of Regulations provide for our Board of Directors to be divided into two classes of directors serving staggered terms.

Subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding Serial Preferred Shares, each record holder of common stock on the applicable record date is entitled to receive dividends on common stock to the extent authorized by our Board of Directors out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends. In addition, subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding Serial Preferred Shares, holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up after payment of or adequate provision for all our known debts and liabilities.

Holders of common stock do not have any preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. No conversion, redemption or sinking fund provisions apply to the common stock, and the holders of common stock are not liable to further calls or assessments by us.

Shareholder Rights Plan

Under the terms of the Rights Agreement, one preferred share purchase right, which we refer to as a Right, is associated with each share of common stock. Until the occurrence of specified events described in the Rights Agreement, the Rights are not exercisable, are evidenced by the certificates for our common stock and may be transferred only with our common stock. The Rights will expire on March 6, 2010, unless earlier redeemed, exchanged or amended.

Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from us one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, without par value, at a price of $170.00 per one one-hundredth of a preferred share. The Rights Agreement also provides, subject to specified exceptions and limitations, that common stock issued or delivered from our treasury after the record date will be accompanied by a right. The Rights are in all respects subject to and governed by the provisions of the Rights Agreement.

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Preferred Stock

Our Board of Directors is authorized, without shareholder approval, to issue up to 5,000,000 Serial Preferred Shares in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed upon the Serial Preferred Shares, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preference, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of a series. Our Board of Directors can, without shareholder approval, issue Serial Preferred Shares with voting and conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock. Any Serial Preferred Shares issued would also rank senior to our common stock as to rights up on liquidation, winding-up or dissolution. If we issue any Serial Preferred Shares that are convertible into our common stock, such issuance shares could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company.

Control Share Acquisitions

Section 1701.831 of the Ohio Revised Code provides that certain notice and informational filings and special shareholder meeting and voting procedures must be followed prior to consummation of a proposed “control share acquisition.” The Ohio Revised Code defines a “control share acquisition” as any acquisition of an issuer’s shares which would entitle the acquirer, immediately after that acquisition, directly or indirectly, to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power of the issuer in the election of directors within any one of the following ranges of that voting power:

•  one-fifth or more but less than one-third of that voting power;

•  one-third or more but less than a majority of that voting power; or

•  a majority or more of that voting power.

Assuming compliance with the notice and information filings prescribed by the statute, the proposed control share acquisition may be made only if, at a special meeting of shareholders, the acquisition is approved by at least a majority of the voting power of the issuer represented at the meeting and at least a majority of the voting power remaining after excluding the combined voting power of the “interested shares.” “Interested shares” are the shares held by the intended acquirer and the employee-directors and officers of the issuer, as well as certain shares that were acquired after the date of the first public disclosure of the acquisition but before the record date for the meeting of shareholders and shares that were transferred, together with the voting power thereof, after the record date for the meeting of shareholders.

Business Combinations with Certain Persons

We are subject to Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code, which prohibits certain business combinations and transactions between an “issuing public corporation” and an “Ohio law interested shareholder” for at least three years after the Ohio law interested shareholder attains 10% ownership, unless the Board of Directors of the issuing public corporation approves the transaction before the Ohio law interested shareholder attains 10% ownership. An “issuing public corporation” is an Ohio corporation with 50 or more shareholders that has its principal place of business, principal executive offices, or substantial assets within the State of Ohio, and as to which no close corporation agreement exists. An “Ohio law interested shareholder” is a beneficial owner of 10% or more of the shares of a corporation. Examples of transactions regulated by Chapter 1704 include the disposition of assets, mergers and consolidations, voluntary dissolutions and the transfer of shares.

Subsequent to the three-year period, a transaction subject to Chapter 1704 may take place provided that certain conditions are satisfied, including:

•  prior to the interested shareholder’s share acquisition date, the board of directors approved the purchase of shares by the interested shareholder;

•  the transaction is approved by the holders of shares with at least 662/3% of the voting power of the corporation (or a different proportion set forth in the articles of incorporation), including at least a majority of the outstanding shares after excluding shares controlled by the Ohio law interested shareholder; or

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•  the business combination results in shareholders, other than the Ohio law interested shareholder, receiving a fair price plus interest for their shares.

Chapter 1704 is applicable to all corporations formed under Ohio law.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Mellon Investor Services LLC serves as the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock. We will select the transfer agent and registrar for a series of preferred stock, and each one will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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Description of Depositary Shares

General

We may offer depositary shares representing fractional shares of our preferred stock of any series. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the depositary shares that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. The particular terms of the depositary shares, including the fraction of a preferred share that such depositary share will represent, and the extent, if any, to which the general terms and provisions may apply to the depositary shares so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a depositary agreement between us and a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is selected by us, which we refer to as the bank depositary. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering. The deposit agreement will also contain provisions relating to the manner in which any subscription or similar rights we offer to holders of the preferred stock will be made available to the holders of depositary shares.

The following description is a general summary of some common provisions of a depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts. The description below and in any prospectus supplement does not include all of the terms of the depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts. Copies of the form of depositary agreement and the depositary receipts relating to any particular issue of depositary shares will be filed with the SEC each time we issue depositary shares, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you. For more information on how you can obtain copies of the forms of the depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Dividends and Other Distributions

If we pay a cash distribution or dividend on a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the bank depositary will distribute these dividends to the record holders of these depositary shares. If the distributions are in property other than cash, the bank depositary will distribute the property to the record holders of the depositary shares. However, if the bank depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution of property, the bank depositary may, with our approval, sell this property and distribute the net proceeds from this sale to the record holders of the depositary shares.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If we redeem a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the bank depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds received by the bank depositary in connection with the redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will equal the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share of the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as the bank depositary may determine.

Voting the Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock represented by depositary shares are entitled to vote, the bank depositary will mail the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the preferred stock. Each record holder of these depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock) may instruct the bank depositary as to how to vote the preferred stock represented by this holder’s depositary shares. The bank depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with these instructions, and we will take all action which the bank depositary deems necessary in order to enable the bank depositary to do so. The bank depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing this preferred stock.

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Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the depositary agreement may be amended by agreement between the bank depositary and us. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless this amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The depositary agreement may be terminated by the bank depositary or us only if:

•  all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; or

•  there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and this distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts.

Charges of Bank Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the bank depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges, including a fee for the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the depositary agreement to be for their accounts.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

Except as may be provided otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the bank depositary, subject to the terms of the depositary agreement, the owner of the depositary shares may demand delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by those depositary shares. Fractional shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the bank depositary will deliver to this holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the depositary agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.

Miscellaneous

The bank depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the bank depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of preferred stock.

Neither the bank depositary nor we will be liable if we are prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our obligations under the depositary agreement. The obligations of the bank depositary and us under the depositary agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of our duties thereunder, and we will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or shares of preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting shares of preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

Resignation and Removal of Bank Depositary

The bank depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the bank depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor bank depositary and the successor’s acceptance of this appointment. The successor bank depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company meeting the requirements of the depositary agreement.

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Description of Warrants

General

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. The particular terms of the warrants and the extent, if any, to which the general terms and provisions may apply to the warrants so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Warrants may be issued independently or together with other securities and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

A copy of the forms of the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate relating to any particular issue of warrants will be filed with the SEC each time we issue warrants, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you. For more information on how you can obtain copies of the forms of the warrant agreement and the related warrant certificate, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Debt Warrants

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to issue debt securities will describe the terms of those warrants, including the following:

•  the title of the warrants;

•  the offering price for the warrants, if any;

•  the aggregate number of the warrants;

•  the designation and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

•  if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities that the warrants are issued with and the number of warrants issued with each debt security;

•  if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any debt securities issued with them will be separately transferable;

•  the principal amount of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which the debt securities may be purchased upon exercise;

•  the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

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

•  whether the warrants represented by the warrant certificates or debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form;

•  information relating to book-entry procedures, if any;

•  the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

•  if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;

•  anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;

•  redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants;

•  any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants; and

•  any other information we think is important about the warrants.

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Stock Warrants

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to issue common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares will describe the terms of the common stock warrants and preferred stock warrants, including the following:

•  the title of the warrants;

•  the offering price for the warrants, if any;

•  the aggregate number of the warrants;

•  the designation and terms of the common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;

•  if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities that the warrants are issued with and the number of warrants issued with each security;

•  if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable;

•  the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock or depositary shares that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which the shares may be purchased upon exercise;

•  the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants commence and expire;

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

•  the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

•  if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;

•  anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;

•  redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants;

•  any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants; and

•  any other information we think is important about the warrants.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder of the warrant to purchase at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares or the principal amount of debt securities being offered. Holders may exercise warrants at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants are void. Holders may exercise warrants as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants being offered.

Until a holder exercises the warrants to purchase our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities, the holder will not have any rights as a holder of our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities, as the case may be, by virtue of ownership of warrants.

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Description of Subscription Rights

We may issue to our shareholders subscription rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the subscription rights that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. The particular terms of the subscription rights and the extent, if any, to which the general terms and provisions may apply to the subscription rights so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered by this prospectus and may or may not be transferable by the shareholder receiving the rights in the rights offering. In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with one or more underwriters pursuant to which the underwriter will purchase any securities that remain unsubscribed for upon completion of the rights offering, or offer these securities to other parties who are not our shareholders. A copy of the form of subscription rights certificate will be filed with the SEC each time we issue subscription rights, and you should read that document for provisions that may be important to you. For more information on how you can obtain a copy of any subscription rights certificate, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any subscription rights will describe the terms of the offered subscription rights, including, where applicable, the following:

•  the exercise price for the subscription rights;

•  the number of subscription rights issued to each shareholder;

•  the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable;

•  any other terms of the subscription rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights;

•  the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights will commence and the date on which the right will expire;

•  the extent to which the subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and

•  the material terms of any standby underwriting arrangement entered into by us in connection with the subscription rights offering.

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Description of Debt Securities

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may issue, which may be issued as convertible or exchangeable debt securities. We will set forth the particular terms of the debt securities we offer in a prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which the following general terms and provisions will apply to particular debt securities.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture to be entered into between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. The indenture, and any supplemental indentures thereto, will be subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The following description of general terms and provisions relating to the debt securities and the indenture under which the debt securities will be issued is a summary only and therefore is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the terms and provisions of the indenture. The form of the indenture has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. For more information on how you can obtain a copy of the form of the indenture, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Capitalized terms used in this section and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture. When we refer to “Olympic Steel,” “we,” “our” and “us” in this section, we mean Olympic Steel, Inc. excluding, unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise expressly stated, its subsidiaries.

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured indebtedness.

General

The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our Board of Directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of our Board of Directors, supplemental indenture or officers’ certificate. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or term sheet).

We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series. Debt securities may differ between series in respect to any matter, but all series of debt securities will be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the indenture. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:

•  the title of the series of debt securities;

•  the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which the series of debt securities will be issued;

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

•  the date or dates on which the principal on the series of debt securities is payable;

•  the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum, if applicable, or the method used to determine such rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the series of debt securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, will accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

•  the place or places where the principal of, premium and interest, if any, on the series of debt securities will be payable;

•  if applicable, the period within which, the price at which and the terms and conditions upon which the series of debt securities may be redeemed;

•  any obligation we may have to redeem or purchase the series of debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of the series of debt securities;

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•  the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase the series of debt securities at the option of the holders of that series of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;

•  the denominations in which the series of debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

•  the form of the series of debt securities and whether the series of debt securities will be issuable as global debt securities;

•  the portion of principal amount of the series of debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;

•  the currency of denomination of the series of debt securities and, if other than U.S. Dollars or the ECU, the agency responsible for overseeing such currency;

•  the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest, if any, on the series of debt securities will be made;

•  if payments of principal of, premium or interest, if any, on the series of debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the series of debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined;

•  the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium or interest on the series of debt securities will be determined, if such amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

•  any provisions relating to any security provided for the series of debt securities;

•  any addition to or change in the Events of Default described in this prospectus or in the indenture which applies to the series of debt securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders of the series of debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable;

•  any addition to or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the series of debt securities;

•  any other terms of the series of debt securities (which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to such series);

•  any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the series of debt securities, if other than appointed in the indenture;

•  any provisions relating to conversion of the series of debt securities; and

•  whether the series of debt securities will be senior or subordinated debt securities and a description of the subordination thereof.

In addition, the indenture does not limit our ability to issue convertible or subordinated debt securities. Any conversion or subordination provisions of a particular series of debt securities will be set forth in the resolution of our Board of Directors, the officers’ certificate or supplemental indenture related to that series of debt securities and will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. Such terms may include provisions for conversion, either mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, in which case the number of shares of common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of debt securities would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the prospectus supplement.

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with

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information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Transfer and Exchange

Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, as Depositary (the “Depositary”), or a nominee (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

Certificated Debt Securities. You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System. Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be issued to the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary.

The Depositary has indicated it intends to follow the following procedures with respect to book-entry debt securities.

Ownership of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities will be limited to persons that have accounts with the Depositary for the related global debt security (“participants”) or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a global debt security, the Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt security beneficially owned by such participants. The accounts to be credited will be designated by any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the book-entry debt securities. Ownership of book-entry debt securities will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary for the related global debt security (with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons holding through participants). The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities.

So long as the Depositary for a global debt security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global debt security, the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as described below, beneficial owners of book-entry debt securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of a certificate in definitive form representing securities and will not be considered the owners or holders of those securities under the indenture. Accordingly, each person beneficially owning book-entry debt securities must rely on the procedures of the Depositary for the related global debt security and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

We understand, however, that under existing industry practice, the Depositary will authorize the persons on whose behalf it holds a global debt security to exercise certain rights of holders of debt securities, and the indenture provides that we, the trustee and our respective agents will treat as the holder of a debt security the persons

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specified in a written statement of the Depositary with respect to such global debt security for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by holders of the debt securities pursuant to the indenture.

We will make payments of principal of, and premium and interest, if any, on book-entry debt securities to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of the related global debt security. Olympic Steel, the trustee and any other agent of ours or agent of the trustee will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the Depositary, upon receipt of any payment of principal of, premium or interest, if any, on a global debt security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to the respective amounts of book-entry debt securities held by each participant as shown on the records of such Depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities held through those participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.

We will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for each global debt security only if (i) the Depositary notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such global debt security or if at any time such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, we fail to appoint a successor Depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event or (ii) we execute and deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate to the effect that such global debt security shall be so exchangeable. Any certificated debt securities issued in exchange for a global debt security will be registered in such name or names as the Depositary shall instruct the trustee. We expect that such instructions will be based upon directions received by the Depositary from participants with respect to ownership of book-entry debt securities relating to such global debt security.

We have obtained the foregoing information concerning the Depositary and the Depositary’s book-entry system from sources we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

No Protection In the Event of a Change of Control

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions which may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

Covenants

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any person (a “successor person”) unless:

•  we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than Olympic Steel) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture;

•  immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing under the indenture; and

•  certain other conditions are met.

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Notwithstanding the above, any subsidiary of Olympic Steel may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to Olympic Steel

Events of Default

“Event of Default” means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following events, unless in the board resolution, supplemental indenture or officers’ certificate, it is provided that such series of debt securities shall not have the benefit of a particular Event of Default:

•  default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of that default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the such period of 30 days);

•  default in the payment of principal of or premium on any debt security of that series at maturity or which such principal otherwise becomes due and payable;

•  default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after written notice thereof has been given, by registered or certified mail, to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, as provided in the indenture;

•  certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Olympic Steel; and

•  any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable board resolution, supplemental indenture or officers’ certificate establishing such series of debt securities.

No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.

If an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. We will describe in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.

The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to 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 that series.

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No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

•  that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

•  the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest, if any, on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee an officers’ certificate as to compliance with the indenture. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default or any Event of Default (except in payment of principal of, premium or interest on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

We may modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:

•  reduce the principal amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

•  reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security;

•  reduce the principal of or premium on or change the stated maturity date of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities;

•  reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

•  waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest, if any, on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

•  make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;

•  make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or

•  waive a redemption payment, made at the option of Olympic Steel, with respect to any debt security.

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the

20

indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest, if any, on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of such series, and to maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held by paying agents). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, Foreign Government Obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:

•  we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement; and

•  any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute an event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series (“covenant defeasance”).

The conditions include:

•  depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. Government Obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, Foreign Government Obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and

•  delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred.

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default. In the event we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign

21

Government Obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the Event of Default. However, we shall remain liable for those payments.

Certain Defined Terms

“Foreign Government Obligations” means, with respect to debt securities of any series that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars:

•  direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof; or

•  obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of that government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by that government,

which, in either case are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means debt securities that are:

•  direct obligations of The United States of America for the payment of which its full faith an credit is pledged; or

•  obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of The United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as full faith and credit obligation by The United States of America,

which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer itself and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt. Except as required by law, such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.

22

Description of Units

We may issue units comprising one or more securities described in this prospectus in any combination. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the units that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. The particular terms of the units and the extent, if any, to which the general terms and provisions may apply to the units so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit also is the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. Units will be issued pursuant to the terms of a unit agreement, which may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time or at any time before a specified date. A copy of the forms of the unit agreement and the unit certificate relating to any particular issue of units will be filed with the SEC each time we issue units, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you. For more information on how you can obtain copies of the forms of the unit agreement and the related unit certificate, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The prospectus supplement relating to any particular issuance of units will describe the terms of those units, including, to the extent applicable, the following:

•  the designation and terms of the units and the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

•  any provision for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and

•  whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

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Plan of Distribution

We may sell the offered securities in and outside the United States:

•  through underwriters or dealers;

•  directly to purchasers;

•  in a rights offering;

•  in “at the market” offerings, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise;

•  through agents; or

•  through a combination of any of these methods.

The prospectus supplement will include the following information:

•  the terms of the offering;

•  the names of any underwriters or agents;

•  the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;

•  the purchase price or initial public offering price of the securities;

•  the net proceeds from the sale of the securities;

•  any delayed delivery arrangements;

•  any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

•  any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

•  any commissions paid to agents.

Sale through Underwriters or Dealers

If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting agreement, we may retain a dealer-manager to manage a subscription rights offering for us.

During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.

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Some or all of the securities that we offer though this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell our securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that we offer.

If dealers are used in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

Direct Sales and Sales through Agents

We may sell the securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents designated from time to time at fixed prices or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any sales of these securities in the prospectus supplement.

Remarketing Arrangements

Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

General Information

We may have agreements with the agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers, underwriters or remarketing firms may be required to make. Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

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Legal Matters

Jones Day will pass upon the validity of the securities being offered hereby.

Experts

The financial statements, financial statement schedule and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to Olympic Steel, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 29, 2009

Prospectus

$75,000,000

OLYMPIC STEEL, INC.

COMMON STOCK

On          , 2009, we entered into an Open Market Sale Agreement with Jefferies & Company, Inc. relating to the common stock, without par value, offered by this prospectus.

In accordance with the terms of the Open Market Sale Agreement, we may offer and sell up to $75,000,000 of our common stock from time to time through Jefferies & Company, Inc. as our sales agent. Sales of such common stock, if any, will be made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on the NASDAQ Global Select Market at market prices.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ZEUS.” On October 28, 2009, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $26.50 per share.

Investing in our common stock involves risks. Before investing in our common stock, you should carefully read the discussion of material risks of investing in our common stock on page A-1 of this prospectus under the heading “Risk Factors,” as well as the risk factors discussed in the documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and which we incorporate into this prospectus by reference.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

We will pay Jefferies & Company, Inc. a commission of 3.0% of the first $37,500,000 of gross proceeds of any common stock sold through it pursuant to this prospectus and 2.5% of the remaining gross proceeds of any common stock sold through it pursuant to this prospectus. Jefferies & Company, Inc. will use its commercially reasonable efforts to place on our behalf any common stock to be offered by us under the Open Market Sale Agreement. The net proceeds from any sales under this prospectus will be used as described under “Use of Proceeds” herein. In connection with the sale of common stock on our behalf, Jefferies & Company, Inc. may be deemed an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of the sales agent constitutes underwriting commissions. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to Jefferies & Company, Inc. against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Jefferies & Company

The date of this prospectus is          , 2009.

Table of Contents

	Page
About This Prospectus		ii
Where You Can Find More Information		ii
Information We Incorporate By Reference		ii
Forward-Looking Information		iii
The Company		A-1
Risk Factors		A-1
Use of Proceeds		A-3
Description of Common Stock		A-4
Plan of Distribution		A-6
Legal Matters		A-6
Experts		A-7

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we may provide to you. We have not, and Jefferies & Company, Inc. has not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information, and you should not rely on any information not contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we may provide to you. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.

We are not, and Jefferies & Company, Inc. is 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 appearing in this prospectus or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date. This prospectus does not constitute an offer, or an invitation on our behalf or on behalf of Jefferies & Company, Inc., to subscribe for and purchase, any of the securities and may not be used for or in connection with an offer or solicitation by anyone, in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. In case there are any differences or inconsistencies between this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in herein, you should rely on the information in the document with the most recent date.

i

About This Prospectus

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing a “shelf” registration process.

Before you invest in our common stock, you should carefully read the registration statement (including the exhibits thereto) of which this prospectus forms a part, this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The incorporated documents are described in this prospectus under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information We Incorporate By Reference.”

References in this prospectus to the terms “we,” “us,” “Olympic Steel” or “the Company” or other similar terms mean Olympic Steel, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless we state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise.

Where You Can Find More Information

We are subject to the informational reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by us at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. You may also inspect our SEC reports and other information at the offices of NASDAQ Operations at 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006, or at our website at http://www.olysteel.com. The information contained on or accessible through our website is not a part of this prospectus, other than the documents that we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Information we Incorporate By Reference

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information in documents we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. Any statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in or omitted from this prospectus, or in any other subsequently filed document which also is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until the completion of the offering of common stock described in this prospectus:

•  our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008;

•  our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009, June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009;

•  our current reports on Form 8-K filed on April 7, 2009 and July 30, 2009;

•  the description of our common stock set forth in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on January 31, 1994, and all amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating that description; and

•  the description of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock purchase rights under the Rights Agreement filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on February 15, 2000, as amended by Amendment 1 to the Rights Agreement, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on September 19, 2008 (the “Rights Agreement”).

ii

We will not, however, incorporate by reference in this prospectus any documents or portions thereof that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of our current reports on Form 8-K unless, and except to the extent, specified in such current reports.

We will provide you with a copy of any of these filings (other than an exhibit to these filings, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into the filing requested) at no cost, if you submit a request to us by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:

Olympic Steel, Inc.
5096 Richmond Road
Bedford Heights, Ohio 44146
Telephone Number: (216) 292-3800
Attention: Treasurer

Forward-Looking Information

This prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of predictive, future-tense or forward-looking terminology, such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “may,” “will” or similar terms. These statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus or the date of the document incorporated by reference, as applicable, and we undertake no ongoing obligation, other than that imposed by law, to update these statements. These statements appear in a number of places in this prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, and relate to, among other things, our intent, belief or current expectations with respect to: our future financial condition, results of operations or prospects; our business and growth strategies; and our financing plans and forecasts. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve significant risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, some of which are unknown, including, without limitation:

•  further deterioration of steel demand and steel pricing;

•  general and global business, economic, financial and political conditions, including the ongoing effects of the global credit crisis;

•  access to capital and global credit markets;

•  competitive factors such as availability and pricing of steel, industry shipping and inventory levels and rapid fluctuations in customer demand and steel pricing;

•  the cyclicality and volatility within the steel industry;

•  the ability of customers (especially those that may be highly leveraged, those in the domestic automotive industry and those with inadequate liquidity) to maintain their credit availability;

•  customer, supplier, and competitor consolidation, bankruptcy or insolvency, especially those in the domestic automotive industry;

•  reduced production schedules, layoffs or work stoppages by our own or our suppliers’ or customers’ personnel;

•  the availability and costs of transportation and logistical services;

•  equipment installation delays or malfunctions;

•  the amounts, successes and our ability to continue our capital investments and our business information system project;

•  the successes of our strategic efforts and initiatives to increase sales volumes, maintain or improve working capital turnover and free cash flows, reduce costs, inventory and debt in a declining market, while improving customer service;

•  the timing and outcome of inventory lower of cost or market adjustments;

iii

•  the adequacy of our existing information technology and business system software;

•  the successful implementation of our new enterprise-wide information system;

•  the timing and outcome of Olympic Laser Processing’s (a joint venture in which we and the United States Steel Corporation each own 50%) efforts and ability to liquidate its remaining assets;

•  our ability to pay regular quarterly cash dividends and the amounts and timing of any future dividends; and

•  our ability to generate free cash flow through operations, reduce inventory and to repay debt within anticipated timeframes.

iv

The Company

We are a leading U.S. steel service center with over 55 years of experience. Our primary focus is on the direct sale and distribution of large volumes of processed carbon, coated and stainless flat-rolled sheet, coil and plate products. We act as an intermediary between steel producers and manufacturers that require processed steel for their operations. We serve customers in most carbon steel consuming industries, including manufacturers and fabricators of transportation and material handling equipment, construction and farm machinery, storage tanks, environmental and energy generation, automobiles, food service and electrical equipment, military vehicles and equipment, as well as general and plate fabricators and steel service centers. We distribute our products primarily through a direct sales force.

We operate as a single business segment with strategically-located processing and distribution facilities located throughout the United States. Our geographic footprint allows us to focus on regional customers and larger national and multi-national accounts, primarily located throughout the midwestern, eastern and southern United States.

Corporate Information

We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio. Our principal executive offices are located at 5096 Richmond Road, Bedford Heights, Ohio 44146. Our telephone number is (216) 292-3800. Our website is http://www.olysteel.com. The information contained on or accessible through our website is not part of this prospectus, other than the documents that we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Risk Factors

Investing in our common stock involves risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our common stock, in addition to the risks related to our common stock set forth below, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in our most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated herein by reference and may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, results of operations and financial condition could suffer. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or a part of your investment.

The market price for our common stock may be volatile.

Historically, there has been volatility in the market price for our common stock. Furthermore, the market price of our common stock could fluctuate substantially in the future in response to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the risk factors described herein. Examples include:

•  announcement of our quarterly operating results or the operating results of other steel service centers;

•  changes in financial estimates or recommendations by stock market analysts regarding us or our competitors;

•  the operating and stock performance of other companies that investors may deem comparable;

•  developments affecting us, our customers or our suppliers;

•  press releases, earnings releases or publicity relating to us or our competitors or relating to trends in the metals service center industry;

•  inability to meet securities analysts’ and investors’ quarterly or annual estimates or targets of our performance;

•  sales of our common stock by large shareholders;

•  general domestic or international economic, market and political conditions;

•  changes in the legal or regulatory environment affecting our business; and

•  announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, dispositions or joint ventures, or other material events impacting the domestic or global steel industry.

A-1

Recently, the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market prices of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to their specific operating performance. These broad market fluctuations may materially adversely affect our stock price, regardless of our operating results.

These factors may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, stock markets from time to time experience extreme price and volume fluctuations that may be unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies. In the past, some shareholders have brought securities class action lawsuits against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities. We may in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation, regardless of whether our defense is ultimately successful, could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources.

Our quarterly results may be volatile.

Our operating results have varied on a quarterly basis during our operating history and are likely to fluctuate significantly in the future. Our operating results may be below the expectations of our investors or stock market analysts as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control. Factors that may affect our quarterly operating results include, but are not limited, the risk factors listed above.

Many factors could cause our revenues and operating results to vary significantly in the future. Accordingly, we believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results are not necessarily meaningful. Investors should not rely on the results of one quarter as an indication of our future performance. Further, it is our practice not to provide forward-looking sales or earnings guidance and not to endorse any analyst’s sales or earnings estimates. Nonetheless, if our results of operations in any quarter do not meet analysts’ expectations, our stock price could materially decrease.

The Rights Agreement and certain provisions in our charter documents and Ohio law could delay or prevent a change in management or a takeover attempt that you may consider to be in your best interest.

We have adopted certain anti-takeover provisions, including the Rights Agreement. The Rights Agreement will cause substantial dilution to any person who attempts to acquire us in a manner or on terms not approved by our board of directors.

We are subject to Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code, which prohibits certain business combinations and transactions between an “issuing public corporation” and an “Ohio law interested shareholder” for at least three years after the Ohio law interested shareholder attains 10% ownership, unless the Board of Directors of the issuing public corporation approves the transaction before the Ohio law interested shareholder attains 10% ownership. We are also subject to Section 1701.831 of the Ohio Revised Code, which provides that certain notice and informational filings and special shareholder meeting and voting procedures must be followed prior to consummation of a proposed “control share acquisition.” Assuming compliance with the notice and information filings prescribed by the statute, a proposed control share acquisition may be made only if the acquisition is approved by at least a majority of the voting power of the issuer represented at the meeting and at least a majority of the voting power remaining after excluding the combined voting power of the “interested shares.”

Certain provisions contained in our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Code of Regulations and Ohio law could delay or prevent the removal of directors and other management and could make a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving us that you may consider to be in your best interest more difficult. For example, these provisions:

•  allow our board of directors to issue preferred stock without shareholder approval;

•  provide for our board of directors to be divided into two classes of directors serving staggered terms;

•  limit who can call a special meeting of shareholders; and

•  establish advance notice requirements for nomination for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters to be acted upon at shareholders meetings.

A-2

In addition, our revolving credit facility contains limitations on our ability to enter into change of control transactions.

These provisions may discourage potential takeover attempts, discourage bids for our common stock at a premium over market price or adversely affect the market price of, and the voting and other rights of the holders of, our common stock. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for you and other shareholders to elect directors other than the candidates nominated by our board of directors.

Principal shareholders who own a significant number of shares of our common stock may have interests that conflict with yours.

Michael Siegal, our chief executive officer, chairman of the board and largest shareholder, owns approximately 11.8% of our outstanding common stock as of October 29, 2009. Mr. Siegal may have the ability to significantly influence matters requiring shareholder approval. In deciding how to vote on such matters, Mr. Siegal may be influenced by interests that conflict with yours.

Use of Proceeds

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our common stock pursuant to the Open Market Sale Agreement for working capital and general corporate purposes including, but not limited to:

•  reduction or refinancing of outstanding indebtedness or other corporate obligations;

•  additions to working capital;

•  capital expenditures; and

•  acquisitions.

Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness.

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Description of Common Stock

General

Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation authorize us to issue up to 25,000,000 shares of capital stock, including:

•  20,000,000 shares of common stock, without par value; and

•  5,000,000 shares of Serial Preferred Stock, without par value, which we refer to as Serial Preferred Shares, consisting of 2,500,000 voting Serial Preferred Shares and 2,500,000 non-voting Serial Preferred Shares.

As of October 29, 2009, 10,883,213 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding.

Common Stock

Each outstanding share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, and there are no cumulative voting rights. Our Amended and Restated Code of Regulations provide for our Board of Directors to be divided into two classes of directors serving staggered terms.

Subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding Serial Preferred Shares, each record holder of common stock on the applicable record date is entitled to receive dividends on such common stock to the extent authorized by our Board of Directors out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends. In addition, subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding Serial Preferred Shares, holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up after payment of or adequate provision for all our known debts and liabilities.

Holders of common stock do not have any preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. No conversion, redemption or sinking fund provisions apply to the common stock, and the holders of common stock are not liable to further calls or assessments by us.

Shareholder Rights Plan

Under the terms of the Rights Agreement, one preferred share purchase right, which we refer to as a Right, is associated with each share of common stock. Until the occurrence of specified events described in the Rights Agreement, the Rights are not exercisable, are evidenced by the certificates for our common stock and may be transferred only with our common stock. The Rights will expire on March 6, 2010, unless earlier redeemed, exchanged or amended.

Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from us one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, without par value, at a price of $170.00 per one one-hundredth of a preferred share. The Rights Agreement also provides, subject to specified exceptions and limitations, that common stock issued or delivered from our treasury after the record date will be accompanied by a right. The Rights are in all respects subject to and governed by the provisions of the Rights Agreement.

Control Share Acquisitions

Section 1701.831 of the Ohio Revised Code provides that certain notice and informational filings and special shareholder meeting and voting procedures must be followed prior to consummation of a proposed “control share acquisition.” The Ohio Revised Code defines a “control share acquisition” as any acquisition of an issuer’s shares which would entitle the acquirer, immediately after that acquisition, directly or indirectly, to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power of the issuer in the election of directors within any one of the following ranges of that voting power:

•  one-fifth or more but less than one-third of that voting power;

•  one-third or more but less than a majority of that voting power; or

•  a majority or more of that voting power.

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Assuming compliance with the notice and information filings prescribed by the statute, the proposed control share acquisition may be made only if, at a special meeting of shareholders, the acquisition is approved by at least a majority of the voting power of the issuer represented at the meeting and at least a majority of the voting power remaining after excluding the combined voting power of the “interested shares.” “Interested shares” are the shares held by the intended acquirer and the employee-directors and officers of the issuer, as well as certain shares that were acquired after the date of the first public disclosure of the acquisition but before the record date for the meeting of shareholders and shares that were transferred, together with the voting power thereof, after the record date for the meeting of shareholders.

Business Combinations with Certain Persons

We are subject to Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code, which prohibits certain business combinations and transactions between an “issuing public corporation” and an “Ohio law interested shareholder” for at least three years after the Ohio law interested shareholder attains 10% ownership, unless the Board of Directors of the issuing public corporation approves the transaction before the Ohio law interested shareholder attains 10% ownership. An “issuing public corporation” is an Ohio corporation with 50 or more shareholders that has its principal place of business, principal executive offices, or substantial assets within the State of Ohio, and as to which no close corporation agreement exists. An “Ohio law interested shareholder” is a beneficial owner of 10% or more of the shares of a corporation. Examples of transactions regulated by Chapter 1704 include the disposition of assets, mergers and consolidations, voluntary dissolutions and the transfer of shares.

Subsequent to the three-year period, a transaction subject to Chapter 1704 may take place provided that certain conditions are satisfied, including:

•  prior to the interested shareholder’s share acquisition date, the board of directors approved the purchase of shares by the interested shareholder;

•  the transaction is approved by the holders of shares with at least 662/3% of the voting power of the corporation (or a different proportion set forth in the articles of incorporation), including at least a majority of the outstanding shares after excluding shares controlled by the Ohio law interested shareholder; or

•  the business combination results in shareholders, other than the Ohio law interested shareholder, receiving a fair price plus interest for their shares.

Chapter 1704 is applicable to all corporations formed under Ohio law.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Mellon Investor Services LLC serves as the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.

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Plan of Distribution

We have entered into a Open Market Sale Agreement with Jefferies & Company, Inc. as our sales agent under which we may offer and sell from time to time through the third anniversary of the effective date of the Open Market Sale Agreement, up to an aggregate initial offering price of $75,000,000 of our common stock through the sales agent. Sales of our common stock, if any, will be made (i) in privately negotiated transactions, (ii) as crosses, (iii) as block transactions or (iv) by any other method or payment permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the NASDAQ Global Select Market or sales made to or through a market maker or through an electronic communications network. We will not engage in any transactions that stabilize our common stock.

Jefferies & Company, Inc. will offer our common stock subject to the terms and conditions of the Open Market Sale Agreement. We will designate the minimum price per share at which the common stock may be sold and the maximum amount of common stock to be sold through the sales agent during any selling period or otherwise determine such maximum amount together with the sales agent. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Open Market Sale Agreement, Jefferies & Company, Inc. has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to execute our orders to sell, as our sales agent and on our behalf, our common stock submitted to Jefferies & Company, Inc. from time to time pursuant to and subject to the terms of the Open Market Sale Agreement. We or Jefferies & Company, Inc. may suspend the offering of common stock under the Open Market Sale Agreement by proper notice to the other party.

We will pay Jefferies & Company, Inc. a commission of 3.0% of the first $37,500,000 of gross proceeds of any common stock sold through it pursuant to this prospectus and 2.5% of the remaining gross proceeds of any common stock sold through it pursuant to this prospectus. We estimate that the total remaining expenses of the offering payable by us, other than such commissions, will be approximately $100,000. The remaining sales proceeds, after deducting any other transaction fees, will equal our net proceeds for the sale of such stock.

Settlement for sales of common stock will occur, unless the parties agree otherwise, on the third trading day following the date on which any sales were made against payment of the net proceeds to us. A trading day is any trading day on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, the sales agent may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation paid to the sales agent may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed in the Open Market Sale Agreement to provide indemnification and contribution to the sales agent against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

The sales agent and its affiliates have performed investment banking and advisory services for us from time to time for which they have received customary fees and expenses. The sales agent and its affiliates may, from time to time in the future, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

The offering of common stock pursuant to the Open Market Sale Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all of the shares of common stock subject to the Open Market Sale Agreement, (ii) the third anniversary of the effective date of the Open Market Sale Agreement and (iii) the termination of the Open Market Sale Agreement, pursuant to its terms.

Legal Matters

Jones Day will pass upon the validity of the common stock being offered hereby. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering may be passed upon for the sales agent by Proskauer Rose LLP, Los Angeles, California.

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Experts

The financial statements, financial statement schedule and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to Olympic Steel, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.   Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following are the estimated expenses of the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, all of which are payable by us. All of the items below, except for the registration fee, are estimates.

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee	$	11,160
Trustee’s fees and expenses		*
Transfer agent and registrar fees		*
Printing expenses		*
Accountant’s fees and expenses		*
Legal fees and expenses		*
Miscellaneous		*
Total	$	*

* Estimated expenses are presently not known and cannot be estimated.

Item 15.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Under Section 1701.13 of the Ohio Revised Code, Ohio corporations are authorized to indemnify directors, officers, employees and agents within prescribed limits and must indemnify them under certain circumstances. Ohio law does not provide statutory authorization for a corporation to indemnify directors, officers, employees and agents for settlements, fines or judgments in the context of derivative suits. However, it provides that directors (but not officers, employees or agents) are entitled to mandatory advancement of expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in defending any action, including derivative actions, brought against the director, provided that the director agrees to cooperate with the corporation concerning the matter and to repay the amount advanced if it is proved by clear and convincing evidence that the director’s act or failure to act was done with deliberate intent to cause injury to the corporation or with reckless disregard for the corporation’s best interests.

Ohio law does not authorize payment of judgments to a director, officer, employee or agent after a finding of negligence or misconduct in a derivative suit absent a court order. Indemnification is permitted, however, to the extent such person succeeds on the merits. In all other cases, if a director, officer, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to be the best interests of the corporation, indemnification is discretionary except as otherwise provided by a corporation’s articles, code of regulations or by contract except with respect to the advancement of expenses of directors.

Under Ohio law, a director is not liable for monetary damages unless it is proved by clear and convincing evidence that his action or failure to act was undertaken with deliberate intent to cause injury to the corporation or with reckless disregard for the best interests of the corporation. There is, however, no comparable provision limiting the liability of officers, employees or agents of a corporation. The statutory right to indemnification is not exclusive in Ohio, and Ohio corporations may, among other things, procure insurance for such persons.

Section 1701.13 of the Ohio Revised Code authorizes a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager or agent of another corporation or enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would otherwise have the power to indemnify him under Section 1701.13.

Under certain circumstances provided in Article V of our Amended and Restated Code of Regulations and subject to Section 1701.13 of the Ohio Revised Code (which sets forth the conditions and limitations governing the indemnification of officers and directors), we will indemnify any of our current or former directors or officers

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against losses, damages, or liabilities reasonably incurred by that director or officer in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative. We maintain liability insurance for all of our directors and officers. The insurance also insures the Company against amounts payable to indemnify directors and officers, subject to policy limits and retention amounts.

Item 16.   Exhibits.

The following documents are exhibits to the registration statement:

Exhibit
Number			Description
	1	.1*	Form of Underwriting Agreement.
	1	.2	Form of Open Market Sale Agreement by and between Olympic Steel, Inc. and Jefferies & Company, Inc.
	4	.1	Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Olympic Steel, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.1(i) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 033-73992) filed with the Commission on January 12, 1994), incorporated herein by reference.
	4	.2	Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of Olympic Steel, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-1439001) filed June 20, 2007), incorporated herein by reference.
	4	.3	Form of Debt Securities Indenture.
	4	.4*	Form of Debt Securities.
	4	.5*	Preferred Stock Certificate of Designations.
	4	.6*	Form of Warrant Agreement.
	4	.7*	Form of Warrant Certificate.
	4	.8*	Form of Depositary Agreement.
	4	.9*	Form of Depositary Receipt.
	4	.10*	Form of Subscription Rights Certificate.
	4	.11*	Form of Unit Agreement.
	4	.12*	Form of Unit Certificate.
	5	.1	Opinion of Jones Day.
	12	.1	Calculation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
	23	.1	Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
	23	.2	Consent of Jones Day (included in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration Statement).
	25	.1	Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Trustee under Debt Securities Indenture.

* To be filed either by amendment or as an exhibit to a report filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 17.   Undertakings.

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

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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 percent 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 the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) do not apply if 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 this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.

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

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

4. That, for the purpose of determining 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 a 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;

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(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.

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 this 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.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

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 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of 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 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 grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Bedford Heights, State of Ohio, on October 29, 2009.

OLYMPIC STEEL, INC.

By:  /s/  Michael D. Siegal

Michael D. Siegal

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive

Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement on Form S-3 has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated as of October 29, 2009:

Signatures	Title
/s/  Michael D. Siegal Michael D. Siegal	Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/  David A. Wolfort David A. Wolfort	President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
/s/  Richard T. Marabito Richard T. Marabito	Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
Arthur F. Anton	Director
/s/  Martin H. Elrad Martin H. Elrad	Director
/s/  Ralph M. Della Ratta Ralph M. Della Ratta	Director
/s/  Howard L. Goldstein Howard L. Goldstein	Director
/s/  James B. Meathe James B. Meathe	Director

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Index to Exhibits

Exhibit
Number			Description
	1	.1*	Form of Underwriting Agreement.
	1	.2	Form of Open Market Sale Agreement by and between Olympic Steel, Inc. and Jefferies & Company, Inc.
	4	.1	Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Olympic Steel, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.1(i) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 033-73992) filed with the Commission on January 12, 1994), incorporated herein by reference.
	4	.2	Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of Olympic Steel, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-1439001) filed June 20, 2007), incorporated herein by reference.
	4	.3	Form of Debt Securities Indenture.
	4	.4*	Form of Debt Securities.
	4	.5*	Preferred Stock Certificate of Designations.
	4	.6*	Form of Warrant Agreement.
	4	.7*	Form of Warrant Certificate.
	4	.8*	Form of Depositary Agreement.
	4	.9*	Form of Depositary Receipt.
	4	.10*	Form of Subscription Rights Certificate.
	4	.11*	Form of Unit Agreement.
	4	.12*	Form of Unit Certificate.
	5	.1	Opinion of Jones Day.
	12	.1	Calculation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
	23	.1	Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
	23	.2	Consent of Jones Day (included in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration Statement).
	25	.1	Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Trustee under Debt Securities Indenture.

* To be filed either by amendment or as an exhibit to a report filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and incorporated herein by reference.

EX-1.2

Exhibit 1.2

OPEN MARKET SALE AGREEMENT^SM

                     __, 2009

JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.
520 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Olympic Steel, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to issue and sell from time to time through Jefferies & Company, Inc., as sales agent and/or principal (the “Agent”), shares of the Company’s common stock without par value (the “Common Shares”), having an aggregate offering price of up to $75,000,000 on the terms set forth in this agreement (this “Agreement”). Each Common Share will include a right (“Right”) to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of the Company’s Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, without par value, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Rights Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2000 (the “Rights Agreement”), as amended by Amendment 1 to the Rights Agreement, dated as of September 16, 2008, by and between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as successor to National City Bank, as rights agent, while the Rights Agreement, or any replacement or subsequent rights agreement, remains in effect.

Section 1. DEFINITIONS

     (a) Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the following respective meanings:

     “8-K Amendment” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of Section 2.

     “Affiliate” of a Person means another Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first-mentioned Person. The term “control” (including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

     “Agency Period” means the period commencing on the Effective Date and expiring on the earliest to occur of (x) the date on which the Agent shall have placed the Maximum Program Amount pursuant to this Agreement, (y) the date this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7 and (z) the third anniversary of the Effective Date.

     “Agent” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

     “Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

^SM “Open Market Sale Agreement” is a service mark of Jefferies & Company, Inc.

     “Base Prospectus” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

     “Code” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(ee).

     “Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

     “Common Shares” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

     “Company” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

     “Credit Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(o).

     “Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(r).

     “EDGAR” means the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system or any successor system.

     “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(ii).

     “electronic Prospectus” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(h).

     “Employee Benefit Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(ee).

     “Environmental Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(dd).

     “ERISA” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(ee).

     “ERISA Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(ee).

     “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

     “Exchange Act Amendment” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(d).

     “Existing Instrument” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(r).

     “FCPA” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(ii).

     “FINRA” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(bb).

     “Floor Price” means the minimum price set by the Company in the Issuance Notice below which the Agent shall not sell Shares during the applicable Selling Period, which may be adjusted by the Company at any time during the Selling Period by delivering written notice of such change to the Agent and which in no event shall be less than $1.00 without the prior written consent of the Agent, which may be withheld in the Agent’s sole discretion.

     “Free Writing Prospectus” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(e).

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     “Hazardous Materials” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(dd).

     “Intellectual Property Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(t).

     “Interim Prospectus Supplement” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

     “Investment Company Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(x).

     “IRS” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(ee).

     “Issuance Amount” means the aggregate Sales Price of the Shares to be sold by the Agent pursuant to any Issuance Notice.

     “Issuance Notice” means a written notice delivered to the Agent by the Company in accordance with this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A that is executed by its Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer.

     “Issuance Notice Date” means any Trading Day during the Agency Period that an Issuance Notice is delivered pursuant to Section 3(b)(i).

     “Issuance Price” means the Sales Price less the Selling Commission.

     “Issuance Supplement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

     “Lien” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(o).

     “Material Adverse Change” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(j).

     “Maximum Program Amount” means Common Shares with an aggregate Sales Price of the lesser of (1) $75,000,000 and (2) the aggregate amount of Shares registered under the Registration Statement.

     “Money Laundering Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(jj).

     “OFAC” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(kk).

     “Original Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

     “Other Offering Amendment” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of Section 2.

     “PCAOB” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(k).

     “Person” means an individual or a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, governmental authority or other entity of any kind.

     “Principal Market” means the Nasdaq Global Select Market or such other national securities exchange on which the Common Shares, including any Shares, are then listed.

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     “Prospectus” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

     “Right” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

     “Rights Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

     “Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

     “Regulation M” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(z).

     “Representation Date” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of Section 2.

     “Rule 102” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(r).

     “Sales Price” means the actual sale execution price of each Share placed by the Agent pursuant to this Agreement.

     “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

     “Selling Commission” means, with respect to sales of Shares for which the Agent acts as sales agent hereunder, three percent (3%) of the initial $37,500,000 in aggregate Sales Price for Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement, and two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the Sales Price for any Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement thereafter. The foregoing rate of compensation shall not apply when the Agent acts as principal, in which case the Company may sell Shares to the Agent as principal at a price agreed upon at the relevant time.

     “Selling Period” means the period of one to twenty consecutive Trading Days (as determined by the Company in the Company’s sole discretion and specified in the applicable Issuance Notice) including the Trading Day on which an Issuance Notice is delivered pursuant to Section 3(b)(i), if such notice is delivered prior to 3:00 p.m. (New York City time) and otherwise, following the Trading Day on which an Issuance Notice is delivered pursuant to Section 3(b)(i).

     “Settlement Date” means the third business day following each Trading Day during the Selling Period on which Shares are sold pursuant to this Agreement, when the Company shall deliver to the Agent the amount of Shares sold on such Trading Day and the Agent shall deliver to the Company the Issuance Price received on such sales.

     “Shares” shall mean the Company’s Common Shares issued or issuable pursuant to this Agreement.

     “subsidiary” means a Person whose shares of capital stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such Person are at the time owned, or the management of which is

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otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by the Company.

     “Time of Sale” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b)(v).

     “Time of Sale Information” means, collectively, the Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus used or otherwise made available prior to any Issuance Notice Date or Time of Sale, as applicable.

     “Trading Day” means any day on which the Principal Market is open for trading.

     “Triggering Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(o).

Section 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Agent that as of (1) the Effective Date, (2) each Issuance Notice Date, (3) each Settlement Date, (4) any time that the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be amended or supplemented (other than (a) as may be amended or supplemented by the filing, other than during a Selling Period, of any current report on Form 8-K filed pursuant to the Exchange Act that is not material to the offering of securities of the Company in the reasonable discretion of the Agent (an “8-K Amendment”) or (b) an amendment or supplement relating solely to the issuance or offering of securities other than the Shares (an “Other Offering Amendment”)) and (5) as of each Time of Sale (each of the times referenced above is referred to herein as a “Representation Date”), except as may be disclosed in the Prospectus (including any documents incorporated by reference therein and any supplements thereto) on or before a Representation Date:

     (a) Registration Statement. The Company has prepared and filed with the Commission a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-[                    ]) that contains a base prospectus (the “Base Prospectus”) relating to the issuance of the Shares under this Agreement. Such registration statement registers the issuance and sale by the Company of the Shares under the Securities Act. Such registration statement, including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act, including all financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto and all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act as from time to time amended or supplemented, is herein referred to as the “Registration Statement,” and the final Base Prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, together with any prospectus supplement filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act relating to a particular issuance of the Shares (each, an “Issuance Supplement”), including all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act, in each case, as from time to time amended or supplemented, is referred to herein as the “Prospectus,” except that if any revised prospectus is provided to the Agent by the Company for use in connection with the offering of the Shares that is not required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, the term “Prospectus” shall refer to such revised prospectus from and after the time it is first provided to the Agent for such use. The Registration Statement at the time it originally became effective is herein called the “Original Registration Statement.” As

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used in this Agreement, the terms “amendment” or “supplement” when applied to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to include the filing by the Company with the Commission of any document under the Exchange Act after the date hereof that is or is deemed to be incorporated therein by reference.

     All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information that is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information that is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed under the Securities Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, as of any specified date; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include, without limitation, the filing of any document under the Exchange Act which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed under the Securities Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, as of any specified date.

     At the time the Registration Statement was originally declared effective, the Company met the then applicable requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act. During the Agency Period, each time the Company files an annual report on Form 10-K, the Company will meet the then applicable requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act.

     (b) Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Original Registration Statement has been, and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement will be, declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act. The Company has complied to the Commission’s satisfaction with all requests of the Commission for additional or supplemental information with respect to the Registration Statement. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or threatened by the Commission.

     The Prospectus when filed complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and, if filed by electronic transmission pursuant to EDGAR (except as may be permitted by Regulation S-T under the Securities Act), was identical to the copy thereof delivered to the Agent for use in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares. Each of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became effective and at each Representation Date, complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (except that the foregoing shall not apply to those parts of the Registration Statement that constitute the Statement of Eligibility (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939). The Time of Sale Information, as of the date of the Prospectus and each Representation Date, does not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Prospectus, as of its date and at each Representation Date, did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the

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circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties set forth in the three immediately preceding sentences do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Agent furnished to the Company in writing by the Agent expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Agent to the Company consists of the information described in Section 6(a) below. There are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that have not been described or filed as required.

     (c) Ineligible Issuer Status, Free Writing Prospectus. The Company is not an “ineligible issuer” in connection with the offering of the Shares pursuant to Rules 164, 405 and 433 under the Securities Act. Any Free Writing Prospectus that the Company is required to file pursuant to the Securities Act has been, or will be, filed with the Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act. Each Free Writing Prospectus that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to the Securities Act, or that was prepared by or behalf of or used or referred to by the Company, complies or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act including timely filing with the Commission or retention where required and legending pursuant to Rule 433 under the Securities Act, and each such Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the issuance and sale of the Shares did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts with or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein. Except for the Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule I hereto, and electronic road shows, if any, furnished to you before first use, the Company has not prepared, used or referred to, and will not, without your prior consent, prepare, use or refer to, any Free Writing Prospectus.

     (d) Exchange Act Compliance. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, complied and will comply, as applicable, in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act, and did not contain and will not contain, as applicable, an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

     (e) Statistical and Market-Related Data. The statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement and the Time of Sale Information are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate or represent the Company’s good faith estimates that are made on the basis of data derived from such sources.

     (f) Disclosure Controls and Procedures; Deficiencies in or Changes to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)), that (i) are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and its principal

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financial officer by others within those entities, particularly during the periods in which the periodic reports required under the Exchange Act are being prepared; (ii) have been evaluated by management of the Company for effectiveness as of a date within 90 days prior to the earlier of the date that the Company filed its most recent annual or quarterly report with the Commission and the date of the Prospectus; and (iii) are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established. The Company is not aware of (i) any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information or (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company is not aware of any change in its internal control over financial reporting that has occurred during its most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

     (g) The Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and is a valid and binding agreement of, the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnification hereunder may be limited by applicable law and except as the enforcement hereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles.

     (h) Authorization of the Shares. The Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the consideration therefor specified herein, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and the issuance and sale of the Shares is not subject to any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights to subscribe for or purchase the Shares.

     (i) No Applicable Registration or Other Similar Rights. There are no persons with registration or other similar rights to have any equity or debt securities of the Company registered for sale under the Registration Statement or included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement, except for such rights as have been disclosed to the Agent and duly waived.

     (j) No Material Adverse Change. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus: (i) there has been no material adverse effect, or any development that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect, to the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one entity (any such effect is called a “Material Adverse Change”); (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one entity, have not incurred any material liability or obligation, indirect, direct or contingent, not in the ordinary course of business nor entered into any material transaction or agreement not in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company (other than quarterly dividends) or, except for dividends paid to the Company or other subsidiaries, any of the Company’s subsidiaries on any class of capital stock or repurchase or

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redemption by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any class of capital stock (other than in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations or the payment of exercise prices in connection with the vesting or exercise of equity awards).

     (k) Independent Accountants. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, who have expressed their opinion with respect to the financial statements (which term as used in this Agreement includes the related notes thereto) and supporting schedules filed with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and included in the Prospectus are independent public or certified public accountants within the applicable rules and regulation adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) whose registration, to the knowledge of the Company, has not been suspended or revoked and who has not requested such registration to be withdrawn.

     (l) Preparation of the Financial Statements. The financial statements filed with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and included in the Prospectus present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of and at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flows for the periods specified. The supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly, in all material respects, the information required to be stated therein. Except as otherwise stated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, such financial statements and supporting schedules have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. No other financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus. The selected financial data and the summary financial information of the Company included in, or incorporated by reference into, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (in each case, other than any pro forma financial information and projections) present fairly, in all material respects, the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent, in all material respects, with that of the audited financial statements included in, or incorporated by reference into, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

     (m) Company’s Accounting System. The Company and each of its subsidiaries make and keep accurate books and records and maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

     (n) Incorporation and Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio and has the power and authority (corporate or other) to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the

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conduct of business, except where such failures to qualify and be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

     (o) Incorporation and Good Standing of the Company’s Subsidiaries. Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated or organized, as the case may be, and is validly existing as a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and has the power and authority (corporate or other) to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where such failures to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. All of the issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity or ownership interests of each subsidiary have been duly authorized and validly issued, are, to the extent applicable, fully paid and nonassessable and, except as set forth in the Prospectus (including, without limitation, pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 28, 2008, as amended April 6, 2009 and July 24, 2009, by and among the Company, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, Comerica Bank as administrative agent, and the other agents from time to time party thereto, as amended from time to time or as may be replaced or refinanced (the “Credit Agreement”), are owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, charge or other adverse claim (collectively, a “Lien”). The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any subsidiary other than the subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 21 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year.

     (p) Capitalization and Other Capital Stock Matters. The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. The Common Shares (including the Shares) conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus. All of the issued and outstanding Common Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. All of the issued and outstanding Common Shares have been issued in compliance with federal and state securities laws, except where such failures to be so issued would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. None of the outstanding Common Shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities of the Company. There are no authorized or outstanding options, warrants, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase, or equity or debt securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, any capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries other than those described in the Prospectus, including without limitation, pursuant to stock option, stock bonus and other stock plans or arrangements. The description of the Company’s stock option, stock bonus and other stock plans or arrangements, and the options or other rights granted thereunder, set forth in the Prospectus accurately and fairly presents the information required to be shown with respect to such plans, arrangements, options and rights.

     (q) Stock Exchange Listing. The Common Shares are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the

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registration of the Common Shares under the Exchange Act or delisting the Common Shares from the Nasdaq Global Select Market, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission or the Nasdaq Global Select Market is contemplating terminating such registration or listing.

     (r) Non-Contravention of Existing Instruments; No Further Authorizations or Approvals Required. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its articles of incorporation or code of regulations, bylaws, partnership agreement or operating agreement or similar organizational document, as applicable, or (ii) in default (or, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, would be in default) (“Default”) under any indenture, mortgage, loan or credit agreement, note, contract, franchise, lease or other instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound (including, without limitation, any credit agreement, indenture, pledge agreement, security agreement or other instrument or agreement evidencing, guaranteeing, securing or relating to indebtedness of the Company or any of its subsidiaries), or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject (each, an “Existing Instrument”), except for such Defaults as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. The Company’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Prospectus and the issuance and sale of the Shares (i) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and will not result in any violation of the provisions of the articles of incorporation and code of regulations, bylaws, partnership agreement or operating agreement or similar organizational document of the Company or any subsidiary, as applicable, (ii) will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or Default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, or require the consent of any other party to, any Existing Instrument, and (iii) will not result in any violation of any law, administrative regulation or administrative or court decree applicable to the Company or any subsidiary, except where such failures with respect to clauses (ii) and (iii) would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. No consent, approval, authorization or other order of, or registration or filing with, any court or other governmental or regulatory authority or agency, is required for the Company’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Prospectus, except (i) such as have been obtained or made by the Company and are in full force and effect under the Securities Act, (ii) for periodic and other reporting obligations under the Exchange Act and (iii) as required by applicable state securities or blue sky laws.

     (s) No Material Actions or Proceedings. There are no legal or governmental actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened (i) against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or to which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject or (ii) that have as the subject thereof any officer or director of, or property owned or leased by, the Company or any of its subsidiaries, where in any such case (A) there is a reasonable possibility that such action, suit or proceeding might be determined adversely to the Company, such subsidiary or such officer or director and (B) any such action, suit or proceeding, if so determined adversely, would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change or adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Except as disclosed in the

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Registration Statement and the Prospectus or except where such labor disputes would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, no labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or with the employees of any principal supplier, manufacturer, customer or contractor of the Company, exists or, to the Company’s knowledge, is threatened or imminent.

     (t) Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess sufficient trademarks, trade names, patent rights, copyrights, domain names, licenses, approvals, trade secrets, know-how and other similar rights (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”) necessary for the conduct of their businesses as now conducted, except where the failure to own or possess such rights would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; and the expected expiration of any of such Intellectual Property Rights would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, (i) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any written notice of infringement or conflict with asserted Intellectual Property Rights of any other Persons, (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, none of the products or services of the Company or any of its subsidiaries infringe or misappropriate the Intellectual Property Rights of any other Persons, (iii) none of the technology employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries has been obtained or is being used by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in violation of any contractual obligation binding on the Company or any of its subsidiaries or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its or its subsidiaries’ officers, directors or employees or otherwise in violation of the Intellectual Property Rights of any other Persons, and (iv) there are no agreements the primary purpose of which is the licensing of Intellectual Property Rights to which the Company is a party under which there is any material dispute.

     (u) All Necessary Permits, etc. The Company and each subsidiary possess such valid and current certificates, authorizations or permits issued by the appropriate municipal, state, federal or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct their respective businesses, except where the failure to possess such certificates, authorizations or permits would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, and neither the Company nor any subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of, or non-compliance with, any such certificate, authorization or permit that, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

     (v) Title to Properties. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (including, without limitation, pursuant to the Credit Agreement), the Company and each of its subsidiaries has good and marketable title to all of the real and personal property and other assets reflected as owned in the financial statements referred to in Section 2(l) above (or elsewhere in the Prospectus), in each case free and clear of any Liens except such as do not materially and adversely affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such property by the Company or such subsidiaries. The real property, improvements, equipment and personal property held under lease by the Company or any subsidiaries are held under valid and enforceable leases, with such exceptions as are not

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material and do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such real property, improvements, equipment or personal property by the Company or such subsidiaries.

     (w) Tax Law Compliance. The Company and its consolidated subsidiaries have filed all necessary federal, state and foreign income and franchise tax returns and have paid all taxes required to be paid by any of them and, if due and payable, any related or similar assessment, fine or penalty levied against any of them except as may be being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, except where the failure to make such filings or payments would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. The Company has made adequate charges, accruals and reserves in the applicable financial statements referred to in Section 2(l) above as are required by generally accepted accounting principles in respect of all federal, state and foreign income and franchise taxes for all periods as to which the tax liability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has not been finally determined, except where the failure to make such charges, accrual and reserves would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

     (x) Company Not an “Investment Company.” The Company has been advised of the rules and requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). The Company is not, and will not be, either after receipt of payment for the Shares or after the application of the proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus, required to register as an “investment company” within the meaning of Investment Company Act.

     (y) Insurance. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries are insured by recognized, financially sound and reputable institutions with policies in such amounts and with such deductibles and covering such risks as are generally deemed adequate and customary for their businesses. The Company has no reason to believe that it or any subsidiary will not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

     (z) No Price Stabilization or Manipulation; Compliance with Regulation M. The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might be reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Common Shares or any other “reference security” (as defined in Rule 100 of Regulation M under the 1934 Act (“Regulation M”)) whether to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares or otherwise, and has taken no action which would directly or indirectly violate Regulation M. The Company acknowledges that the Agent may engage in passive market making transactions in the Shares on the Principal Market in accordance with Regulation M. The Common Shares are “actively traded securities” (as defined in Regulation M).

     (aa) Related Party Transactions. There are no business relationships or related-party transactions involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other person required to be described in the Prospectus which have not been described as required.

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     (bb) FINRA Matters. The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act specified in Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) Rule 5110(b)(7)(C)(i).

     (cc) No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any employee or agent of the Company or any subsidiary, has made any contribution or other payment to any official of, or candidate for, any federal, state or foreign office in violation of any law or of the character required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

     (dd) Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except as described in the Prospectus and except as would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, (i) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance or code or any binding and applicable judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health and safety (with respect to exposure to Hazardous Materials) or the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of regulated chemicals, substances, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, treatment, storage, disposal or transport of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws to operate their respective businesses and are each in compliance with their requirements, (iii) there are no pending or threatened actions, lawsuits, demand letters, claims, liens, written notices of noncompliance or violation, or judicial, regulatory or administrative proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (iv) there are no pending judicial or administrative orders or agreements for the investigation, clean-up, corrective action or remediation of Hazardous Materials to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party.

     (ee) ERISA Compliance. The Company and any “employee benefit plan” (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, “ERISA”)) (an “Employee Benefit Plan”) established or maintained by the Company or its ERISA Affiliates (as defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with ERISA, except where such noncompliance would not result in a Material Adverse Change. “ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to the Company, any member of any group of organizations described in Sections 414(b),(c),(m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the “Code”) of which the Company is a member. No “reportable event” (as defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan established or maintained by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. Neither the Company nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability that would result in a Material Adverse Change under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any Employee Benefit Plan or (ii) Sections 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code. Each Employee Benefit Plan established or maintained by the Company or any of its

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ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to be so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which would reasonably be expected to result in the IRS’s revocation of such determination.

     (ff) Brokers. Except for sales agency discounts and commissions payable to the Agent as described in the Time of Sale Information, there is no broker, finder or other party that is entitled to receive from the Company any brokerage or finder’s fee or other fee or commission as a result of any transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     (gg) Compliance with Laws. The Company has not been advised, and has no reason to believe, that it and each of its subsidiaries are not conducting business in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the jurisdictions in which it is conducting business, except where failure to be so in compliance would not result in a Material Adverse Change.

     (hh) Dividend Restrictions. No subsidiary of the Company is prohibited or restricted, directly or indirectly, from paying dividends to the Company, or from making any other distribution with respect to such subsidiary’s equity securities or from repaying to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company any amounts that may from time to time become due under any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any property or assets to the Company or to any other subsidiary.

     (ii) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that has resulted or would result in a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; and the Company and its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Company’s affiliates have conducted their respective businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

     (jj) Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are, and have been conducted at all times, in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar applicable rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.

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     (kk) OFAC. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of this offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

     (ll) Sarbanes-Oxley. The Company is in compliance, in all material respects, with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

     (mm) Distribution of Offering Materials by the Company. The Company has not distributed and will not distribute, prior to the completion of the Agent’s distribution of the Shares, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares other than the Time of Sale Information or the Registration Statement.

     Any certificate signed by any officer or representative of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and delivered to the Agent or counsel for the Agent in connection with an issuance of Shares shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Agent as to the matters covered thereby on the date of such certificate.

     The Company acknowledges that the Agent and, for purposes of the opinions to be delivered pursuant to Section 4(o) hereof, counsel to the Company and counsel to the Agent, will rely upon the accuracy and truthfulness of the foregoing representations and hereby consents to such reliance.

Section 3. ISSUANCE AND SALE OF COMMON SHARES

     (a) (i) Sale of Securities. On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company and the Agent agree that the Company may from time to time seek to sell Shares through the Agent, acting as sales agent, or directly to the Agent, acting as principal, as follows, with an aggregate Sales Price of up to the Maximum Program Amount, based on and in accordance with Issuance Notices as the Company may deliver, during the Agency Period.

     (ii) Agreement Effectiveness. This Agreement shall be deemed effective on the date on which each of the following conditions has been satisfied (the “Effective Date”):

(A)	the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the parties hereto; and
(B)	the Agent shall have received the documents identified in Section 4(o)(W), Section 4(o)(X), Section 4(o)(Y) and Section 4(o)(Z), with the understanding that the form and substance of (a) the legal opinion required by Section 4(o)(W) shall be in the form contained

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in and (b) the comfort letter required by Section 4(o)(X) shall be in the form agreed to as of the Effective Date.

     The Effective Date must occur and the Agent, in its sole discretion, must have satisfied its initial diligence requirement as set forth in Section 4(m)(i) prior to the delivery of any Issuance Notice by the Company and the efforts by the Agent to place any Shares.

     (b) Mechanics of Issuances.

     (i) Issuance Notice. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, on any Trading Day during the Agency Period on which the conditions set forth in Section 5(a) and Section 5(b) shall have been satisfied, the Company may exercise its right to request an issuance of Shares by delivering to the Agent an Issuance Notice; provided, however, that (A) in no event may the Company deliver an Issuance Notice to the extent that the sum of (x) the aggregate Sales Price of the requested Issuance Amount, plus (y) the aggregate Sales Price of all Shares issued under all previous Issuance Notices effected pursuant to this Agreement, would exceed the Maximum Program Amount; and (B) prior to delivery of any Issuance Notice, the Selling Period for any previous Issuance Notice shall have expired or been terminated. An Issuance Notice shall be considered delivered on the Trading Day that it is received by e mail to the persons so identified in writing by the Agent and confirmed by the Company by telephone (including a voicemail message to the persons so identified), with the understanding that, with adequate prior written notice, the Agent may modify the list of such persons from time to time.

     (ii) Agent Efforts. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, upon the receipt of an Issuance Notice, the Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal sales and trading practices to place the Shares with respect to which the Agent has agreed to act as sales agent, subject to, and in accordance with the information specified in, the Issuance Notice, unless the sale of the Shares described therein has been suspended, cancelled or otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties to this Agreement may modify an Issuance Notice at any time provided they both agree in writing to any such modification.

     (iii) Method of Offer and Sale. The Shares may be offered and sold (A) in privately negotiated transactions, (B) as crosses, (C) as block transactions or (D) by any other method or payment permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the Principal Market or sales made to or through a market maker or through an electronic communications network, provided that the Company expressly agrees to any such sale pursuant to (A) or (C) above.

     (iv) Confirmation to the Company. If acting as sales agent hereunder, the Agent will provide written confirmation to the Company no later than the opening of the Trading Day next following the Trading Day on which it has placed Shares hereunder

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setting forth the number of shares sold on such Trading Day, the corresponding Sales Price and the Issuance Price payable to the Company in respect thereof.

     (v) Settlement. Each issuance of Shares will be settled on the applicable Settlement Date for such issuance of Shares and, subject to the provisions of Section 5, on or before each Settlement Date, the Company will, or will cause its transfer agent to, electronically transfer the Shares being sold by crediting the Agent or its designee’s account at The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian (DWAC) System, or by such other means of delivery as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto and, upon receipt of such Shares, which in all cases shall be freely tradable, transferable, registered shares in good deliverable form, the Agent will deliver, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, the related Issuance Price in same day funds delivered to an account designated by the Company prior to the Settlement Date. The Company may sell Shares to the Agent as principal at a price agreed upon at each relevant time Shares are sold pursuant to this Agreement (each, a “Time of Sale”).

     (vi) Suspension or Termination of Sales. Consistent with standard market settlement practices, the Company or the Agent may, upon notice to the other party hereto in writing or by telephone (confirmed immediately by verifiable email), suspend any sale of Shares, and the Selling Period shall immediately terminate; provided, however, that (A) such suspension and termination shall not affect or impair either party’s obligations with respect to any Shares placed or sold hereunder prior to the receipt of such notice; (B) if the Company suspends or terminates any sale of Shares after the Agent confirms such sale to the Company, the Company shall still be obligated to comply with Section 3(b)(v) with respect to such Shares; and (C) if the Company defaults in its obligation to deliver Shares on a Settlement Date, the Company agrees that it will hold the Agent harmless against any loss, claim, damage or expense (including, without limitation, penalties, interest and reasonable legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Company. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, in performing its obligations under this Agreement, the Agent may borrow Common Shares from stock lenders in the event that the Company has not delivered Shares to settle sales as required by subsection (v) above, and may use the Shares to settle or close out such borrowings. The Company agrees that no such suspension notice shall be effective against the Agent unless it is made to the persons identified in writing by the Agent pursuant to Section 3(b)(i).

     (vii) No Guarantee of Placement, Etc. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (A) there can be no assurance that the Agent will be successful in placing Shares and (B) the Agent will incur no liability or obligation to the Company or any other Person if it does not sell Shares, and (C) the Agent shall be under no obligation to purchase Shares on a principal basis pursuant to this Agreement, except as otherwise specifically agreed by the Agent and the Company in writing.

     (c) Fees. As compensation for services rendered, the Company shall pay to the Agent, on the applicable Settlement Date, the Selling Commission for the applicable Issuance Amount (including with respect to any suspended or terminated sale pursuant to Section 3(b)(vi)) by the Agent deducting the Selling Commission from the applicable Issuance Amount.

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     (d) Expenses. The Company agrees to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the Shares (including all printing and engraving costs), (ii) all fees and expenses of the registrar and transfer agent of the Shares, (iii) all necessary issue, transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares, (iv) all fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors, (v) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Registration Statement (including financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents and certificates of experts), the Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company, and all amendments and supplements thereto, and this Agreement, (vi) all filing fees, attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Company or the Agent in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Shares for offer and sale under the state securities or blue sky laws or the provincial securities laws of Canada, and, if requested by the Agent, preparing and printing a “Blue Sky Survey” or memorandum (in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for such memorandum) and a “Canadian wrapper”, and any supplements thereto, advising the Agent of such qualifications, registrations, determinations and exemptions, (vii) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Agent (in an amount not to exceed $5,000) in connection with, FINRA review, if any, and approval of the Agent’s participation in the offering and distribution of the Shares, (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any electronic road show, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives, employees and officers of the Company and of the Agent and any such consultants, and the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show, (ix) the fees and expenses associated with listing the Shares on the Principal Market and (x) all other fees, costs and expenses of the nature referred to in Part II of the Registration Statement. Except as provided in this Section 3(d) and Section 6 hereof, the Agent shall pay its own expenses.

Section 4. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

     The Company covenants and agrees with the Agent as follows, in addition to any other covenants and agreements made elsewhere in this Agreement:

     (a) Exchange Act Compliance. During the Agency Period, the Company shall (i) file, on a timely basis, with the Commission all reports and documents required to be filed pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15 of the Exchange Act in the manner and within the time periods required by the Exchange Act and (ii) either (A) include in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its annual reports on Form 10-K, a summary detailing, for the relevant reporting period, (1) the number of Shares sold through the Agent pursuant to this Agreement and (2) the net proceeds received by the Company from such sales or (B) prepare a prospectus supplement or in such other filing permitted by the Securities Act or Exchange Act (each an “Interim Prospectus Supplement”) with such summary information and, at least once a quarter and subject to this

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Section 4, file such Interim Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act (and within the time periods required by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430B under the Securities Act)).

     (b) Securities Act Compliance. During the Agency Period, the Company shall promptly advise the Agent in writing (i) of the receipt of any comments of, or requests for additional or supplemental information from, the Commission, (ii) of the time and date of any filing of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus (other than an Other Offering Amendment or an 8-K Amendment), any Free Writing Prospectus, (iii) of the time and date that any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement becomes effective and (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or of any proceedings to remove, suspend or terminate from listing or quotation the Common Shares from any securities exchange upon which they are listed for trading or included or designated for quotation, or of the threatening or initiation of any proceedings for any of such purposes. If the Commission shall enter any such stop order at any time, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the lifting of such order as soon as practicable. Additionally, the Company agrees that it shall comply with the provisions of Rule 424(b), Rule 433 and Rule 430B under the Securities Act and will use its reasonable efforts to confirm that any filings made by the Company under such Rule 424(b) or Rule 433 were received in a timely manner by the Commission.

     (c) Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus and Other Securities Act Matters. If at any time the delivery of a prospectus is required under the Securities Act or under the blue sky or securities laws of any jurisdiction on or prior to the applicable Settlement Date for any Selling Period in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus so that the Prospectus does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if in the opinion of the Agent or counsel for the Agent it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, including the Securities Act, the Company agrees (subject to Section 4(d)) to promptly prepare, file with the Commission and furnish at its own expense to the Agent, amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law including the Securities Act. Neither the Agent’s consent to, or delivery of, any such amendment or supplement shall constitute a waiver of any of the Company’s obligations under Section 4(b) or
Section 4(c).

     (d) Agent’s Review of Proposed Amendments and Supplements. During any Selling Period, prior to amending or supplementing the Registration Statement or the Prospectus

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(including any registration statement filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and any amendment or supplement through incorporation of any report filed under the Exchange Act (an “Exchange Act Amendment”), but excluding an Other Offering Amendment, the Company shall furnish to the Agent for review, a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed time of filing or use thereof, a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement, and the Company shall not file or use any such proposed amendment or supplement without the Agent’s prior consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, and the Company will file with the Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such Rule.

     (e) Use of Free Writing Prospectus. Neither the Company nor the Agent has prepared, used, referred to or distributed, or will prepare, use, refer to or distribute, without the other party’s prior written consent, any “written communication” that constitutes a “free writing prospectus” as such terms are defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act with respect to the offering contemplated by this Agreement (any such free writing prospectus being referred to herein as a “Free Writing Prospectus”).

     (f) Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company shall furnish to the Agent for review, a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed time of filing or use thereof, a copy of each proposed Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto to be prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and the Company shall not file, use, refer to or distribute any proposed Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto without the Agent’s consent. The Company shall furnish to the Agent, without charge, as many copies of any Free Writing Prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, or used by the Company, as the Agent may reasonably request. If at any time when a prospectus is required by the Securities Act (including, without limitation, pursuant to Rule 173(d)) to be delivered in connection with sales of the Shares (but in any event if at any time through and including the Effective Date) there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which any Free Writing Prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company shall promptly amend or supplement such Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict or so that the statements in such Free Writing Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at such subsequent time, not misleading, as the case may be.

     (g) Filing of Agent Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company shall not take any action that would result in the Agent or the Company being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act a Free Writing Prospectus prepared by or on behalf of the Agent that the Agent otherwise would not have been required to file thereunder.

     (h) Copies of Registration Statement and Prospectus. After the Effective Date through the last time that a prospectus is required by the Securities Act (including, without limitation, pursuant to Rule 173(d)) to be delivered in connection with sales of the Shares, the

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Company agrees to furnish the Agent with copies (which may be electronic copies) of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, and with copies of the Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto in the form in which it is filed with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act or Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, both in such quantities as the Agent may reasonably request from time to time; and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required under the Securities Act or under the blue sky or securities laws of any jurisdiction at any time on or prior to the applicable Settlement Date for any Selling Period in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares and if at such time any event has occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it is necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus in order to comply with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, to notify the Agent promptly by telephone (with confirmation in writing) and to request that the Agent suspend offers to sell Shares (and, if so notified, the Agent shall cease such offers as soon as practicable); and if the Company decides to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented, to advise the Agent promptly by telephone (with confirmation in writing) and to prepare and cause to be filed promptly with the Commission an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented that will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance; provided, however, that if during such same period the Agent is required to deliver a prospectus in respect of transactions in the Shares, the Company shall promptly prepare and file with the Commission such an amendment or supplement. The Company shall cause to be prepared and delivered, at its expense, on or before the date of the initial Issuance Notice under this Agreement, to the Agent an “electronic Prospectus” to be used by the Agent in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares. As used herein, the term “electronic Prospectus” means a form of Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto (excluding any documents incorporated by reference therein), that meets each of the following conditions: (i) it shall be encoded in an electronic format, satisfactory to the Agent, that may be transmitted electronically by the Agent to offerees and purchasers of the Shares; and (ii) it shall disclose the same information as the paper Prospectus, except to the extent that graphic and image material cannot be disseminated electronically, in which case such graphic and image material shall be replaced in the electronic Prospectus with a fair and accurate narrative description or tabular representation of such material, as appropriate. The Company hereby confirms that it has included or will include in the Prospectus filed pursuant to EDGAR or otherwise with the Commission an undertaking that, upon receipt of a request by an investor or his or her representative, the Company shall transmit or cause to be transmitted promptly, without charge, a paper copy of the Prospectus.

     (i) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company shall cooperate with the Agent and counsel for the Agent to qualify or register the Shares for sale under (or obtain exemptions from the application of) the state securities or blue sky laws or Canadian provincial securities laws (or other foreign laws) of those jurisdictions designated by the Agent, shall comply with such laws and shall continue such qualifications, registrations and exemptions in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Shares. The Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not presently qualified or where it would be subject to taxation as a

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foreign corporation. The Company will advise the Agent promptly of the suspension of the qualification or registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Shares for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or any initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the event of the issuance of any order suspending such qualification, registration or exemption, the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof as soon as practicable.

     (j) Earnings Statement. As soon as practicable, but in any event no later than sixteen months after the date of this Agreement, the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Agent an earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the date of this Agreement that shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

     (k) Listing; Reservation of Shares. (a) The Company will list the Shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and maintain the listing of the Shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, and (b) the Company will reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive rights, Shares for the purpose of enabling the Company to satisfy its obligations under this Agreement.

     (l) Transfer Agent. The Company shall engage and maintain, at its expense, a registrar and transfer agent for the Shares.

     (m) Due Diligence.

     (i) Initial Diligence. Prior to the delivery of the initial Issuance Notice, the Company shall notify the Agent of its desire to deliver the initial Issuance Notice and permit and assist representatives of the Agent and counsel to the Agent to conduct due diligence with the appropriate business, financial and legal representatives and directors of the Company, consistent with such parties’ due diligence prior to the date hereof and otherwise appropriate under the circumstances in the reasonable judgment of the Agent, including but not limited to due diligence regarding the business and financial condition of the Company, reasonable requests for documents, conference calls regarding these matters and conference calls with representatives of the Company’s counsel providing legal opinions pursuant to this Agreement and with representatives of the Company’s registered independent accounting firms providing comfort letters pursuant to this Agreement. The Agent shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether such due diligence has been completed to its satisfaction.

     (ii) Periodic Diligence. Prior to the delivery of any subsequent Issuance Notice and prior to each Time of Sale, in connection with any issuance of Shares and otherwise from time to time at the reasonable request of the Agent, the Company shall permit and assist representatives of the Agent and counsel to the Agent to conduct due diligence as described in Section 4(m)(i) above.

     (n) Representations and Warranties. The Company acknowledges that each delivery of an Issuance Notice and each delivery of Shares on a Settlement Date shall be deemed to be (i) an affirmation to the Agent that the representations and warranties of the Company contained

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in or made pursuant to this Agreement are true and correct as of the date of such Issuance Notice or of such Settlement Date, as the case may be, as though made at and as of each such date, except as may be disclosed in the Prospectus (including any documents incorporated by reference therein and any supplements thereto), and (ii) an undertaking that the Company will advise the Agent if any of such representations and warranties will not be true and correct as of the Settlement Date for the Shares relating to such Issuance Notice, as though made at and as of each such date (except that such representations and warranties shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus, in each case as amended and supplemented relating to such Shares).

     (o) Deliverables upon a Triggering Event. The Company agrees that, during the term of this Agreement, upon:

          (A) the amendment or supplement of any Registration Statement or Prospectus (other than an 8-K Amendment or an Other Offering Amendment);

          (B) the filing with the Commission of an annual report on Form 10-K or a quarterly report on Form 10-Q, or any amendment thereto, in each case, of the Company;

          (C) at the Agent’s oral or written request and upon reasonable advance oral or written notice to the Company in connection with any Shares that are to be delivered to the Agent as principal on a Settlement Date; or

          (D) the filing with the Commission of a Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, or any amendment thereto, that is material to the offering of securities of the Company, in the reasonable discretion of the Agent (excluding any Form 8-K “furnished” pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K);

(any such event, a “Triggering Event”), then, unless the requirement is waived in writing by the Agent, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Agent prior to or simultaneous with the next delivery of an Issuance Notice after such Triggering Event (or, in each case of a Triggering Event pursuant to clause (C) above or a Triggering Event occurring during a Selling Period, on the date of such Triggering Event), the following:

          (W) the written legal opinion of Jones Day, counsel to the Company, dated the date of delivery in the form of or, in the discretion of the Agent, a reliance letter from such counsel to the Agent, permitting the Agent to rely on a previously delivered opinion letter, modified as appropriate for any passage of time or Triggering Event (except that statements in such prior opinion shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus, in each case as amended or supplemented as of such Representation Date);

          (X) a comfort letter, dated the date of delivery, of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that has audited the financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, in form and substance customary for equity offerings and reasonably satisfactory to the Agent; it being understood that, in the case of clause (D) above, any such comfort letter will only be required for the Triggering Event specified to the extent that it contains financial statements filed with the Commission

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under the Exchange Act and incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into a Prospectus;

          (Y) a certificate executed by the Secretary of the Company, signing in such capacity, dated the date of delivery, (i) certifying that attached thereto are true and complete copies of the resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement), which authorization shall be in full force and effect on and as of the date of such certificate, (ii) certifying and attesting to the office, incumbency, due authority and specimen signatures of each Person who executed this Agreement for or on behalf of the Company, and (iii) containing any other certification that the Agent shall reasonably request; and

          (Z) a certificate executed by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Executive or Senior Vice President of the Company and by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, signing in such respective capacities, (i) confirming that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct, (ii) that the Company has performed all of it obligations hereunder to be performed on or prior to the date of the Triggering Event, and (iii) containing any other certification that the Agent shall reasonably request.

          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to deliver any of the items required by Section 4(o)(W), (X), (Y) or (Z) other than in connection with the delivery by the Company of a subsequent Issuance Notice or unless the Triggering Event occurs during a Selling Period.

     (p) Agent’s Own Account; Clients’ Account. The Company consents to the Agent trading, in compliance with applicable law, in the Common Shares for the Agent’s own account and for the account of its clients at the same time as sales of the Shares occur pursuant to this Agreement.

     (q) Investment Limitation. The Company shall not invest, or otherwise use the proceeds received by the Company from its sale of the Shares in such a manner as would require the Company or any of its subsidiaries to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

     (r) Market Activities. The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might be reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares or any other reference security, whether to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares or otherwise, and the Company shall, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each of its affiliates to, comply with all applicable provisions of Regulation M. If the limitations of Rule 102 of Regulation M (“Rule 102”) do not apply with respect to the Shares or any other reference security pursuant to any exception set forth in Section (d) of Rule 102, then promptly upon notice from the Agent (or, if later, at the time stated in the notice), the Company shall, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each of its affiliates to, comply with Rule 102 as though such exception were not available but the other provisions of Rule 102 (as interpreted by the Commission) did apply.

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     (s) Other Documents. On the Effective Date, the Agent and its counsel shall have been furnished with such documents as they may reasonably request in order to evidence the accuracy and completeness of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of the conditions, herein contained (including, at the discretion of the Agent, a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Executive Officer of the Company and by the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of the Company certifying that the Company is not in possession of material non-public information); and all action taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares as herein contemplated shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent and its counsel.

     (t) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares sold by it in the manner described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus.

     (u) Stand Off Agreement. Without the written consent of the Agent, the Company will not, directly or indirectly, offer to sell, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of any Common Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares (other than Shares hereunder), warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire Common Shares, during the period beginning on the first Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which any Issuance Notice is delivered to the Agent hereunder and ending on the first Trading Day immediately following the Settlement Date with respect to Shares sold pursuant to such Issuance Notice (the “Stand Off Period”); provided, however, that such restriction will not be required in connection with the Company’s issuance or sale of (i) Common Shares, options to purchase Common Shares or Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of options or other equity awards pursuant to any employee or director share option, incentive or benefit plan, share purchase or ownership plan, long-term incentive plan, distribution reinvestment plan or other compensation plan of the Company or its subsidiaries, whether currently existing or adopted hereafter, (ii) Common Shares issuable upon conversion of securities or the exercise of warrants, options or other equity awards disclosed in the Company’s documents filed under the Exchange Act and (iii) Common Shares issuable as consideration in connection with acquisitions of business, assets or securities of other Persons.

Section 5. CONDITIONS TO DELIVERY OF ISSUANCE NOTICES AND TO SETTLEMENT

     (a) Conditions Precedent to the Right of the Company to Deliver an Issuance Notice and the Obligation of the Agent to Sell Shares During the Selling Period(s). The right of the Company to deliver an Issuance Notice hereunder is subject to the satisfaction, on the date of delivery of such Issuance Notice, and the obligation of the Agent to use its commercially reasonable efforts to place Shares during the applicable Selling Period is subject to the satisfaction, on each Trading Day during the Selling Period, of each of the following conditions:

     (i) Effective Registration Statement and Authorizations. The Registration Statement shall remain effective and sales of all of the Shares (including all of the Shares issued with respect to all prior Issuance Notices and all of the Shares expected to be issued in connection with the current Issuance Notice) may be made by the Agent thereunder, and (i) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been

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initiated or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by the Commission; (ii) no other suspension of the use or withdrawal of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or Prospectus shall exist; (iii) all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent; and (iv) no event specified in Section 4(h) shall have occurred and be continuing without the Company amending or supplementing the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, as provided in Section 4(h).

     (ii) Accuracy of the Company’s Representations and Warranties; Performance by the Company. The representations and warranties of the Company shall be true and correct as of each applicable Representation Date as though made at such time. The Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to such date, including, but not limited to, the covenants contained in Section 4(m) and
Section 4(o).

     (iii) No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization having authority over the matters contemplated hereby that prohibits or directly and materially adversely affects any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and no proceeding shall have been commenced that may have the effect of prohibiting or materially adversely affecting any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     (iv) Material Adverse Changes. Since the Effective Date, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus: (a) there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Change or development involving or expected to result in a Material Adverse Change that in the reasonable judgment of the Agent, makes it impracticable to market the Common Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus; and (b) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act.

     (v) No Suspension of Trading in or Delisting of Common Shares; Other Events. The trading of the Common Shares (including without limitation the Shares) shall not have been suspended by the Commission, the Principal Market or FINRA since the immediately preceding Settlement Date or, if there has been no Settlement Date, the Effective Date, and the Common Shares (including without limitation the Shares) shall have been approved for listing or quotation on and shall not have been delisted from the Principal Market. There shall not have occurred (and be continuing in the case of occurrences under clauses (i) and (ii) below) any of the following: (i) trading or quotation in any of the Company’s securities shall have been suspended or limited by the Commission or by the Principal Market, or trading in securities generally on the Nasdaq Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or limited, or

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minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on any of such stock exchanges by the Commission or the FINRA; (ii) a general banking moratorium shall have been declared by any of federal, New York, Ohio or California authorities; or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of national or international hostilities or any crisis or calamity, or any change in the United States or international financial markets, or any substantial change or development involving a prospective substantial change in United States’ or international political, financial or economic conditions, as in the judgment of the Agent is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to market the Shares in the manner and on the terms described in the Prospectus or to enforce contracts for the sale of securities.

     (b) Documents Required to be Delivered on each Issuance Notice Date. The Agent’s obligation to use its commercially reasonable efforts to place Shares hereunder (including with respect to any Settlement Date) shall additionally be conditioned upon:

     (i) Certificates. The delivery to the Agent on or before the Issuance Notice Date of a certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, executed by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Executive Officer of the Company and by the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of the Company, signing in such respective capacities, to the effect that all conditions to the delivery of such Issuance Notice shall have been satisfied as of the date of such certificate (which certificate shall not be required if the foregoing representations shall be set forth in the Issuance Notice);

     (ii) Opinion of Agent’s Counsel. The Agent shall have received on the date of each Triggering Event, unless the requirement is waived in writing by the Agent, and on such other dates as may be reasonably requested by the Agent, an opinion of Proskauer Rose LLP, counsel for the Agent, dated such date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, or, in the discretion of the Agent, a reliance letter from such counsel to the Agent, permitting the Agent to rely on a previously delivered opinion letter, modified as appropriate for any passage of time or Triggering Event (except that statements in such prior opinion shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus, in each case as amended or supplemented as of such Representation Date).

     (iii) Additional Documents. On or before each Representation Date, the Agent and counsel for the Agent shall have received such information and documents as they may reasonably request for the purposes of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Shares as contemplated herein, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties, or the satisfaction of any of the conditions or agreements, herein contained (including, at the discretion of the Agent, a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Executive Officer of the Company and by the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of the Company certifying that the Company is not in possession of material non-public information); and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares as contemplated herein and in connection with the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent and counsel for the Agent.

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Section 6. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

     (a) Indemnification of the Agent. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent, its directors, officers, employees and agents, and each person, if any, who controls the Agent within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Agent or such director, officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or the laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions where Shares have been offered or sold or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Time of Sale Information, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or (iii) any act or failure to act or any alleged act or failure to act by the Agent in connection with, or relating in any manner to, the Common Shares or the offering contemplated hereby and which is included as part of or referred to in any loss, claim, damage, liability or action arising out of or based upon any matter covered by clause (i) or (ii) above, provided that the Company shall not be liable under this clause (iii) to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction shall have determined by a final judgment that such loss, claim, damage, liability or action resulted directly from any such acts or failures to act undertaken or omitted to be taken by the Agent through its bad faith or willful misconduct, and to reimburse the Agent and each such director, officer, employee and controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Agent) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by the Agent or such director, officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending against or appearing as a third-party witness in connection with, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent (but only to the extent) that such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense arose out of or was solely based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning the Agent furnished to the Company by the Agent expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the Time of Sale Information, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Agent to the Company consists of the information described in the next sentence. The Company hereby acknowledges that the only information that the Agent has furnished to the Company expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus are the statements set forth in [___]. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 6(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company may otherwise have to the indemnified parties.

     (b) Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 6, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but

29

the omission to so notify the indemnifying party will not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability or obligation that it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or otherwise under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6, except to the extent (but only to the extent) the indemnifying party is materially prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying party’s election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 6 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action), which counsel (together with any local counsel) for the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Agent (in the case of counsel for the indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(a) above), (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party and shall be paid as they are incurred.

     (c) Settlements. The indemnifying party under this Section 6 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by Section 6(b) hereof, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

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No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party, in form and substance satisfactory to the indemnified party, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include any statement as to the admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of the indemnified party.

     (d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 6 is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, from the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total gross proceeds from the offering of the Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total Selling Commissions received by the Agent. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Agent, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

     The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6(b), any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim. The provisions set forth in Section 6(b) with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under this Section 6(d); provided, however, that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice has been given under Section 6(b) for purposes of indemnification.

     The Company and the Agent agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation or by any other

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method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 6(d).

     Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6(d), the Agent shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the total Selling Commissions, less the aggregate amount of any damages that the Agent has otherwise been required to pay by reason of the untrue or alleged untrue statement or omissions or alleged omission to state a material fact, received by the Agent in connection with the offering contemplated hereby. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 6(d), each director, officer and employee of the Agent and each person, if any, who controls the Agent within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Agent, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company with the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

Section 7. TERMINATION & SURVIVAL

     (a) Term. Subject to the provisions of this Section 7, the term of this Agreement shall continue from the Effective Date until the end of the Agency Period, unless earlier terminated by the parties to this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.

     (b) Termination; Survival Following Termination.

     (i) Either party may terminate this Agreement prior to the end of the Agency Period, by giving written notice as required by this Agreement, upon one Trading Day’s notice to the other party; provided that, (A) if the Company terminates this Agreement after the Agent confirms to the Company any sale of Shares, the Company shall remain obligated to comply with the terms of this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 3(b)(v) and Section 3(c)) with respect to such Shares and (B) Section 2, Section 3(c), Section 6, Section 7 and Section 8 shall survive termination of this Agreement. If termination shall occur prior to the Settlement Date for any sale of Shares, such sale shall nevertheless settle in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

     (ii) In addition to the survival provision of Section 7(b)(i), the respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, of its officers and of the Agent set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent or the Company or any of its or their partners, officers or directors or any controlling person, as the case may be, and, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, will survive delivery of and payment for the Shares sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.

Section 8. MISCELLANEOUS

     (a) Press Releases and Disclosure. The Company may issue a press release describing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby as soon as practicable

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following the Effective Date, and may file with the Commission a Current Report on Form 8 K, with this Agreement attached as an exhibit thereto, describing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Company shall consult with the Agent prior to making such disclosures, and the parties hereto shall use all commercially reasonable efforts, acting in good faith, to agree upon a text for such disclosures that is reasonably satisfactory to all parties hereto. No party hereto shall issue thereafter any press release or like public statement (including, without limitation, any disclosure required in reports filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act) related to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior written approval of the other party hereto, except as required by the terms of this Agreement or as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of the party seeking to make disclosure to comply with the requirements of applicable law or stock exchange rules. If any such press release or like public statement is so required, the party making such disclosure shall consult with the other party prior to making such disclosure, and the parties shall use all commercially reasonable efforts, acting in good faith, to agree upon a text for such disclosure that is reasonably satisfactory to all parties hereto.

     (b) No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the determination of the public offering price of the Shares and any related fees, are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Company and the Agent, (ii) when acting as a principal under this Agreement, the Agent is and has been acting solely as a principal is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, or its stockholders, creditors, employees, officers, directors or any other party, (iii) the Agent has not assumed nor will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether the Agent has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters) and the Agent does not have any obligation to the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (iv) the Agent and its respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company, and (v) the Agent has not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and the Company has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.

     (c) Research Analyst Independence. The Company acknowledges that the Agent’s research analysts and research departments are required to and should be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and as such the Agent’s research analysts may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. The Company understands that the Agent is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the companies that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     (d) Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, hand delivered or telecopied and confirmed to the parties hereto as follows:

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If to the Agent:

Jefferies & Company, Inc.
520 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Facsimile: (212) 284-2280
Attention: General Counsel

with a copy to:

Proskauer Rose LLP
2049 Century Park East
Los Angeles, California 90067
Facsimile: (310) 557-2193
Attention: Michael Woronoff and Monica Shilling

If to the Company:

Olympic Steel, Inc.
5096 Richmond Road
Bedford Heights, Ohio 44146
Facsimile: (216) 292-3974
Attention: Michael Siegal

with a copy to:

Jones Day
901 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Facsimile: (216) 579-0212
Attention: Christopher Kelly and Michael Solecki

Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving written notice to the others in accordance with this Section 8(d).

     (e) Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, and to the benefit of the employees, officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 6, and in each case their respective successors, and personal representatives, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder. The term “successors” shall not include any purchaser of the Shares as such from the Agent merely by reason of such purchase.

     (f) Partial Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Article, Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other Article, Section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any Article, Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

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     (g) Governing Law Provisions. THE VALIDITY AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS AGREEMENT, AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREIN, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED WHOLLY THEREIN, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

     (h) Venue. THE COMPANY AND THE AGENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY (I) SUBMIT TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY; AND (II) WAIVE (A) THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF THE AGENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM RELATED TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING AND (B) ANY OBJECTION WHICH THEY MAY HAVE OR HEREAFTER MAY HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT REFERRED TO ABOVE AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

     (i) General Provisions. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument, and may be delivered by facsimile transmission or by electronic delivery of a portable document format (PDF) file. This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit. The Article and Section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

     Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that it is a sophisticated business person who was adequately represented by counsel during negotiations regarding the provisions hereof, including, without limitation, the indemnification and contribution provisions of Section 6, and is fully informed regarding said provisions. Each of the parties hereto further acknowledges that the provisions of Section 6 hereto fairly allocate the risks in light of the ability of the parties to investigate the Company, its affairs and its business in order to assure that adequate disclosure has been made in the Registration Statement and the Time of Sale Information as required by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

[Signature Page Immediately Follows]

35

     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copies hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a binding agreement in accordance with its terms

Very truly yours, OLYMPIC STEEL, INC.
By:
	Name:
	Title:

     The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Agent in New York, New York as of the date first above written.

JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.
By:
	Name:
	Title:

EX-4.3

Exhibit 4.3

OLYMPIC STEEL, INC.

INDENTURE

Dated as of                     

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

Trustee

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE	1
Section 1.1. Definitions	1
Section 1.2. Other Definitions	5
Section 1.3. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act	5
Section 1.4. Rules of Construction	6
ARTICLE II. THE SECURITIES	6
Section 2.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series	6
Section 2.2. Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities	6
Section 2.3. Execution and Authentication	9
Section 2.4. Registrar and Paying Agent	10
Section 2.5. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust	10
Section 2.6. Securityholder Lists	11
Section 2.7. Transfer and Exchange	11
Section 2.8. Persons Deemed Owners	11
Section 2.9. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities	12
Section 2.10. Outstanding Securities	12
Section 2.11. Treasury Securities	13
Section 2.12. Temporary Securities	13
Section 2.13. Cancellation	14
Section 2.14. Defaulted Interest	14
Section 2.15. Global Securities	14
Section 2.16. CUSIP Numbers	15
ARTICLE III. REDEMPTION	16
Section 3.1. Notice to Trustee	16
Section 3.2. Selection of Securities to be Redeemed	16
Section 3.3. Notice of Redemption	16
Section 3.4. Effect of Notice of Redemption	17
Section 3.5. Deposit of Redemption Price	17
Section 3.6. Securities Redeemed in Part	17
ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS	17
Section 4.1. Payment of Principal and Interest	17
Section 4.2. SEC Reports	17
Section 4.3. Compliance Certificate	18
Section 4.4. Corporate Existence	18
ARTICLE V. SUCCESSORS	18
Section 5.1. When Company May Merge, Etc	18
Section 5.2. Successor Corporation Substituted	19
ARTICLE VI. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES	19
Section 6.1. Events of Default	19
Section 6.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment	20
Section 6.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee	21

Section 6.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim	22
Section 6.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities	22
Section 6.6. Application of Money Collected	23
Section 6.7. Limitation on Suits	23
Section 6.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest	24
Section 6.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies	24
Section 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative	24
Section 6.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver	24
Section 6.12. Control by Holders	24
Section 6.13. Waiver of Past Defaults	25
Section 6.14. Undertaking for Costs	25
ARTICLE VII. TRUSTEE	25
Section 7.1. Duties of Trustee	25
Section 7.2. Rights of Trustee	27
Section 7.3. Individual Rights of Trustee	28
Section 7.4. Trustee’s Disclaimer	28
Section 7.5. Notice of Defaults	28
Section 7.6. Reports by Trustee to Holders	29
Section 7.7. Compensation and Indemnity	29
Section 7.8. Replacement of Trustee	30
Section 7.9. Successor Trustee by Merger, etc	31
Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification	31
Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company	31
ARTICLE VIII. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE	31
Section 8.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture	31
Section 8.2. Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification	32
Section 8.3. Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series	33
Section 8.4. Covenant Defeasance	34
Section 8.5. Repayment to Company	35
Section 8.6. Reinstatement	35
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS	36
Section 9.1. Without Consent of Holders	36
Section 9.2. With Consent of Holders	36
Section 9.3. Limitations	37
Section 9.4. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act	37
Section 9.5. Revocation and Effect of Consents	38
Section 9.6. Notation on or Exchange of Securities	38
Section 9.7. Trustee Protected	38
ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS	38
Section 10.1. Trust Indenture Act Controls	38
Section 10.2. Notices	38
Section 10.3. Communication by Holders with Other Holders	40

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Section 10.4. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent	40
Section 10.5. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion	40
Section 10.6. Rules by Trustee and Agents	40
Section 10.7. Legal Holidays	41
Section 10.8. No Recourse Against Others	41
Section 10.9. Counterparts	41
Section 10.10. Governing Laws	41
Section 10.11. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements	41
Section 10.12. Successors	41
Section 10.13. Severability	41
Section 10.14. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc	42
Section 10.15. Securities in a Foreign Currency or in ECU	42
Section 10.16. Judgment Currency	42
Section 10.17. Force Majeure	43
Section 10.18. Waiver of Jury Trial	43
ARTICLE XI. SINKING FUNDS	43
Section 11.1. Applicability of Article	43
Section 11.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities	44
Section 11.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund	44

iii

Olympic Steel, Inc.

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and
Indenture, dated as of                     

§ 310	(a) (1)	7.10
	(a) (2)	7.10
	(a) (3)	Not Applicable
	(a) (4)	Not Applicable
	(a) (5)	7.10
	(b)	7.10
§ 311	(a)	7.11
	(b)	7.11
	(c)	Not Applicable
§ 312	(a)	2.6
	(b)	10.3
	(c)	10.3
§ 313	(a)	7.6
	(b) (1)	7.6
	(b) (2)	7.6
	(c) (1)	7.6
	(d)	7.6
§ 314	(a)	4.2, 10.5
	(a) (4)	4.3
	(b)	Not Applicable
	(c) (1)	10.4
	(c) (2)	10.4
	(c) (3)	Not Applicable
	(d)	Not Applicable
	(e)	10.5
	(f)	Not Applicable
§ 315	(a)	7.1
	(b)	7.5
	(c)	7.1
	(d)	7.1
	(e)	6.14
§ 316	(a)	2.10
	(a) (1) (A)	6.12
	(a) (1) (B)	6.13
	(b)	6.8
§ 317	(a) (1)	6.3
	(a) (2)	6.4
	(b)	2.5
§ 318	(a)	10.1

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.

          Indenture dated as of                      between Olympic Steel, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee hereunder (the “Trustee”).

          Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture.

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     Section 1.1. Definitions.

          “Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified herein or therein and which are owing to such Holders.

          “Affiliate” of any specified person means any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with such specified person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.

          “Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent.

          “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.

          “Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.

          “Business Day” means, unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

          “Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock.

          “Company” means the person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.

          “Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or a Vice President.

          “Company Request” means a written request signed in the name of the Company by its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, the President or a Vice President, and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.

          “Corporate Trust Office” means a principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 2 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1020, Chicago, IL 60606, Attention: Corporate Trust, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

          “Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

          “Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the person designated as Depositary for such Series by the Company, which Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of such Series.

          “Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

          “Dollars” and “$” means the currency of The United States of America.

          “ECU” means the European Currency Unit as determined by the Commission of the European Union.

          “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

          “Foreign Currency” means any currency or currency unit issued by a government other than the government of The United States of America.

          “Foreign Government Obligations” means, with respect to Securities of any Series that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, (a) direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which, in either case under clauses (a) or (b), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

          “GAAP” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the

2

Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect as of the date of determination.

          “Global Security” or “Global Securities” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depositary for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depositary or nominee.

          “Holder” or “Securityholder” means a person in whose name a Security is registered.

          “Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and as amended or supplemented from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.

          “interest” with respect to any Discount Security, which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

          “Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

          “Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.

          “Officers” Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or any Vice President.

          “Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion reasonably acceptable to the Trustee of legal counsel. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

          “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

          “principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.

          “Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

          “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

3

          “Securities” means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

          “Series” or “Series of Securities” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 hereof.

          “Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or interest is due and payable.

          “Subsidiary” of any specified person means any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that person or a combination thereof.

          “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.

          “Trustee” means the person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.

          “U.S. Government Obligations” means securities which are (a) direct obligations of The United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of The United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by The United States of America, and which in the case of (a) and (b) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

4

     Section 1.2. Other Definitions.

	DEFINED IN
TERM	SECTION
“Bankruptcy Law”		6.1
“Custodian”		6.1
“Event of Default”		6.1
“Journal”		10.15
“Judgment Currency”		10.16
“Legal Holiday”		10.7
“mandatory sinking fund payment”		11.1
“Market Exchange Rate”		10.15
“New York Banking Day”		10.16
“optional sinking fund payment”		11.1
“Paying Agent”		2.4
“Registrar”		2.4
“Required Currency”		10.16
“Service Agent”		2.4
“successor person”		5.1

     Section 1.3. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

          Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

          “Commission” means the SEC.

          “indenture securities” means the Securities.

          “indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.

          “indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

          “indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

          “obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.

5

          All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.

     Section 1.4. Rules of Construction.

          Unless the context otherwise requires:

          (a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

          (b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

          (c) “or” is not exclusive;

          (d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular; and

          (e) provisions apply to successive events and transactions.

ARTICLE II. THE SECURITIES

     Section 2.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

          The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

     Section 2.2. Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities.

          At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Section 2.2.1 and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Sections 2.2.2 through 2.2.23) by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate:

          2.2.1 the title of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series);

6

          2.2.2 the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;

          2.2.3 any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.8, 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6);

          2.2.4 the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;

          2.2.5 the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

          2.2.6 the place or places where the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series shall be payable, where the Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;

          2.2.7 if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

          2.2.8 the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

          2.2.9 the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series will be repurchased by the Company at the option of the Holders thereof and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;

          2.2.10 if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;

          2.2.11 the forms of the Securities of the Series and whether the Securities will be issuable as Global Securities;

          2.2.12 if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2;

7

          2.2.13 the currency of denomination of the Securities of the Series, which may be Dollars or any Foreign Currency, including, but not limited to, the ECU, and if such currency of denomination is a composite currency other than the ECU, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;

          2.2.14 the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be made;

          2.2.15 if payments of principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series are to be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined;

          2.2.16 the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be determined, if such amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

          2.2.17 the provisions, if any, relating to any security provided for the Securities of the Series;

          2.2.18 any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.2;

          2.2.19 any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Articles IV or V which applies to Securities of the Series;

          2.2.20 any other terms of the Securities of the Series (which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series);

          2.2.21 any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such Series if other than those appointed herein;

          2.2.22 the provisions, if any, relating to conversion of any Securities of such Series, including if applicable, the conversion price, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be mandatory, at the option of the Holders thereof or at the option of the Company, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion if such Series of Securities are redeemed; and

          2.2.23 whether the Securities of such Series will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and, if applicable, a description of the subordination terms thereof.

          All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate referred to above.

8

     Section 2.3. Execution and Authentication.

          A duly authorized Officer shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

          If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

          A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.

          The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate, as applicable, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

          The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in Section 2.9.

          Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 10.4, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.4 which shall also state:

     (1) that the form of such Securities has been established by a supplemental indenture or by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors in accordance with Sections 2.1 and 2.2 and in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

     (2) that the terms of such Securities have been established in accordance with Section 2.1 and in conformity with the other provisions of this Indenture; and

     (3) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

          The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, reasonably determines that such action may not be taken lawfully; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or vice presidents shall

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reasonably determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.

          The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

     Section 2.4. Registrar and Paying Agent.

          The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.2, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment (“Paying Agent”), where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served (“Service Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

          The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars, additional paying agents or additional service agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar, additional paying agent or additional service agent. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar; the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent; and the term “Service Agent” includes any additional service agent.

          The Company hereby appoints the Trustee the initial Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent for each Series unless another Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.

     Section 2.5. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

          The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company

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in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent.

     Section 2.6. Securityholder Lists.

          The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least ten days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.

     Section 2.7. Transfer and Exchange.

          Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6).

          Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business fifteen days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.

     Section 2.8. Persons Deemed Owners.

          Prior to due presentation of any series of Securities for registration of transfer, the person in whose name a Security of any series shall be registered on books kept for such purpose shall be deemed the absolute owner thereof for all purposes of this Indenture, whether or not such Security is overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any Paying Agent or conversion agent nor any series of Securities Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary. Payment of or on account of the principal and interest shall be made only to or upon the order in writing of such registered owner thereof, but such registration may be changed as above

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provided. All such payments shall be valid and effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability upon such Security to the extent of the sum or sums so paid.

     Section 2.9. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

          If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

          If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (a) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (b) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

          In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

          Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

          Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.

          The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

     Section 2.10. Outstanding Securities.

          The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.

          If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.9, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

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          If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

          A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

          In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

     Section 2.11. Treasury Securities.

          In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities of a Series owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver only Securities of a Series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

     Section 2.12. Temporary Securities.

          Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities upon a Company Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee upon request shall authenticate definitive Securities of the same Series and date of maturity in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.

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     Section 2.13. Cancellation.

          The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such canceled Securities (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act) and, upon written request by the Company, deliver a certificate of such disposal to the Company. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

     Section 2.14. Defaulted Interest.

          If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the persons who are Securityholders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix the record date and payment date. At least 10 days before the record date, the Company shall mail to the Trustee and to each Securityholder of the Series a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid. The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.

     Section 2.15. Global Securities.

          2.15.1 Terms of Securities. A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.

          2.15.2 Transfer and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depositary for such Security or its nominee only if (a) such Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event or (b) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.

          Except as provided in this Section 2.14.2, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary, by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such a successor Depositary.

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          2.15.3 Legend. Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

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

          2.15.4 Acts of Holders. The Depositary, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.

          2.15.5 Payments; Consents; Declaration and Directions.

          The Company and the Trustee may treat the Depositary (or its nominee) as the sole and exclusive owner of the Securities registered in its name (or its nominee) for the purposes of payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities, giving any notice permitted or required to be given to Holders under the Indenture, registering the transfer of Securities, obtaining any consent or other action to be taken by Holders and for all other purposes whatsoever; and neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility or obligation to any participant in the Depositary, and person claiming a beneficial ownership interest in the Securities under or through the Depositary or any such participant, or any other Person which is not shown on the register as being a registered Holder, with respect to either the Securities, the accuracy of any records maintained by the Depositary or any such participant; the payment by the Depositary or any such participant of any amount in respect of the principal of or interest on the Securities, any notice which is permitted or required to be given to Holders under the Indenture, any consent given or other action taken by the Depositary as Holder or any selection by the Depositary of any participant or other Person to receive payment of principal, interest or redemption payment of the Securities.

     Section 2.16. CUSIP Numbers.

          The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of

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identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.

ARTICLE III. REDEMPTION

     Section 3.1. Notice to Trustee.

          The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give the notice to the Trustee at least five days before the date of the giving of the notice redemption (or such shorter notice as may be acceptable to the Trustee).

     Section 3.2. Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.

          Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, if less than all the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities of the Series to be redeemed in any manner that the Trustee deems appropriate. The Trustee shall make the selection from Securities of the Series outstanding not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities of the Series that have denominations larger than $1,000. Securities of the Series and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.2.10, the minimum principal denomination for each Series and integral multiples thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities of that Series called for redemption.

     Section 3.3. Notice of Redemption.

          Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed.

          The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:

          (a) the redemption date;

          (b) the redemption price;

          (c) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

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          (d) that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

          (e) that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

          (f) the CUSIP number, if any; and

          (g) any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.

          At the Company’s request and preparation by the Company, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense. In such event, the Company shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section at least five days before the requested date of the giving of the notice.

     Section 3.4. Effect of Notice of Redemption.

          Once notice of redemption is mailed or published as provided in Section 3.3, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

     Section 3.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.

          On or before 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.

     Section 3.6. Securities Redeemed in Part.

          Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS

     Section 4.1. Payment of Principal and Interest.

          The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest on the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.

     Section 4.2. SEC Reports.

          The Company shall deliver to the Trustee copies of the annual reports and other reports and documents (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by

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rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act within 15 days after the Company files such reports or documents with the SEC, regardless of when such reports or documents are required to be filed with the SEC. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA § 314(a).

          Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

     Section 4.3. Compliance Certificate.

          The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to his/her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he may have knowledge).

          The Company will, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, promptly upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

     Section 4.4. Corporate Existence.

          Subject to Article V, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and rights (charter and statutory); provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

ARTICLE V. SUCCESSORS

     Section 5.1. When Company May Merge, Etc.

          The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, any person (a “successor person”) unless:

     (a) the Company is the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than the Company) is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized

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and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes the Company’s obligations on the Securities and under this Indenture; and

     (b) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

          The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and any supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.

          Notwithstanding the above, any Subsidiary of the Company may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to the Company. Neither an Officers’ Certificate nor an Opinion of Counsel shall be required to be delivered in connection therewith.

     Section 5.2. Successor Corporation Substituted.

          Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.1, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor person has been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company in the case of a sale, conveyance or other disposition (other than a lease) shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

ARTICLE VI. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     Section 6.1. Events of Default.

          “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:

     (a) default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such period of 30 days); or

     (b) default in the payment of principal of any Security of that Series at its Maturity; or

     (c) default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of Series of Securities other than that Series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by

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the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

     (d) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

     (i) commences a voluntary case,

     (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

     (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

     (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

     (v) the admission of it in writing that it is generally unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or

     (e) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

     (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case,

     (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or

     (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company,

     and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

     (f) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.2.18.

          The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

     Section 6.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

          If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default referred to in Section 6.1(d) or (e)) then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series may declare the principal amount (or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Securities of that Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the

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Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(d) or (e) shall occur, the principal amount (or specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

          At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to any Series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that Series, other than the non-payment of the principal and interest, if any, of Securities of that Series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.13.

          No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

     Section 6.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

          The Company covenants that if

          (a) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

          (b) default is made in the payment of principal of any Security at the Maturity thereof, or

          (c) default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of a Security,

then, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and any overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, if any, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, fees, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

          If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or deemed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

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          If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such Series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

     Section 6.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

          In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

     (a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

     (b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same,

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.

          Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

     Section 6.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

          All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, fees, expenses,

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disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

     Section 6.6. Application of Money Collected.

          Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

          First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7; and

          Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and

          Third: To the Company or to such other person as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

     Section 6.7. Limitation on Suits.

          No Holder of any Security of any Series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

     (a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;

     (b) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

     (c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

     (d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

     (e) 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 outstanding Securities of that Series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or

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preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

     Section 6.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest.

          Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

     Section 6.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

          If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

     Section 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

          Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.9, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

     Section 6.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

          No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

     Section 6.12. Control by Holders.

          The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series shall have the right to 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 Securities of such Series, provided that

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     (a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

     (b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

     (c) subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

     Section 6.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.

          The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to such Series and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of such Series (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

     Section 6.14. Undertaking for Costs.

          All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).

ARTICLE VII. TRUSTEE

     Section 7.1. Duties of Trustee.

     (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

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     (b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

     (i) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others and no implied coverage or obligation shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

     (ii) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

     (c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

     (i) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.

     (ii) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

     (iii) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.

     (d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraph (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

     (e) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

     (f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

     (g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for

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believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.

     (h) The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections, immunities and standard of care as are set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section with respect to the Trustee.

     Section 7.2. Rights of Trustee.

     (a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

     (b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate and/or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate and/or Opinion of Counsel.

     (c) The Trustee may act through agents or attorneys and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care. No Depositary shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depositary.

     (d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers.

     (e) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

     (f) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

     (g) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

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     (h) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities or the Securities of a particular Series and this Indenture.

     (i) Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

     (j) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

     (k) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

     (l) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

     Section 7.3. Individual Rights of Trustee.

          The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

     Section 7.4. Trustee’s Disclaimer.

          The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its authentication.

     Section 7.5. Notice of Defaults.

          If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as its corporate trust committee or a committee of its

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Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of that Series.

     Section 7.6. Reports by Trustee to Holders.

          Within 60 days after May 15 in each year, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar, a brief report dated as of such May 15, in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA § 313.

          A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Securityholders of any Series, be filed by the Trustee with the SEC, with each stock exchange upon which any Securities of that Series are listed and with the Company. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange or of any delisting thereof.

     Section 7.7. Compensation and Indemnity.

          The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree upon in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

          The Company shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (including the cost of defending itself) against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it except as set forth in the next paragraph in connection with its appointment and the performance of its duties under this Indenture as Trustee or Agent. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity of which Responsible Officer has received written notice. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.

          The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee’s own negligence or willful misconduct.

          To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities of that Series.

          When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(d) or (e) occurs, the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

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          The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

     Section 7.8. Replacement of Trustee.

          A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

          The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series by so notifying the Company at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed resignation. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:

     (a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

     (b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

     (c) a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

     (d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

          If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

          If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the expense of the Company), the Company or the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

          A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Promptly thereafter, the retiring Trustee shall upon payment of its charges hereunder transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such Series. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee with respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by it prior to such replacement.

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     Section 7.9. Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

          If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

     Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.

          This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b).

     Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

          The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated.

ARTICLE VIII. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

     Section 8.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

          This Indenture shall upon Company Order cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.1), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when

          (a) either

     (i) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

     (ii) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

     (1) have become due and payable, or

     (2) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

     (3) have been called for redemption or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, or

     (4) are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to Section 8.3, as applicable;

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and the Company, in the case of (1), (2) or (3) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;

     (b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

     (c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

          Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.7, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.9, 8.2 and 8.5 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

     Section 8.2. Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.

     (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 8.5, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.1, all money and U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Sections 8.3 or 8.4.

     (b) The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Sections 8.3 or 8.4 or the interest and principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.

     (c) The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money held by it as provided in Sections 8.3 or 8.4 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money were deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any

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U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held under this Indenture.

     Section 8.3. Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series.

          Unless this Section 8.3 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.2.20, to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the outstanding Securities of any Series on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such outstanding Securities of such Series, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, at Company Request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as to:

     (a) the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (d) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of and each installment of principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such Series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such Series;

     (b) the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.9, 8.2, 8.3 and 8.5; and

     (c) the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder;

provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

     (d) the Company shall have deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;

     (e) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

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     (f) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date;

     (g) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;

     (h) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and

     (i) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

     Section 8.4. Covenant Defeasance.

          Unless this Section 8.4 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.2.20 to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company may omit to comply with respect to the Securities of any Series with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, and 5.1 as well as any additional covenants specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2.20 (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to such Series under Section 6.1) and the occurrence of any event specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2.18 and designated as an Event of Default shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

     (a) With reference to this Section 8.4, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in

34

accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;

     (b) Such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

     (c) No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

     (d) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance had not occurred;

     (e) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and

     (f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the covenant defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

     Section 8.5. Repayment to Company.

          Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal and interest that remains unclaimed for two years. After that, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another person.

     Section 8.6. Reinstatement.

          If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money deposited with respect to Securities of any Series in accordance with Section 8.1 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the obligations of the Company

35

under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series and under the Securities of such Series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.1 until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.1; provided, however, that if the Company has made any payment of principal of or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

     Section 9.1. Without Consent of Holders.

          The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Securityholder:

     (a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

     (b) to comply with Article V;

     (c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;

     (d) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder;

     (e) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by this Indenture;

     (f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or

     (g) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

     Section 9.2. With Consent of Holders.

          The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Securityholders of each such Series. Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series by notice to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange

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offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.

          It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby, a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the Company to mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.

     Section 9.3. Limitations.

          Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:

     (a) reduce the principal amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

     (b) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any Security;

     (c) reduce the principal or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;

     (d) reduce the principal amount of Discount Securities payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

     (e) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

     (f) make the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security payable in any currency other than that stated in the Security;

     (g) make any change in Sections 6.8, 6.13 or 9.3 (this sentence); or

     (h) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security, provided that such redemption is made at the Company’s option.

     Section 9.4. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

          Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

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     Section 9.5. Revocation and Effect of Consents.

          Until an amendment is set forth in a supplemental indenture or a waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date of the supplemental indenture or the date the waiver becomes effective.

          Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (h) of Section 9.3. In that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

     Section 9.6. Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

          The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the amendment or waiver.

     Section 9.7. Trustee Protected.

          In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel and Officers’ Certificate stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects its rights, duties or immunities hereunder.

ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS

     Section 10.1. Trust Indenture Act Controls.

          If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.

     Section 10.2. Notices.

          Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other, or by a Holder to the Company or the Trustee, is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail:

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if to the Company:

Olympic Steel, Inc.
5096 Richmond Road
Bedford Heights, Ohio 44146
Attention: Treasurer
Telephone: (216) 292-3800

if to the Trustee:

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
2 N. LaSalle Street
Suite 1020
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Telephone: (312) 827-8548

          The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

          Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by first-class mail to his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.

          The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however, that (a) the party providing such written instructions, subsequent to such transmission of written instructions, shall provide the originally executed instructions or directions to the Trustee in a timely manner, and (b) such originally executed instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

          If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it.

          If the Company mails a notice or communication to Securityholders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

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     Section 10.3. Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

          Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

     Section 10.4. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

          Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

     (a) an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

     (b) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

     Section 10.5. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

          Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:

     (a) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

     (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

     (c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

     (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

     Section 10.6. Rules by Trustee and Agents.

          The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders of one or more Series. Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

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     Section 10.7. Legal Holidays.

          Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, a “Legal Holiday” is any day that is not a Business Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

     Section 10.8. No Recourse Against Others.

          A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

     Section 10.9. Counterparts.

          This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

     Section 10.10. Governing Laws.

          THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF.

     Section 10.11. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

          This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

     Section 10.12. Successors.

          All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

     Section 10.13. Severability.

          In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

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     Section 10.14. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

          The Table of Contents, Cross Reference Table, and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

     Section 10.15. Securities in a Foreign Currency or in ECU.

          Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any Series which are denominated in a coin or currency other than Dollars (including ECUs), then the principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate at such time. For purposes of this Section 10.15, “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in New York City for cable transfers of that currency as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; provided, however, in the case of ECUs, Market Exchange Rate shall mean the rate of exchange determined by the Commission of the European Union (or any successor thereto) as published in the Official Journal of the European Union (such publication or any successor publication, the “Journal”). If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the Trustee shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, in the case of ECUs, the rate of exchange as published in the Journal, as of the most recent available date, or quotations or, in the case of ECUs, rates of exchange from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question or, in the case of ECUs, in Luxembourg or such other quotations or, in the case of ECUs, rates of exchange as the Trustee, upon consultation with the Company, shall deem appropriate. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a Series denominated in currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

          All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, to the extent permitted by law, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders.

     Section 10.16. Judgment Currency.

          The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest or other amount on the Securities of any Series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with

42

normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a New York Banking Day, then the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable, and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

     Section 10.17. Force Majeure.

          In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

     Section 10.18. Waiver of Jury Trial.

          EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

ARTICLE XI. SINKING FUNDS

     Section 11.1. Applicability of Article.

          The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series, except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture.

          The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment” and any

43

other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the Securities of such Series.

     Section 11.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

          The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (a) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (b) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been repurchased by the Company or redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 11.2, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.

     Section 11.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

          Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking

44

fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.3. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.

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          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

OLYMPIC STEEL, INC.
By:
	Name:
	Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:
	Name:
	Title:

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

JONES DAY

NORTH POINT • 901 LAKESIDE AVENUE • CLEVELAND, OHIO 44114-1190
TELEPHONE: (216) 586-3939 • FACSIMILE: (216) 579-0212

October 29, 2009

Olympic Steel, Inc.
5096 Richmond Road
Bedford Heights, Ohio 44146

     Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by Olympic Steel, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel for Olympic Steel, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the "Company”), in connection with the authorization of the possible issuance and sale from time to time, on a delayed basis, by the Company of up to $200,000,000 in initial aggregate offering price of: (i) shares of common stock, without par value, of the Company (the "Common Stock”) and the associated preferred stock purchase rights of the Company (the "Rights”); (ii) shares of preferred stock, without par value, of the Company (the "Preferred Stock”), in one or more series, certain of which may be convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock; (iii) debt securities of the Company (the "Debt Securities”), in one or more series; (iv) depositary shares representing fractional interests in shares of Preferred Stock (the "Depositary Shares”); (v) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Debt Securities or any combination thereof (the "Warrants”); (vi) subscription rights to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Debt Securities or any combination thereof (the "Subscription Rights”); and (vii) units consisting of one or more of the securities described in clauses (i) through (vi) above (the "Units”), in each case as contemplated by the Registration Statement on Form S-3 to which this opinion is filed as an exhibit (as the same may be amended from time to time, the "Registration Statement”). The Common Stock (including the associated Rights), the Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities, the Warrants, the Depositary Shares, the Subscription Rights and the Units are collectively referred to herein as the "Securities.” The Securities may be offered and sold from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act”).

     In connection with the opinions expressed herein, we have examined such documents, records and matters of law as we have deemed relevant or necessary for purposes of this opinion. Based on the foregoing, and subject to the further limitations, qualifications and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

1.	The shares of Common Stock, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
2.	When issued in accordance with the Rights Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2000 (the "Rights Agreement”), as amended by Amendment 1 to the Rights Agreement, dated as of September 16, 2008, by and between the Company and Mellon Investor

ATLANTA    •    BEIJING    •    BRUSSELS    •    CHICAGO    •    CLEVELAND    •    COLUMBUS    •    DALLAS    •    FRANKFURT    •     HONG KONG
HOUSTON    •    IRVINE    •    LONDON    •    LOS ANGELES    •    MADRID    •    MENLO PARK    •    MILAN    •    MUNICH    •    NEW DELHI    •     NEW YORK
PARIS    •    PITTSBURGH       •       SAN FRANCISCO    •    SHANGHAI    •    SINGAPORE    •    SYDNEY    •    TAIPEI    •    TOKYO    •    WASHIN GTON

Olympic Steel, Inc.
October 29, 2009
Page 2

	Services LLC, as successor to National City Bank, as rights agent, the Rights will be validly issued.
3.	The shares of Preferred Stock, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
4.	The Debt Securities, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
5.	The Depositary Shares, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued, and the depositary receipts representing the Depositary Shares will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified therein and in the deposit agreement pursuant to which they are issued.
6.	The Warrants, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
7.	The Subscription Rights, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.
8.	The Units, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

     In rendering the foregoing opinions, we have assumed that: (i) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, will have become effective (and will remain effective at the time of issuance of any Securities thereunder); (ii) a prospectus supplement describing each class or series of Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement, to the extent required by applicable law and relevant rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission”), will be timely filed with the Commission; (iii) the definitive terms of each class or series of Securities will have been established in accordance with the authorizing resolutions adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof), the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles of Incorporation”) and applicable law; (iv) the Company will issue and deliver the Securities in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and any Securities that consist of shares of capital stock will have been authorized and reserved for issuance, in each case within the limits of the then remaining authorized but unissued and unreserved amounts of such capital stock; (v) the resolutions authorizing the Company to issue, offer and sell the Securities will have been adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) and will be in full force and effect at all times at which the Securities are offered or sold by the Company; (vi) all Securities will be issued in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws

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Olympic Steel, Inc.
October 29, 2009
Page 3

and (vii) any Indenture, Deposit Agreement, Warrant Agreement, Subscription Rights Agreement (each as defined below) or Unit agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and will constitute a valid and binding obligation of each party thereto other than the Company.

     The opinion set forth in paragraph 2 is limited to the valid issuance of the Rights under the corporation laws of the State of Ohio. We do not express any opinion herein with respect to any other aspect of the Rights, the effect of equitable principles or fiduciary considerations relating to the adoption of the Rights Agreement or the issuance of the Rights or the enforceability or any particular provisions of the Rights Agreement. In rendering the opinion set forth in paragraph 2 above, we have assumed that the Board of Directors of the Company has acted and will act in accordance with its fiduciary duties with respect to the authorization, execution, delivery and administration of the Rights Agreement and the issuance of the Rights.

     In rendering the opinion set forth in paragraph 2 above, moreover, we note that our research indicates that there are no reported decisions applying Ohio law concerning the authorization or issuance of securities substantially similar to the Rights. In the absence of directly applicable judicial authority, we have considered the pertinent provisions of Ohio corporation law and the decisions of courts applying the laws of other jurisdictions to analogous factual situations. Although such decisions may be persuasive to Ohio courts, they have no binding precedential effect.

     With respect to any Securities consisting of Preferred Stock, we have further assumed that the Company will issue and deliver the shares of the Preferred Stock being issued and delivered after the filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Ohio of a certificate of amendment to Articles of Incorporation, approved by us, establishing the designations, preferences and rights of the class or series of the Preferred Stock being issued and delivered.

     With respect to any Securities consisting of any series of Debt Securities, we have further assumed that: (i) an Indenture with respect to such Debt Securities will have been authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the applicable trustee in a form approved by us (the "Indenture”), and the Indenture will have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939; (ii) all terms of such Debt Securities not provided for in the applicable Indenture will have been established in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture and reflected in appropriate documentation approved by us and, if applicable, executed and delivered by the Company and the applicable trustee; and (iii) such Debt Securities will be executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture.

     With respect to any Securities consisting of Depositary Shares, we have further assumed that the Depositary Shares will be: (i) issued and delivered after authorization, execution and delivery of the deposit agreement, approved by us, relating to the Depositary Shares to be entered into between the Company and an entity (the "Depositary”) selected by the Company to act as depository (the "Deposit Agreement”) and (ii) issued after the Company deposits with the Depositary shares of the Preferred Stock to be represented by such Depositary Shares that are authorized, validly issued and fully paid as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Deposit Agreement.

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Olympic Steel, Inc.
October 29, 2009
Page 4

     With respect to any Securities consisting of Warrants, we have further assumed that: (i) the warrant agreement, approved by us, relating to the Warrants (the "Warrant Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and an entity selected by the Company to act as the warrant agent (the "Warrant Agent”) will have been authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Warrant Agent and (ii) the Warrants will be authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Warrant Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Warrant Agreement.

     With respect to any Securities consisting of Subscription Rights, we have further assumed that: (i) the subscription rights agreement, approved by us, relating to the Subscription Rights (the "Subscription Rights Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and an entity selected by the Company to act as the subscription rights agent (the "Subscription Rights Agent”) will have been authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Subscription Rights Agent and (ii) the Subscription Rights will be authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Subscription Rights Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Subscription Rights Agreement.

     With respect to any Securities consisting of Units, we have further assumed that each component of such Unit will be authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (to the extent applicable) and will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the applicable Unit agreement, if any.

     The opinions expressed herein are limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer and fraudulent conveyance, voidable preference, moratorium or other similar laws and related regulations and judicial doctrines from time to time in effect relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by general equitable principles and public policy considerations, whether such principles and considerations are considered in a proceeding at law or at equity.

     As to facts material to the opinions and assumptions expressed herein, we have relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others. The opinions expressed herein are limited to, the laws of the State of New York and the laws of the State of Ohio, in each case as currently in effect, and we express no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Jones Day under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting a part of such Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Jones Day

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EX-12.1

Exhibit 12.1

Olympic Steel, Inc.
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(Dollars in thousands)

							Year Ended December 31,
	Nine
	Months Ended
	Sept. 30, 2009			2008			2007		2006		2005		2004
Income (loss) before taxes	$	(95,244	)	$	108,098		$	40,505	$	49,406	$	36,193	$	98,893
Add:
Amortization of previously capitalized interest		55			37			—		—		—		—
Interest (including capitalized interest)		1,919			1,580			2,819		2,677		3,703		4,655
Interest portion of rental expense		189			262			253		213		129		102
Total additions		2,108			1,842			3,072		2,890		3,832		4,757
Deduct:
Capitalized interest		(58	)		(432	)		—		—		—		—
Total earnings (loss)		(93,194	)		109,508			43,577		52,296		40,025		103,650
Capitalized interest		58			432			—		—		—		—
Interest and other expense on debt		1,861			1,148			2,819		2,677		3,703		4,655
Interest portion of rental expense		189			262			253		213		129		102
Fixed charges		2,108			1,842			3,072		2,890		3,832		4,757
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)		—			59.46			14.18		18.10		10.44		21.79

(1) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by approximately $95.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009; accordingly, no ratio is presented for such period.

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated March 2, 2009 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Olympic Steel Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
October 29, 2009

EX-25.1

Exhibit 25.1

FORM T-1

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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) o

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

	95-3571558
(State of incorporation	(I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)	identification no.)
700 South Flower Street
Suite 500
Los Angeles, California	90017
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

OLYMPIC STEEL, INC.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

Ohio	34-1245650
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)	identification no.)
5096 Richmond Road Bedford Heights, Ohio	44146
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)

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.

Name	Address
Comptroller of the Currency United States Department of the Treasury	Washington, D.C. 20219
Federal Reserve Bank	San Francisco, California 94105
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation	Washington, D.C. 20429

(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

	Yes.
2.	Affiliations with Obligor.
	If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.
	None.
16.	List of Exhibits.
	Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Act”) and 17 C.F.R. 229.10(d).

1.	A copy of the articles of association of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948 and Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875).
2.	A copy of certificate of authority of the trustee to commence business. (Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).
3.	A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust powers (Exhibit 3 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875).

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4.	A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-157537).
6.	The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875).
7.	A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

-3-

SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago, and State of Illinois, on the 23rd day of October, 2009.

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
By:	/S/ J. BARTOLINI
	Name:	J. BARTOLINI
	Title:	VICE PRESIDENT

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EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
of 700 South Flower Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90017

     At the close of business June 30, 2009, published in accordance with Federal regulatory authority instructions.

	Dollar Amounts
	in Thousands
ASSETS
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin		4,627
Interest-bearing balances		111,263
Securities:
Held-to-maturity securities		22
Available-for-sale securities		492,259
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:
Federal funds sold		0
Securities purchased under agreements to resell		0
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases held for sale		0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income		0
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses		0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance		0
Trading assets		0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)		11,783
Other real estate owned		0
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies		1
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures		0
Intangible assets:
Goodwill		876,153
Other intangible assets		258,262
Other assets		157,588
Total assets	$	1,911,958

	Dollar Amounts
	in Thousands
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices		599
Noninterest-bearing		599
Interest-bearing		0
Not applicable
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:
Federal funds purchased		0
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		0
Trading liabilities		0
Other borrowed money:
(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)		268,691
Not applicable
Not applicable
Subordinated notes and debentures		0
Other liabilities		195,831
Total liabilities		465,121
Not Applicable
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus		0
Common stock		1,000
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)		1,121,520
Not Applicable
Retained earnings		321,726
Accumulated other comprehensive income		2,591
Other equity capital components		0
Not Available
Total bank equity capital		1,446,837
Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries		0
Total equity capital		1,446,837
Total liabilities and equity capital		1,911,958

     I, Karen Bayz, Managing Director of the above-named bank do hereby declare that the Reports of Condition and Income (including the supporting schedules) for this report date have been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

     Karen Bayz     )     Managing Director

     We, the undersigned directors (trustees), attest to the correctness of the Report of Condition (including the supporting schedules) for this report date and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

Troy Kilpatrick, MD	)
Frank P. Sulzberger, MD	)	Directors (Trustees)
William D. Lindelof, VP	)