The notes will be unsecured obligations of Microchip, and will be subordinated to Microchip's senior debt, including amounts borrowed under its amended credit facility, but will be senior to Microchip's outstanding 2.125% Junior Subordinated Convertible Debentures due 2037 .i 1 2 The notes will bear interest at a rate of 1.625% per year.i 1 2 Interest will be payable semi-annually in arrears on At Microchip's election, the notes are convertible into cash, shares of Microchip's common stock, or a combination thereof, based on an initial base conversion rate of 14.5654 shares of common stock per principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.