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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21, 2014

File No. 001-36252

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Amendment No. 3 to

FORM 10

GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Washington Prime Group Inc.*
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Indiana
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  46-4323686
(I.R.S. employer
Identification number)

7315 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20814

(Address of principal executive offices)

 


46204

(Zip Code)

(317) 636-1600
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

            Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class to be so registered   Name of each exchange on which
each class is to be registered
Common Shares, par value $0.0001 per share   New York Stock Exchange

            Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

            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 "small reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):


o  Large accelerated filer

 

o Accelerated filer

 

ý Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)

 

o Smaller reporting company

*
The registrant was formerly named SPG SpinCo Subsidiary Inc. As of February 25, 2014, the registrant changed its name to Washington Prime Group Inc.


   



WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP INC.

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET BETWEEN INFORMATION STATEMENT
AND ITEMS OF FORM 10

            Certain information required to be included herein is incorporated by reference to specifically identified portions of the body of the information statement filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1. None of the information contained in the information statement shall be incorporated by reference herein or deemed to be a part hereof unless such information is specifically incorporated by reference.

Item 1.     Business.

            The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled "Information Statement Summary," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Business," "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions," "The Separation" and "Where You Can Find More Information." Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A.     Risk Factors.

            The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Risk Factors." That section is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.     Financial Information.

            The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled "Summary — Summary Historical Combined Financial Information," "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements," "Selected Historical Combined Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and "Index to Financial Statements" and the statements referenced therein. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 3.     Properties.

            The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Business — Properties." That section is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4.     Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

            The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management." That section is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.     Directors and Executive Officers.

            The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Management." That section is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 6.     Executive Compensation.

            The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Compensation Discussion and Analysis." That section is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7.     Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

            The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled "Management" and "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions." Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

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Item 8.     Legal Proceedings.

            The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Business — Legal Proceedings." That section is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.     Market Price of, and Dividends on, the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters.

            The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled "Dividend Policy," "Capitalization," "The Separation," and "Description of WPG's Capital Stock." Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 10.     Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

            The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled "Description of WPG's Capital Stock — Sale of Unregistered Securities." Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11.     Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered.

            The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled "Dividend Policy," "The Separation," and "Description of WPG's Capital Stock." Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.     Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

            The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Description of WPG's Capital Stock — Directors' Duties and Liability," "Description of WPG's Capital Stock — Indemnification," and "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions — Indemnification Agreements." Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13.     Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

            The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Index to Financial Statements" and the financial statements referenced therein. That section is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14.     Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

            None.

Item 15.     Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a)
Financial Statements

            The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Index to Financial Statements" and the financial statements referenced therein. That section is incorporated herein by reference.

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(b)
Exhibits

            See below.

            The following documents are filed as exhibits hereto:

Exhibit
Number
  Exhibit Description
  2.1   Form of Separation and Distribution Agreement by and among Simon Property Group, Inc., Simon Property Group, L.P., Washington Prime Group Inc. and Washington Prime Group, L.P.**

 

3.1

 

Form of Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Washington Prime Group Inc.†

 

3.2

 

Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Washington Prime Group Inc.†

 

10.1

 

Form of Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Washington Prime Group, L.P.†

 

10.2

 

Form of Property Management Agreement by and between Simon Management Associates III, LLC and subsidiary of Washington Prime Group Inc.†

 

10.3

 

Form of Property Development Agreement by and between subsidiary of Simon Property Group, Inc. and subsidiary of Washington Prime Group Inc.†

 

10.4

 

Form of Transition Services Agreement by and among Simon Property Group, Inc., Simon Property Group, L.P., Washington Prime Group Inc. and Washington Prime Group, L.P.†

 

10.5

 

Form of Tax Matters Agreement by and among Simon Property Group, Inc., Simon Property Group, L.P., Washington Prime Group Inc. and Washington Prime Group, L.P.**

 

10.6

 

Form of Employee Matters Agreement by and among Simon Property Group, Inc., Simon Property Group, L.P., Washington Prime Group Inc. and Washington Prime Group, L.P.**

 

10.7

 

Employment Agreement between Washington Prime Group Inc. and Mark Ordan, dated as of February 15, 2014†

 

10.8

 

Form of Washington Prime Group, L.P. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan**

 

10.9

 

Form of Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, by and among Washington Prime Group, L.P., as borrower, Bank of America N.A., as administrative agent and the Lenders party thereto

 

10.10

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement between Washington Prime Group Inc. and each of its executive officers and directors**

 

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of Washington Prime Group Inc.**

 

99.1

 

Information Statement of Washington Prime Group Inc., preliminary and subject to completion, dated April 21, 2014**

**
Filed herewith.

Previously filed

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SIGNATURES

            Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

    WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ RICHARD S. SOKOLOV

        Name:   Richard S. Sokolov
        Title:   Chairman of the Board of Directors

Date: April 21, 2014

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WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP INC. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET BETWEEN INFORMATION STATEMENT AND ITEMS OF FORM 10
SIGNATURES

Exhibit 2.1

 

FORM OF SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

BY AND AMONG

 

SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, INC.,

 

SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, L.P.,

 

WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP INC.

 

AND

 

WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP, L.P.

 

DATED AS OF [ · ], 2014

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

2

 

 

ARTICLE II THE SEPARATION

13

 

 

 

2.1

Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities

13

2.2

WPG Assets

15

2.3

WPG Liabilities; SPG Liabilities

17

2.4

Approvals and Notifications

18

2.5

Novation of Liabilities

20

2.6

Release of Guarantees

20

2.7

Termination of Agreements

22

2.8

Treatment of Shared Contracts

22

2.9

Bank Accounts; Cash Balances

23

2.10

Ancillary Agreements

24

2.11

Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties

24

2.12

WPG Financing Arrangements; Cash Distribution

25

2.13

Working Capital Payment

25

2.14

Real Estate Taxes

26

2.15

SPG LP Distributions

26

2.16

Financial Information Certifications

27

2.17

Transition Committee

27

 

 

 

ARTICLE III THE DISTRIBUTION

27

 

 

 

3.1

Sole and Absolute Discretion; Cooperation

27

3.2

Actions Prior to the Distribution

28

3.3

Conditions to the Distribution

29

3.4

The Distribution

30

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION

32

 

 

 

4.1

Release of Pre-Distribution Claims

32

4.2

Indemnification by WPG

34

4.3

Indemnification by SPG

35

4.4

Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts

36

4.5

Procedures for Indemnification of Third-Party Claims

36

4.6

Additional Matters

39

4.7

Right of Contribution

40

4.8

Covenant Not to Sue

40

4.9

Remedies Cumulative

41

4.10

Survival of Indemnities

41

4.11

Certain Tax Procedures

41

 

 

 

ARTICLE V CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS

44

 

 

 

5.1

Insurance Matters

44

 

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5.2

Late Payments

47

5.3

Treatment of Payments for Tax Purposes

47

5.4

Inducement

47

5.5

Post-Effective Time Conduct

47

5.6

Non-Solicitation Covenant

47

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY

48

 

 

 

6.1

Agreement for Exchange of Information

48

6.2

Ownership of Information

48

6.3

Compensation for Providing Information

49

6.4

Record Retention

49

6.5

Limitations of Liability

49

6.6

Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information

49

6.7

Production of Witnesses; Records; Cooperation

50

6.8

Privileged Matters

50

6.9

Confidentiality

53

6.10

Protective Arrangements

54

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII DISPUTE RESOLUTION

54

 

 

 

7.1

Good-Faith Negotiation

54

7.2

Mediation

54

7.3

Arbitration

55

7.4

Litigation and Unilateral Commencement of Arbitration

56

7.5

Conduct During Dispute Resolution Process

56

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII FURTHER ASSURANCES AND ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

57

 

 

 

8.1

Further Assurances

57

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX TERMINATION

58

 

 

 

9.1

Termination

58

9.2

Effect of Termination

58

 

 

 

ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS

58

 

 

 

10.1

Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power

58

10.2

Governing Law

59

10.3

Assignability

59

10.4

Third-Party Beneficiaries

59

10.5

Notices

60

10.6

Severability

61

10.7

Force Majeure

61

10.8

No Set-Off

61

10.9

Publicity

61

10.10

Expenses

61

10.11

Headings

62

10.12

Survival of Covenants

62

10.13

Waivers of Default

62

10.14

Specific Performance

62

 

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10.15

Amendments

62

10.16

Interpretation

62

10.17

Limitations of Liability

63

10.18

Performance

63

10.19

Mutual Drafting

63

 

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FORM OF SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

This SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT, dated as of [•], 2014 (this “ Agreement ”), is by and among Simon Property Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ SPG ”), Simon Property Group, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ SPG LP ”), Washington Prime Group Inc., an Indiana corporation (“ WPG ”), and Washington Prime Group, L.P., an Indiana limited partnership (“ WPG LP ”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in Article I .

 

R E C I T A L S

 

WHEREAS, the board of directors of SPG (the “ SPG Board ”) has determined that it is in the best interests of SPG and its shareholders to create a new publicly traded company that shall operate the WPG Business;

 

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, the SPG Board has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to separate the WPG Business from the SPG Business (the “ Separation ”);

 

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the Separation and pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization (as defined below), the following transactions, among others, are contemplated to occur:

 

(a)                                  SPG LP and certain of its subsidiaries will contribute certain WPG Assets and WPG Liabilities to WPG LP (the “ SPG LP Contribution ”) in exchange for limited partnership interests in WPG LP (the “ WPG LP Interests ”);

 

(b)                                  WPG LP and certain other members of the WPG Group will assume and/or incur certain indebtedness, and, in the case of newly incurred indebtedness, distribute the proceeds thereof to SPG LP and certain of its subsidiaries;

 

(c)                                   SPG LP will distribute, in one or more distributions, all of the WPG LP Interests held by SPG LP to the holders of record (including SPG), as of the SPG LP Distribution Record Date, of limited partnership interests in SPG LP entitled to participate in such distributions (“ SPG LP Interests ”), with such distribution to be made on a pro rata basis (the “ SPG LP Distributions ”);

 

(d)                                  SPG will contribute certain WPG Assets as well as all of the WPG LP Interests that it holds to WPG (the “ SPG Contribution ”), in exchange for common shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of WPG (“ WPG Shares ”), and certain subsidiaries of SPG will transfer certain WPG Assets to WPG (the “ SPG Subsidiary Transfers ” and together with the SPG Contribution, the “ Contribution ”);

 



 

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, the SPG Board has approved the distribution by SPG of all of the outstanding WPG Shares owned by SPG, to the Record Holders of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of SPG, par value $0.0001 per share (“ SPG Shares ”), with such distribution to be made on a pro rata basis (the “ Distribution ”);

 

WHEREAS, WPG and WPG LP have been organized solely for these purposes, and have not engaged in activities except in preparation for the Separation, the SPG LP Distribution and the Distribution;

 

WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Contribution and the Distribution, taken together, are intended to qualify as a transaction that is tax-free under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code;

 

WHEREAS, WPG and SPG have prepared, and WPG has filed with the SEC, the Form 10, which includes the Information Statement, and which sets forth disclosure concerning WPG, the Separation and the Distribution; and

 

WHEREAS, each of SPG and WPG has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to set forth the principal corporate transactions required to effect the Separation and the Distribution and certain other agreements that will govern certain matters relating to the Separation and the Distribution and the relationship of SPG, WPG and the members of their respective Groups following the Distribution.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

For the purpose of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Action ” shall mean any demand, action, claim, dispute, suit, countersuit, arbitration, inquiry, subpoena, proceeding or investigation of any nature (whether criminal, civil, legislative, administrative, regulatory, prosecutorial or otherwise) by or before any federal, state, local, foreign or international Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal.

 

Affiliate ” shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person, a Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such specified Person.  For the purpose of this definition, “ control ” (including with correlative meanings, “ controlled by ” and “ under common control with ”), when used with respect to any specified Person shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other interests, by contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment, undertaking or otherwise.  It is expressly agreed that, prior to, at and after the Effective Time, for purposes of

 

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this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, (a) no member of the WPG Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the SPG Group and (b) no member of the SPG Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the WPG Group.

 

Agent ” shall mean the trust company or bank duly appointed by SPG to act as distribution agent, transfer agent and registrar for the WPG Shares in connection with the Distribution.

 

Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Ancillary Agreement ” shall mean all agreements (other than this Agreement) entered into by the Parties and/or members of their respective Groups (but as to which no Third Party is a party) in connection with the Separation, the Distribution, or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Transition Services Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, the Property Management Agreements, Property Development Agreements (if any) and the Transfer Documents.

 

Approvals or Notifications ” shall mean any consents, waivers, approvals, permits or authorizations to be obtained from, notices, registrations or reports to be submitted to, or other filings to be made with, any third Person, including any Governmental Authority.

 

Arbitration Request ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(a) .

 

Assets ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the assets, properties, claims and rights (including goodwill) of such Person, wherever located (including in the possession of vendors or other third Persons or elsewhere), of every kind, character and description, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible, intangible or contingent, in each case whether or not recorded or reflected or required to be recorded or reflected on the books and records or financial statements of such Person, including rights and benefits pursuant to any contract, license, permit, indenture, note, bond, mortgage, agreement, concession, franchise, instrument, undertaking, commitment, understanding or other arrangement.

 

Cash Distribution ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(a).

 

Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Contribution ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

CPR ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2 .

 

Delayed WPG Asset ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(c) .

 

Delayed WPG Liability ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(c) .

 

Disclosure Document ” shall mean any registration statement (including the Form 10) filed with the SEC by or on behalf of any Party or any member of its Group, and also includes any information statement (including the Information Statement), prospectus, offering memorandum, offering circular, periodic report or similar disclosure document, whether or not

 

3



 

filed with the SEC or any other Governmental Authority, in each case which describes the Separation, the Distribution or the WPG Group, or primarily relates to the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Dispute ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 .

 

Distribution ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Distribution Date ” shall mean the date of the consummation of the Distribution, which shall be determined by the SPG Board in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

Effective Time ” shall mean 12:01 a.m., Eastern time, on the Distribution Date.

 

Employee Matters Agreement ” shall mean the employee matters agreement to be entered into by and between SPG and WPG or the members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

Environmental Law ” shall mean any Law relating to pollution, protection or restoration of or prevention of harm to the environment or natural resources, including the use, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, Release or discharge of Hazardous Materials or the protection of or prevention of harm to human health and safety.

 

Environmental Liabilities ” shall mean all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Hazardous Materials, Environmental Law or contract or agreement relating to environmental, health or safety matters (including all removal, remediation or cleanup costs, investigatory costs, response costs, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injury damages, costs of compliance with any product take-back requirements or with any settlement, judgment or other determination of Liability and indemnity, contribution or similar obligations) and all costs and expenses, interest, fines, penalties or other monetary sanctions in connection therewith.

 

Estimated Net Working Capital Balance ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(a) .

 

Exchange Act ” shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Force Majeure ” shall mean, with respect to a Party, an event beyond the control of such Party (or any Person acting on its behalf), which event (a) does not arise or result from the fault or negligence of such Party (or any Person acting on its behalf) and (b) by its nature would not reasonably have been foreseen by such Party (or such Person), or, if it would reasonably have been foreseen, was unavoidable, and includes acts of God, acts of civil or military authority, embargoes, epidemics, war, riots, insurrections, fires, explosions, earthquakes, floods, unusually severe weather conditions, labor problems or unavailability of parts, or, in the case of computer systems, any failure in electrical or air conditioning equipment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the receipt by a Party of an unsolicited takeover offer or other

 

4



 

acquisition proposal, even if unforeseen or unavoidable, and such Party’s response thereto, shall not be deemed an event of Force Majeure.

 

Form 10 ” shall mean the registration statement on Form 10 filed by WPG with the SEC to effect the registration of WPG Shares pursuant to the Exchange Act in connection with the Distribution, as such registration statement may be amended or supplemented from time to time prior to the Distribution.

 

Governmental Approvals ” shall mean any Approvals or Notifications to be made to, or obtained from, any Governmental Authority.

 

Governmental Authority ” shall mean any nation or government, any state, municipality or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity, body, agency, commission, department, board, bureau, court, tribunal or other instrumentality, whether federal, state, local, domestic, foreign or multinational, exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, administrative or other similar functions of, or pertaining to, government and any executive official thereof.

 

Group ” shall mean either the WPG Group or the SPG Group, as the context requires.

 

Hazardous Materials ” shall mean any chemical, material, substance, waste, pollutant, emission, discharge, release or contaminant that could result in Liability under, or that is prohibited, limited or regulated by or pursuant to, any Environmental Law, and any natural or artificial substance (whether solid, liquid or gas, noise, ion, vapor or electromagnetic) that could cause harm to human health or the environment, including petroleum, petroleum products and byproducts, asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, electronic, medical or infectious wastes, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, radioactive substances, chlorofluorocarbons and all other ozone-depleting substances.

 

Indemnifying Party ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a) .

 

Indemnitee ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a) .

 

Indemnity Payment ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a) .

 

Information ” shall mean information, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, in written, oral, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms, stored in any medium, including studies, reports, records, books, contracts, instruments, surveys, discoveries, ideas, concepts, know-how, techniques, designs, specifications, drawings, blueprints, diagrams, models, prototypes, samples, flow charts, data, computer data, disks, diskettes, tapes, computer programs or other software, marketing plans, customer names, communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memos and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), and other technical, financial, employee or business information or data; provided that “Information” shall not include Registrable IP.

 

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Information Statement ” shall mean the information statement to be sent to the holders of SPG Shares in connection with the Distribution, as such information statement may be amended or supplemented from time to time prior to the Distribution.

 

Initial Notice ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 .

 

Insurance Proceeds ” shall mean those monies:

 

(a)                                  received by an insured from an insurance carrier; or

 

(b)                                  paid by an insurance carrier on behalf of the insured;

 

in any such case net of any applicable premium adjustments (including reserves and retrospectively rated premium adjustments) and net of any costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof.

 

Insurance Termination Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(a) .

 

Intellectual Property ” shall mean all of the following whether arising under the Laws of the United States or of any other foreign or multinational jurisdiction:  (a) patents, patent applications (including patents issued thereon) and statutory invention registrations, including reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations in part, substitutions, renewals, extensions and reexaminations of any of the foregoing, and all rights in any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions, (b) trademarks, service marks, trade names, service names, trade dress, logos and other source or business identifiers, including all goodwill associated with any of the foregoing, and any and all common law rights in and to any of the foregoing, registrations and applications for registration of any of the foregoing, all rights in and to any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions, and all reissues, extensions and renewals of any of the foregoing, (c) Internet domain names, registrations and related rights, (d) copyrightable works, copyrights, moral rights, mask work rights, database rights and design rights, in each case, other than Software, whether or not registered, and all registrations and applications for registration of any of the foregoing, and all rights in and to any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions, (e) confidential and proprietary information, including trade secrets, invention disclosures, processes and know-how, in each case, other than Software, and (f) intellectual property rights arising from or in respect of any Technology.

 

IRS ” shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

 

Law ” shall mean any national, supranational, federal, state, provincial, local or similar law (including common law), statute, code, order, ordinance, rule, regulation, treaty, license, permit, authorization, approval, consent, decree, injunction, binding judicial or administrative interpretation or other requirement, in each case, enacted, promulgated, issued or entered by a Governmental Authority.

 

Liabilities ” shall mean all debts, guarantees, assurances, commitments, liabilities, responsibilities, Losses, remediation, deficiencies, damages, fines, penalties, settlements, sanctions, costs, expenses, interest and obligations of any nature or kind, whether

 

6



 

accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, accrued or not accrued, asserted or unasserted, liquidated or unliquidated, foreseen or unforeseen, known or unknown, reserved or unreserved, or determined or determinable, including those arising under any Law, claim (including any Third-Party Claim), demand, Action, or order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any Governmental Authority or arbitration tribunal, and those arising under any contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment or undertaking, or any fines, damages or equitable relief that is imposed, in each case, including all costs and expenses relating thereto.

 

Linked ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a) .

 

Losses ” shall mean actual losses (including any diminution in value), costs, damages, penalties and expenses (including legal and accounting fees, and expenses and costs of investigation and litigation), whether or not involving a Third-Party Claim.

 

Mediation Request ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2 .

 

Net Working Capital Balance ” shall mean the sum of (a) cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable net of allowances, prepaid assets, deposits, escrows and other such operating working capital assets as mutually deemed appropriate by the Parties (but specifically excluding fixed assets, work-in-progress asset balances, and non-cash accounts such as straight-line rents, deferred mortgage issuance costs, fair market value of rent assets and other intangible assets), less the sum of (b) accounts payable and accrued expenses, accrued real estate Taxes, deferred rental income, and other such operating working capital liabilities mutually deemed appropriate by the Parties (but specifically excluding payables for construction and tenant allowances, all debt or loan related balances to lenders and affiliates, deferred common area maintenance liabilities, fair market value of rent liabilities and other intangible liabilities).

 

NYSE ” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Other IP ” shall mean all Intellectual Property, other than Registrable IP, that is owned by either Party or any member of its Group as of the Effective Time.

 

Parties ” shall mean the parties to this Agreement.

 

Permits ” means permits, approvals, authorizations, consents, licenses or certificates issued by any Governmental Authority.

 

Person ” shall mean an individual, a general or limited partnership, a corporation, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, a limited liability entity, any other entity and any Governmental Authority.

 

Plan of Reorganization ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) .

 

Prime Rate ” means the rate that Bloomberg displays as “Prime Rate by Country United States” at www.bloomberg.com/markets/rates-bonds/key-rates/ or on a Bloomberg terminal at PRIMBB Index.

 

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Privileged Information ” means any information, in written, oral, electronic, or other tangible or intangible forms, including any communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memoranda and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), as to which a Party or any member of its Group would be entitled to assert or have asserted a privilege, including the attorney-client and attorney work product privileges.

 

Property Development Agreements ” shall mean any property development agreements which may be entered into by and between SPG and WPG or any members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as they may be amended from time to time.

 

Property Management Agreements ” shall mean the property management agreements to be entered into by and between SPG and WPG or any members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as well as the property management agreements previously entered into by any member of the SPG Group which relate primarily to one or more WPG Properties and are set forth on Schedule 1.2 , as they may be amended from time to time.

 

Qualifying Income ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.11(a)(i) .

 

Record Date ” shall mean the close of business on the date to be determined by the SPG Board as the record date for determining holders of SPG Shares entitled to receive WPG Shares pursuant to the Distribution.

 

Record Holders ” shall mean the holders of record of SPG Shares as of the Record Date.

 

Registrable IP ” shall mean all patents, patent applications, statutory invention registrations, registered trademarks, registered service marks, registered Internet domain names and copyright registrations.

 

REIT ” shall mean “a real estate investment trust” within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code.

 

Release ” shall mean any release, spill, emission, discharge, leaking, pumping, pouring, dumping, injection, deposit, disposal, dispersal, leaching or migration of Hazardous Materials into the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater and surface or subsurface strata).

 

Representatives ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any of such Person’s directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants, advisors, accountants, attorneys or other representatives.

 

RPT Transfer ” shall mean the sale, contribution or other transfer by Retail Property Trust of certain WPG Properties and interests in entities holding, directly or indirectly, certain WPG Properties to WPG LP immediately following the Distribution, as set forth in the Plan of Reorganization.

 

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SEC ” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Security Interest ” shall mean any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge, claim, option, right to acquire, voting or other restriction, right-of-way, covenant, condition, easement, encroachment, restriction on transfer, or other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever.

 

Separation ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Shared Contract ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(a) .

 

Software ” shall mean any and all (a) computer programs, including any and all software implementation of algorithms, models and methodologies, whether in source code, object code, human readable form or other form, (b) databases and compilations, including any and all data and collections of data, whether machine readable or otherwise, (c) descriptions, flow charts and other work products used to design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing, (d) screens, user interfaces, report formats, firmware, development tools, templates, menus, buttons and icons and (e) documentation, including user manuals and other training documentation, relating to any of the foregoing.

 

Specified REIT Requirements ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.11(a)(i) .

 

SPG ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

SPG Accounts ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a) .

 

SPG Assets ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b) .

 

SPG Board ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

SPG Business ” shall mean all businesses, operations and activities (whether or not such businesses, operations or activities are or have been terminated, divested or discontinued) conducted at any time prior to the Effective Time by either Party or any member of its Group, other than the WPG Business.

 

SPG Contribution ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

SPG Group ” shall mean SPG and each Person that is a Subsidiary of SPG (other than WPG and any other member of the WPG Group).

 

SPG Indemnitees ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 .

 

SPG Indemnity Payment ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.11(b)(i) .

 

SPG Liabilities ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b) .

 

SPG LP ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

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SPG LP Contribution ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

SPG LP Distributions ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

SPG LP Distribution Record Date ” shall mean the close of business on the date to be determined by the SPG Board, acting on behalf of SPG in its capacity as the general partner of SPG LP, as the record date for determining holders of SPG LP Interests entitled to receive WPG LP Interests pursuant to the SPG LP Distributions.

 

SPG LP Interests ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

SPG Name and SPG Marks ” shall mean the names, marks, trade dress, logos, monograms, domain names and other source or business identifiers of either Party or any member of its Group using or containing “Simon Property,” “Simon,” or “SPG,” either alone or in combination with other words or elements, and all names, marks, trade dress, logos, monograms, domain names and other source or business identifiers confusingly similar to or embodying any of the foregoing either alone or in combination with other words or elements, together with the goodwill associated with any of the foregoing.

 

SPG Shares ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

SPG Subsidiary Transfers ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Subsidiary ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, joint venture or partnership of which such Person (a) beneficially owns, either directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of (i) the total combined voting power of all classes of voting securities, (ii) the total combined equity interests or (iii) the capital or profit interests, in the case of a partnership, or (b) otherwise has the power to vote, either directly or indirectly, sufficient securities to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar governing body.

 

Tangible Information ” means information that is contained in written, electronic or other tangible forms.

 

Tax ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

Tax Matters Agreement ” shall mean the tax matters agreement to be entered into by and between SPG and WPG or any members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

Tax Return ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

Technology ” shall mean all technology, designs, formulae, algorithms, procedures, methods, discoveries, processes, techniques, ideas, know-how, research and development, technical data, tools, materials, specifications, processes, inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), apparatus, creations, improvements, works of authorship in any media, confidential, proprietary or non-public

 

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information, and other similar materials, and all recordings, graphs, drawings, reports, analyses and other writings, and other tangible embodiments of the foregoing in any form, whether or not listed herein, in each case, other than Software.

 

Third Party ” means any Person other than the Parties or any members of their respective Groups.

 

Third-Party Claim ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(a) .

 

Transfer Documents ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b) .

 

Transferred Entities ” shall mean the entities set forth on Schedule 1.5 .

 

Transition Committee ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.17 .

 

Transition Services Agreement ” shall mean the transition services agreement to be entered into by and between SPG and WPG or any members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

Unreleased WPG Liability ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b) .

 

WPG ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

WPG Accounts ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a) .

 

WPG Articles of Incorporation ” shall mean the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of WPG, substantially in the form of Exhibit A .

 

WPG Assets ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a) .

 

WPG Balance Sheet ” shall mean the unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet of the WPG Business, including any notes and subledgers thereto, as of December 31, 2013, as presented in the Information Statement mailed to the Record Holders.

 

WPG Business ” shall mean the business, operations and activities of the SPG Group relating primarily to the WPG Properties as conducted at any time prior to the Effective Time by either Party or any of their current or former Subsidiaries.

 

WPG Bylaws ” shall mean the Amended and Restated Bylaws of WPG, substantially in the form of Exhibit B .

 

WPG Contracts ” shall mean the following contracts and agreements to which either Party or any member of its Group is a party or by which it or any member of its Group or any of their respective Assets is bound, whether or not in writing; provided that WPG Contracts shall not include (x) any contract or agreement that is contemplated to be retained by SPG or any member of the SPG Group from and after the Effective Time pursuant to any provision of this

 

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Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or (y) any contract or agreement that would constitute WPG Software or WPG Technology:

 

(a)                                  any leases relating primarily to any WPG Property pursuant to which a Third Party leases all or any portion of such WPG Property;

 

(b)                                  any joint venture, shareholder, equityholder, partnership or similar agreements with any Third Party relating primarily to any WPG Property;

 

(c)                                   any customer, distribution, supply, marketing, vendor or other contract, agreement or license, in each case with a Third Party and in effect as of the Effective Time, pursuant to which such Third Party provides or receives products or services to or from either Party or any member of its Group, primarily in connection with the WPG Business, excluding any such contracts or agreements for services that are addressed in the Transition Services Agreement or any Property Management Agreement;

 

(d)                                  any guarantee, indemnity, representation, covenant, warranty or other Liability of either Party or any member of its Group relating primarily to any other WPG Contract, any WPG Liability or the WPG Business;

 

(e)                                   any employment, change of control, retention, consulting, indemnification, termination, severance or other similar agreement with any WPG Group Employee or consultants of the WPG Group that is in effect as of the Effective Time;

 

(f)                                    any contract or agreement that is otherwise expressly contemplated pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements to be assigned to WPG or any member of the WPG Group;

 

(g)                                   any interest rate, currency, commodity or other swap, collar, cap or other hedging or similar agreements or arrangements related exclusively to the WPG Business or entered into by or on behalf of any division, business unit or member of the WPG Group;

 

(h)                                  any contract, guarantee, note, mortgage, bond, debenture or other agreement providing for indebtedness, whether secured or unsecured, which relates primarily to the WPG Business, including the WPG Financing Arrangements; and

 

(i)                                      any contracts, agreements or settlements listed on Schedule 1.3 , including the right to recover any amounts under such contracts, agreements or settlements.

 

WPG Distribution Date Balance Sheet ” shall mean the unaudited combined balance sheet of the WPG Business, including any notes and subledgers thereto, as of the Distribution Date, to be prepared jointly by the Parties as soon as practicable following the Effective Time on a basis consistent with the determination of the Assets and Liabilities included on the WPG Balance Sheet.

 

WPG Financing Arrangements ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(a) .

 

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WPG Group ” shall mean (a) prior to the Effective Time, WPG and each Person that will be a Subsidiary of WPG as of immediately after the Effective Time, including the Transferred Entities, even if, prior to the Effective Time, such Person is not a Subsidiary of WPG; and (b) on and after the Effective Time, WPG and each Person that is a Subsidiary of WPG.

 

WPG Indemnitees ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.3 .

 

WPG Indemnity Payment ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.11(a)(i) .

 

WPG Intellectual Property ” shall mean (a) the Registrable IP set forth on Schedule 1.4 and (b) all Other IP owned by, licensed by or to, or sublicensed by or to either Party or any member of its Group as of the Effective Time primarily used or primarily held for use in the WPG Business, including any Other IP set forth on Schedule 1.4 .

 

WPG Liabilities ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) .

 

WPG LP ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

WPG LP Interests ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

WPG LP Partnership Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(a) .

 

WPG LP Redemption Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.16(b) .

 

WPG Permits ” shall mean all Permits owned or licensed by either Party or member of its Group primarily used or primarily held for use in the WPG Business as of the Effective Time.

 

WPG Properties ” means the real properties listed on Schedule 1.6 .

 

WPG Shares ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

WPG Surety Bonds ” shall mean the surety bonds issued in respect of the WPG Business which are listed on Schedule 1.7 .

 

ARTICLE II
THE SEPARATION

 

2.1                                Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities .

 

(a)                                  On or prior to the Effective Time, but in any case, prior to the Distribution, in accordance with the plan set forth on Schedule 2.1(a)  (the “ Plan of Reorganization ”):

 

(i)                                      Transfer and Assignment of WPG Assets .  SPG shall, and shall cause the applicable members of the SPG Group to, contribute, assign, transfer, convey

 

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and deliver to the applicable member of the WPG Group, and the applicable member of the WPG Group shall accept from SPG and the applicable members of the SPG Group, all of SPG’s and such SPG Group members’ respective direct or indirect right, title and interest in and to all of the WPG Assets (it being understood that if any WPG Asset shall be held by a Transferred Entity or a wholly owned Subsidiary of a Transferred Entity, such WPG Asset may be assigned, transferred, conveyed and delivered to WPG as a result of the transfer of all of the equity interests in such Transferred Entity from SPG or the applicable members of the SPG Group to the applicable member of the WPG Group); and

 

(ii)                                   Acceptance and Assumption of WPG Liabilities .  The applicable members of the WPG Group shall accept, assume and agree faithfully to perform, discharge and fulfill all of the WPG Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms.  The applicable members of the WPG Group shall be responsible for all WPG Liabilities, regardless of when or where such WPG Liabilities arose or arise, or whether the facts on which they are based occurred prior to or subsequent to the Effective Time, regardless of where or against whom such WPG Liabilities are asserted or determined (including any WPG Liabilities arising out of claims made by SPG’s or WPG’s respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates against any member of the SPG Group or the WPG Group) or whether asserted or determined prior to the date hereof, and regardless of whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of Law, fraud or misrepresentation by any member of the SPG Group or the WPG Group, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates;

 

provided, however, that the RPT Transfer shall occur immediately after the Distribution.

 

(b)                                  Transfer Documents .  In furtherance of the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance and delivery of the Assets and the assumption of the Liabilities in accordance with Section 2.1(a) , (i) each Party shall execute and deliver, and shall cause the applicable members of its Group to execute and deliver, such bills of sale, quitclaim deeds, stock powers, certificates of title, assignments of contracts and other instruments of transfer, conveyance and assignment as and to the extent necessary to evidence the transfer, conveyance and assignment of all of such Party’s and the applicable members of its Group’s right, title and interest in and to such Assets to the other Party and the applicable members of its Group in accordance with Section 2.1(a) , and (ii) each Party shall execute and deliver, and shall cause the applicable members of its Group to execute and deliver, to the other Party such assumptions of contracts and other instruments of assumption as and to the extent necessary to evidence the valid and effective assumption of the Liabilities by such Party and the applicable members of its Group in accordance with Section 2.1(a) .  All of the foregoing documents contemplated by this Section 2.1(b)  shall be referred to collectively herein as the “ Transfer Documents .”

 

(c)                                   Misallocations .  In the event that at any time or from time to time (whether prior to, at or after the Effective Time), one Party (or any member of such Party’s respective Group) shall receive or otherwise possess any Asset that is allocated to the other Party (or any member of such Party’s Group) pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, such Party shall promptly transfer, or cause to be transferred, such Asset to the Party so entitled

 

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thereto (or to any member of such Party’s Group), and such Party (or member of such Party’s Group) shall accept such Asset.  Prior to any such transfer, the Person receiving or possessing such Asset shall hold such Asset in trust for any such other Person.  In the event that at any time or from time to time (whether prior to, at or after the Effective Time), one Party hereto (or any member of such Party’s respective Group) shall receive or otherwise assume any Liability that is allocated to the other Party (or any member of such Party’s Group) pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, such Party shall promptly transfer, or cause to be transferred, such Liability to the Party responsible therefor (or to any member of such Party’s Group), and such Party (or member of such Party’s Group) shall accept, assume and agree to faithfully perform such Liability.

 

(d)                                  Waiver of Bulk-Sale and Bulk-Transfer Laws .  WPG, WPG LP and each member of the WPG Group hereby waives compliance by each and every member of the SPG Group with the requirements and provisions of any “bulk-sale” or “bulk-transfer” Laws of any jurisdiction that may otherwise be applicable with respect to the transfer or sale of any or all of the WPG Assets to any member of the WPG Group.  SPG hereby waives compliance by each and every member of the WPG Group with the requirements and provisions of any “bulk-sale” or “bulk-transfer” Laws of any jurisdiction that may otherwise be applicable with respect to the transfer or sale of any or all of the SPG Assets to any member of the SPG Group.

 

2.2                                WPG Assets .

 

(a)                                  WPG Assets .  For purposes of this Agreement, “ WPG Assets ” shall mean:

 

(i)                                      all issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity interests of the Transferred Entities that are owned by either Party or any members of its Group as of the Effective Time;

 

(ii)                                   all interests in the WPG Properties of whatever nature, including easements, whether as owner, mortgagee or holder of a Security Interest in the WPG Properties, lessor, sublessor, lessee, sublessee or otherwise, and including all buildings or barges located thereon, and all associated parking areas, fixtures and all other improvements located thereon, and including all rights, benefits, privileges, tenements, hereditaments, covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements and other appurtenances on any WPG Property or otherwise appertaining to or benefitting any WPG Property and/or the improvements situated thereon, including all mineral rights, development rights, air and water rights, subsurface rights, vested rights entitling, or prospective rights which may entitle, the owner of any WPG Property to related easements, land use rights, air rights, viewshed rights, density credits, water, sewer, electrical and other utility service, credits and/or rebates, strips and gores and any land lying in the bed of any street, road, alley, open or proposed, adjoining any WPG Property, and all easements, rights of way and other appurtenances used or connected with the beneficial use or enjoyment of any WPG Property;

 

(iii)                                all Assets of either Party or any members of its Group included or reflected as assets of the WPG Group on the WPG Balance Sheet, subject to any dispositions of such Assets subsequent to the date of the WPG Balance Sheet; provided

 

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that the amounts set forth on the WPG Balance Sheet with respect to any Assets shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Assets that are included in the definition of WPG Assets pursuant to this clause (iii);

 

(iv)                               all Assets of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time that are of a nature or type that would have resulted in such Assets being included as Assets of WPG or members of the WPG Group on a pro forma combined balance sheet of the WPG Group or any notes or subledgers thereto as of the Effective Time (were such balance sheet, notes and subledgers to be prepared on a basis consistent with the determination of the Assets included on the WPG Balance Sheet), it being understood that (x) the WPG Balance Sheet shall be used to determine the types of, and methodologies used to determine, those Assets that are included in the definition of WPG Assets pursuant to this subclause (iv); and (y) the amounts set forth on the WPG Balance Sheet with respect to any Assets shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Assets that are included in the definition of WPG Assets pursuant to this subclause (iv);

 

(v)                                  all Assets of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time that are expressly provided by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement as Assets to be transferred to WPG or any other member of the WPG Group;

 

(vi)                               all WPG Contracts as of the Effective Time and all rights, interests or claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group thereunder as of the Effective Time;

 

(vii)                            all WPG Intellectual Property, WPG Software and WPG Technology as of the Effective Time and all rights, interests or claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group thereunder as of the Effective Time;

 

(viii)                         all WPG Permits as of the Effective Time and all rights, interests or claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group thereunder as of the Effective Time;

 

(ix)                               all Assets of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time that are exclusively related to the WPG Business;

 

(x)                                  all rights, interests and claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time with respect to Information that is exclusively related to the WPG Assets, the WPG Liabilities, the WPG Business or the Transferred Entities and, subject to the provisions of the applicable Ancillary Agreements, a non-exclusive right to all Information that is related to, but not exclusively related to, the WPG Assets, the WPG Liabilities, the WPG Business or the Transferred Entities; and

 

(xi)                               any and all Assets set forth on Schedule 2.2(a)(xi) .

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the WPG Assets shall not in any event include any Asset referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 2.2(b) .

 

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(b)                                  SPG Assets .  For the purposes of this Agreement, “ SPG Assets ” shall mean all Assets of the either Party or the members of its Group as of the Effective Time, other than the WPG Assets, it being understood that the SPG Assets shall include:

 

(i)                                      all Assets that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Assets to be retained by SPG or any other member of the SPG Group;

 

(ii)                                   all Contracts of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time (other than the WPG Contracts);

 

(iii)                                all Intellectual Property of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time (other than the WPG Intellectual Property), including the SPG Name and SPG Marks;

 

(iv)                               all Permits of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time (other than the WPG Permits); and

 

(v)                                  any and all Assets set forth on Schedule 2.2(b)(v) .

 

2.3                                WPG Liabilities; SPG Liabilities .

 

(a)                                  WPG Liabilities .  For the purposes of this Agreement, “ WPG Liabilities ” shall mean the following Liabilities of either Party or any of the members of its Group:

 

(i)                                      all Liabilities included or reflected as liabilities or obligations of WPG or the members of the WPG Group on the WPG Balance Sheet, subject to any discharge of such Liabilities subsequent to the date of the WPG Balance Sheet; provided that the amounts set forth on the WPG Balance Sheet with respect to any Liabilities shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Liabilities that are included in the definition of WPG Liabilities pursuant to this subclause (i);

 

(ii)                                   all Liabilities as of the Effective Time that are of a nature or type that would have resulted in such Liabilities being included or reflected as liabilities or obligations of WPG or the members of the WPG Group on a pro forma combined balance sheet of the WPG Group or any notes or subledgers thereto as of the Effective Time (were such balance sheet, notes and subledgers to be prepared on a basis consistent with the determination of the Liabilities included on the WPG Balance Sheet), it being understood that (x) the WPG Balance Sheet shall be used to determine the types of, and methodologies used to determine, those Liabilities that are included in the definition of WPG Liabilities pursuant to this subclause (ii), and (y) the amounts set forth on the WPG Balance Sheet with respect to any Liabilities shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Liabilities that are included in the definition of WPG Liabilities pursuant to this subclause (ii);

 

(iii)                                all Liabilities, including any Environmental Liabilities, relating to, arising out of or resulting from the actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time (whether or not such

 

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Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time), in each case to the extent that such Liabilities relate to, arise out of or result from the WPG Business or a WPG Asset;

 

(iv)                               any and all Liabilities that are expressly provided by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be assumed by WPG or any other member of the WPG Group, and all agreements, obligations and Liabilities of any member of the WPG Group under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements;

 

(v)                                  all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the WPG Contracts, the WPG Intellectual Property, the WPG Software, the WPG Technology, the WPG Permits or WPG Financing Arrangements;

 

(vi)                               any and all Liabilities set forth on Schedule 2.3(a) ; and

 

(vii)                            all Liabilities arising out of claims made by any Third Party (including SPG’s or WPG’s respective directors, officers, shareholders, employees and agents) against any member of the SPG Group or the WPG Group to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the WPG Business or the WPG Assets or the other business, operations, activities or Liabilities referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above;

 

provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties agree that the Liabilities set forth on Schedule 2.3(b) , and any Liabilities of any member of the SPG Group pursuant to the Ancillary Agreements, shall not be WPG Liabilities but instead shall be SPG Liabilities.

 

(b)                                  SPG Liabilities .  For the purposes of this Agreement, “ SPG Liabilities ” shall mean (i) all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time (whether or not such Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time) of any member of the SPG Group and, prior to the Effective Time, any member of the WPG Group, in each case that are not WPG Liabilities, including any and all Liabilities set forth on Schedule 2.3(b) ; and (ii) all Liabilities arising out of claims made by any Third Party (including SPG’s or WPG’s respective directors, officers, shareholders, employees and agents) against any member of the SPG Group or the WPG Group to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the SPG Business or the SPG Assets.

 

2.4                                Approvals and Notifications .

 

(a)                                  Approvals and Notifications for WPG Assets .  To the extent that the transfer or assignment of any WPG Asset, the assumption of any WPG Liability, the Separation, or the Distribution requires any Approvals or Notifications, the Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain or make such Approvals or Notifications as soon as reasonably practicable; provided , however , that, except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements or as otherwise agreed between SPG and WPG, neither SPG nor WPG shall be obligated to contribute capital or pay any consideration in any

 

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form (including providing any letter of credit, guaranty or other financial accommodation) to any Person in order to obtain or make such Approvals or Notifications.

 

(b)                                  Delayed WPG Transfers .  If and to the extent that the valid, complete and perfected transfer or assignment to the WPG Group of any WPG Asset or assumption by the WPG Group of any WPG Liability would be a violation of applicable Law or require any Approvals or Notifications in connection with the Separation or the Distribution that has not been obtained or made by the Effective Time, then, unless the Parties mutually shall otherwise determine, the transfer or assignment to the WPG Group of such WPG Assets or the assumption by the WPG Group of such WPG Liabilities, as the case may be, shall be automatically deemed deferred and any such purported transfer, assignment or assumption shall be null and void until such time as all legal impediments are removed or such Approvals or Notifications have been obtained or made.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such WPG Assets or WPG Liabilities shall continue to constitute WPG Assets and WPG Liabilities for all other purposes of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   Treatment of Delayed WPG Assets and Delayed WPG Liabilities .  If any transfer or assignment of any WPG Asset or any assumption of any WPG Liability intended to be transferred, assigned or assumed hereunder, as the case may be, is not consummated on or prior to the Effective Time, whether as a result of the provisions of Section 2.4(b)  or for any other reason (any such WPG Asset, a “ Delayed WPG Asset ” and any such WPG Liability, a “ Delayed WPG Liability ”), then, insofar as reasonably possible and subject to applicable Law, the member of the SPG Group retaining such Delayed WPG Asset or such Delayed WPG Liability, as the case may be, shall thereafter hold such Delayed WPG Asset or Delayed WPG Liability, as the case may be, for the use and benefit or burden, as applicable, of the member of the WPG Group entitled thereto (at the expense of the member of the WPG Group entitled thereto).  In addition, the member of the SPG Group retaining such Delayed WPG Asset or such Delayed WPG Liability shall, insofar as reasonably possible and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, treat such Delayed WPG Asset or Delayed WPG Liability in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice and take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the member of the WPG Group to whom such Delayed WPG Asset is to be transferred or assigned, or which will assume such Delayed WPG Liability, as the case may be, in order to place such member of the WPG Group in a substantially similar position as if such Delayed WPG Asset or Delayed WPG Liability had been transferred, assigned or assumed as contemplated hereby and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to such Delayed WPG Asset or Delayed WPG Liability, as the case may be, including use, risk of loss, potential for gain, and dominion, control and command over such Delayed WPG Asset or Delayed WPG Liability, as the case may be, and all costs and expenses related thereto, shall inure from and after the Effective Time to the WPG Group.

 

(d)                                  Transfer of Delayed WPG Assets and Delayed WPG Liabilities .  If and when the Approvals or Notifications, the absence of which caused the deferral of transfer or assignment of any Delayed WPG Asset or the deferral of assumption of any Delayed WPG Liability pursuant to Section 2.4(b) , are obtained or made, and, if and when any other legal impediments for the transfer or assignment of any Delayed WPG Asset or the assumption of any Delayed WPG Liability have been removed, the transfer or assignment of the applicable Delayed WPG Asset or the assumption of the applicable Delayed WPG Liability, as the case may be,

 

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shall be effected in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and/or the applicable Ancillary Agreement.

 

(e)                                   Costs for Delayed WPG Assets and Delayed WPG Liabilities .  Any member of the SPG Group retaining a Delayed WPG Asset or Delayed WPG Liability due to the deferral of the transfer or assignment of such Delayed WPG Asset or the deferral of the assumption of such Delayed WPG Liability, as the case may be, shall not be obligated, in connection with the foregoing, to expend any money unless the necessary funds are advanced (or otherwise made available) by WPG or the member of the WPG Group entitled to the Delayed WPG Asset or Delayed WPG Liability, other than reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, attorneys’ fees and recording or similar fees, all of which shall be promptly reimbursed by WPG or the member of the WPG Group entitled to such Delayed WPG Asset or Delayed WPG Liability.

 

2.5                                Novation of Liabilities .

 

(a)                                  Except as otherwise provided in the proviso in Section 2.6(a) , each of SPG and WPG, at the request of the other, shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, as soon as reasonably practicable, any consent, substitution, approval or amendment required to novate or assign all WPG Liabilities and obtain in writing the unconditional release of each member of the SPG Group that is a party to any such arrangements, so that, in any such case, the members of the WPG Group shall be solely responsible for such WPG Liabilities; provided , however , that, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, neither SPG nor WPG shall be obligated to contribute any capital or pay any consideration in any form (including providing any letter of credit, guaranty or other financial accommodation) to any third Person from whom any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release is requested.

 

(b)                                  If SPG or WPG is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such required consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release and the applicable member of the SPG Group continues to be bound by such WPG Liability (or any agreement, lease, license or other obligation, in each case, pursuant to which any WPG Liability arises) (each, an “ Unreleased WPG Liability ”), WPG shall, to the extent not prohibited by Law, as indemnitor, guarantor, agent or subcontractor for such member of the SPG Group, as the case may be, (i) pay, perform and discharge fully all of the obligations or other Liabilities of such member of the SPG Group that constitute Unreleased WPG Liabilities from and after the Effective Time and (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such payment, performance or discharge prior to any demand for such payment, performance or discharge is permitted to be made by the obligee thereunder on any member of the SPG Group.  If and when any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release shall be obtained or the Unreleased WPG Liabilities shall otherwise become assignable or able to be novated, SPG shall promptly assign, or cause to be assigned, and WPG or the applicable WPG Group member shall assume, such Unreleased WPG Liabilities without exchange of further consideration.

 

2.6                                Release of Guarantees .  In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the obligations set forth in Section 2.5 :

 

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(a)                                  On or prior to the Effective Time or as soon as practicable thereafter, each of SPG and WPG shall, at the request of the other Party and with the reasonable cooperation of such other Party and the applicable member(s) of such Party’s Group, use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) have any member(s) of the SPG Group removed as guarantor of, indemnitor of or obligor for any WPG Liability to the extent that they relate to WPG Liabilities, including the removal of any Security Interest on or in any SPG Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such WPG Liability; and (ii) have any member(s) of the WPG Group removed as guarantor of, indemnitor of or obligor for any SPG Liability to the extent that they relate to SPG Liabilities, including the removal of any Security Interest on or in any WPG Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such SPG Liability; provided , however , that the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a)(i) shall not apply with respect to any guarantee or indemnity agreement entered into by any member of the SPG Group to support the WPG Surety Bonds until January 1, 2015.

 

(b)                                  To the extent required to obtain a release from a guarantee or indemnity of:

 

(i)                                      any member of the SPG Group, WPG or one or more members of the WPG Group shall execute a guarantee or indemnity agreement in the form of the existing guarantee or indemnity or such other form as is agreed to by the relevant parties to such guarantee or indemnity agreement, which agreement shall include the removal of any Security Interest on or in any SPG Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such WPG Liability, except to the extent that such existing guarantee or indemnity contains representations, covenants or other terms or provisions either (i) with which WPG would be reasonably unable to comply or (ii) which WPG would not reasonably be able to avoid breaching; and

 

(ii)                                   any member of the WPG Group, SPG or one or more members of the SPG Group shall execute a guarantee or indemnity agreement in the form of the existing guarantee or indemnity or such other form as is agreed to by the relevant parties to such guarantee or indemnity agreement, which agreement shall include the removal of any Security Interest on or in any WPG Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such SPG Liability, except to the extent that such existing guarantee contains representations, covenants or other terms or provisions either (i) with which SPG would be reasonably unable to comply or (ii) which SPG would not reasonably be able to avoid breaching.

 

(c)                                   Until such time as SPG or WPG has obtained, or has caused to be obtained, any removal or release as set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 2.6 (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any removal or release with respect to WPG Surety Bonds prior to and after January 1, 2014), (i) the Party or the relevant member of its Group that has assumed the Liability related to such guarantee shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the guarantor or obligor against or from any Liability arising from or relating thereto in accordance with the provisions of Article IV and shall, as agent or subcontractor for such guarantor, indemnitor or obligor, pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such guarantor, indemnitor or obligor thereunder; and (ii) each of SPG and WPG, on behalf of itself and the other members of their respective Group, agree not to renew or extend the term of,

 

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increase any obligations under, or transfer to a Third Party, any loan, guarantee, lease, contract or other obligation for which the other Party or a member of its Group is or may be liable unless all obligations of such other Party and the members of such other Party’s Group with respect thereto are thereupon terminated by documentation satisfactory in form and substance to such other Party.

 

2.7                                Termination of Agreements .

 

(a)                                  Except as set forth in Section 2.7(b) , in furtherance of the releases and other provisions of Section 4.1 , WPG and each member of the WPG Group, on the one hand, and SPG and each member of the SPG Group, on the other hand, hereby terminate any and all agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings, whether or not in writing, between or among WPG and/or any member of the WPG Group, on the one hand, and SPG and/or any member of the SPG Group, on the other hand, effective as of the Effective Time.  No such terminated agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding (including any provision thereof which purports to survive termination) shall be of any further force or effect after the Effective Time.  Each Party shall, at the reasonable request of the other Party, take, or cause to be taken, such other actions as may be necessary to effect the foregoing.

 

(b)                                  The provisions of Section 2.7(a)  shall not apply to any of the following agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings (or to any of the provisions thereof):  (i) this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (and each other agreement or instrument expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to be entered into by any of the Parties or any of the members of their respective Groups or to be continued from and after the Effective Time); (ii) any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings listed or described on Schedule 2.7(b)(ii) ; (iii) any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings to which any Third Party is a party thereto; (iv) any intercompany accounts payable or accounts receivable accrued as of the Effective Time that are reflected in the books and records of the Parties or otherwise documented in writing in accordance with past practices, which shall be settled in the manner contemplated by Section 2.7(c) ; (v) any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings to which any non-wholly owned Subsidiary of SPG or WPG, as the case may be, is a party (it being understood that directors’ qualifying shares or similar interests will be disregarded for purposes of determining whether a Subsidiary is wholly owned); and (vi) any Shared Contracts.

 

(c)                                   All of the intercompany accounts receivable and accounts payable between any member of the SPG Group, on the one hand, and any member of the WPG Group, on the other hand, outstanding as of the Effective Time shall, as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, be repaid, settled or otherwise eliminated by means of cash payments, a dividend, capital contribution, a combination of the foregoing, or otherwise as determined by SPG in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

2.8                                Treatment of Shared Contracts .

 

(a)                                  Subject to applicable Law and without limiting the generality of the obligations set forth in Section 2.1 , unless the Parties otherwise agree or the benefits of any contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding described in this Section 2.8 are

 

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expressly conveyed to the applicable Party pursuant to this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement, any contract or agreement entered into by a member of the SPG Group with a Third Party that is not a WPG Contract, but pursuant to which the WPG Business, as of the Effective Date, has been provided certain revenues or other benefits in respect of the WPG Properties (any such contract or agreement, a “ Shared Contract ”) shall not be assigned in relevant part to the applicable member(s) of the WPG Group or amended  to give the relevant member(s) of the WPG Group any entitlement to such rights and benefits thereunder; provided , however , that the Parties shall, and shall cause each of the members of their respective Groups to, take such other reasonable and permissible actions to cause (i) the relevant member of the WPG Group to receive the rights and benefits previously provided in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, to the WPG Business pursuant to such Shared Contract and (ii) the relevant member of the WPG Group to bear the burden of the corresponding Liabilities under such Shared Contract.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no member of the SPG Group shall be required by this Section 2.8 to maintain in effect any Shared Contract, and no member of the WPG Group shall have any approval or other rights with respect to any amendment, termination or other modification of any Shared Contract.

 

(b)                                  Each of SPG and WPG shall, and shall cause the members of its Group to, (i) treat for all Tax purposes the portion of each Shared Contract inuring to its respective businesses as Assets owned by, and/or Liabilities of, as applicable, such Party, or the members of its Group, as applicable, not later than the Effective Time, and (ii) neither report nor take any Tax position (on a Tax Return or otherwise) inconsistent with such treatment (unless required by applicable Law).

 

2.9                                Bank Accounts; Cash Balances .

 

Except as otherwise provided in the Transition Services Agreement or any Property Management Agreement:

 

(a)                                  Each Party agrees to take, or cause the members of its Group to take, at the Effective Time (or such earlier time as the Parties may agree), all actions necessary to amend all contracts or agreements governing each bank and brokerage account owned by WPG or any other member of the WPG Group (collectively, the “ WPG Accounts ”) and all contracts or agreements governing each bank or brokerage account owned by SPG or any other member of the SPG Group (collectively, the “ SPG Accounts ”) so that each such WPG Account and SPG Account, if currently Linked (whether by automatic withdrawal, automatic deposit or any other authorization to transfer funds from or to, hereinafter “ Linked ”) to any SPG Account or WPG Account, respectively, is de-Linked from such SPG Account or WPG Account, respectively.

 

(b)                                  It is intended that, following consummation of the actions contemplated by Section 2.9(a) , there will be in place a cash management process pursuant to which the WPG Accounts will be managed and funds collected will be transferred into one (1) or more accounts maintained by WPG or a member of the WPG Group.

 

(c)                                   It is intended that, following consummation of the actions contemplated by Section 2.9(a) , there will continue to be in place a cash management process pursuant to

 

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which the SPG Accounts will be managed and funds collected will be transferred into one (1) or more accounts maintained by SPG or a member of the SPG Group.

 

(d)                                  With respect to any outstanding checks issued or payments initiated by SPG, WPG, or any of the members of their respective Groups prior to the Effective Time, such outstanding checks and payments shall be honored following the Effective Time by the Person or Group owning the account on which the check is drawn or from which the payment was initiated, respectively.

 

(e)                                   As between SPG and WPG (and the members of their respective Groups), all payments made and reimbursements received after the Effective Time by either Party (or member of its Group) that relate to a business, Asset or Liability of the other Party (or member of its Group), shall be held by such Party in trust for the use and benefit of the Party entitled thereto and, promptly following receipt by such Party of any such payment or reimbursement, such Party shall pay over, or shall cause the applicable member of its Group to pay over to the other Party the amount of such payment or reimbursement without right of set-off.

 

2.10                         Ancillary Agreements .  Effective on or prior to the Effective Time, each of SPG and WPG will, or will cause the applicable members of their Groups to, execute and deliver all Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party.

 

2.11                         Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties .  EACH OF SPG (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH MEMBER OF THE SPG GROUP) AND WPG (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH MEMBER OF THE WPG GROUP) UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, NO PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR OTHERWISE, IS REPRESENTING OR WARRANTING IN ANY WAY AS TO THE ASSETS, BUSINESSES OR LIABILITIES TRANSFERRED OR ASSUMED AS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, AS TO ANY CONSENTS OR APPROVALS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, AS TO THE VALUE OR FREEDOM FROM ANY SECURITY INTERESTS OF, OR ANY OTHER MATTER CONCERNING, ANY ASSETS OF SUCH PARTY, OR AS TO THE ABSENCE OF ANY DEFENSES OR RIGHT OF SET-OFF OR FREEDOM FROM COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OR OTHER ASSET, INCLUDING ANY ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, OF ANY PARTY, OR AS TO THE LEGAL SUFFICIENCY OF ANY ASSIGNMENT, DOCUMENT OR INSTRUMENT DELIVERED HEREUNDER TO CONVEY TITLE TO ANY ASSET OR THING OF VALUE UPON THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND FILING HEREOF OR THEREOF.  EXCEPT AS MAY EXPRESSLY BE SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, ALL SUCH ASSETS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED ON AN “AS IS, “WHERE IS” BASIS (AND, IN THE CASE OF ANY REAL PROPERTY, BY MEANS OF A QUITCLAIM OR SIMILAR FORM OF DEED OR CONVEYANCE) AND THE RESPECTIVE TRANSFEREES SHALL BEAR THE ECONOMIC AND LEGAL RISKS THAT (I) ANY CONVEYANCE WILL PROVE TO BE INSUFFICIENT TO VEST IN THE TRANSFEREE GOOD AND MARKETABLE TITLE, FREE AND CLEAR OF ANY SECURITY INTEREST, AND (II) ANY NECESSARY APPROVALS OR NOTIFICATIONS ARE NOT OBTAINED OR

 

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MADE OR THAT ANY REQUIREMENTS OF LAWS OR JUDGMENTS ARE NOT COMPLIED WITH.

 

2.12                         WPG Financing Arrangements; Cash Distribution .

 

(a)                                  Prior to and/or immediately after the Effective Time and pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, (i) WPG LP and/or other member(s) of the WPG Group shall assume existing indebtedness of any members of the SPG Group which relate primarily to one or more WPG Properties, as set forth on Schedule 2.12 , (ii) WPG LP and/or other member(s) of the WPG Group will enter into one or more financing arrangements and agreements, as set forth on Schedule 2.12 , pursuant to which they shall borrow an aggregate principal amount of $1.010 billion (as such amount may be adjusted pursuant to Section 2.13(a) ) (the foregoing subclauses (i) and (ii), the “ WPG Financing Arrangements ”), and (iii) WPG and/or other members of the WPG Group shall distribute, convey or otherwise transfer the proceeds from the borrowings described in clause (ii) above to SPG LP and/or other members of the SPG Group (the “ Cash Distribution ”).  SPG and WPG agree to take all necessary actions to assure the full release and discharge of SPG and the other members of the SPG Group from all obligations pursuant to the WPG Financing Arrangements as of no later than the Effective Time.  The parties agree that WPG or another member of the WPG Group, as the case may be, and not SPG or any member of the SPG Group, are and shall be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the WPG Financing Arrangements.

 

(b)                                  Prior to the Effective Time, SPG and WPG shall cooperate in the preparation of all materials as may be necessary or advisable to execute the WPG Financing Arrangements.

 

2.13                         Working Capital Payment .

 

(a)                                  Prior to the Cash Distribution, the Parties shall jointly prepare an estimate of the Net Working Capital Balance, which estimate shall be based on a combined balance sheet of the WPG Business as of April 30, 2014 and adjusted on a pro rata basis based on the average daily cash flow attributable to the WPG Business multiplied by the number of days between April 30, 2014 and the Distribution Date (the “ Estimated Net Working Capital Balance ”).  If the Estimated Net Working Capital Balance is greater than $10 million, the amount of the Cash Distribution shall be increased by the amount of such Estimated Net Working Capital Balance.  If the Estimated Net Working Capital Balance is less than $10 million, the amount of the Cash Distribution set forth in Section 2.13(a)  shall be decreased by the amount of such Estimated Net Working Capital Balance.

 

(b)                                  After the WPG Distribution Date Balance Sheet is jointly determined by the Parties, the Parties will undertake an effort to mutually determine that the amount used for the Estimated Net Working Capital Balance was accurate in all material respects based on the operating results, results of examinations and other timely analysis jointly performed by the Parties after the Distribution Date.  If it is determined that the Net Working Capital Balance (i) is greater than the Estimated Net Working Capital Balance, WPG LP or other applicable members of the WPG Group designated by WPG LP shall distribute, convey or otherwise transfer the amount of such difference to SPG LP or other members of the SPG Group designated by SPG

 

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LP, and (ii) is less than the Estimated Net Working Capital Balance, SPG LP or other applicable members of the SPG Group designated by SPG LP shall distribute, convey or otherwise transfer the amount of such difference to WPG LP or other members of the WPG Group designated by WPG LP.

 

2.14                         Real Estate Taxes .  To the extent that any member of the WPG Group receives a refund of any amount paid prior to the Effective Time to applicable Tax Authorities in respect of Liabilities for real estate Taxes pertaining to the WPG Properties, (i) if such recovered amount exceeds the amount accrued in respect of such refund on the WPG Distribution Date Balance Sheet, WPG LP or the applicable member of the WPG Group designated by WPG LP shall promptly distribute, convey or otherwise transfer the amount of such excess to SPG LP or such other member of the SPG Group designated by SPG LP, and (ii) if such recovered amount is less than the amount accrued in respect of such refund on the WPG Distribution Date Balance Sheet, SPG LP or the applicable member of the SPG Group designated by SPG LP shall promptly distribute, convey or otherwise transfer the amount of such difference to WPG LP or such other member of the WPG Group designated by WPG LP.

 

2.15                         SPG LP Distributions .

 

(a)                                  Prior to the Distribution, in accordance with the Plan of Reorganization, the Parties shall cause the following to occur:

 

(i)                                      WPG shall, in its capacity as the general partner of WPG LP, and SPG LP, as the sole limited partner of WPG LP as of immediately prior to the first SPG LP Distribution, cause the limited partnership agreement of WPG LP to be amended and restated, effective as of immediately prior to the Distribution, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “ WPG LP Partnership Agreement ”);

 

(ii)                                   SPG LP shall, and SPG acting in its capacity as the general partner of SPG LP shall cause SPG LP to, declare and effectuate the SPG LP Distributions;

 

(iii)                                SPG shall thereafter effectuate the SPG Contribution; and

 

(iv)                               WPG, in its capacity as the general partner of WPG LP, shall consent to, and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause, each of the holders of SPG LP Interests who receive WPG LP Interests in the SPG LP Distributions to be admitted as partners in WPG LP, effective as of immediately following the SPG Contribution.

 

(b)                                  No fractional WPG LP Interests will be distributed in connection with the SPG LP Distributions, and in lieu of any such fractional WPG LP Interests, each limited partner of SPG LP who, but for the provisions of this sentence, would be entitled to receive a fractional WPG LP Interest pursuant to the SPG LP Distributions, shall be paid cash, without any interest thereon, as hereinafter provided.  Concurrently with the SPG LP Distributions, WPG LP shall aggregate all fractional WPG LP Interests that would otherwise be distributed in the SPG LP Distributions, and redeem such aggregate amount in exchange for a cash amount equal to the value of such aggregate amount of WPG LP Interests (the “ WPG LP Redemption Amount ”), with the value of each WPG LP Interest deemed to be equal to the per share closing price of common shares of Washington Prime Group Inc. in “regular way trading” on the New York

 

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Stock Exchange on the Distribution Date.  As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, WPG LP shall cause to be distributed to each SPG LP limited partner, in lieu of any fractional WPG LP Interest that such limited partner would have received in the SPG LP Distributions, such limited partner’s pro rata share of the WPG LP Redemption Amount, after deducting any Taxes required to be withheld and applicable transfer Taxes.  Neither SPG LP nor WPG LP will be required to pay any interest on the WPG LP Redemption Amount.

 

2.16                         Financial Information Certifications .  SPG’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (as each is contemplated by the Exchange Act) are currently applicable to the WPG Group insofar as the members of the WPG Group are Subsidiaries of SPG.  In order to enable the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of WPG to make the certifications required of them under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, SPG, as soon as reasonably practicable following the Distribution Date and in any event prior to such time as WPG is required to file its first quarterly report on Form 10-Q, shall provide WPG with one or more certifications with respect to such disclosure controls and procedures, its internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness thereof.  Such certification(s) shall be provided by SPG (and not by any officer or employee in their individual capacity).  With respect to any periods following the Distribution Date, the Parties shall cooperate and discuss in good faith any certifications or other supporting documentation required by WPG.

 

2.17                         Transition Committee .  Prior to the Effective Time, the Parties shall establish a transition committee (the “ Transition Committee ”) that shall consist of an equal number of members from SPG and WPG.  The Transition Committee shall be responsible for monitoring and managing all matters related to any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreements.  The Transition Committee shall have the authority to (a) establish one (1) or more subcommittees from time to time as it deems appropriate or as may be described in any Ancillary Agreements, with each such subcommittee comprised of one (1) or more members of the Transition Committee or one or more employees of either Party or any member of its respective Group, and each such subcommittee having such scope of responsibility as may be determined by the Transition Committee from time to time; (b) delegate to any such committee any of the powers of the Transition Committee; (c) combine, modify the scope of responsibility of, and disband any such subcommittees, and (d) modify or reverse any such delegations.  The Transition Committee shall establish general procedures for managing the responsibilities delegated to it under this Section 2.17 , and may modify such procedures from time to time.  All decisions by the Transition Committee or any subcommittee thereof shall be effective only if mutually agreed by both Parties.  The Parties shall utilize the procedures set forth in Article VII to resolve any matters as to which the Transition Committee is not able to reach a decision.

 

ARTICLE III
THE DISTRIBUTION

 

3.1                                Sole and Absolute Discretion; Cooperation .

 

(a)                                  SPG shall, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine the terms of the Distribution, including the form, structure and terms of any transaction(s) and/or offering(s) to

 

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effect the Distribution and the timing and conditions to the consummation of the Distribution.  In addition, SPG may, at any time and from time to time until the consummation of the Distribution, modify or change the terms of the Distribution, including by accelerating or delaying the timing of the consummation of all or part of the Distribution.  Nothing shall in any way limit SPG’s right to terminate this Agreement or the Distribution as set forth in Article IX or alter the consequences of any such termination from those specified in Article IX .

 

(b)                                  WPG shall cooperate with SPG to accomplish the Distribution and shall, at SPG’s direction, promptly take any and all actions necessary or desirable to effect the Distribution, including in respect of the registration under the Exchange Act of WPG Shares on the Form 10.  SPG shall select any investment bank or manager in connection with the Distribution, as well as any financial printer, solicitation and/or exchange agent and financial, legal, accounting and other advisors for SPG.  WPG and SPG, as the case may be, will provide to the Agent any information required in order to complete the Distribution.

 

3.2                                Actions Prior to the Distribution .  Prior to the Effective Time and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Parties shall take, or cause to be taken, the following actions in connection with the Distribution:

 

(a)                                  Notice to NYSE .  SPG shall, to the extent possible, give the NYSE not less than ten (10) days’ advance notice of the Record Date in compliance with Rule 10b-17 under the Exchange Act.

 

(b)                                  WPG Articles of Incorporation and WPG Bylaws .  On or prior to the Distribution Date, SPG and WPG shall take all necessary actions so that, as of the Effective Time, the WPG Articles of Incorporation and the WPG Bylaws shall become the articles of incorporation and bylaws of WPG, respectively.

 

(c)                                   WPG Directors and Officers .  On or prior to the Distribution Date, SPG and WPG shall take all necessary actions so that as of the Effective Time:  (i) the directors and executive officers of WPG shall be those set forth in the Information Statement mailed to the Record Holders prior to the Distribution Date, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties; (ii) each individual referred to in clause (i) shall have resigned from his or her position, if any, as a member of the SPG Board and/or as an executive officer of SPG; and (iii) WPG shall have such other officers as WPG shall appoint.

 

(d)                                  NYSE Listing .  WPG shall prepare and file, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to have approved, an application for the listing of the WPG Shares to be distributed in the Distribution on the NYSE, subject to official notice of distribution.

 

(e)                                   Securities Law Matters .  WPG shall file any amendments or supplements to the Form 10 as may be necessary or advisable in order to cause the Form 10 to become and remain effective as required by the SEC or federal, state or other applicable securities Laws.  SPG and WPG shall cooperate in preparing, filing with the SEC and causing to become effective registration statements or amendments thereof which are required to reflect the establishment of, or amendments to, any employee benefit and other plans necessary or advisable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.  SPG and

 

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WPG will prepare, and WPG will, to the extent required under applicable Law, file with the SEC any such documentation and any requisite no-action letters which SPG determines are necessary or desirable to effectuate the Distribution, and SPG and WPG shall each use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary approvals from the SEC with respect thereto as soon as practicable.  SPG and WPG shall take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate under the securities or blue sky laws of the United States (and any comparable Laws under any foreign jurisdiction) in connection with the Distribution.

 

(f)                                    Mailing of Information Statement .  SPG shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable after the Form 10 is declared effective under the Exchange Act and the SPG Board has approved the Distribution, cause the Information Statement to be mailed to the Record Holders.

 

(g)                                   The Distribution Agent .  SPG shall enter into a distribution agent agreement with the Agent or otherwise provide instructions to the Agent regarding the Distribution.

 

(h)                                  Stock-Based Employee Benefit Plans .  SPG and WPG shall take all actions as may be necessary to approve the grants of adjusted equity awards by SPG (in respect of SPG shares) and WPG (in respect of WPG shares) in connection with the Distribution in order to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

3.3                                Conditions to the Distribution .

 

(a)                                  The consummation of the Distribution will be subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by SPG in its sole and absolute discretion, of the following conditions:

 

(i)                                      The SEC shall have declared effective the Form 10; no order suspending the effectiveness of the Form 10 shall be in effect; and no proceedings for such purposes shall have been instituted or threatened by the SEC;

 

(ii)                                   The Information Statement shall have been mailed to Record Holders;

 

(iii)                                SPG shall have received an opinion from its outside counsel,  satisfactory to the SPG Board, to the effect that the Contribution and the Distribution, taken together, shall qualify as a transaction that is generally tax free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code;

 

(iv)                               The transfer of the WPG Assets (other than any Delayed WPG Asset) and WPG Liabilities (other than any Delayed WPG Liability) contemplated to be transferred from SPG to WPG on or prior to the Distribution shall have occurred as contemplated by Section 2.1 , and the transfer of the SPG Assets (other than any Delayed SPG Asset) and SPG Liabilities (other than any Delayed SPG Liability) contemplated to be transferred from WPG to SPG on or prior to the Distribution Date shall have occurred as contemplated by Section 2.1 , in each case pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization;

 

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(v)                                  The actions and filings necessary or appropriate under applicable U.S. federal, U.S. state or other securities Laws or blue sky Laws and the rules and regulations thereunder shall have been taken or made, and, where applicable, have become effective or been accepted by the applicable Governmental Authority;

 

(vi)                               Each of the Ancillary Agreements shall have been duly executed and delivered by the applicable parties thereto;

 

(vii)                            No order, injunction or decree issued by any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Separation, the Distribution or any of the transactions related thereto shall be in effect;

 

(viii)                         The WPG Shares to be distributed to the SPG shareholders in the Distribution shall have been accepted for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of distribution;

 

(ix)                               WPG and other members of the WPG Group shall have assumed or entered into, as applicable, the WPG Financing Arrangements and incurred at least $1.0 billion of new indebtedness pursuant thereto, and SPG shall be satisfied in its sole and absolute discretion that, as of the Effective Time, it shall have no further Liability whatsoever with respect to the WPG Financing Arrangements;

 

(x)                                  SPG shall have received an opinion of its outside counsel, satisfactory to the SPG Board, to the effect that the manner in which WPG is organized and its proposed method of operation will enable it to qualify to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 859 of the Code following the Distribution; and

 

(xi)                               No other events or developments shall exist or shall have occurred that, in the judgment of the SPG Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, makes it inadvisable to effect the Separation, the Distribution or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

 

(b)                                  The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of SPG and shall not give rise to or create any duty on the part of SPG or the SPG Board to waive or not waive any such condition or in any way limit SPG’s right to terminate this Agreement as set forth in Article IX or alter the consequences of any such termination from those specified in Article IX .  Any determination made by the SPG Board prior to the Distribution concerning the satisfaction or waiver of any or all of the conditions set forth in Section 3.3(a)  shall be conclusive and binding on the Parties.  If SPG waives any material condition, it shall promptly issue a press release disclosing such fact and file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC describing such waiver.

 

3.4                                The Distribution .

 

(a)                                  Subject to Section 3.3 , on or prior to the Effective Time, WPG will deliver to the Agent, for the benefit of the Record Holders, book-entry transfer authorizations for such number of the outstanding WPG Shares as is necessary to effect the Distribution, and shall cause the transfer agent for the SPG Shares to instruct the Agent to distribute at the Effective Time the

 

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appropriate number of WPG Shares to each such holder or designated transferee or transferees of such holder by way of direct registration in book-entry form.  WPG will not issue paper stock certificates in respect of the WPG Shares.  The Distribution shall be effective at the Effective Time.

 

(b)                                  Subject to Sections 3.3 and 3.4(c) , each Record Holder will be entitled to receive in the Distribution one WPG Share for every two SPG Shares held by such Record Holder on the Record Date, rounded down to the nearest whole number.

 

(c)                                   No fractional shares will be distributed or credited to book-entry accounts in connection with the Distribution, and any such fractional shares interests to which a Record Holder would otherwise be entitled shall not entitle such Record Holder to vote or to any other rights as a stockholder of WPG.  In lieu of any such fractional shares, each Record Holder who, but for the provisions of this Section 3.4(c) , would be entitled to receive a fractional share interest of a WPG Share pursuant to the Distribution, shall be paid cash, without any interest thereon, as hereinafter provided.  As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, SPG shall direct the Agent to determine the number of whole and fractional WPG Shares allocable to each Record Holder, to aggregate all such fractional shares into whole shares, and to sell the whole shares obtained thereby in the open market at the then-prevailing prices on behalf of each Record Holder who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional share interests (with the Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, determining when, how and through which broker-dealer and at what price to make such sales), and to cause to be distributed to each such Record Holder, in lieu of any fractional share, such Record Holder’s or owner’s ratable share of the total proceeds of such sale, after deducting any Taxes required to be withheld and applicable transfer Taxes, and after deducting the costs and expenses of such sale and distribution, including brokers fees and commissions.  None of SPG, WPG or the Agent will be required to guarantee any minimum sale price for the fractional WPG Shares sold in accordance with this Section 3.4(c) .  Neither SPG nor WPG will be required to pay any interest on the proceeds from the sale of fractional shares.  Neither the Agent nor the broker-dealers through which the aggregated fractional shares are sold shall be Affiliates of SPG or WPG.  Solely for purposes of computing fractional share interests pursuant to this Section 3.4(c)  and Section 3.4(d) , the beneficial owner of SPG Shares held of record in the name of a nominee in any nominee account shall be treated as the Record Holder with respect to such shares.

 

(d)                                  Any WPG Shares or cash in lieu of fractional shares with respect to WPG Shares that remain unclaimed by any Record Holder one hundred and eighty (180) days after the Distribution Date shall be delivered to WPG, and WPG shall hold such WPG Shares for the account of such Record Holder, and the Parties agree that all obligations to provide such WPG Shares and cash, if any, in lieu of fractional share interests shall be obligations of WPG, subject in each case to applicable escheat or other abandoned property Laws, and SPG shall have no Liability with respect thereto.

 

(e)                                   Until the WPG Shares are duly transferred in accordance with this Section 3.4 and applicable Law, from and after the Effective Time, WPG will regard the Persons entitled to receive such WPG Shares as record holders of WPG Shares in accordance with the terms of the Distribution without requiring any action on the part of such Persons.  WPG agrees that, subject to any transfers of such shares, from and after the Effective Time (i) each such holder

 

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will be entitled to receive all dividends payable on, and exercise voting rights and all other rights and privileges with respect to, the WPG Shares then held by such holder, and (ii) each such holder will be entitled, without any action on the part of such holder, to receive evidence of ownership of the WPG Shares then held by such holder.

 

ARTICLE IV
MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION

 

4.1                                Release of Pre-Distribution Claims .

 

(a)                                  WPG Release of SPG.  Except as provided in Sections 4.1(c)  and 4.1(d) , effective as of the Effective Time, WPG does hereby, for itself and each other member of the WPG Group, and their respective successors and assigns, and, to the extent permitted by Law, all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been shareholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the WPG Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), remise, release and forever discharge (i) SPG and the members of the SPG Group, and their respective successors and assigns, (ii) all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been shareholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the SPG Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and (iii) all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time are or have been shareholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of a Transferred Entity and who are not, as of immediately following the Effective Time, directors, officers or employees of WPG or a member of the WPG Group, in each case from: (A) all WPG Liabilities, (B) all Liabilities arising from or in connection with the transactions and all other activities to implement the Separation and the Distribution, and (C) all Liabilities arising from or in connection with actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time (whether or not such Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time), in each case to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the WPG Business, the WPG Assets or the WPG Liabilities.

 

(b)                                  SPG Release of WPG.  Except as provided in (i)  Sections 4.1(c)  and 4.1(d) , effective as of the Effective Time, SPG does hereby, for itself and each other member of the SPG Group and their respective successors and assigns, and, to the extent permitted by Law, all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been shareholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the SPG Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), remise, release and forever discharge WPG and the members of the WPG Group and their respective successors and assigns, from (A) all SPG Liabilities, (B) all Liabilities arising from or in connection with the transactions and all other activities to implement the Separation and the Distribution, and (C) all Liabilities arising from or in connection with actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time (whether or not such Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time), in each case to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the SPG Business, the SPG Assets or the SPG Liabilities.

 

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(c)                                   Obligations Not Affected.  Nothing contained in Section 4.1(a)  or 4.1(b)  shall impair any right of any Person to enforce this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings that are specified in Section 2.7(b)  or the applicable Schedules thereto as not to terminate as of the Effective Time, in each case in accordance with its terms.  Nothing contained in Section 4.1(a)  or 4.1(b)  shall release any Person from:

 

(i)                                      any Liability provided in or resulting from any agreement among any members of the SPG Group or the WPG Group that is specified in Section 2.7(b)  or the applicable Schedules thereto as not to terminate as of the Effective Time, or any other Liability specified in Section 2.7(b)  as not to terminate as of the Effective Time;

 

(ii)                                   any Liability, contingent or otherwise, assumed, transferred, assigned or allocated to the Group of which such Person is a member in accordance with, or any other Liability of any member of any Group under, this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement;

 

(iii)                                any Liability for the sale, lease, construction or receipt of goods, property or services purchased, obtained or used in the ordinary course of business by a member of one Group from a member of the other Group prior to the Effective Time;

 

(iv)                               any Liability that the Parties may have with respect to indemnification or contribution or other obligation pursuant to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or otherwise for claims brought against the Parties by third Persons, which Liability shall be governed by the provisions of this Article IV and Article V and, if applicable, the appropriate provisions of the Ancillary Agreements; or

 

(v)                                  any Liability the release of which would result in the release of any Person other than a Person released pursuant to this Section 4.1 .

 

In addition, nothing contained in Section 4.1(a)  shall release any member of the SPG Group from honoring its existing obligations to indemnify any director, officer or employee of WPG who was a director, officer or employee of any member of the SPG Group on or prior to the Effective Time, to the extent such director, officer or employee becomes a named defendant in any Action with respect to which such director, officer or employee was entitled to such indemnification pursuant to such existing obligations; it being understood that, if the underlying obligation giving rise to such Action is a WPG Liability, WPG shall indemnify SPG for such Liability (including SPG’s costs to indemnify the director, officer or employee) in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Article IV .

 

(d)                                  No Claims.  WPG shall not make, and shall not permit any member of the WPG Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against SPG or any other member of the SPG Group, or any other Person released pursuant to Section 4.1(a) , with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 4.1(a) .  SPG shall not make, and shall not permit any other member of the SPG Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification

 

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against WPG or any other member of the WPG Group, or any other Person released pursuant to Section 4.1(b) , with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 4.1(b) .

 

(e)                                   Execution of Further Releases.  At any time at or after the Effective Time, at the request of either Party, the other Party shall cause each member of its respective Group to execute and deliver releases reflecting the provisions of this Section 4.1 .

 

4.2                                            Indemnification by WPG .  Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, WPG LP shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless SPG, SPG LP, each other member of the SPG Group and each of their respective past, present and future directors, officers, employees and agents, in each case in their respective capacities as such, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ SPG Indemnitees ”), from and against any and all Liabilities of the SPG Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from, directly or indirectly, any of the following items (without duplication):

 

(a)                                  any WPG Liability;

 

(b)                                  any failure of WPG, any other member of the WPG Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any WPG Liabilities in accordance with their terms, whether prior to, on or after the Effective Time;

 

(c)                                   any breach by WPG or any other member of the WPG Group of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements;

 

(d)                                  except to the extent it relates to a SPG Liability, any guarantee, indemnification or contribution obligation, surety bond or other credit support agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding for the benefit of any member of the WPG Group by any member of the SPG Group that survives following the Distribution; and

 

(e)                                   any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all information contained in the Form 10, the Information Statement (as amended or supplemented if WPG shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any other Disclosure Document, other than the matters described in clause (e) of Section 4.3 .

 

In order to induce SPG and SPG LP to enter into this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, WPG hereby irrevocably guarantees the due and punctual performance and observance by WPG LP of its obligations contained in this Section 4.2 , subject, in each case, to all of the terms, provisions and conditions herein, and SPG, SPG LP and the other SPG Indemnitees shall not be required to seek recovery pursuant to any set-off of any amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise prior to seeking recovery from WPG; provided that WPG shall in no event be liable for any percentage of indemnification obligations that exceeds its then current ownership percentage in WPG LP.

 

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4.3                                Indemnification by SPG .  Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, SPG LP shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless WPG, WPG LP, each other member of the WPG Group and each of their respective past, present and future directors, officers, employees or agents, in each case in their respective capacities as such, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ WPG Indemnitees ”), from and against any and all Liabilities of the WPG Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from, directly or indirectly, any of the following items (without duplication):

 

(a)                                  any SPG Liability;

 

(b)                                  any failure of SPG, any other member of the SPG Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any SPG Liabilities in accordance with their terms, whether prior to, on or after the Effective Time;

 

(c)                                   any breach by SPG or any other member of the SPG Group of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements;

 

(d)                                  except to the extent it relates to a WPG Liability, any guarantee, indemnification or contribution obligation, surety bond or other credit support agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding for the benefit of any member of the SPG Group by any member of the WPG Group that survives following the Distribution; and

 

(e)                                   any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to statements made explicitly in SPG or any SPG Group member’s name in the Form 10, the Information Statement (as amended or supplemented if WPG shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any other Disclosure Document; it being agreed that the statements set forth on Schedule 4.3(e)  shall be the only statements made explicitly in SPG or any SPG Group member’s name in the Form 10, the Information Statement or any other Disclosure Document, and all other information contained in the Form 10, the Information Statement or any other Disclosure Document shall be deemed to be information supplied by WPG.

 

In order to induce WPG and WPG LP to enter into this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, SPG hereby irrevocably guarantees the due and punctual performance and observance by SPG LP of its obligations contained in this Section 4.3 , subject, in each case, to all of the terms, provisions and conditions herein, and WPG, WPG LP and the other WPG Indemnitees shall not be required to seek recovery pursuant to any set-off of any amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise prior to seeking recovery from SPG; provided that SPG shall in no event be liable for any percentage of indemnification obligations that exceeds its then current ownership percentage in SPG LP.

 

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4.4                                Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts .

 

(a)                                  The Parties intend that any Liability subject to indemnification, contribution or reimbursement pursuant to this Article IV or Article V will be net of Insurance Proceeds or other amounts actually recovered (net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof) from any Person by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in respect of any indemnifiable Liability.  Accordingly, the amount which either Party (an “ Indemnifying Party ”) is required to pay to any Person entitled to indemnification or contribution hereunder (an “ Indemnitee ”) will be reduced by any Insurance Proceeds or other amounts actually recovered (net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof) from any Person by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in respect of the related Liability.  If an Indemnitee receives a payment (an “ Indemnity Payment ”) required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in respect of any Liability and subsequently receives Insurance Proceeds or any other amounts in respect of the related Liability, then the Indemnitee will pay to the Indemnifying Party an amount equal to the excess of the Indemnity Payment received over the amount of the Indemnity Payment that would have been due if the Insurance Proceeds or such other amounts (net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof) had been received, realized or recovered before the Indemnity Payment was made.

 

(b)                                  The Parties agree that an insurer that would otherwise be obligated to pay any claim shall not be relieved of the responsibility with respect thereto or, solely by virtue of any provision contained in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, have any subrogation rights with respect thereto, it being understood that no insurer or any other Third Party shall be entitled to a “windfall” ( i.e. , a benefit they would not be entitled to receive in the absence of the indemnification provisions) by virtue of the indemnification and contribution provisions hereof. Each Party shall, and shall cause the members of its Group to, use commercially reasonable efforts (taking into account the probability of success on the merits and the cost of expending such efforts, including attorneys’ fees and expenses) to collect or recover any Insurance Proceeds that may be collectible or recoverable respecting the Liabilities for which indemnification or contribution may be available under this Article IV .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Indemnifying Party may not delay making any indemnification payment required under the terms of this Agreement, or otherwise satisfying any indemnification obligation, pending the outcome of any Action to collect or recover Insurance Proceeds, and an Indemnitee need not attempt to collect any Insurance Proceeds prior to making a claim for indemnification or contribution or receiving any Indemnity Payment otherwise owed to it under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

 

(c)                                   Any indemnification payment under this Article IV shall be adjusted in accordance with Section 5.03(b) of the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

4.5                                Procedures for Indemnification of Third-Party Claims .

 

(a)                                  Notice of Claims.  If, at or following the date of this Agreement, an Indemnitee shall receive notice or otherwise learn of the assertion by a Person (including any Governmental Authority) who is not a member of the SPG Group or the WPG Group of any claim or of the commencement by any such Person of any Action (collectively, a “ Third-Party Claim ”) with respect to which an Indemnifying Party may be obligated to provide indemnification to such Indemnitee pursuant to Section 4.2 or 4.3 , or any other Section of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, such Indemnitee shall give such Indemnifying Party

 

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written notice thereof as soon as practicable, but in any event within fourteen (14) days (or sooner if the nature of the Third-Party Claim so requires) after becoming aware of such Third-Party Claim.  Any such notice shall describe the Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail, including the facts and circumstances giving rise to such claim for indemnification, and include copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnitee relating to the Third-Party Claim.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of an Indemnitee to provide notice in accordance with this Section 4.5(a)  shall not relieve an Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent to which the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by the Indemnitee’s failure to provide notice in accordance with this Section 4.5(a) .

 

(b)                                  Control of Defense.  An Indemnifying Party may elect to defend (and seek to settle or compromise), at its own expense and with its own counsel, any Third-Party Claim; provided that, prior to the Indemnifying Party assuming and controlling defense of such Third-Party Claim, it shall first confirm to the Indemnitee in writing that, assuming the facts presented to the Indemnifying Party by the Indemnitee being true, the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify the Indemnitee for any such Damages to the extent resulting from, or arising out of, such Third-Party-Claim.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Indemnifying Party assumes such defense and, in the course of defending such Third-Party Claim, (i) the Indemnifying Party discovers that the facts presented at the time the Indemnifying Party acknowledged its indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim were not true in all material respects and (ii) such untruth provides a reasonable basis for asserting that the Indemnifying Party does not have an indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim, then (A) the Indemnifying Party shall not be bound by such acknowledgment, (B) the Indemnifying Party shall promptly thereafter provide the Indemnitee written notice of its assertion that it does not have an indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim, and (C) the Indemnitee shall have the right to assume the defense of such Third-Party Claim.  Within thirty (30) days after the receipt of a notice from an Indemnitee in accordance with Section 4.5(a)  (or sooner, if the nature of the Third-Party Claim so requires), the Indemnifying Party shall provide written notice to the Indemnitee indicating whether the Indemnifying Party shall assume responsibility for defending the Third-Party Claim.  If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending any Third-Party Claim or fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election within thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice from an Indemnitee as provided in Section 4.5(a) , then the Indemnitee that is the subject of such Third-Party Claim shall be entitled to continue to conduct and control the defense of such Third-Party Claim.

 

(c)                                   Allocation of Defense Costs .  If an Indemnifying Party has elected to assume the defense of a Third-Party Claim, then such Indemnifying Party shall be solely liable for all fees and expenses incurred by it in connection with the defense of such Third-Party Claim and shall not be entitled to seek any indemnification or reimbursement from the Indemnitee for any such fees or expenses incurred by the Indemnifying Party during the course of the defense of such Third-Party Claim by such Indemnifying Party, regardless of any subsequent decision by the Indemnifying Party to reject or otherwise abandon its assumption of such defense.  If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending any Third-Party Claim or fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election within thirty (30) days after receipt of a notice from an Indemnitee as provided in Section 4.5(a) , and the Indemnitee conducts and controls the defense of such Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party has an indemnification obligation

 

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with respect to such Third-Party Claim, then the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for all reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense of such Third-Party Claim.

 

(d)                                  Right to Monitor and Participate.  An Indemnitee that does not conduct and control the defense of any Third-Party Claim, or an Indemnifying Party that has failed to elect to defend any Third-Party Claim as contemplated hereby, nevertheless shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel as necessary) of its own choosing to monitor and participate in (but not control) the defense of any Third-Party Claim for which it is a potential Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party, as the case may be, and the provisions of Section 4.5(c)  shall not apply to such fees and expenses.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Sections 6.7 and 6.8 , such Party shall cooperate with the Party entitled to conduct and control the defense of such Third-Party Claim in such defense and make available to the controlling Party, at the non-controlling Party’s expense, all witnesses, information and materials in such Party’s possession or under such Party’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the controlling Party.  In addition to the foregoing, if any Indemnitee shall in good faith determine that such Indemnitee and the Indemnifying Party have actual or potential differing defenses or conflicts of interest between them that make joint representation inappropriate, then the Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel as necessary) and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise, or settlement thereof, and the Indemnifying Party shall bear the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel for all Indemnitees.

 

(e)                                   No Settlement.  Neither Party may settle or compromise any Third-Party Claim for which either Party is seeking to be indemnified hereunder without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, unless such settlement or compromise is solely for monetary damages, does not involve any finding or determination of wrongdoing or violation of Law by the other Party and provides for a full, unconditional and irrevocable release of the other Party from all Liability in connection with the Third-Party Claim.  The Parties hereby agree that if a Party presents the other Party with a written notice containing a proposal to settle or compromise a Third-Party Claim for which either Party is seeking to be indemnified hereunder and the Party receiving such proposal does not respond in any manner to the Party presenting such proposal within thirty (30) days (or within any such shorter time period that may be required by applicable Law or court order) of receipt of such proposal, then the Party receiving such proposal shall be deemed to have consented to the terms of such proposal.

 

(f)                                    Tax Matters Agreement Governs.  The above provisions of this Section 4.5 and the provisions of Section 4.6 do not apply to Taxes (Taxes and Tax matters being governed by the Tax Matters Agreement).  In the case of any conflict between this Agreement and the Tax Matters Agreement in relation to any matters addressed by the Tax Matters Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement shall prevail.

 

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4.6                                Additional Matters .

 

(a)                                  Timing of Payments.  Indemnification or contribution payments in respect of any Liabilities for which an Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Article IV shall be paid reasonably promptly (but in any event within thirty (30) days of the final determination of the amount that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Article IV ) by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnitee as such Liabilities are incurred upon demand by the Indemnitee, including reasonably satisfactory documentation setting forth the basis for the amount of such indemnification or contribution payment, including documentation with respect to calculations made and consideration of any Insurance Proceeds that actually reduce the amount of such Liabilities.  The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Article IV shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Indemnitee, and (ii) the knowledge by the Indemnitee of Liabilities for which it might be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

 

(b)                                  Notice of Direct Claims. Any claim for indemnification or contribution under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement that does not result from a Third-Party Claim shall be asserted by written notice given by the Indemnitee to the applicable Indemnifying Party; provided that the failure by an Indemnitee to so assert any such claim shall not prejudice the ability of the Indemnitee to do so at a later time except to the extent (if any) that the Indemnifying Party is prejudiced thereby.  Such Indemnifying Party shall have a period of thirty (30) days after the receipt of such notice within which to respond thereto.  If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such thirty (30)-day period, such specified claim shall be conclusively deemed a Liability of the Indemnifying Party under this Section 4.6(b)  or, in the case of any written notice in which the amount of the claim (or any portion thereof) is estimated, on such later date when the amount of the claim (or such portion thereof) becomes finally determined.  If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such thirty (30)-day period or rejects such claim in whole or in part, such Indemnitee shall, subject to the provisions of Article VII , be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to such party as contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, as applicable, without prejudice to its continuing rights to pursue indemnification or contribution hereunder.

 

(c)                                   Pursuit of Claims Against Third Parties.  If (i) a Party incurs any Liability arising out of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; (ii) an adequate legal or equitable remedy is not available for any reason against the other Party to satisfy the Liability incurred by the incurring Party; and (iii) a legal or equitable remedy may be available to the other Party against a Third Party for such Liability, then the other Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the incurring Party, at the incurring Party’s expense, to permit the incurring Party to obtain the benefits of such legal or equitable remedy against the Third Party.

 

(d)                                  Subrogation.  In the event of payment by or on behalf of any Indemnifying Party to any Indemnitee in connection with any Third-Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnitee as to any events or circumstances in respect of which such Indemnitee may have any right, defense or claim relating to such Third-Party Claim against any claimant or plaintiff asserting such Third-Party Claim or

 

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against any other Person.  Such Indemnitee shall cooperate with such Indemnifying Party in a reasonable manner, and at the cost and expense of such Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right, defense or claim.

 

(e)                                   Substitution.  In the event of an Action in which the Indemnifying Party is not a named defendant, if either the Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party shall so request, the Parties shall endeavor to substitute the Indemnifying Party for the named defendant.  If such substitution or addition cannot be achieved for any reason or is not requested, the named defendant shall allow the Indemnifying Party to manage the Action as set forth in Section 4.5 and this Section 4.6 , and the Indemnifying Party shall fully indemnify the named defendant against all costs of defending the Action (including court costs, sanctions imposed by a court, attorneys’ fees, experts fees and all other external expenses), the costs of any judgment or settlement and the cost of any interest or penalties relating to any judgment or settlement.

 

4.7                                Right of Contribution .

 

(a)                                  Contribution.  If any right of indemnification contained in Section 4.2 or Section 4.3 is held unenforceable or is unavailable for any reason, or is insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnitee in respect of any Liability for which such Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, then the Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amounts paid or payable by the Indemnitees as a result of such Liability (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and the members of its Group, on the one hand, and the Indemnitees entitled to contribution, on the other hand, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

 

(b)                                  Allocation of Relative Fault.  Solely for purposes of determining relative fault pursuant to this Section 4.7 :  (i) any fault associated with the business conducted with the Delayed WPG Assets or Delayed WPG Liabilities (except for the gross negligence or intentional misconduct of a member of the SPG Group) or with the ownership, operation or activities of the WPG Business prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to be the fault of WPG and the other members of the WPG Group, and no such fault shall be deemed to be the fault of SPG or any other member of the SPG Group; (ii) any fault associated with the business conducted with Delayed SPG Assets or Delayed SPG Liabilities (except for the gross negligence or intentional misconduct of a member of the WPG Group) shall be deemed to be the fault of SPG and the other members of the SPG Group, and no such fault shall be deemed to be the fault of WPG or any other member of the WPG Group; and (iii) any fault associated with the ownership, operation or activities of the SPG Business prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to be the fault of SPG and the other members of the SPG Group, and no such fault shall be deemed to be the fault of WPG or any other member of the WPG Group.

 

4.8                                Covenant Not to Sue .  Each Party hereby covenants and agrees that none of it, the members of such Party’s Group or any Person claiming through it shall bring suit or otherwise assert any claim against any Indemnitee, or assert a defense against any claim asserted by any Indemnitee, before any court, arbitrator, mediator or administrative agency anywhere in the world, alleging that:  (a) the assumption of any WPG Liabilities by WPG or a member of the WPG Group on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements is void or unenforceable for any reason; (b) the retention of any SPG Liabilities by

 

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SPG or a member of the SPG Group on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements is void or unenforceable for any reason; or (c) the provisions of this Article IV are void or unenforceable for any reason.

 

4.9                                Remedies Cumulative .  The remedies provided in this Article IV shall be cumulative and, subject to the provisions of Article VIII , shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnitee of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against any Indemnifying Party.

 

4.10                         Survival of Indemnities .  The rights and obligations of each of SPG and WPG and their respective Indemnitees under this Article IV shall survive (a) the sale or other transfer by either Party or any member of its Group of any assets or businesses or the assignment by it of any liabilities; or (b) any merger, consolidation, business combination, sale of all or substantially all of its Assets, restructuring, recapitalization, reorganization or similar transaction involving either Party or any of the members of its Group.

 

4.11                         Certain Tax Procedures .

 

(a)                                  Indemnification Payments to WPG .

 

(i)                                      With respect to any period in which WPG has made or will make an election to be taxed as a REIT, notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, any indemnification payments to be made to any member of the WPG Group pursuant to Section 4.3 or 4.4 or any indemnification payments to be made to any member of the WPG Group pursuant to any Ancillary Agreement (a “ WPG Indemnity Payment ”) for any calendar year shall not exceed the sum of (1) the amount that is determined will not be gross income of WPG for purposes of the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code for any period in which WPG has made any election to be taxed as a REIT, with such determination to be set forth in an opinion of outside tax counsel selected by WPG, which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to WPG, plus (2) such additional amount that is estimated can be paid to WPG in such taxable year without causing WPG to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code, determined (x) as if the payment of such amount did not constitute income described in Sections 856(c)(2)(A) through (I) and 856(c)(3)(A) through (I) of the Code (“ Qualifying Income ”) and (y) by taking into account any other payments to WPG (and any other relevant member of the WPG Group) during such taxable year that do not constitute Qualifying Income, which determination shall be (A) made by independent tax accountants to WPG, and (B) submitted to and approved by WPG’s outside tax counsel, and (3) in the event that WPG receives a ruling from the IRS to the effect that the receipt of the additional amount of WPG Indemnity Payments otherwise required to be paid either would constitute Qualifying Income or would be excluded from gross income of WPG for purposes of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code (the “ Specified REIT Requirements ”), the aggregate WPG Indemnity Payments otherwise required to be made (determined without regard to this Section 4.11(a) ), less the amount otherwise previously paid under clauses (1) and (2) above.

 

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(ii)                                   SPG shall place (or cause to be placed) the full amount of any WPG Indemnity Payments otherwise required to be made in a mutually agreed escrow account upon mutually acceptable terms, which shall provide that (1) the amount in the escrow account shall be treated as the property of SPG or the applicable member of the SPG Group, unless it is released from such escrow account to any WPG Indemnified Party, (2) all income earned upon the amount in the escrow account shall be treated as the property of SPG or the applicable member of the SPG Group and reported, as and to the extent required by applicable Law, by the escrow agent to the IRS, or any other taxing authority, on IRS Form 1099 or 1042S (or other appropriate form) as income earned by SPG or the applicable member of the SPG Group whether or not said income has been distributed during such taxable year, (3) the amount in the escrow account shall be invested only as determined by SPG in its sole discretion, and (4) any portion thereof shall not be released to any WPG Indemnified Party unless and until SPG receives any of the following:  (A) a letter from WPG’s independent tax accountants indicating the amount that it is estimated can be paid at that time to the WPG Indemnified Parties without causing WPG to fail to meet the Specified REIT Requirements for the taxable year in which the payment would be made, which determination shall be made by such independent tax accountants or (B) an opinion of outside tax counsel selected by WPG, such opinion to be reasonably satisfactory to WPG, to the effect that, based upon a change in applicable Law after the date on which payment was first deferred hereunder, receipt of the additional amount of WPG Indemnification Payments otherwise required to be paid either would be excluded from gross income of WPG for purposes of the Specified REIT Requirements or would constitute Qualifying Income, in either of which events amounts shall be released from the escrow account to the applicable WPG Indemnified Parties in an amount equal to the lesser of the unpaid WPG Indemnification Payments due and owing (determined without regard to this Section 4.11(a) ) or the maximum amount stated in the letter referred to in clause (3)(A) above.

 

(iii)                                Any amount held in escrow pursuant to Section 4.11(a)(ii)  for five (5) years shall be released from such escrow to be used as determined by SPG in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

(iv)                               WPG shall bear all costs and expenses with respect to the escrow.

 

(v)                                  SPG shall cooperate in good faith to amend this Section 4.11(a)  at the reasonable request of WPG in order to (1) maximize the portion of the payments that may be made to the WPG Indemnified Parties hereunder without causing WPG to fail to meet the Specified REIT Requirements, (2) improve WPG’s chances of securing a favorable ruling described in this Section 4.11(a) , or (3) assist WPG in obtaining a favorable opinion from its outside tax counsel or determination from its tax accountants as described in this Section 4.11(a) .  WPG shall reimburse SPG for all reasonable costs and expenses of such cooperation.

 

(b)                                  Indemnification Payments to SPG .

 

(i)                                      With respect to any period in which SPG has made or will make an election to be taxed as a REIT, notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement or

 

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any Ancillary Agreement, any indemnification payments to be made to any member of the SPG Group pursuant to Section 4.2 or 4.4 or any indemnification payments to be made to any member of the SPG Group pursuant to any Ancillary Agreement (a “ SPG Indemnity Payment ”) for any calendar year shall not exceed the sum of (1) the amount that is determined will not be gross income of SPG for purposes of the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code for any period in which SPG has made any election to be taxed as a REIT, with such determination to be set forth in an opinion of outside tax counsel selected by SPG, which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to SPG, plus (2) such additional amount that is estimated can be paid to SPG in such taxable year without causing SPG to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code, determined (x) as if the payment of such amount did not constitute Qualifying Income and (y) by taking into account any other payments to SPG (and any other relevant member of the WPG Group) during such taxable year that do not constitute Qualifying Income, which determination shall be (A) made by independent tax accountants to SPG, and (B) submitted to and approved by SPG’s outside tax counsel, and (3) in the event that SPG receives a ruling from the IRS to the effect that the receipt of the additional amount of SPG Indemnity Payments otherwise required to be paid, either would constitute Qualifying Income or would be excluded from gross income of SPG for purposes of the Specified REIT Requirements, the aggregate SPG Indemnity Payments otherwise required to be made (determined without regard to this Section 4.11(b) ), less the amount otherwise previously paid under clauses (1) and (2) above.

 

(ii)                                   WPG shall place (or cause to be placed) the full amount of any SPG Indemnity Payments otherwise required to be made in a mutually agreed escrow account upon mutually acceptable terms, which shall provide that (1) the amount in the escrow account shall be treated as the property of WPG or the applicable member of the WPG Group, unless it is released from such escrow account to any SPG Indemnified Party, (2) all income earned upon the amount in the escrow account shall be treated as the property of WPG or the applicable member of the WPG Group and reported, as and to the extent required by applicable Law, by the escrow agent to the IRS, or any other taxing authority, on IRS Form 1099 or 1042S (or other appropriate form) as income earned by WPG or the applicable member of the WPG Group whether or not said income has been distributed during such taxable year, (3) the amount in the escrow account shall be invested only as determined by WPG in its sole discretion, and (4) any portion thereof shall not be released to any SPG Indemnified Party unless and until WPG receives any of the following:  (A) a letter from SPG’s independent tax accountants indicating the amount that it is estimated can be paid at that time to the SPG Indemnified Parties without causing SPG to fail to meet the Specified REIT Requirements for the taxable year in which the payment would be made, which determination shall be made by such independent tax accountants or (B) an opinion of outside tax counsel selected by SPG, such opinion to be reasonably satisfactory to SPG, to the effect that, based upon a change in applicable Law after the date on which payment was first deferred hereunder, receipt of the additional amount of SPG Indemnity Payments otherwise required to be paid either would be excluded from gross income of SPG for purposes of the Specified REIT Requirements or would constitute Qualifying Income, in either of which events amounts shall be released from the escrow account to the applicable SPG Indemnified Parties in an amount equal to the lesser of the unpaid SPG Indemnity Payments due and owing

 

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(determined without regard to this Section 4.11(b) ) or the maximum amount stated in the letter referred to in clause (3)(A) above.

 

(iii)                                Any amount held in escrow pursuant to Section 4.11(b)(ii)  for five (5) years shall be released from such escrow to be used as determined by WPG in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

(iv)                               SPG shall bear all costs and expenses with respect to the escrow.

 

(v)                                  WPG shall cooperate in good faith to amend this Section 4.11(b)  at the reasonable request of SPG in order to (1) maximize the portion of the payments that may be made to the SPG Indemnified Parties hereunder without causing SPG to fail to meet the Specified REIT Requirements, (2) improve SPG’s chances of securing a favorable ruling described in this Section 4.11(b) , or (3) assist SPG in obtaining a favorable opinion from its outside tax counsel or determination from its tax accountants as described in this Section 4.11(b) .  SPG shall reimburse WPG for all reasonable costs and expenses of such cooperation.

 

ARTICLE V
CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS

 

5.1                                Insurance Matters .

 

(a)                                  In accordance with the Transition Services Agreement, until January 1, 2015 (the “ Insurance Termination Date ”), SPG and SPG LP shall, and shall cause the relevant members of the SPG Group to, maintain the insurance coverage applicable to the WPG Business pursuant to the terms and conditions and coverages of the existing insurance policies of the SPG Group in effect as of the Effective Time; provided , however , that in no event shall SPG, any other member of the SPG Group or any SPG Indemnitee have any Liability or obligation whatsoever to any member of the WPG Group in the event that any insurance policy or other contract or policy of insurance shall be terminated or otherwise cease to be in effect for any reason, shall be unavailable or inadequate to cover any Liability of any member of the WPG Group for any reason whatsoever or shall not be renewed or extended beyond the current expiration date.  Prior to the Insurance Termination Date, SPG and WPG shall discuss in good faith whether to continue any insurance coverages beyond the Insurance Termination Date and shall cooperate in good faith to provide for an orderly transition of insurance coverage following the Insurance Termination Date; provided , however , that SPG shall not be required to continue any such insurance coverages beyond the Insurance Termination Date.

 

(b)                                  From and after the Effective Time, with respect to any losses, damages and Liability incurred by any member of the WPG Group prior to the Insurance Termination Date, SPG will provide WPG with access to, and WPG may, upon ten (10) days’ prior written notice to SPG, make claims under, SPG’s third-party insurance policies in place prior to the Insurance Termination Date and SPG’s historical policies of insurance, but solely to the extent that such policies provided coverage for members of the WPG Group prior to the Insurance Termination Date; provided that such access to, and the right to make claims under, such

 

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insurance policies, shall be subject to the terms and conditions of such insurance policies, including any limits on coverage or scope, any deductibles and other fees and expenses, and shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(i)                                      WPG shall report any claim to SPG, as promptly as practicable, and in any event in sufficient time so that such claim may be made in accordance with SPG’s claim reporting procedures in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time (or in accordance with any modifications to such procedures after the Effective Time communicated by SPG to WPG in writing);

 

(ii)                                   WPG and the members of the WPG Group shall exclusively bear and be liable for (and neither SPG nor any members of the SPG Group shall have any obligation to repay or reimburse WPG or any member of the WPG Group for), and shall indemnify, hold harmless and reimburse SPG and the members of the SPG Group for, any deductibles, self-insured retention, fees and expenses to the extent resulting from any access to, or any claims made by WPG or any other members of the WPG Group or otherwise made in respect of losses of the WPG Business under, any insurance provided pursuant to this Section 5.1(b) , including any indemnity payments, settlements, judgments, legal fees and allocated claims expenses and claim handling fees, whether such claims are made by members of the WPG Group, its employees or third Persons; and

 

(iii)                                WPG shall exclusively bear and be liable for (and neither SPG nor any members of the SPG Group shall have any obligation to repay or reimburse WPG or any member of the WPG Group for) all uninsured, uncovered, unavailable or uncollectible amounts of all such claims made by WPG or any member of the WPG Group under the policies as provided for in this Section 5.1(b) .  In the event an insurance policy aggregate is exhausted, or believed likely to be exhausted, due to noticed claims, the WPG Group, on the one hand, and the SPG Group, on the other hand, shall be responsible for their pro rata portion of the reinstatement premium, if any, based upon the losses of such Group submitted to SPG’s insurance carrier(s) (including any submissions prior to the Insurance Termination Date).  To the extent that the SPG Group or the WPG Group is allocated more than its pro rata portion of such premium due to the timing of losses submitted to SPG’s insurance carrier(s), the other party shall promptly pay the first party an amount so that each Group has been properly allocated its pro rata portion of the reinstatement premium.  Subject to the following sentence, SPG may elect not to reinstate the policy aggregate.  In the event that, at any time prior to the Insurance Termination Date, SPG elects not to reinstate the policy aggregate, it shall provide prompt written notice to WPG, and WPG may direct SPG in writing to, and SPG shall, in such case, reinstate the policy aggregate; provided that WPG shall be responsible for all reinstatement premiums and other costs associated with such reinstatement.

 

(c)                                   Except as provided in Section 5.1(b) , from and after the Insurance Termination Date, neither WPG nor any member of the WPG Group shall have any rights to or under any of the insurance policies of SPG or any other member of the SPG Group.  At the Insurance Termination Date, WPG shall, unless it has obtained the prior written consent of SPG or SPG LP, have in effect all insurance programs required to comply with WPG’s contractual

 

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obligations and such other insurance policies required by Law or as reasonably necessary or appropriate for companies operating a business similar to WPG’s.  Such insurance programs may include general liability, commercial auto liability, workers’ compensation, employer’s liability, product liability, professional services liability, property, cargo, employment practices liability, employee dishonesty/crime, directors’ and officers’ liability and fiduciary liability.

 

(d)                                  Neither WPG nor any member of the WPG Group, in connection with making a claim under any insurance policy of SPG or any member of the SPG Group pursuant to this Section 5.1 , shall take any action that would be reasonably likely to (i) have an adverse impact on the then-current relationship between SPG or any member of the SPG Group, on the one hand, and the applicable insurance company, on the other hand; (ii) result in the applicable insurance company terminating or reducing coverage, or increasing the amount of any premium owed by SPG or any member of the SPG Group under the applicable insurance policy; or (iii) otherwise compromise, jeopardize or interfere with the rights of SPG or any member of the SPG Group under the applicable insurance policy.

 

(e)                                   All payments and reimbursements by WPG pursuant to this Section 5.1 will be made within fifteen (15) days after WPG’s receipt of an invoice therefor from SPG.  If SPG incurs costs to enforce WPG’s obligations herein, WPG agrees to indemnify and hold harmless SPG for such enforcement costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees pursuant to Section 4.6(b) .  SPG shall retain the exclusive right to control its insurance policies and programs, including the right to exhaust, settle, release, commute, buy-back or otherwise resolve disputes with respect to any of its insurance policies and programs and to amend, modify or waive any rights under any such insurance policies and programs, notwithstanding whether any such policies or programs apply to any WPG Liabilities and/or claims WPG has made or could make in the future, and no member of the WPG Group shall erode, exhaust, settle, release, commute, buyback or otherwise resolve disputes with SPG’s insurers with respect to any of SPG’s insurance policies and programs, or amend, modify or waive any rights under any such insurance policies and programs.  WPG shall cooperate with SPG and share such information as is reasonably necessary in order to permit SPG to manage and conduct its insurance matters as it deems appropriate.  Neither SPG nor any of the members of the SPG Group shall have any obligation to secure extended reporting for any claims under any Liability policies of SPG or any member of the SPG Group for any acts or omissions by any member of the WPG Group incurred prior to the Insurance Termination Date.

 

(f)                                    This Agreement shall not be considered as an attempted assignment of any policy of insurance or as a contract of insurance and shall not be construed to waive any right or remedy of any member of the SPG Group in respect of any insurance policy or any other contract or policy of insurance.

 

(g)                                   WPG does hereby, for itself and each other member of the WPG Group, agree that no member of the SPG Group shall have any Liability whatsoever as a result of the insurance policies and practices of SPG and the members of the SPG Group as in effect at any time, including as a result of the level or scope of any such insurance, the creditworthiness of any insurance carrier, the terms and conditions of any policy, the adequacy or timeliness of any notice to any insurance carrier with respect to any claim or potential claim or otherwise.

 

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5.2                                            Late Payments .  Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, any amount not paid when due pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (and any amounts billed or otherwise invoiced or demanded and properly payable that are not paid within thirty (30) days of such bill, invoice or other demand) shall accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to Prime Rate plus two (2%) percent.

 

5.3                                            Treatment of Payments for Tax Purposes .  For all tax purposes, the Parties agree to treat (i) any payment required by this Agreement (other than payments with respect to interest accruing after the Effective Time) as either a contribution by SPG LP to WPG LP or a distribution by WPG LP to SPG LP, as the case may be, occurring immediately prior to the first SPG LP Distribution or as a payment of an assumed or retained Liability; and (ii) any payment of interest as taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the Party entitled under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under this Agreement to make such payment, in either case except as otherwise required by applicable Law.

 

5.4                                            Inducement .  WPG acknowledges and agrees that SPG’s willingness to cause, effect and consummate the Separation and the Distribution has been conditioned upon and induced by WPG’s covenants and agreements in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, including WPG’s assumption of the WPG Liabilities pursuant to the Separation and the provisions of this Agreement and WPG’s covenants and agreements contained in Article IV .

 

5.5                                            Post-Effective Time Conduct .  The Parties acknowledge that, after the Effective Time, each Party shall be independent of the other Party, with responsibility for its own actions and inactions and its own Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the conduct of its business, operations and activities following the Effective Time, except as may otherwise be provided in any Ancillary Agreement, and each Party shall (except as otherwise provided in Article IV ) use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent such Liabilities from being inappropriately borne by the other Party.

 

5.6                                            Non-Solicitation Covenant .  For a period of two (2) years from and after the Effective Time, WPG shall not, and shall procure that the other members of the WPG Group shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit or hire any employees of the SPG Group who have been engaged in providing services to the Group pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement,  any Property Management Agreements or any Property Development Agreements, without the prior written consent of SPG; provided , however , that (i) an individual shall not be deemed to have been solicited for employment or hired in violation of this Section 5.6 if such employee has ceased to be employed by any member of the SPG Group for at least six (6) months prior to the date when any solicitation activity occurs, and (ii) this Section 5.6 shall not prohibit any general offers of employment to the public, including through a bona fide search firm, so long as it is not specifically targeted toward employees of the SPG Group.  In the event that WPG or any other member of the WPG Group seeks to terminate substantially all of the Property Management Agreements and Property Development Agreements (taken together as a whole), WPG shall notify SPG LP and the Parties shall thereafter consult with each other to determine whether any SPG employees shall become WPG employees in connection with such termination.

 

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ARTICLE VI
EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY

 

6.1                                Agreement for Exchange of Information .

 

(a)                                  Subject to Section 6.9 and any other applicable confidentiality obligations, each of SPG and WPG, on behalf of itself and each member of its Group, agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide or make available, or cause to be provided or made available, to the other Party and the members of such other Party’s Group, at any time before, on or after the Effective Time, as soon as reasonably practicable after written request therefor, any information (or a copy thereof) in the possession or under the control of such Party or its Group which the requesting Party or its Group to the extent that (i) such information relates to the WPG Business, or any WPG Asset or WPG Liability, if WPG is the requesting Party, or to the SPG Business, or any SPG Asset or SPG Liability, if SPG is the requesting Party; (ii) such information is required by the requesting Party to comply with its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; or (iii) such information is required by the requesting Party to comply with any obligation imposed by any Governmental Authority; provided , however , that, in the event that the Party to whom the request has been made determines that any such provision of information could be detrimental to the Party providing the information, violate any Law or agreement, or waive any privilege available under applicable Law, including any attorney-client privilege, then the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to permit compliance with such obligations to the extent and in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence.  The Party providing information pursuant to this Section 6.1 shall only be obligated to provide such information in the form, condition and format in which it then exists, and in no event shall such Party be required to perform any improvement, modification, conversion, updating or reformatting of any such information, and nothing in this Section 6.1 shall expand the obligations of a Party under Section 6.4 .

 

(b)                                  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, until the first WPG fiscal year-end occurring after the Effective Time (and for a reasonable period of time afterwards as required for each Party to prepare consolidated financial statements or complete a financial statement audit for the fiscal year during which the Distribution Date occurs), each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the other Party’s information requests to enable (i) the other Party to meet its timetable for dissemination of its earnings releases, financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures and its internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Items 307 and 308, respectively, of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act; and (ii) the other Party’s accountants to timely complete their review of the quarterly financial statements and audit of the annual financial statements, including, to the extent applicable to such Party, its auditor’s audit of its internal control over financial reporting and management’s assessment thereof in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the SEC’s and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s rules and auditing standards thereunder and any other applicable Laws.

 

6.2                                            Ownership of Information .  The provision of any information pursuant to Section 6.1 or Section 6.7 shall not affect the ownership of such information (which shall be

 

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determined solely in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements), or constitute a grant of rights in or to any such information.

 

6.3                                            Compensation for Providing Information .  The Party requesting information agrees to reimburse the other Party for the reasonable costs, if any, of creating, gathering, copying, transporting and otherwise complying with the request with respect to such information (including any reasonable costs and expenses incurred in any review of information for purposes of protecting the Privileged Information of the providing Party or in connection with the restoration of backup media for purposes of providing the requested information).  Except as may be otherwise specifically provided elsewhere in this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement between the Parties, such costs shall be computed in accordance with the providing Party’s standard methodology and procedures.

 

6.4                                            Record Retention .  To facilitate the possible exchange of information pursuant to this Article VI and other provisions of this Agreement after the Effective Time, the Parties agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts, which shall be no less rigorous than those used for retention of such Party’s own information, to retain all information in their respective possession or control on the Effective Time in accordance with the policies of SPG as in effect on the Effective Time or such other policies as may be adopted by SPG after the Effective Time ( provided , in the case of WPG, that SPG notifies WPG of any such change); provided , however , that in the case of any information relating to Taxes, such retention period shall be extended to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (giving effect to any extensions thereof).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Tax Matters Agreement will govern the retention of Tax-related records.

 

6.5                                            Limitations of Liability .  Neither Party shall have any Liability to the other Party in the event that any information exchanged or provided pursuant to this Agreement is found to be inaccurate in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Party providing such information.  Neither Party shall have any Liability to any other Party if any information is destroyed after commercially reasonable efforts by such Party to comply with the provisions of Section 6.4 .

 

6.6                                Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information .

 

(a)                                  The rights and obligations granted under this Article VI are subject to any specific limitations, qualifications or additional provisions on the sharing, exchange, retention or confidential treatment of information set forth in any Ancillary Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Any party that receives, pursuant to a request for information in accordance with this Article VI , Tangible Information that is not relevant to its request shall, at the request of the providing Party, (i) return it to the providing Party or, at the providing Party’s request, destroy such Tangible Information; and (ii) deliver to the providing Party written confirmation that such Tangible Information was returned or destroyed, as the case may be, which confirmation shall be signed by an authorized representative of the requesting Party.

 

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6.7                                Production of Witnesses; Records; Cooperation .

 

(a)                                  After the Effective Time, except in the case of an adversarial Action or Dispute between SPG and WPG, or any members of their respective Groups, each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the other Party, upon written request, the former, current and future directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents of the members of its respective Group as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available without undue burden, to the extent that any such person (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents) or books, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with any Action in which the requesting Party (or member of its Group) may from time to time be involved, regardless of whether such Action is a matter with respect to which indemnification may be sought hereunder.  The requesting Party shall bear all costs and expenses in connection therewith.

 

(b)                                  If an Indemnifying Party chooses to defend or to seek to compromise or settle any Third-Party Claim, the other Party shall make available to such Indemnifying Party, upon written request, the former, current and future directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents of the members of its respective Group as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available without undue burden, to the extent that any such person (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents) or books, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with such defense, settlement or compromise, or such prosecution, evaluation or pursuit, as the case may be, and shall otherwise cooperate in such defense, settlement or compromise, or such prosecution, evaluation or pursuit, as the case may be.

 

(c)                                   Without limiting the foregoing, the Parties shall cooperate and consult to the extent reasonably necessary with respect to any Actions.

 

(d)                                  Without limiting any provision of this Section 6.7 , each of the Parties agrees to cooperate, and to cause each member of its respective Group to cooperate, with each other in the defense of any infringement or similar claim with respect any Intellectual Property and shall not claim to acknowledge, or permit any member of its respective Group to claim to acknowledge, the validity or infringing use of any Intellectual Property of a third Person in a manner that would hamper or undermine the defense of such infringement or similar claim.

 

(e)                                   The obligation of the Parties to provide witnesses pursuant to this Section 6.7 is intended to be interpreted in a manner so as to facilitate cooperation and shall include the obligation to provide as witnesses, inventors and other officers without regard to whether the witness or the employer of the witness could assert a possible business conflict (subject to the exception set forth in the first sentence of Section 6.7(a) ).

 

6.8                                Privileged Matters .

 

(a)                                  The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services that have been and will be provided prior to the Effective Time have been and will be rendered for the

 

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collective benefit of each of the members of the SPG Group and the WPG Group, and that each of the members of the SPG Group and the WPG Group should be deemed to be the client with respect to such services for the purposes of asserting all privileges which may be asserted under applicable Law in connection therewith.  The parties recognize that legal and other professional services will be provided following the Effective Time, which services will be rendered solely for the benefit of the SPG Group or the WPG Group, as the case may be.

 

(b)                                  The Parties agree as follows:

 

(i)                                      SPG shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any Privileged Information that relates solely to the SPG Business and not to the WPG Business, whether or not the Privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the SPG Group or any member of the WPG Group.  SPG shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any Privileged Information that relates solely to any SPG Liabilities resulting from any Actions that are now pending or may be asserted in the future, whether or not the Privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the SPG Group or any member of the WPG Group;

 

(ii)                                   WPG shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any Privileged Information that relates solely to the WPG Business and not to the SPG Business, whether or not the Privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the WPG Group or any member of the SPG Group.  WPG shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any Privileged Information that relates solely to any WPG Liabilities resulting from any Actions that are now pending or may be asserted in the future, whether or not the privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the WPG Group or any member of the SPG Group; and

 

(iii)                                if the Parties do not agree as to whether certain information is Privileged Information, then such information shall be treated as Privileged Information, and the Party that believes that such information is Privileged Information shall be entitled to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any such information unless the Parties otherwise agree.  The Parties shall use the procedures set forth in Article VII to resolve any disputes as to whether any information relates solely to the SPG Business, solely to the WPG Business, or to both the SPG Business and the WPG Business.

 

(c)                                   Subject to the remaining provisions of this Section 6.8 , the Parties agree that they shall have a shared privilege or immunity with respect to all privileges and immunities not allocated pursuant to Section 6.8(b)  and all privileges and immunities relating to any Actions or other matters that involve both Parties (or one or more members of their respective Groups) and in respect of which both Parties have Liabilities under this Agreement, and that no such shared privilege or immunity may be waived by either Party without the consent of the other Party.

 

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(d)                                  If any Dispute arises between the Parties or any members of their respective Group regarding whether a privilege or immunity should be waived to protect or advance the interests of either Party and/or any member of their respective Group, each Party agrees that it shall (i) negotiate with the other Party in good faith; (ii) endeavor to minimize any prejudice to the rights of the other Party; and (iii) not unreasonably withhold consent to any request for waiver by the other Party.  Further, each Party specifically agrees that it shall not withhold its consent to the waiver of a privilege or immunity for any purpose except in good faith to protect its own legitimate interests.

 

(e)                                   In the event of any adversarial Action or Dispute between SPG and WPG, or any members of their respective Groups, either Party may waive a privilege in which the other Party or member of such other Party’s Group has a shared privilege, without obtaining consent pursuant to Section 6.8(c) ; provided that such waiver of a shared privilege shall be effective only as to the use of information with respect to the Action between the Parties and/or the applicable members of their respective Groups, and shall not operate as a waiver of the shared privilege with respect to any Third Party.

 

(f)                                    Upon receipt by either Party, or by any member of its respective Group, of any subpoena, discovery or other request that may reasonably be expected to result in the production or disclosure of Privileged Information subject to a shared privilege or immunity or as to which another Party has the sole right hereunder to assert a privilege or immunity, or if either Party obtains knowledge that any of its, or any member of its respective Group’s, current or former directors, officers, agents or employees have received any subpoena, discovery or other requests that may reasonably be expected to result in the production or disclosure of such Privileged Information, such Party shall promptly notify the other Party of the existence of the request (which notice shall be delivered to such other Party no later than five (5) business days following the receipt of any such subpoena, discovery or other request) and shall provide the other Party a reasonable opportunity to review the Privileged Information and to assert any rights it or they may have under this Section 6.8 or otherwise, to prevent the production or disclosure of such Privileged Information.

 

(g)                                   Any furnishing of, or access or transfer of, any information pursuant to this Agreement is made in reliance on the agreement of SPG and WPG set forth in this Section 6.8 and in Section 6.9 to maintain the confidentiality of Privileged Information and to assert and maintain all applicable privileges and immunities.  The Parties agree that their respective rights to any access to information, witnesses and other Persons, the furnishing of notices and documents and other cooperative efforts between the Parties contemplated by this Agreement, and the transfer of Privileged Information between the Parties and members of their respective Groups pursuant to this Agreement, shall not be deemed a waiver of any privilege that has been or may be asserted under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

(h)                                  In connection with any matter contemplated by Section 6.7 or this Section 6.8 , the Parties agree to, and to cause the applicable members of their Group to, use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain their respective separate and joint privileges and immunities, including by executing joint defense and/or common interest agreements where necessary or useful for this purpose.

 

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6.9                                Confidentiality .

 

(a)                                  Confidentiality.  Subject to Section 6.10 , from and after the Effective Time until the five (5)-year anniversary of the Effective Time, each of SPG and WPG, on behalf of itself and each member of its respective Group, agrees to hold, and to cause its respective Representatives to hold, in strict confidence, with at least the same degree of care that applies to SPG’s confidential and proprietary information pursuant to policies in effect as of the Effective Time, all confidential and proprietary information concerning the other Party or any member of the other Party’s Group or their respective businesses that is either in its possession (including confidential and proprietary information in its possession prior to the date hereof) or furnished by any such other Party or any member of such Party’s Group or their respective Representatives at any time pursuant to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or otherwise, and shall not use any such confidential and proprietary information other than for such purposes as shall be expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder, except, in each case, to the extent that such confidential and proprietary information has been (i) in the public domain or generally available to the public, other than as a result of a disclosure by such Party or any member of such Party’s Group or any of their respective Representatives in violation of this Agreement, (ii) later lawfully acquired from other sources by such Party (or any member of such Party’s Group) which sources are not themselves bound by a confidentiality obligation or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality with respect to such confidential and proprietary information, or (iii) independently developed or generated without reference to or use of any proprietary or confidential information of the other Party or any member of such Party’s Group.  If any confidential and proprietary information of one Party or any member of its Group is disclosed to the other Party or any member of such other Party’s Group in connection with providing services to such first Party or any member of such first Party’s Group under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, then such disclosed confidential and proprietary information shall be used only as required to perform such services.

 

(b)                                  No Release; Return or Destruction.  Each Party agrees not to release or disclose, or permit to be released or disclosed, any information addressed in Section 6.9(a)  to any other Person, except its Representatives who need to know such information in their capacities as such (who shall be advised of their obligations hereunder with respect to such information), and except in compliance with Section 6.10 .  Without limiting the foregoing, when any such information is no longer needed for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, each Party will promptly after request of the other Party either return to the other Party all such information in a tangible form (including all copies thereof and all notes, extracts or summaries based thereon) or notify the other Party in writing that it has destroyed such information (and such copies thereof and such notes, extracts or summaries based thereon).

 

(c)                                   Third-Party Information; Privacy or Data Protection Laws.  Each Party acknowledges that it and members of its Group may presently have and, following the Effective Time, may gain access to or possession of confidential or proprietary information of, or personal information relating to, Third Parties (i) that was received under confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements entered into between such Third Parties, on the one hand, and the other Party or members of such Party’s Group, on the other hand, prior to the Effective Time; or (ii) that, as between the two Parties, was originally collected by the other Party or members of such Party’s Group and that may be subject to and protected by privacy, data protection or other applicable

 

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Laws.  Each Party agrees that it shall hold, protect and use, and shall cause the members of its Group and its and their respective Representatives to hold, protect and use, in strict confidence the confidential and proprietary information of, or personal information relating to, Third Parties in accordance with privacy, data protection or other applicable Laws and the terms of any agreements that were either entered into before the Effective Time or affirmative commitments or representations that were made before the Effective Time by, between or among the other Party or members of the other Party’s Group, on the one hand, and such Third Parties, on the other hand.

 

6.10                                     Protective Arrangements .  In the event that a Party or any member of its Group either determines on the advice of its counsel that it is required to disclose any information pursuant to applicable Law or receives any request or demand under lawful process or from any Governmental Authority to disclose or provide information of the other Party (or any member of the other Party’s Group) that is subject to the confidentiality provisions hereof, such Party shall notify the other Party (to the extent legally permitted) as promptly as practicable under the circumstances prior to disclosing or providing such information and shall cooperate, at the expense of the other Party, in seeking any appropriate protective order requested by the other Party.  In the event that such other Party fails to receive such appropriate protective order in a timely manner and the Party receiving the request or demand reasonably determines that its failure to disclose or provide such information shall actually prejudice the Party receiving the request or demand, then the Party that received such request or demand may thereafter disclose or provide information to the extent required by such Law (as so advised by its counsel) or by lawful process or such Governmental Authority, and the disclosing Party shall promptly provide the other Party with a copy of the information so disclosed, in the same form and format so disclosed, together with a list of all Persons to whom such information was disclosed, in each case to the extent legally permitted.

 

ARTICLE VII
DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

7.1                                            Good-Faith Negotiation .  Subject to Section 7.4 , either Party seeking resolution of any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or Ancillary Agreement (including regarding whether any Assets are WPG Assets, any Liabilities are WPG Liabilities or the validity, interpretation, breach or termination of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement) (a “ Dispute ”), shall provide written notice thereof to the other Party (the “ Initial Notice ”), and within thirty (30) days of the delivery of the Initial Notice, the Parties shall attempt in good faith to negotiate a resolution of the Dispute.  The negotiations shall be conducted by executives who hold, at a minimum, the title of vice president and who have the authority to settle the Dispute.  All such negotiations shall be confidential and shall be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for purposes of applicable rules of evidence.  If the Parties are unable for any reason to resolve a Dispute within thirty (30) days after the delivery of such notice or if a Party reasonably concludes that the other Party is not willing to negotiate as contemplated by this Section 7.1 , the Dispute shall be submitted to mediation in accordance with Section 7.2 .

 

7.2                                            Mediation .  Any Dispute not resolved pursuant to Section 7.1 shall, at the written request of a Party (a “ Mediation Request ”), be submitted to nonbinding mediation in

 

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accordance with the then current International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (“ CPR ”) Mediation Procedure, except as modified herein.  The mediation shall be held in (i) Indianapolis, Indiana or (ii) such other place as the Parties may mutually agree in writing.  The Parties shall have twenty (20) days from receipt by a Party of a Mediation Request to agree on a mediator.  If no mediator has been agreed upon by the Parties within twenty (20) days of receipt by a party of a Mediation Request, then a Party may request (on written notice to the other Party), that CPR appoint a mediator in accordance with the CPR Mediation Procedure.  All mediation pursuant to this clause shall be confidential and shall be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for purposes of applicable rules of evidence, and no oral or documentary representations made by the Parties during such mediation shall be admissible for any purpose in any subsequent proceedings.  No Party shall disclose or permit the disclosure of any information about the evidence adduced or the documents produced by the other Party in the mediation proceedings or about the existence, contents or results of the mediation without the prior written consent of such other Party, except in the course of a judicial or regulatory proceeding or as may be required by Law or requested by a Governmental Authority or securities exchange.  Before making any disclosure permitted by the preceding sentence, the Party intending to make such disclosure shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, give the other Party reasonable written notice of the intended disclosure and afford the other party a reasonable opportunity to protect its interests.  If the Dispute has not been resolved within sixty (60) days of the appointment of a mediator, or within ninety (90) days after receipt by a Party of a Mediation Request (whichever occurs sooner), or within such longer period as the Parties may agree to in writing, then the Dispute shall be submitted to binding arbitration in accordance with Section 7.3 .

 

7.3                                Arbitration .

 

(a)                                  In the event that a Dispute has not been resolved within sixty (60) days of the appointment of a mediator in accordance with Section 7.2 , or within ninety (90) days after receipt by a Party of a Mediation Request (whichever occurs sooner), or within such longer period as the Parties may agree to in writing, then such Dispute shall, upon the written request of a Party (the “ Arbitration Request ”) be submitted to be finally resolved by binding arbitration pursuant to the CPR Arbitration Procedure.  The arbitration shall be held in the same location as the mediation pursuant to Section 7.2 .  Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties in writing, any Dispute to be decided pursuant to this Section 7.3 will be decided (i) before a sole arbitrator if the amount in dispute, inclusive of all claims and counterclaims, totals less than $5 million; or (ii) by a panel of three (3) arbitrators if the amount in dispute, inclusive of all claims and counterclaims, totals $5 million or more.

 

(b)                                  The panel of three (3) arbitrators will be chosen as follows:  (i) within fifteen (15) days from the date of the receipt of the Arbitration Request, each Party will name an arbitrator; and (ii) the two (2) Party-appointed arbitrators will thereafter, within thirty (30) days from the date on which the second of the two (2) arbitrators was named, name a third, independent arbitrator who will act as chairperson of the arbitral tribunal.  In the event that either Party fails to name an arbitrator within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of the Arbitration Request, then upon written application by either Party, that arbitrator shall be appointed pursuant to the CPR Arbitration Procedure.  In the event that the two (2) Party-appointed arbitrators fail to appoint the third, then the third, independent arbitrator will be appointed pursuant to the CPR Arbitration Procedure.  If the arbitration will be before a sole

 

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independent arbitrator, then the sole independent arbitrator will be appointed by agreement of the Parties within fifteen (15) days of the date of receipt of the Arbitration Request.  If the Parties cannot agree to a sole independent arbitrator, then upon written application by either party, the sole independent arbitrator will be appointed pursuant to the CPR Arbitration Procedure.

 

(c)                                   The arbitrator(s) will have the right to award, on an interim basis, or include in the final award, any relief which it deems proper in the circumstances, including money damages (with interest on unpaid amounts from the due date), injunctive relief (including specific performance) and attorneys’ fees and costs; provided that the arbitrator(s) will not award any relief not specifically requested by the parties and, in any event, will not award any indirect, punitive, exemplary, remote, speculative or similar damages in excess of compensatory damages of the other arising in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (other than any such Liability with respect to a Third-Party Claim).  Upon selection of the arbitrator(s) following any grant of interim relief by a special arbitrator or court pursuant to Section 7.4 , the arbitrator(s) may affirm or disaffirm that relief, and the parties will seek modification or rescission of the order entered by the court as necessary to accord with the decision of the arbitrator(s).  The award of the arbitrator(s) shall be final and binding on the Parties, and may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.  The initiation of mediation or arbitration pursuant to this Article VII will toll the applicable statute of limitations for the duration of any such proceedings.

 

7.4                                            Litigation and Unilateral Commencement of Arbitration .  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article VII , (a) a Party may seek preliminary provisional or injunctive judicial relief with respect to a Dispute without first complying with the procedures set forth in Section 7.1 , Section 7.2 and Section 7.3 if such action is reasonably necessary to avoid irreparable damage and (b) either Party may initiate arbitration before the expiration of the periods specified in Section 7.2 and Section 7.3 if (i) such Party has submitted a Mediation Request or Arbitration Request, as applicable, and the other party has failed, within the applicable periods set forth in Section 7.3 , to agree upon a date for the first mediation session to take place within thirty (30) days after the appointment of such mediator or such longer period as the Parties may agree to in writing or (ii) such Party has failed to comply with Section 7.3 in good faith with respect to commencement and engagement in arbitration.  In such event, the other Party may commence and prosecute such arbitration unilaterally in accordance with the CPR Arbitration Procedure.

 

7.5                                            Conduct During Dispute Resolution Process .  Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, the Parties shall, and shall cause their respective members of their Group to, continue to honor all commitments under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to the extent required by such agreements during the course of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Article VII , unless such commitments are the specific subject of the Dispute at issue.

 

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ARTICLE VIII
FURTHER ASSURANCES AND ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

 

8.1                                Further Assurances .

 

(a)                                  In addition to the actions specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, each of the Parties shall use its reasonable best efforts, prior to, on and after the Effective Time, to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws, regulations and agreements to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

 

(b)                                  Without limiting the foregoing, prior to, on and after the Effective Time, each Party hereto shall cooperate with the other Party, and without any further consideration, but at the expense of the requesting Party, to execute and deliver, or use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be executed and delivered, all instruments, including instruments of conveyance, assignment and transfer, and to make all filings with, and to obtain all Approvals or Notifications of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person under any permit, license, agreement, indenture or other instrument (including any consents or Governmental Approvals), and to take all such other actions as such Party may reasonably be requested to take by the other Party from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, in order to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the transfers of the WPG Assets and the SPG Assets and the assignment and assumption of the WPG Liabilities and the SPG Liabilities and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  Without limiting the foregoing, each Party will, at the reasonable request, cost and expense of the other Party, take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to vest in such other Party good and marketable title to the Assets allocated to such Party under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, free and clear of any Security Interest, if and to the extent it is practicable to do so.

 

(c)                                   On or prior to the Effective Time, SPG and WPG in their respective capacities as direct and indirect shareholders of the members of their Groups, shall each ratify any actions which are reasonably necessary or desirable to be taken by SPG, WPG or any of the members of their respective Groups, as the case may be, to effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

 

(d)                                  SPG and WPG, and each of the members of their respective Groups, waive (and agree not to assert against any of the others) any claim or demand that any of them may have against any of the others for any Liabilities or other claims relating to or arising out of:  (i) the failure of WPG or any other member of the WPG Group, on the one hand, or of SPG or any other member of the SPG Group, on the other hand, to provide any notification or disclosure required under any state Environmental Law in connection with the Separation or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the transfer by any member of any Group to any member of the other Group of ownership or operational control of any Assets not previously owned or operated by such transferee; or (ii) any inadequate, incorrect or incomplete notification or disclosure under any such state Environmental Law by the applicable transferor.  To the extent any Liability to any Governmental Authority or any third Person arises out of any

 

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action or inaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above, the transferee of the applicable Asset hereby assumes and agrees to pay any such Liability.

 

ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION

 

9.1                                            Termination .  This Agreement and all Ancillary Agreements may be terminated and the Distribution may be amended, modified or abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by SPG, in its sole and absolute discretion, without the approval or consent of any other Person, including WPG or WPG LP.  After the Effective Time, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by a duly authorized officer of each of the Parties.

 

9.2                                            Effect of Termination .  In the event of any termination of this Agreement prior to the Effective Time, no Party (nor any of its directors, officers or employees) shall have any Liability or further obligation to the other Party by reason of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.1                         Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power .

 

(a)                                  This Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Party.

 

(b)                                  This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the Exhibits, Schedules and appendices hereto and thereto contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein.

 

(c)                                   SPG represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the SPG Group, and WPG represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the WPG Group, as follows:

 

(i)                                      each such Person has the requisite corporate or other power and authority and has taken all corporate or other action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and

 

(ii)                                   this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

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(d)                                  Each Party acknowledges that it and each other Party is executing certain of the Ancillary Agreements by facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature, and that delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp or mechanical signature) by facsimile or by email in portable document format (PDF) shall be effective as delivery of such executed counterpart of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.  Each Party expressly adopts and confirms each such facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature (regardless of whether delivered in person, by mail, by courier, by facsimile or by email in portable document format (PDF)) made in its respective name as if it were a manual signature delivered in person, agrees that it will not assert that any such signature or delivery is not adequate to bind such Party to the same extent as if it were signed manually and delivered in person and agrees that, at the reasonable request of the other Party at any time, it will as promptly as reasonably practicable cause each such Ancillary Agreement to be manually executed (any such execution to be as of the date of the initial date thereof) and delivered in person, by mail or by courier.

 

10.2                                     Governing Law .  This Agreement and, unless expressly provided therein, each Ancillary Agreement (and any claims or disputes arising out of or related hereto or thereto or to the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby or to the inducement of any party to enter herein and therein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of Indiana irrespective of the choice of laws principles of the State of Indiana including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.

 

10.3                                     Assignability .  Except as set forth in any Ancillary Agreement, this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and the parties thereto, respectively, and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided , however , that neither Party nor any such party thereto may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement without the express prior written consent of the other Party hereto or other parties thereto, as applicable.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such consent shall be required for the assignment of a party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (except as may be otherwise provided in any such Ancillary Agreement) in whole ( i.e. , the assignment of a party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and all Ancillary Agreements all at the same time) in connection with a change of control of a Party so long as the resulting, surviving or transferee Person assumes all the obligations of the relevant party thereto by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Party.  Nothing herein is intended to, or shall be construed to, prohibit either Party or any member of its Group from being party to or undertaking a change of control.

 

10.4                                     Third-Party Beneficiaries .  Except for the indemnification rights under this Agreement of any SPG Indemnitee or WPG Indemnitee in their respective capacities as such, (a) the provisions of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties and are not intended to confer upon any Person except the Parties any rights or remedies hereunder, and (b) there are no third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement and neither this Agreement nor any Ancillary Agreement shall provide any

 

59



 

third person with any remedy, claim, Liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

 

10.5                                     Notices .  All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement and, to the extent, applicable and unless otherwise provided therein, under each of the Ancillary Agreements shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, or by facsimile with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service) to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 10.5 ):

 

If to SPG, to:

 

Simon Property Group, Inc.
225 West Washington Street, 14th Floor
Indianapolis, Indiana  46204
Attention:  General Counsel
Facsimile:  (317) 685-7377

 

with a copy (until the Effective Time) to:

 

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York  10019
Attention:
                    Adam O. Emmerich
                                                                           Karessa L. Cain
Facsimile:
                    (212) 403-2000

 

If to WPG, to:

 

Washington Prime Group Inc.
7315 Wisconsin Avenue – 5th Floor
Bethesda, Maryland  20814
Attention:  General Counsel
Facsimile:

 

with a copy (until the Effective Time) to:

 

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York  10019
Attention:
                    Adam O. Emmerich
                                                                           Karessa L. Cain
Facsimile:
                    (212) 403-2000

 

A Party may, by notice to the other Party, change the address to which such notices are to be given.

 

60



 

10.6                         Severability .  If any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby.  Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

 

10.7                         Force Majeure .  No Party shall be deemed in default of this Agreement or, unless otherwise expressly provided therein, any Ancillary Agreement for any delay or failure to fulfill any obligation (other than a payment obligation) hereunder or thereunder so long as and to the extent to which any delay or failure in the fulfillment of such obligation is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure.  In the event of any such excused delay, the time for performance of such obligations (other than a payment obligation) shall be extended for a period equal to the time lost by reason of the delay.  A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event, (a) provide written notice to the other Party of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure condition; and (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, as applicable, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

10.8                         No Set-Off .  Except as set forth in any Ancillary Agreement or as otherwise mutually agreed to in writing by the Parties, neither Party nor any member of such Party’s group shall have any right of set-off or other similar rights with respect to (a) any amounts received pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; or (b) any other amounts claimed to be owed to either such Party or any member of its Group arising out of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

 

10.9                         Publicity .  Prior to the Effective Time, each of WPG and SPG shall consult with each other prior to issuing any press releases or otherwise making public statements with respect to the Separation, the Distribution or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby or under any Ancillary Agreement and prior to making any filings with any Governmental Authority with respect thereto.

 

10.10                  Expenses .  Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, or as otherwise agreed to in writing by the Parties, all fees, costs and expenses incurred on or prior to the Effective Time in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery and implementation of this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, the Separation, the Registration Statement, the Plan of Reorganization, the plan of Separation, the WPG Financing Arrangements and the Distribution and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will be borne by WPG LP, and any such fees, costs and expenses incurred after the Effective Time shall be borne by the Party or its applicable Subsidiary incurring such fees, costs or expenses.  As of the Effective Time, the Parties estimate that the aggregate amount of such costs and expenses incurred on or prior to the Effective Time is approximately $43 million, of which $18 million relates to the WPG Financing Arrangements.

 

61



 

10.11                  Headings .  The article, section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement and in the Ancillary Agreements are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

 

10.12                  Survival of Covenants .  Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the covenants, representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement, and Liability for the breach of any obligations contained herein, shall survive the Separation and the Distribution and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

10.13                  Waivers of Default .  Waiver by a Party of any default by the other Party of any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver by the waiving Party of any subsequent or other default, nor shall it prejudice the rights of the other Party.  No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof prejudice any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

10.14                  Specific Performance .  Subject to the provisions of Article VII , in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the Party or Parties who are, or are to be, thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief in respect of its or their rights under this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative.  The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived.  Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived by each of the Parties.

 

10.15                  Amendments .  No provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.

 

10.16                  Interpretation .  In this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, (a) words in the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be deemed to include the other genders as the context requires; (b) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement (or the applicable Ancillary Agreement) as a whole (including all of the Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices hereto and thereto) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement (or such Ancillary Agreement); (c) Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit and Appendix references are to the Articles, Sections, Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices to this Agreement (or the applicable Ancillary Agreement) unless otherwise specified;  (d) unless otherwise stated, all references to any agreement shall be deemed to include the exhibits, schedules and annexes to such agreement; (e) the word “including” and words of

 

62



 

similar import when used in this Agreement (or the applicable Ancillary Agreement) shall mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified; (f) the word “or” shall not be exclusive; (g) unless otherwise specified in a particular case, the word “days” refers to calendar days; (h) references to “business day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law to close in the United States or Indianapolis, Indiana; (i) references herein to this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement or such other agreement as of the date on which it is executed and as it may be amended, modified or supplemented thereafter, unless otherwise specified; and (j) unless expressly stated to the contrary in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, all references to “the date hereof,” “the date of this Agreement,” “hereby” and “hereupon” and words of similar import shall all be references to [ · ], 2014.

 

10.17                  Limitations of Liability .  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, but without limiting any recovery expressly provided by Section 7.2 , neither WPG or any member of the WPG Group, on the one hand, nor SPG or any member of the SPG Group, on the other hand, shall be liable under this Agreement to the other for any indirect, punitive, exemplary, remote, speculative or similar damages in excess of compensatory damages of the other arising in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (other than any such Liability with respect to a Third-Party Claim).

 

10.18                  Performance .  SPG will cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement to be performed by any member of the SPG Group.  WPG will cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement to be performed by any member of the WPG Group.  Each Party (including its permitted successors and assigns) further agrees that it will (a) give timely notice of the terms, conditions and continuing obligations contained in this Agreement and any applicable Ancillary Agreement to all of the other members of its Group and (b) cause all of the other members of its Group not to take any action or fail to take any such action inconsistent with such Party’s obligations under this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

10.19                  Mutual Drafting .  This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements shall be deemed to be the joint work product of the Parties and any rule of construction that a document shall be interpreted or construed against a drafter of such document shall not be applicable.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

63



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Separation and Distribution Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives.

 

 

SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, L.P.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP, L.P.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[Signature Page to Separation and Distribution Agreement]

 




Exhibit 10.5

 

FORM OF TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

 

by and among

 

SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, INC.,

 

SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, L.P.,

 

WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP INC.

 

and

 

WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP, L.P.

 

Dated as of [ · ]

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

 

Section 1.01.

General

 

2

Section 1.02.

Additional Definitions

 

12

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

PREPARATION, FILING AND PAYMENT OF TAXES SHOWN DUE

ON TAX RETURNS

 

 

 

 

Section 2.01.

Combined Tax Returns

 

12

Section 2.02.

SPG Separate Tax Returns

 

12

Section 2.03.

WPG Separate Tax Returns

 

12

Section 2.04.

Restructuring Transfer Tax Returns

 

12

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

TAX RETURN PROCEDURES

 

 

 

 

Section 3.01.

Procedures relating to Combined Tax Returns and SPG Separate Tax Returns

 

13

Section 3.02.

Procedures relating to WPG Separate Tax Returns

 

13

Section 3.03.

Preparation of all Tax Returns

 

14

Section 3.04.

Tax Returns Reflecting Restructuring/Distribution Taxes

 

14

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

TAX TIMING AND ALLOCATION

 

 

 

 

Section 4.01.

Timing of Payments

 

14

Section 4.02.

Expenses

 

14

Section 4.03.

Apportionment of WPG Taxes

 

15

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

INDEMNIFICATION

 

 

 

 

Section 5.01.

Indemnification by SPG LP

 

15

Section 5.02.

Indemnification by WPG LP

 

15

Section 5.03.

Characterization of and Adjustments to Payments

 

15

Section 5.04.

Timing of Indemnification Payments

 

16

Section 5.05.

Certain Tax Procedures

 

16

 



 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

REFUNDS, TRS TAX ATTRIBUTES, DEDUCTIONS

 

 

 

 

Section 6.01.

Refunds

 

16

Section 6.02.

TRS Tax Attributes

 

17

Section 6.03.

Treatment of Deductions Associated with Equity-Related Compensation

 

17

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

TAX PROCEEDINGS

 

 

 

 

Section 7.01.

Notification of Tax Proceedings

 

17

Section 7.02.

Tax Proceedings

 

17

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

TAX-FREE STATUS OF THE DISTRIBUTION

 

 

 

 

Section 8.01.

Representations and Warranties

 

19

Section 8.02.

Restrictions Relating to the Distribution

 

20

Section 8.03.

Procedures Regarding Post-Distribution Rulings and Unqualified Tax Opinions

 

22

Section 8.04.

Section 336(e) Election

 

23

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

RPT CONTRIBUTION

 

 

 

 

Section 9.01.

Prohibited Actions

 

23

Section 9.02.

Section 704(c) Allocations

 

23

Section 9.03.

Damages

 

23

Section 9.04.

Exclusive Remedy

 

24

Section 9.05.

Notice

 

24

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

COOPERATION

 

 

 

 

Section 10.01.

General Cooperation

 

24

Section 10.02.

Retention of Records

 

25

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

 

Section 11.01.

Dispute Resolution

 

25

Section 11.02.

Tax Sharing Agreements

 

26

Section 11.03.

Interest on Late Payments

 

26

Section 11.04.

Survival of Covenants

 

26

Section 11.05.

Severability

 

26

Section 11.06.

Entire Agreement

 

26

Section 11.07.

No Third-Party Beneficiaries

 

27

Section 11.08.

Specific Performance

 

27

 

ii



 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

Section 11.09.

Amendment

 

27

Section 11.10.

Rules of Construction

 

27

Section 11.11.

Counterparts

 

27

Section 11.12.

Coordination with Separation and Distribution Agreement

 

28

Section 11.13.

Coordination with the Employee Matters Agreement

 

28

Section 11.14.

Governing Law

 

28

Section 11.15.

Assignability

 

28

Section 11.16.

Notices

 

28

Section 11.17.

Effective Date

 

29

 

iii



 

DEFINED TERMS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

Accounting Firm

 

2, 26

Acquisition Transaction

 

2

Adjustment

 

3

Agreement

 

1, 3

Ancillary Agreement

 

3

Benefited Party

 

3, 17

Closing Date

 

3

Code

 

3

Combined Tax Return

 

3

Contribution

 

3

Controlled Corporation

 

3

Disqualifying Action

 

3

Distribution

 

1, 3

Due Date

 

3

Effective Time

 

3

Employee Matters Agreement

 

3

Equity Securities

 

4

Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest

 

4

Final Determination

 

4

Income Tax Return

 

4

Income Taxes

 

4

Indemnified Party

 

4

Indemnifying Party

 

4

Information

 

4, 25

Information Request

 

5, 25

IRS

 

5

Law

 

5

Net Working Capital Balance

 

5

Non-Income Tax Return

 

5

Notified Action

 

5, 23

Ordinary Course of Business

 

5

Parties

 

1

Party

 

1, 5

Past Practice

 

5, 14

Person

 

5

Plan of Reorganization

 

5

Post-Closing Period

 

5

Post-Distribution Ruling

 

5, 22

Pre-Closing Period

 

5

Record Holders

 

5

Refund

 

5

REIT

 

6

REIT Taxable Income

 

6

 

iv



 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

REIT Taxes

 

6

Representatives

 

6

Restriction Period

 

6

Restructuring

 

1, 6

Restructuring Transfer Taxes

 

6

Restructuring/Distribution Taxes

 

6

RPT

 

6

RPT Built-In Gain

 

6

RPT Contributed Properties

 

6

RPT Contribution

 

6

RPT Section 752 Gain

 

7

SAG

 

7

Section 336(e) Election

 

7, 24

Section 8.02(e) Acquisition Transaction

 

7

Separate Return

 

7

Separation and Distribution Agreement

 

1, 7

SPG

 

1, 7

SPG Board

 

7

SPG Business

 

7

SPG Disqualifying Action

 

7

SPG Entity

 

8

SPG Group

 

8

SPG Income

 

8

SPG LP

 

1, 8

SPG LP Contribution

 

8

SPG LP Distribution

 

8

SPG LP Distribution Record Date

 

8

SPG LP Interests

 

8

SPG REIT Distribution Indemnification Amount

 

8

SPG Separate Tax Return

 

8

SPG Shares

 

1

SPG Tax Proceeding

 

8, 18

SPG Taxes

 

8

SPG TRS

 

9

Subsidiary

 

9

Tax

 

9

Tax Attributes

 

9

Tax Counsel

 

9

Tax Item

 

10

Tax Matter

 

10, 25

Tax Opinion

 

10

Tax Opinion Documents

 

10, 20

Tax Package

 

10

Tax Proceeding

 

10

Tax Return

 

10

Tax-Free Status

 

9

 

v



 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

Taxing Authority

 

9

Taxing Jurisdiction

 

10

Transactions

 

10

Transfer Taxes

 

10

Treasury Regulations

 

10

TRS Contribution

 

11

TRS Distribution

 

11

U.S.

 

11

Unqualified Tax Opinion

 

11

Waiver

 

11, 22

WPG

 

1, 11

WPG Active Trade or Business

 

11

WPG Assets

 

11

WPG Business

 

11

WPG Disqualifying Action

 

11

WPG Entity

 

12

WPG Group

 

12

WPG Income

 

12

WPG Liabilities

 

12

WPG LP

 

1, 12

WPG LP Interests

 

12

WPG REIT Distribution Amount

 

12

WPG Separate Tax Return

 

12

WPG Shares

 

1

WPG Tax Proceeding

 

12, 18

WPG Taxes

 

12

WPG TRS

 

13

 

vi


 

TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

 

THIS TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of [ · ], 2014 is by and among Simon Property Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ SPG ”), Simon Property Group, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ SPG LP ”), Washington Prime Group Inc., an Indiana corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of SPG (“ WPG ”) and Washington Prime Group, L.P., an Indiana limited partnership and wholly owned subsidiary of SPG LP (“ WPG LP ”).  Each of SPG, SPG LP, WPG and WPG LP is sometimes referred to herein as a “ Party ” and, collectively, as the “ Parties .”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, SPG has elected to be classified as a REIT and WPG intends to elect to be classified as a REIT;

 

WHEREAS, SPG, through SPG LP and their respective Subsidiaries, is engaged in the SPG Business and the WPG Business;

 

WHEREAS, the SPG Board has determined that it is in the best interests of SPG and its stockholders to create a new publicly traded company which shall operate the WPG Business;

 

WHEREAS, SPG, SPG LP, WPG and WPG LP have entered into the Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of [ · ], 2014 (the “ Separation and Distribution Agreement ”), providing for the separation of the WPG Business from the SPG Business, pursuant to which (a) SPG will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, transfer the WPG Assets and the WPG Liabilities to WPG and its Subsidiaries, as a result of which transfer WPG and its Subsidiaries will own, directly and through their respective Subsidiaries, the WPG Business (the “ Restructuring ”) and (b) SPG will distribute all of the outstanding common shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of WPG (“ WPG Shares ”) to the Record Holders of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of SPG, par value $0.0001 per share (“ SPG Shares ”) on a pro rata basis (the “ Distribution ”);

 

WHEREAS, for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes, it is intended that the TRS Contribution and the TRS Distribution, taken together, shall qualify as a tax-free transaction under Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code;

 

WHEREAS, for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes, it is intended that the SPG LP Contribution and the SPG LP Distribution, taken together, shall be treated as an “assets-over form” division of SPG LP under Treasury Regulations Section 1.708-1(d)(3);

 

WHEREAS, for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes, it is intended that the Contribution and the Distribution, taken together, shall qualify as a tax-free transaction under Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code; and

 

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to (a) provide for the payment of Tax liabilities and entitlement to refunds thereof, (b) allocate responsibility for, and cooperation in, the filing of Tax Returns, and provide for certain other matters relating to Taxes, and (c) set forth certain

 



 

covenants and indemnities relating to the preservation of the tax-free status of certain steps of the Restructuring and the Distribution.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the terms, conditions, covenants and provisions of this Agreement, each of the Parties mutually covenants and agrees as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01.  General .  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Accounting Firm ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(b).

 

Acquisition Transaction ” means a transaction or series of transactions (or any agreement, understanding or arrangement, within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7, or any other regulations promulgated thereunder, to enter into a transaction or series of transactions), whether such transaction is supported, permitted or solicited by management or shareholders of a Controlled Corporation, is a hostile acquisition, or otherwise, as a result of which such Controlled Corporation would merge or consolidate with or enter into any other reorganization transaction with any other Person or as a result of which one or more Persons would (directly or indirectly) acquire, or have the right to acquire, from such Controlled Corporation and/or one or more holders of outstanding shares of Equity Securities of such Controlled Corporation, as the case may be, a number of shares of Equity Securities of such Controlled Corporation that would, when combined with any other changes in ownership of the Equity Securities of such Controlled Corporation pertinent for purposes of Section 355(e) of the Code, comprise a 40% or greater interest in such Controlled Corporation (A) by value, as of the date of such transaction, or in the case of a series of transactions, the date of the last transaction of such series, or (B) by vote, as of the date of such transaction, or in the case of a series of transactions, the date of the last transaction of such series.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Acquisition Transaction shall not include (A) the adoption by a Controlled Corporation of a shareholder rights plan or (B) issuances of Equity Securities by a Controlled Corporation that satisfy Safe Harbor VIII (relating to acquisitions in connection with a person’s performance of services) or Safe Harbor IX (relating to acquisitions by a retirement plan of an employer) of Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(d).  For purposes of determining whether a transaction constitutes an indirect acquisition, any recapitalization resulting in a shift of voting power shall be treated as an indirect acquisition of shares of Equity Securities by the shareholders whose voting power is increased thereby and any redemption of shares of Equity Securities shall be treated as an indirect acquisition of shares of Equity Securities by the non-exchanging shareholders.  For purposes of this definition, each reference to a Controlled Corporation shall include a reference to any entity treated as successor thereto.  This definition and the application thereof is intended to monitor compliance with Section 355(e) of the Code and shall be interpreted accordingly.  Any clarification of, or change in, the statute or regulations promulgated under Section 355(e) of the Code or published IRS guidance with respect thereto shall be incorporated in this definition and its interpretation.

 

2



 

Adjustment ” means any change in the Tax liability of a taxpayer, whether in connection with a Tax Proceeding, resulting from a change in facts or subsequent transactions, pursuant to amendment or otherwise, determined issue-by-issue, transaction-by-transaction, or with respect to a taxable period, as the case may be.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Ancillary Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

Benefited Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(b).

 

Closing Date ” means the date on which the Distribution occurs.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Combined Tax Return ” means a consolidated, combined, unitary, affiliated or similar Income Tax Return or Non-Income Tax Return that actually includes, by election or otherwise, one or more members of the SPG Group together with one or more members of the WPG Group.

 

Contribution ” means the contribution and assignment by SPG and certain of its Subsidiaries of certain WPG Assets and WPG Liabilities and the WPG LP Interests received by SPG in the SPG LP Distribution to WPG in exchange for WPG Shares.

 

Controlled Corporation ” means WPG or WPG TRS.

 

Disqualifying Action ” means a SPG Disqualifying Action or a WPG Disqualifying Action.

 

Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Due Date ” means (i) with respect to a Tax Return, the date (taking into account all valid extensions) on which such Tax Return is required to be filed under applicable Law and (ii) with respect to a payment of Taxes, the date on which such payment is required to be made to avoid the incurrence of interest, penalties and/or additions to Tax.

 

Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

Employee Matters Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

Equity Securities ” means, with respect to a Person, all classes or series of capital stock of such Person (or any entity treated as a successor to such Person) and all other instruments treated as stock in such Person (or any entity treated as a successor to such Person) for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes, and including all options, warrants or any other rights to acquire such stock.

 

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Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest ” has the meaning ascribed to such term for purposes of Sections 355(d) and (e) of the Code.

 

Final Determination ” means the final resolution of liability for any Tax or Tax Item, which resolution may be for a specific issue or adjustment or for a taxable period, by or as a result of (i) IRS Form 870 or 870-AD (or any successor forms thereto), on the date of acceptance by or on behalf of the taxpayer, or by a comparable form under the Laws of any Taxing Jurisdiction, except that an IRS Form 870 or 870-AD or comparable form shall not constitute a Final Determination to the extent that it reserves (whether by its terms or by operation of law) the right of the taxpayer to file a claim for Refund or the right of the Taxing Authority to assert a further deficiency in respect of such issue or adjustment or for such taxable period (as the case may be); (ii) a final decision, judgment, decree or other order by any court of competent jurisdiction that can no longer be appealed; (iii) a final settlement with the IRS, a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Sections 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a comparable agreement under the Laws of any Taxing Jurisdiction; (iv) any allowance of a Refund or credit in respect of an overpayment of Tax, but only after the expiration of all periods during which such Refund or credit may be recovered by the jurisdiction imposing the Tax; or (v) any other final resolution, including by reason of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, the execution of a pre-filing agreement with the IRS or other Taxing Authority or by mutual agreement of the Parties.

 

Income Tax Return ” means any Tax Return relating to Income Taxes.

 

Income Taxes ” means any Taxes based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to (i) net income, profits, net receipts or gross receipts (including, but not limited to, any capital gains, minimum Tax, any Tax on items of Tax preference, or any REIT Taxes, but not including sales, use, value added, real or personal property, transfer or similar Taxes), (ii) multiple bases (including, but not limited to, corporate franchise, doing business, business license, business privilege and occupation Taxes) if one or more bases upon which such Tax may be based, measured by, or calculated with respect to, is described in clause (i) or (iii) any net worth, franchise or similar Tax.

 

Indemnified Party ” means the Party which is entitled to seek indemnification from another Party pursuant to the provisions of Article V.

 

Indemnifying Party ” means the Party from which another Party is entitled to seek indemnification pursuant to the provisions of Article V.

 

Information ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.01.

 

Information Request ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.01.

 

IRS ” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

 

Law ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

Net Working Capital Balance ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

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Non-Income Tax Return ” means any Tax Return relating to Taxes other than Income Taxes.

 

Notified Action ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.03(a).

 

Ordinary Course of Business ” means an action taken by a Person only if such action is taken in the ordinary course of the normal day-to-day operations of such Person.

 

Party ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Past Practice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a).

 

Person ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

Plan of Reorganization ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

Post-Closing Period ” means any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Closing Date.

 

Pre-Closing Period ” means any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Closing Date.

 

Post-Distribution Ruling ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02(d).

 

Record Holders ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

Refund ” means any refund (or credit in lieu thereof) of Taxes (including any overpayment of Taxes that can be refunded or, alternatively, applied to other Taxes payable), including any interest paid on or with respect to such refund of Taxes; provided , however , that for purposes of this Agreement, the amount of any Refund required to be paid to another Party shall be reduced by the net amount of any Income Taxes imposed on, related to, or attributable to, the receipt or accrual of such Refund.

 

REIT ” means a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Section 856(a) of the Code.

 

REIT Taxable Income ” means “real estate investment trust taxable income” within the meaning of Section 857(b)(2) of the Code.

 

REIT Taxes ” means (i) any Taxes imposed as a result of the disqualification of SPG or WPG, as the case may be, as a REIT, (ii) any Taxes imposed under Section 857(b)(5) of the Code, and (iii) any excise Taxes imposed under Section 4981 of the Code.

 

Representatives ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

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Restriction Period ” means the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the twenty five (25) month anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

Restructuring ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals and includes, for the avoidance of doubt, the TRS Contribution, the TRS Distribution, the SPG LP Contribution, the SPG LP Distribution, the Contribution and the Distribution.

 

Restructuring/Distribution Taxes ” means any Taxes imposed on, in connection with, or by reason of the Restructuring or the Distribution (including REIT Taxes but not including any Transfer Taxes), other than any such Taxes caused by a Disqualifying Action.

 

Restructuring Transfer Taxes ” means any Transfer Taxes imposed on, in connection with, or by reason of the Restructuring.

 

RPT ” means The Retail Property Trust, a Massachusetts business trust.

 

RPT Built-In Gain ” means gain allocable under Section 704(c) of the Code to RPT with respect to the RPT Contributed Properties as of immediately following the RPT Contribution (whether or not such gain is ultimately allocated to RPT or to any other Person under Section 704(c) of the Code or under another provision of the Code or the Treasury Regulations, including, without limitation, Section 737 of the Code); provided , that RPT Built-In Gain shall be reduced by any portion of the RPT Built-In Gain that is recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes following the RPT Contribution.

 

RPT Contributed Properties ” means the WPG Properties and interests in entities holding, directly or indirectly, WPG Properties contributed by RPT in the RPT Contribution, and any other property that constitutes “substituted basis property” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code) with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

RPT Contribution ” means the contribution by RPT of certain WPG Properties and interests in entities holding, directly or indirectly, certain WPG Properties to WPG LP in exchange for WPG LP Interests following the Distribution, as set forth in the Plan of Reorganization.

 

RPT Section 752 Gain ” means any gain recognized under Section 731(a)(1) of the Code as a result of a deemed distribution under Section 752(b) of the Code on account of a reduction in the Liabilities to which any of the RPT Contributed Properties are subject at the time of the RPT Contribution.

 

SAG ” has the meaning ascribed to the term “separate affiliated group” in Section 355(b)(3)(B) of the Code.

 

Section 336(e) Election ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.04.

 

Section 8.02(e) Acquisition Transaction ” means any transaction or series of transactions that is not an Acquisition Transaction but would be an Acquisition Transaction if the percentage reflected in the definition of Acquisition Transaction were 25% instead of 40%.

 

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Separate Return ” means (i) in the case of any Tax Return required to be filed by any member of the SPG Group (including any consolidated, combined, unitary or similar Tax Return), any such Tax Return that does not include any member of the WPG Group and (ii) in the case of any Tax Return required to be filed by any member of the WPG Group (including any consolidated, combined, unitary or similar Tax Return), any such Tax Return that does not include any member of the SPG Group.

 

Separation and Distribution Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

SPG ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

SPG Board ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

SPG Business ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

SPG Disqualifying Action ” means (i) any action (or the failure to take any action) by SPG or any SPG Entity (including entering into any agreement, understanding or arrangement or any negotiations with respect to any transaction or series of transactions) that, (ii) any acquisition of all or a portion, or any event (or series of events) involving, the Equity Securities of SPG, any assets of SPG or any Equity Securities or assets of any SPG Entity that, or (iii) any inaccuracy in or breach by SPG or any SPG Entity of any of the representations, warranties or covenants of or made by SPG or SPG LP in this Agreement or in connection with the Tax Opinion (other than, in each case, any representations and warranties made by SPG or SPG LP on behalf of, or with respect to, WPG or any WPG Entity) that, in each case, causes any of the Transactions to fail to have Tax-Free Status; provided , however , that the term “SPG Disqualifying Action” shall not include any action expressly contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or that is undertaken pursuant to the Restructuring, the Distribution or the Plan of Reorganization.

 

SPG Entity ” means any member of the SPG Group other than SPG.

 

SPG Group ” means, individually or collectively, as the case may be, (a) SPG, SPG LP and any of their respective Subsidiaries (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Subsidiary that is treated as a “disregarded entity” for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes (or for purposes of any state, local or foreign Tax law) immediately after the Effective Time (and giving effect to the Restructuring and the Distribution), (b) any Person that shall have merged or liquidated into SPG, SPG LP or any such Subsidiary and (c) any predecessor or successor to any Person otherwise described in this definition.

 

SPG Income ” means (i) any REIT Taxable Income attributable solely to, or arising solely with respect to, assets or activities of the SPG Business (excluding any REIT Taxable Income attributable to the Restructuring or the Distribution), (ii) any REIT Taxable Income attributable to a SPG Disqualifying Action and (iii) any REIT Taxable Income resulting from any inaccuracy in or breach by SPG or any SPG Entity of any of the representations, warranties or covenants of or made by SPG or SPG LP in this Agreement.

 

SPG LP ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

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SPG LP Contribution ” means the contribution and assignment by SPG LP and certain of its Subsidiaries of certain WPG Assets and WPG Liabilities to WPG LP in exchange for WPG LP Interests.

 

SPG LP Distribution ” means the pro rata distribution by SPG LP of all of the WPG LP Interests held by SPG LP to the holders of record, as of the SPG LP Distribution Record Date, of SPG LP Interests entitled to participate in such distribution.

 

SPG LP Distribution Record Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

SPG LP Interests ” means the limited partnership interests in SPG LP.

 

“SPG REIT Distribution Indemnification Amount ” means any amount required to be distributed by WPG pursuant to Section 857(a) of the Code in order for WPG to maintain its status as a REIT for any taxable period as a result of any SPG Income required to be included in the taxable income of WPG for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes for such taxable period.

 

SPG Separate Tax Return ” means any Separate Return required to be filed by any member of the SPG Group.

 

SPG Tax Proceeding ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02(a).

 

SPG Taxes ” means, without duplication, (i) any Taxes of or imposed on SPG, SPG LP or any other member of the SPG Group (including any Taxes reported  on or otherwise imposed with respect to a Combined Tax Return, but excluding any Restructuring/Distribution Taxes or any Restructuring Transfer Taxes), (ii) any Restructuring/Distribution Taxes imposed on SPG or any SPG Entity, and (iii) any Taxes attributable to a SPG Disqualifying Action (including any REIT Taxes), in each case, whether imposed as a result of an Adjustment, amendment or otherwise; provided , that SPG Taxes shall not include any (a) WPG Taxes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Taxes attributable to a WPG Disqualifying Action) and (b) any Taxes taken into account as a liability in the Net Working Capital Balance (as finally determined pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement).

 

SPG TRS ” means MS Management Associates Inc..

 

Subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

Tax ” means (i) all taxes, charges, fees, duties, levies, imposts, or other similar assessments, imposed by any U.S. federal, state or local or foreign governmental authority, including, but not limited to, income, gross receipts, excise, property, sales, use, license, capital stock, transfer, franchise, margin, payroll, withholding, social security, value added and other taxes, (ii) any interest, penalties or additions attributable thereto and (iii) all liabilities in respect of any items described in clause (i) or (ii) payable by reason of assumption, transferee or successor liability, operation of Law or Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6(a) (or any predecessor or successor thereof or any analogous or similar provision under Law).

 

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Tax Attributes ” means net operating losses, capital losses, credits, earnings and profits (including any REIT earning and profits), overall foreign losses, previously taxed income, separate limitation losses and all other Tax attributes.

 

Tax Counsel ” shall mean tax counsel of recognized national standing that is acceptable to SPG.

 

Tax-Free Status ” means (i) the qualification of each of (x) the Contribution and the Distribution, taken together, and (y) the TRS Contribution and TRS Distribution, taken together, (a) as a reorganization described in Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, (b) as a transaction in which the stock distributed  thereby is “qualified property” for purposes of Sections 355(d), 355(e) and 361(c) of the Code, and (c) as a transaction in which (x) SPG, WPG and the shareholders of SPG, and (y) TRS, WPG TRS and SPG LP, respectively, recognize no income or gain for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes pursuant to Sections 355, 361 and 1031 of the Code; and (ii) the qualification of (a) the SPG LP Contribution and the SPG LP Distribution, taken together, as an “assets-over form” division of SPG LP under Treasury Regulation Section 1.708-1(d)(3), (b) the SPG LP Contribution as a transaction described in Section 721(a) of the Code and (c) the SPG LP Distribution as a transaction described in Section 731(a) of the Code, in each case, in which no gain or income is recognized by SPG LP, WPG LP or any of their respective partners.

 

Taxing Authority ” means any governmental authority or any subdivision, agency, commission or entity thereof or any quasi-governmental or private body having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection or imposition of any Tax (including the IRS).

 

Taxing Jurisdiction ” means the United States and every other government or governmental unit having jurisdiction to tax SPG, SPG LP, WPG, WPG LP or any of their respective Affiliates.

 

Tax Item ” means any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit, recapture of credit or any other item that increases or decreases Taxes paid or payable.

 

Tax Matter ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.01.

 

Tax Opinion ” shall mean the opinion issued by Tax Counsel to SPG with respect to certain Tax aspects of the Contribution and the Distribution, as referenced in Section 3.3(a)(iii) of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

Tax Opinion Documents ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(a).

 

Tax Package ” means all relevant Tax-related information relating to the operations of the SPG Business or the WPG Business, as applicable, that is reasonably necessary to prepare and file the applicable Tax Return.

 

Tax Proceeding ” means any audit, assessment of Taxes, pre-filing agreement, other examination by any Taxing Authority, proceeding, appeal of a proceeding or litigation relating to Taxes, whether administrative or judicial, including proceedings relating to competent authority determinations.

 

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Tax Return ” means any return, report, certificate, form or similar statement or document (including any related or supporting information or schedule attached thereto and any information return, or declaration of estimated Tax) supplied to, filed with or required to be supplied to or filed with, a Taxing Authority in connection with the payment, determination, assessment or collection of any Tax or the administration of any Laws relating to any Tax and any amended Tax return or claim for refund.

 

Transactions ” means the transactions referred to in the definition of “Tax-Free Status.”

 

Transfer Taxes ” means all sales, use, transfer, real property transfer (whether such transfer is direct or indirect), intangible, recordation, registration, documentary, stamp or similar Taxes imposed in connection with the Restructuring or the Distribution.

 

Treasury Regulations ” means the final and temporary (but not proposed) income Tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

 

TRS Contribution ” means the contribution and assignment by SPG TRS of certain WPG Assets and WPG Liabilities (including the WPG Active Trade or Business conducted by SPG TRS immediately prior to such contribution) to WPG TRS in exchange for stock of WPG TRS.

 

TRS Distribution ” means the distribution by SPG TRS of all of the capital stock of WPG TRS to SPG LP.

 

U.S. ” means the United States of America.

 

Unqualified Tax Opinion ” means a “will” opinion, without substantive qualifications, of a nationally recognized law firm, which law firm is reasonably acceptable to SPG, to the effect that a transaction will not affect the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions.

 

Waiver ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02(d).

 

WPG ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

WPG Active Trade or Business ” means the trade or business actively conducted (within the meaning of Section 355(b) of the Code) (i) by WPG (taking into account Section 355(b)(3) of the Code and Revenue Ruling 2007-42, 2007-2 C.B. 44) immediately prior to the Distribution and relied upon to satisfy the requirements of Section 355(b) of the Code with respect to the Distribution, as set forth in the Tax Opinion Documents and (ii) by WPG TRS (taking into account Section 355(b)(3) of the Code) immediately prior to the TRS Distribution and relied upon to satisfy the requirements of Section 355(b) of the Code with respect to the TRS Distribution.

 

WPG Assets ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

WPG Business ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

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WPG Disqualifying Action ” means (i) any action (or the failure to take any action) by WPG or any WPG Entity (including entering into any agreement, understanding or arrangement or any negotiations with respect to any transaction or series of transactions) that, (ii) any acquisition of all or a portion, or any event (or series of events) involving, the Equity Securities of WPG, any assets of WPG or any Equity Securities or assets of any WPG Entity that, or (iii) any inaccuracy in or breach by WPG or any WPG Entity of any of the representations, warranties or covenants of or made by WPG or WPG LP in this Agreement or in connection with the Tax Opinion (irrespective of whether SPG or SPG LP made the same representation or warranty on behalf of, or with respect to, WPG or any WPG Entity), that, in each case, causes any of the Transactions to fail to have Tax-Free Status (regardless of whether a Post-Distribution Ruling, Unqualified Tax Opinion or Waiver may have been obtained or provided with respect to such action, event, inaccuracy or breach); provided , however , that the term “WPG Disqualifying Action” shall not include any action expressly contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or that is undertaken pursuant to the Restructuring, the Distribution or the Plan of Reorganization.

 

WPG Entity ” means any member of the WPG Group other than WPG.

 

WPG Group ” means individually or collectively, as the case may be, (a) WPG, WPG LP and any of their respective Subsidiaries (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Subsidiary that is treated as a “disregarded entity” for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes (or for purposes of any state, local or foreign Tax law) immediately after the Effective Time (and giving effect to the Restructuring and the Distribution), (b) any Person that shall have merged or liquidated into WPG, WPG LP or any such Subsidiary and (c) any predecessor or successor to any Person otherwise described in this definition.

 

WPG Income ” means (i) any REIT Taxable Income attributable to, or arising with respect to, assets or activities of the WPG Business (excluding any REIT Taxable Income attributable to the Restructuring or the Distribution), (ii) any REIT Taxable Income attributable to a WPG Disqualifying Action and (iii) any REIT Taxable Income resulting from any inaccuracy in or breach by WPG or any WPG Entity of any of the representations, warranties or covenants of or made by WPG or WPG LP in this Agreement.

 

WPG Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

WPG LP ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

WPG LP Interests ” means the limited partnership interests in WPG LP.

 

WPG REIT Distribution Indemnification Amount ” means any amount required to be distributed by SPG pursuant to Section 857(a) of the Code in order for SPG to maintain its status as a REIT for any taxable period as a result of any WPG Income required to be included in taxable income of SPG for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes for such taxable period.

 

WPG Separate Tax Return ” means any Separate Return required to be filed by any member of the WPG Group.

 

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WPG Tax Proceeding ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02(a).

 

WPG Taxes ” means, without duplication, (i) any Taxes of or imposed on any member of the SPG Group or any member of the WPG Group (including any Taxes reported on or otherwise imposed with respect to a Combined Tax Return), in each case, for any taxable period, attributable to, or arising with respect to, assets or activities of the WPG Business (excluding any Restructuring/Distribution Taxes or any Restructuring Transfer Taxes), (ii) any Taxes of or imposed on WPG, WPG LP or any other member of the WPG Group for any taxable period (excluding any Restructuring/Distribution Taxes or any Restructuring Transfer Taxes), (iii) any Restructuring Transfer Taxes, (iv) any Restructuring/Distribution Taxes imposed on WPG or any WPG Entity, and (v) any Taxes attributable to a WPG Disqualifying Action (including any REIT Taxes), in each case, whether imposed as a result of an Adjustment, amendment or otherwise; provided , that WPG Taxes shall not include any Taxes attributable to a SPG Disqualifying Action.

 

WPG TRS ” means WPG Management Associates, Inc..

 

Section 1.02.                          Additional Definitions .  Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

ARTICLE II

 

PREPARATION, FILING AND PAYMENT OF TAXES SHOWN DUE
ON TAX RETURNS

 

Section 2.01.                          Combined Tax Returns .  SPG shall prepare and file (or cause to be prepared and filed) all Combined Tax Returns and SPG LP shall pay (or cause to be paid) all Taxes shown to be due and payable on such Tax Returns; provided , that WPG LP shall reimburse SPG LP for any such Taxes that are WPG Taxes.

 

Section 2.02.                          SPG Separate Tax Returns .  SPG shall prepare and file (or cause to be prepared and filed) all SPG Separate Tax Returns and SPG LP shall pay (or cause to be paid) all Taxes shown to be due and payable on such Tax Returns; provided , that WPG LP shall reimburse SPG LP for any such Taxes that are WPG Taxes.

 

Section 2.03.                          WPG Separate Tax Returns .  WPG shall prepare and file (or cause to be prepared and filed) all WPG Separate Tax Returns and WPG LP shall pay (or cause to be paid) all Taxes shown to be due and payable on such Tax Returns; provided , that SPG LP shall reimburse WPG LP for any such Taxes that are SPG Taxes.

 

Section 2.04.                          Restructuring Transfer Tax Returns .  WPG shall prepare and file (or cause to be prepared and filed) all Tax Returns required to be filed with respect to Restructuring Transfer Taxes and WPG LP shall pay (or cause to be paid) all Taxes shown to be due and payable on such Tax Returns.

 

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ARTICLE III

 

TAX RETURN PROCEDURES

 

Section 3.01.                          Procedures relating to Combined Tax Returns and SPG Separate Tax Returns .

 

(a)                                  In connection with the preparation of any Combined Tax Return pursuant to Section 2.01 or any SPG Separate Tax Return pursuant to Section 2.02 that may include Tax Items relating to the activities or assets of the WPG Business, WPG will (and will cause the WPG Entities to) assist and cooperate with SPG by preparing and providing to SPG such information and other documentation as may be requested by or necessary to enable SPG, in such form as SPG may reasonably request, to prepare such Combined Tax Return or SPG Separate Tax Return, including, but not limited to, proforma Tax Returns for WPG and any WPG Entity to be included in such Combined Tax Return or equivalent financial data to be used in the preparation of such SPG Separate Tax Return, as applicable.  Any such proforma Tax Return or equivalent financial data shall be prepared in accordance with past practices, accounting methods, elections and conventions (“ Past Practice ”), unless otherwise required by Law or requested in writing by SPG, and shall be delivered no later than sixty (60) days following SPG’s request therefor.  At its option, SPG may engage an accounting firm of its choice to review the proforma Tax Return or equivalent financial data, supporting documentation, and statements submitted by WPG and in connection therewith, shall determine whether such Tax Return was prepared in accordance with Past Practice.  All costs and expenses associated with such review will be borne by WPG LP upon receipt of invoices detailing the work performed by such accounting firm.

 

(b)                                  SPG (or its designee) shall determine the entities to be included in any Combined Tax Return and make or revoke any Tax elections, adopt or change any Tax accounting methods, and determine any other position taken on or in respect of any Combined Tax Return or SPG Separate Tax Return.  Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, any Combined Tax Return or SPG Separate Tax Return shall, to the extent relating to WPG, any WPG Entity or the activities or assets of the WPG Business, be prepared in good faith.  SPG shall deliver to WPG for its review a draft of any Combined Tax Return or SPG Separate Tax Return, in each case, if such Tax Return reflects or relates to Taxes for which WPG LP would reasonably be expected to be liable hereunder, at least 15 days prior to the Due Date for such Tax Return to enable WPG to analyze and comment on such Tax Return (along with a statement setting forth the calculation of the Tax shown due and payable on such Tax Return reimbursable by WPG LP under Sections 2.01 or 2.02).  SPG shall consider any such comments received from WPG in good faith and SPG and WPG shall attempt in good faith to resolve any issues arising out of the review of any such Tax Return; provided , however , that nothing herein shall prevent SPG from timely filing (or causing to be filed) any such Tax Return.

 

Section 3.02.                          Procedures relating to WPG Separate Tax Returns .  In the case of any WPG Separate Tax Return that reflects or relates to Taxes for which SPG LP would reasonably be expected to be liable hereunder, WPG shall (1) unless otherwise required by Law or agreed to in writing by SPG, prepare (or cause to be prepared) such Tax Return in a manner consistent with Past Practice to the extent such items affect the Taxes for which SPG LP may be

 

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responsible pursuant to this Agreement, and (2) submit to SPG a draft of any such Tax Return (along with a statement setting forth the calculation of the Tax shown due and payable on such Tax Return reimbursable by SPG LP under Section 2.03) at least 15 days prior to the Due Date for such Tax Return to enable SPG to analyze and comment on such Tax Return.  WPG shall consider any such comments received from SPG in good faith and SPG and WPG shall attempt in good faith to resolve any issues arising out of the review of any such WPG Separate Tax Return.  Any disputes that the Parties are unable to resolve shall be resolved by the Accounting Firm pursuant to Section 11.01.  In the event that any dispute is not resolved (whether pursuant to good faith negotiations among the Parties or by the Accounting Firm) prior to the Due Date for the filing of any such WPG Separate Tax Return, such Tax Return shall be timely filed (or caused to be filed) by WPG, and the Parties agree to amend such Tax Return as necessary to reflect the resolution of such dispute in a manner consistent with such resolution.

 

Section 3.03.                          Preparation of all Tax Returns .  Except as required by applicable Law or as a result of a Final Determination, (i) neither SPG nor WPG shall (nor shall cause or permit any members of the SPG Group or WPG Group, respectively, to) take any position that is either inconsistent with the Tax-Free Status (or analogous status under any state or local Law) or, with respect to a specific item of income, deduction, gain, loss, or credit on any Tax Return, treat such specific item in a manner that is inconsistent with the manner such specific item is reported on a Tax Return prepared or filed by SPG pursuant to Article II hereof (including, without limitation, the claiming of a deduction previously claimed on any such Tax Return) and (ii) SPG and WPG shall (and shall cause the members of the SPG Group and WPG Group, respectively, to) prepare all Tax Returns in a manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

Section 3.04.                          Tax Returns Reflecting Restructuring/Distribution Taxes .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Articles II, III and IV, the portion of any Tax Return that relates to any Restructuring/Distribution Taxes or any Taxes attributable to a SPG Disqualifying Action shall be prepared by SPG in the manner determined by SPG in its sole discretion.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

TAX TIMING AND ALLOCATION

 

Section 4.01.                          Timing of Payments .  All Taxes required to be paid or caused to be paid pursuant to Article II by either SPG LP or WPG LP, as the case may be, to an applicable Taxing Authority or to be reimbursed by SPG LP or WPG LP to the other Party (or any member of its Group) pursuant to this Agreement, shall, in the case of a payment to a Taxing Authority, be paid on or before the Due Date for the payment of such Taxes and, in the case of a payment to the other Party, be paid at least two (2) business days before the Due Date for the payment of such Taxes by the other Party.

 

Section 4.02.                          Expenses .  Except as expressly provided herein (including, Section 3.01 and Section 11.01(b)), each Party shall bear its own expenses incurred in connection with Articles II, III and IV.

 

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Section 4.03.                          Apportionment of WPG Taxes .  For all purposes of this Agreement, SPG shall determine in its sole discretion exercised in good faith which Tax Items are properly attributable to assets or activities of the WPG Business (and in the case of a Tax Item that is properly attributable to both the WPG Business and the SPG Business, the allocation of such Tax Item between the WPG Business and the SPG Business).

 

ARTICLE V
INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 5.01.                          Indemnification by SPG LP .  SPG LP shall pay, and shall indemnify and hold WPG and the WPG Entities harmless from and against, without duplication, (i) all SPG Taxes, (ii) all Taxes (including any REIT Taxes) incurred by WPG or any WPG Entity as a result of any inaccuracy in or breach by SPG or any SPG Entity of any of the representations, warranties or covenants of or made by SPG or SPG LP in this Agreement, (iii) the SPG REIT Distribution Indemnification Amount for any taxable period, and (iv) any costs and expenses related to the foregoing (including reasonable fees of attorneys and experts and out-of-pocket expenses).

 

Section 5.02.                          Indemnification by WPG LP .  WPG LP shall pay, and shall indemnify and hold SPG and the SPG Entities harmless from and against, without duplication, (i) all WPG Taxes, (ii) all Taxes (including any REIT Taxes) incurred by SPG or any SPG Entity as a result of any inaccuracy in or breach by WPG or any WPG Entity of any of the representations, warranties or covenants of or made by WPG or WPG LP in this Agreement, (iii) the WPG REIT Distribution Indemnification Amount for any taxable period, and (vi) any costs and expenses related to the foregoing (including reasonable fees of attorneys and experts and out-of-pocket expenses).

 

Section 5.03.                          Characterization of and Adjustments to Payments .

 

(a)                                  For all Tax purposes, the Parties agree to treat (and to cause their respective Affiliates to treat) (i) any payment required by this Agreement (other than (x) payments with respect to interest accruing after the Closing Date and (y) indemnification payments required as a result of a breach of the covenants set forth in Section 9.01 or Section 9.02) as either a contribution by SPG LP to WPG LP or a distribution by WPG LP to SPG LP, as the case may be, occurring immediately prior to the first SPG LP Distribution or as a payment of an assumed or retained Liability and (ii) any payment of non-federal Taxes by or to a Taxing Authority or any payment of interest as taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the Party entitled under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under this Agreement to make such payment, in each case, except as otherwise required by applicable Law.

 

(b)                                  Any indemnification payment under this Article V and under Article IV of the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall be increased to take into account any inclusion in income of the Indemnified Party arising from the receipt of such indemnity payment (including any additional REIT Taxes or additional amount required to be distributed under Section 857(a) of the Code resulting therefrom) and shall be decreased to take into account any reduction in income of the Indemnified Party arising from such indemnified Liability (including any reduction in REIT Taxes or reduction in the amount required to be distributed under Section

 

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857(a) of the Code resulting therefrom).  For purposes hereof, any adjustment to an indemnification payment on account of Taxes (or REIT Taxes) shall be determined (i) using the highest marginal rates in effect for SPG, in the case of an Indemnified Party that is a member of the SPG Group, or for WPG, in the case of an Indemnified Party that is a member of the WPG Group, at the time of the determination and (ii) assuming that the Indemnified Party will be liable for Taxes at such rate and has no Tax Attributes at the time of the determination.

 

Section 5.04.                          Timing of Indemnification Payments .  Indemnification payments required pursuant to this Article V shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party as the associated indemnifiable liabilities are incurred upon demand by the Indemnified Party, including reasonably satisfactory documentation setting forth the basis for the amount of such indemnification payment.

 

Section 5.05.                          Certain Tax Procedures .  For the avoidance of doubt, Section 4.11 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall apply with respect to any indemnification payments required to be made pursuant to this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE VI
REFUNDS, TRS TAX ATTRIBUTES, DEDUCTIONS

 

Section 6.01.                          Refunds .

 

(a)                                  SPG LP shall be entitled to all Refunds of Taxes for which SPG LP is responsible pursuant to Article II or for which SPG LP is or may be liable pursuant to Article V, and WPG LP shall be entitled to all Refunds of Taxes for which WPG LP is responsible pursuant to Article II or for which WPG LP is or may be liable pursuant to Article V.  A Party receiving a Refund to which the other Party is entitled pursuant to this Agreement shall pay the amount to which such other Party is entitled within ten (10) days after the receipt of the Refund.

 

(b)                                  In the event of an Adjustment relating to Taxes for which one Party is responsible pursuant to Article II or is or may be liable pursuant to Article V which would have given rise to a Refund but for an offset against the Taxes for which the other Party is or may be liable pursuant to Article V (the “ Benefited Party ”), then the Benefited Party shall pay to the other Party, within ten (10) days of the Final Determination of such Adjustment an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the amount of such hypothetical Refund or (ii) the amount of such reduction in the Taxes of the Benefited Party, in each case plus interest at the rate set forth in Section 6621(a)(1) of the Code on such amount for the period from the filing date of the Tax Return that would have given rise to such Refund to the payment date.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding Section 6.01(a), to the extent that a Party applies or causes to be applied an overpayment of Taxes as a credit toward or a reduction in Taxes otherwise payable (or a Taxing Authority requires such application in lieu of a Refund) and such overpayment of Taxes, if received as a Refund, would have been payable by such Party to the other Party pursuant to this Section 6.01, such Party shall pay such amount to the other Party no later than the Due Date of the Tax Return for which such overpayment is applied to reduce Taxes otherwise payable.

 

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(d)                                  To the extent that the amount of any Refund under this Section 6.01 is later reduced by a Taxing Authority or a Tax Proceeding, such reduction shall be allocated to the Party to which such Refund was allocated pursuant to this Section 6.01 and an appropriate adjusting payment shall be made.

 

(e)                                   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the above provisions of this Section 6.01 shall not apply with respect to any Refund to the extent such Refund is governed by Section 2.14 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement; provided , that Section 6.01(c) shall apply with respect to any such Refund to the extent such Refund is applied as a credit toward or reduction in Taxes otherwise payable (and the amount of such credit is not otherwise taken into account pursuant to Section 2.14 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement).

 

Section 6.02.                          TRS Tax Attributes .

 

(a)                                  Tax Attributes arising in a Pre-Closing Period shall be allocated to the SPG TRS and the WPG TRS in accordance with the Code and Treasury Regulations (and any applicable state, local and foreign Laws).  SPG shall determine the allocation of such Tax Attributes arising in Pre-Closing Periods as soon as reasonably practicable following the Closing Date, and the Parties hereby agree to compute all Taxes for Post-Closing Periods consistently with that determination unless otherwise required by a Final Determination.

 

(b)                                  To the extent that the amount of any Tax Attribute is later reduced or increased by a Taxing Authority or Tax Proceeding, such reduction or increase shall be allocated to the Party to which such Tax Attribute was allocated pursuant to Section 6.02(a).

 

Section 6.03.                          Treatment of Deductions Associated with Equity-Related Compensation .  Solely SPG shall be entitled to claim any Tax deduction associated with the vesting or settlement of any SPG restricted stock awards granted in connection with the performance of services (and the payment of any dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to restricted stock awards).

 

ARTICLE VII
TAX PROCEEDINGS

 

Section 7.01.                          Notification of Tax Proceedings .  Within thirty (30) days after an Indemnified Party becomes aware of the commencement of a Tax Proceeding that may give rise to Taxes for which an Indemnifying Party is responsible pursuant to Article V, such Indemnified Party shall notify the Indemnifying Party of such Tax Proceeding, and thereafter shall promptly forward or make available to the Indemnifying Party copies of notices and communications relating to such Tax Proceeding.  The failure of the Indemnified Party to notify the Indemnifying Party of the commencement of any such Tax Proceeding within such thirty (30)-day period or promptly forward any further notices or communications shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnified Party under this Agreement except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by such failure.

 

Section 7.02.                          Tax Proceedings .

 

(a)                                  Generally .  Except as provided in Section 7.02(c)(i), SPG (or such member of the SPG Group as SPG shall designate) shall have the sole right to control any Tax Proceeding and

 

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represent the interests of the members of the SPG Group and the members of the WPG Group and to employ counsel of its choice at its expense in any Tax Proceeding (including any Tax Proceeding with respect to Restructuring/Distribution Taxes) relating to (i) any Combined Tax Return, (ii) any SPG Separate Tax Return and (iii) any Restructuring/Distribution Taxes (each, a “ SPG Tax Proceeding ”).  Except as provided in Section 7.02(c)(ii), WPG (or such member of the WPG Group as WPG shall designate) shall have the sole right to represent the interests of the members of the WPG Group and to employ counsel of its choice at its expense in any Tax Proceeding relating to any WPG Separate Tax Return other than a SPG Proceeding (a “ WPG Tax Proceeding ”.

 

(b)                                  Power of Attorney .  WPG shall (and shall cause the members of the WPG Group to) execute and deliver to SPG (or such member of the SPG Group as SPG shall designate) any power of attorney or other document requested by SPG (or such designee) in connection with any Tax Proceeding described in the first sentence of Section 7.02.

 

(c)                                   Participation Rights .

 

(i)                                      SPG Tax Proceedings .  In the event of any SPG Tax Proceeding the resolution of which could reasonably be expected to give rise to an indemnification obligation of WPG LP pursuant to Article V, (A) SPG shall consult with WPG reasonably in advance of taking any significant action in connection with such Tax Proceeding, (B) SPG shall consult with WPG and offer WPG a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such Tax Proceeding, (C) SPG shall defend such Tax Proceeding diligently and in good faith as if it were the only party in interest in connection with such Tax Proceeding, and (D) SPG shall provide WPG copies of any written materials relating to such Tax Proceeding received from the relevant Taxing Authority.  Notwithstanding anything in the preceding sentence to the contrary, the final determination of the positions taken, including with respect to settlement or other disposition, in (i) any SPG Tax Proceeding relating to Restructuring/Distribution Taxes or (ii) any other SPG Tax Proceeding which could not reasonably be expected to give rise to an indemnification obligation of WPG LP pursuant to Article V in excess of $5,000,000, shall be made in the sole discretion of SPG and shall be final and not subject to the dispute resolution provisions of Section 11.01 (or Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement).  With respect to any SPG Tax Proceeding (other than any SPG Tax Proceeding relating to Restructuring/Distribution Taxes) which could reasonably be expected to give rise to an indemnification obligation of WPG LP pursuant to Article V in excess of $5,000,000, WPG shall be entitled to participate in such Tax Proceeding at its own expense, and SPG shall not settle, compromise or abandon any such Tax Proceeding without obtaining the prior written consent of WPG, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

(ii)                                   WPG Tax Proceedings .  In the event of any WPG Tax Proceeding that relates to any Restructuring/Distribution Taxes, (A) WPG shall consult with SPG reasonably in advance of taking any significant action in connection with such Tax Proceeding, (B) WPG shall consult with SPG and offer SPG a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such Tax Proceeding, (C) WPG shall defend such Tax Proceeding diligently and in good faith as if it were the only party in interest in connection with such Tax Proceeding, (D) WPG shall provide SPG copies of any written

 

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materials relating to such Tax Proceeding received from the relevant Taxing Authority, (E) SPG shall be entitled to participate in such Tax Proceeding at its own expense and (F) WPG shall not settle, compromise or abandon any such Tax Proceeding without obtaining the prior written consent of SPG, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

ARTICLE VIII
TAX-FREE STATUS OF THE DISTRIBUTION

 

Section 8.01.                          Representations and Warranties .

 

(a)                                  WPG .

 

(i)                                      WPG hereby represents and warrants that (i) it has examined (A) the representation letter from SPG addressed to Tax Counsel and delivered in connection with the Tax Opinion, (B) the representation letter from WPG addressed to Tax Counsel and delivered in connection with the Tax Opinion and (C) any other information, documents or other materials delivered or deliverable by SPG or WPG in connection with the Tax Opinion (all of the foregoing, collectively, the “ Tax Opinion Documents ”)  and (ii) the facts presented and the representations made in the Tax Opinion Documents, to the extent descriptive of or in reference to the WPG Group or the WPG Business (including with respect to the plans, proposals, intentions and policies of the WPG Group), are true, correct and complete in all respects.

 

(ii)                                   WPG hereby represents and warrants that during the two (2)-year period ending on the Closing Date, there was no “agreement, understanding, arrangement, substantial negotiations or discussions” (as such terms are defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(h)) by any one or more officers or directors of any member of the WPG Group or by any other person or persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more of such officers or directors regarding an acquisition of all or a significant portion of the Equity Securities of WPG (or any predecessor); provided , that no representation or warranty is made by WPG regarding any “agreement, understanding, arrangement, substantial negotiations” (as such terms are defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(h)) by one or more officers or directors of SPG.

 

(b)                                  SPG .  SPG hereby represents and warrants that (i) it has delivered complete and accurate copies of the Tax Opinion Documents to WPG and (ii) the facts presented and the representations made in the Tax Opinion Documents, to the extent descriptive of or in reference to the SPG Group or the SPG Business (including with respect to the business purposes for the Distribution described in the Tax Opinion Documents and the plans, proposals, intentions and policies of the SPG Group), are true, correct and complete in all respects.

 

(c)                                   No Contrary Plan .  Each of SPG and WPG represents and warrants that neither it, nor any of its Affiliates, has any plan or intention to take any action (or fail to take any action) or knows of any fact or circumstance (after due inquiry) (A) which is inconsistent with any statements or representations made in the Tax Opinion Documents, this Agreement or the Separation and Distribution Agreement (or that could cause any such statements or representations to be untrue) or (B) which may cause any of the Transactions not to have Tax-Free Status.

 

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Section 8.02.        Restrictions Relating to the Distribution .

 

(a)           General .  Neither SPG nor WPG shall, or permit any SPG Entity or any WPG Entity, respectively, to, take any action that constitutes (or fail to take an action, the omission of which would result in, as applicable) a Disqualifying Action described in the definitions of SPG Disqualifying Action and WPG Disqualifying Action, respectively.

 

(b)           WPG Obligations .  WPG shall not take any action (including, but not limited to, any cessation, transfer or disposition of all or any portion of any WPG Business, payment of extraordinary dividends and acquisitions or issuance of Equity Securities) or permit any member of the WPG Group to take any such action, and WPG shall not fail to take any such action or permit any member of the WPG Group to fail to take any such action, in each case, unless such action or failure to act (x) could not reasonably be expected to cause any of the Transactions to fail to have Tax-Free Status or (y) could not require SPG or WPG to reflect a liability or reserve for Taxes or other amounts with respect to the Transactions in its financial statements.

 

(c)           WPG Restrictions .  Prior to the first (1 st ) day after the end of the Restriction Period, WPG:

 

(i)            (x) shall continue and cause to be continued the active conduct (within the meaning of Section 355(b) of the Code) of each WPG Active Trade or Business as conducted immediately prior to the Distribution, taking into account Section 355(b)(3) of the Code and Revenue Ruling 2007-42, 2007-2 C.B. 44, and (y) shall not engage (or permit any member of the WPG Group to engage) in any transaction (including, without limitation, any cessation, transfer or disposition of all or any portion of any WPG Business) that could reasonably be expected to result in WPG or WPG TRS ceasing to be a company engaged in the applicable WPG Active Trade or Business.

 

(ii)           shall not, and shall not permit any WPG Entity (other than any WPG Entity treated as an entity disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes) to, voluntarily dissolve or liquidate (or take any other action or enter into any transaction that would effect a liquidation for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes).

 

(iii)          shall not, and shall not permit WPG TRS to,(1) enter into, solicit, agree to, participate in, approve or effect any Acquisition Transaction or, to the extent WPG or WPG TRS, as applicable, has the right to prohibit any Acquisition Transaction, permit any Acquisition Transaction to occur, (2) redeem or otherwise repurchase or agree to redeem or otherwise repurchase (directly or through an Affiliate) any Equity Securities of WPG or WPG TRS, as applicable, except to the extent such repurchases satisfy Section 4.05(1)(b) of Revenue Procedure 96-30 (as in effect prior to the amendment of such Revenue Procedure by Revenue Procedure 2003-48), (3) amend its certificate of incorporation (or other organizational documents), or take any other action, whether through a stockholder vote or otherwise, affecting the relative voting rights of its Equity Securities (including through the conversion of any Equity Securities into another class of Equity Securities), (4) merge or consolidate (or agree to merge or consolidate) with any other Person and shall not permit any WPG Entity to merge or consolidate (or agree to merger or consolidate) with any other Person or (5) take any other action or actions (including any action or transaction that would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with any representation made in the Tax Opinion Documents) which, individually or in the aggregate (and taking into account any other transactions described in this Section 8.02(c)(iii)) would be

 

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reasonably likely to have the effect of causing or permitting one or more Persons (whether or not acting in concert) to acquire, directly or indirectly, Equity Securities representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest in WPG or WPG TRS or otherwise jeopardize the Tax-Free Status of any of the Transactions.  In addition, none of WPG or WPG TRS shall at any time, whether before or subsequent to the expiration of the Restriction Period, engage in any action described in the immediately preceding sentence if it is pursuant to an agreement negotiated (in whole or in part) prior to the first (1 st ) anniversary of the Distribution, even if at the time of the Distribution or thereafter such action is subject to various conditions.

 

(iv)          shall not, and shall not permit any WPG Entity (or members of their respective SAGs) to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of or agree to, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose (including in any transaction treated for federal income tax purposes as a sale, transfer or disposition) of assets (including, any shares of Equity Securities of a Subsidiary) that, in the aggregate, constitute more than thirty percent (30%) of the gross assets of WPG or WPG TRS or more than thirty percent (30%) of the consolidated gross assets of WPG, the members of its SAG and WPG LP, or WPG TRS and the members of its SAG, respectively.  The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (A) sales, transfers, or dispositions of assets in the Ordinary Course of Business, (B) any cash paid to acquire assets from an unrelated Person in an arm’s-length transaction, (C) any assets transferred to a Person that is disregarded as an entity separate from the transferor for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes or (D) any mandatory or optional repayment (or pre-payment) of any indebtedness of WPG or WPG TRS (or any member of their respective SAGs or WPG LP).  The percentages of gross assets or consolidated gross assets of WPG or WPG, the members of its SAG and WPG LP, or WPG TRS or WPG TRS and the members of its SAG, as the case may be, sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of, shall be based on the fair market value of the gross assets of such entity or entities as of the Closing Date.  For purposes of this Section 8.02(c)(iv), a merger of WPG, WPG LP or WPG TRS (or a member of its SAG) with and into any Person shall constitute a disposition of all of the assets of such entity or such member.

 

(d)           Notwithstanding the restrictions imposed by Section 8.02(c), during the Restriction Period, WPG may proceed with any of the actions or transactions described in Section 8.02(c), if (x) such action or transaction is not described in Section 8.02(a) or Section 8.02(b) and (y) prior to entering into any agreement contemplating such action or transaction, and prior to taking or consummating any such action or transaction, (i) WPG shall first have requested SPG to obtain a private letter ruling from the IRS (and any other relevant Taxing Authority) (a “ Post-Distribution Ruling ”) in accordance with Section 8.03 of this Agreement to the effect that such action or transaction will not affect the Tax-Free Status of any of the Transactions and SPG shall have received such Post-Distribution Ruling in form and substance satisfactory to SPG in its sole and absolute discretion, (ii) WPG shall have provided SPG with an Unqualified Tax Opinion in form and substance satisfactory to SPG in its sole and absolute discretion, or (iii) SPG shall have waived in writing (a “ Waiver ”) the requirement to obtain such Post-Distribution Ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion.  In determining whether a Post-Distribution Ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion is satisfactory, SPG shall exercise its discretion in good faith and may consider, among other factors, the appropriateness of any underlying assumptions or representations used as a basis for the Post-Distribution Ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion and the views on the substantive merits.  For the avoidance of doubt, WPG LP shall not be relieved of any indemnification obligation pursuant to Article V or otherwise under this

 

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Agreement as a result of having satisfied the requirements of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section 8.02(d).

 

(e)           Certain Issuances of Capital Stock .  If WPG proposes to enter into any Section 8.02(e) Acquisition Transaction or, to the extent WPG has the right to prohibit any Section 8.02(e) Acquisition Transaction, proposes to permit any Section 8.02(e) Acquisition Transaction to occur, in each case, during the Restriction Period, WPG, shall provide SPG, no later than ten (10) days following the signing of any written agreement with respect to any Section 8.02(e) Acquisition Transaction, with a written description of such transaction (including the type and amount of WPG Equity Securities to be issued in such transaction).

 

(f)            Tax Reporting .  Each of WPG and SPG covenants and agrees that it will not take, and will cause its respective Affiliates not to take, any position on any Tax Return that is inconsistent with the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions.

 

Section 8.03.        Procedures Regarding Post-Distribution Rulings and Unqualified Tax Opinions .

 

(a)           Notification .  If WPG determines that it desires to take one of the actions described in Sections 8.02(c) (a “ Notified Action ”), WPG shall promptly notify SPG of this fact in writing.

 

(b)           Post-Distribution Rulings or Unqualified Tax Opinions at WPG’s Request .  Upon the reasonable request of WPG pursuant to Section 8.03(a), SPG shall cooperate with WPG and use its commercially reasonable efforts to seek to obtain, as expeditiously as possible, a Post-Distribution Ruling or an Unqualified Tax Opinion for the purpose of permitting WPG to take the Notified Action unless SPG shall have waived the requirement to obtain such Post-Distribution Ruling or Unqualified Tax Option in writing pursuant to Section 8.02(d).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall SPG be required to file or cooperate in the filing of any ruling request for a Post-Distribution Ruling under this Section 8.03(b) unless SPG represents that (i) it has read such ruling request, and (ii) all statements, information and representations relating to any member of the WPG Group contained in such ruling request are (subject to any qualifications therein) true, correct and complete.  WPG LP shall reimburse SPG LP for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the SPG Group in obtaining a Post-Distribution Ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion requested by SPG within ten (10) days after receiving an invoice from SPG therefor.

 

(c)           Post-Distribution Rulings or Unqualified Tax Opinions at SPG’s Request .  SPG  shall have the right to obtain a Post-Distribution Ruling or a tax opinion at any time in its sole and absolute discretion.  If SPG determines to obtain a Post-Distribution Ruling or a tax opinion, WPG shall (and shall cause each WPG Entity to) cooperate with SPG and take any and all actions reasonably requested by SPG in connection with obtaining such Post-Distribution Ruling or tax opinion (including, without limitation, by making any representation or covenant or providing any information, documents and materials requested by the IRS, any other relevant Taxing Authority or the Tax Counsel issuing such opinion); provided , that WPG shall not be required to make (or cause a WPG Entity to make) any representation or covenant that is inconsistent with historical facts or as to future matters or events over which it has no control.

 

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SPG and WPG shall each bear its own costs and expenses in obtaining a Post-Distribution Ruling or tax opinion requested by SPG.

 

(d)           All Post-Distribution Rulings .  SPG shall have sole and exclusive control over the process of obtaining any Post-Distribution Ruling, and only SPG shall be permitted to apply for a Post-Distribution Ruling.  In connection with obtaining a Post-Distribution Ruling, (i) SPG shall keep WPG informed in a timely manner of all material actions taken or proposed to be taken by SPG in connection therewith; (ii) SPG shall (1) reasonably in advance of the submission of any request for a  Post-Distribution Ruling provide WPG with a draft copy thereof; (2) reasonably consider WPG’s comments on such draft copy; and (3) provide WPG with a final copy; and (iii) provide WPG with notice reasonably in advance of, and WPG shall have the right to attend, any formally scheduled meetings with the IRS (subject to the approval of the IRS) that relate to such Post-Distribution Ruling.  Neither WPG nor any WPG Entity shall seek any guidance from the IRS or any other Taxing Authority (whether written, verbal or otherwise) at any time concerning the Restructuring or the Distribution (including the impact of any transaction on the Restructuring or the Distribution).

 

Section 8.04.        Section 336(e) Election .  If SPG determines, in its sole discretion, that a protective election under Section 336(e) of the Code (a “ Section 336(e) Election ”) shall be made with respect to the TRS Distribution or the Distribution, WPG shall (or shall cause the relevant WPG Entity to) join with SPG or the relevant SPG Entity in the making of such election and shall take any action reasonably requested by SPG or that is otherwise necessary to give effect to such election (including making any other related election).  If a Section 336(e) Election is made with respect to the TRS Distribution or the Distribution, then this Agreement shall be amended in such a manner as is determined by SPG in good faith to take into account such Section 336(e) Election.

 

ARTICLE IX
RPT CONTRIBUTION

 

Section 9.01.        Prohibited Actions .  For a period of five (5) years following the RPT Contribution, WPG and WPG LP shall not (and shall not permit any of their respective Affiliates to) take any action or fail to take any action (including, without limitation, any sale, disposition, contribution or other transfer of any of the RPT Contributed Properties or any interest therein, any reduction in the amount of Liabilities to which any of the RPT Contributed Properties are subject and any distribution of RPT Contributed Properties or any other properties or assets) that would result in RPT, any of its Affiliates or any member of the SPG Group recognizing any RPT Built-In Gain or any RPT Section 752 Gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Section 9.02.        Section 704(c) Allocations .  WPG LP and any other entity in which WPG LP has a direct or indirect interest shall use the “traditional method” (without “curative allocations”) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(b) for purposes of making allocations under Section 704(c) of the Code with respect to the RPT Contributed Properties.

 

Section 9.03.        Damages .  In the event of a breach of any of the covenants set forth in Section 9.01 or Section 9.02, as applicable, (a) for purposes of Section 5.02(ii), RPT (or other relevant member of the SPG Group) shall be deemed to have incurred Taxes as a result of such

 

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breach in an amount equal to the product of (i) in the case of a breach of the covenants set forth in Section 9.01, the RPT Built-In Gain or the RPT Section 752 Gain, as applicable, and, in the case of a breach of the covenants set forth in Section 9.02, the additional amount of income or gain allocated under Section 704(c), and (ii) forty percent (40%) and (b) for purposes of Section 5.03(b), RPT (or other relevant member of the SPG Group) shall be deemed to have paid Taxes on any indemnification payment received on account of such breach that is required to be included in income (and not to have distributed any amount under Section 857(a) of the Code as a result therefrom) at a rate of forty percent (40%).

 

Section 9.04.        Exclusive Remedy .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (including Section 11.08), the sole and exclusive remedy with respect to any breach of the covenants set forth in Section 9.01 or Section 9.02 shall be the receipt of indemnification payments pursuant to Article V (as determined pursuant to Section 9.03), and in no event shall RPT or any member of the SPG Group have any right to specific performance with respect to any breach or threatened breach of any of the covenants set forth in Section 9.01 or Section 9.02.

 

Section 9.05.        Notice .  WPG and WPG LP shall notify SPG in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to taking any action (or failing to take any action) that would result in a breach of the covenants set forth in Section 9.01.

 

ARTICLE X
COOPERATION

 

Section 10.01.      General Cooperation .

 

(a)           The Parties shall each cooperate fully (and each shall cause its respective Subsidiaries to cooperate fully) with all reasonable requests in writing (“ Information Request ”) from another Party hereto, or from an agent or Representative of such Party, in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns (including the preparation of Tax Packages), claims for Refunds, Tax Proceedings, and calculations of amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, related or attributable to or arising in connection with Taxes of any of the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries covered by this Agreement and the establishment of any reserve required in connection with any financial reporting (a “ Tax Matter ”).  Such cooperation shall include the provision of any information reasonably necessary or helpful in connection with a Tax Matter (“ Information ”) and shall include, without limitation, at each Party’s own cost:

 

(i)            the provision of any Tax Returns of the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, books, records (including information regarding ownership and Tax basis of property), documentation and other information relating to such Tax Returns, including accompanying schedules, related work papers, and documents relating to rulings or other determinations by Taxing Authorities;

 

(ii)           the execution of any document (including any power of attorney) in connection with any Tax Proceedings of any of the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries, or the filing of a Tax Return or a Refund claim of the Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries;

 

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(iii)          the use of the Party’s reasonable best efforts to obtain any documentation in connection with a Tax Matter; and

 

(iv)          the use of the Party’s reasonable best efforts to obtain any Tax Returns (including accompanying schedules, related work papers, and documents), documents, books, records or other information in connection with the filing of any Tax Returns of any of the Parties or their Subsidiaries.

 

(b)           Each Party shall make its employees, advisors, and facilities available, without charge, on a reasonable and mutually convenient basis in connection with the foregoing matters.

 

Section 10.02.      Retention of Records .  SPG and WPG shall retain or cause to be retained all Tax Returns, schedules and work papers, and all material records or other documents relating thereto in their possession, until sixty (60) days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (including any waivers or extensions thereof) of the taxable periods to which such Tax Returns and other documents relate or until the expiration of any additional period that any Party reasonably requests, in writing, with respect to specific material records or documents.  A Party intending to destroy any material records or documents shall provide the other Party with reasonable advance notice and the opportunity to copy or take possession of such records and documents.  The Parties hereto will notify each other in writing of any waivers or extensions of the applicable statute of limitations that may affect the period for which the foregoing records or other documents must be retained.

 

ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 11.01.      Dispute Resolution .

 

(a)           In the event of any dispute between the Parties as to any matter covered by this Agreement, the Parties shall agree as to whether such dispute shall be governed by the procedures set forth in Section 11.01(b) of this Agreement or in Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.  If the Parties cannot agree within thirty (30) days from the time such dispute arises as to which procedure will govern such dispute, such disagreement shall be resolved pursuant to Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

(b)           With respect to any dispute governed by this Section 11.01(b), the Parties shall appoint a nationally recognized “Big Four” independent public accounting firm (other than the current auditing firm of SPG or WPG) (the “ Accounting Firm ”) to resolve such dispute.  The Parties shall cooperate in good faith in jointly selecting the Accounting Firm.  If the Parties cannot agree on a nationally recognized firm within thirty (30) days from the time such dispute arises, the Parties shall appoint Deloitte LLP to be the Accounting Firm.  In this regard, the Accounting Firm shall make determinations with respect to the disputed items based solely on representations made by SPG and WPG and their respective Representatives, and not by independent review, and shall function only as an expert and not as an arbitrator and shall be required to make a determination in favor of one Party only.  The Parties shall require the Accounting Firm to resolve all disputes no later than fifteen (15) days after the submission of such dispute to the Accounting Firm, but in no event later than the Due Date for the payment of

 

25



 

Taxes or the filing of the applicable Tax Return, if applicable, and agree that all decisions by the Accounting Firm with respect thereto shall be final and conclusive and binding on the Parties.  The Accounting Firm shall resolve all disputes in a manner consistent with this Agreement and, to the extent not inconsistent with this Agreement, in a manner consistent with the Past Practices of SPG and the members of the SPG Group, except as otherwise required by applicable Law.  The Parties shall require the Accounting Firm to render all determinations in writing and to set forth, in reasonable detail, the basis for such determination.  The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be paid by the non-prevailing Party.

 

Section 11.02.      Tax Sharing Agreements .  All Tax sharing, indemnification and similar agreements, written or unwritten, as between SPG or a SPG Entity, on the one hand, and WPG or a WPG Entity, on the other hand (other than this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, any other Ancillary Agreement and any agreement entered into after the Distribution), shall be or shall have been terminated no later than the Effective Time and, after the Effective Time, none of SPG, any SPG Entity, WPG or any WPG Entity shall have any further rights or obligations under any such Tax sharing, indemnification or similar agreement.

 

Section 11.03.      Interest on Late Payments .  With respect to any payment between the Parties pursuant to this Agreement not made by the due date set forth in this Agreement for such payment, the outstanding amount will accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate in effect for underpayments under Section 6621 of the Code from such due date to and including the earlier of the ninetieth (90th) day or the payment date and thereafter will accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to Prime Rate plus 2%.

 

Section 11.04.      Survival of Covenants .  Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their applicable terms; provided , however , that the representations and warranties and all indemnification for Taxes shall survive until sixty (60) days following the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (taking into account all extensions thereof), if any, for assessment of the Tax that gave rise to the indemnification; provided , further , that, in the event that notice for indemnification has been given within the applicable survival period, such indemnification shall survive until such time as such claim is finally resolved.

 

Section 11.05.      Severability .  If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced under any Law or as a matter of public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.  Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties to this Agreement shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner.

 

Section 11.06.      Entire Agreement .  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between or on behalf of the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

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Section 11.07.                   No Third-Party Beneficiaries .  Except as provided in Article V with respect to indemnified Parties, this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties to this Agreement and their respective Subsidiaries and their permitted successors and assigns and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

Section 11.08.                   Specific Performance .  Subject to Section 9.04, in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Party who is or is to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of its rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative.  Subject to Section 9.04, the Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, may be inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived.  Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived by the Parties to this Agreement.

 

Section 11.09.                   Amendment .  No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified except by a written instrument signed by the Parties to this Agreement.  No waiver by any Party of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and executed by the Party so waiving.  The waiver by any Party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other subsequent breach.

 

Section 11.10.                   Rules of Construction .  Interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the following rules of construction:  (i) words in the singular shall be held to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be held to include the other gender as the context requires; (ii) references to the terms Article, Section, paragraph, clause, Exhibit and Schedule are references to the Articles, Sections, paragraphs, clauses, exhibits and schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified; (iii) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereto,” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto; (iv) references to “ $ ” shall mean U.S. dollars; (v) the word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation,” unless otherwise specified; (vi) the word “or” shall not be exclusive; (vii) references to “written” or “in writing” include in electronic form; (viii) provisions shall apply, when appropriate, to successive events and transactions; (ix) the table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement; (x) SPG, SPG LP, WPG and WPG LP have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and if an ambiguity or question of interpretation should arise, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or burdening either Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions in this Agreement or any interim drafts of this Agreement; and (xi) a reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and permitted assigns.

 

Section 11.11.                   Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which

 

27



 

taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or portable document format (PDF) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of any such Agreement.

 

Section 11.12.                   Coordination with Separation and Distribution Agreement .  In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and the Separation and Distribution Agreement (or any Ancillary Agreement) with respect to matters addressed herein the provisions of this Agreement shall control (except to the extent set forth in Article X).

 

Section 11.13.                   Coordination with the Employee Matters Agreement .  To the extent any covenants or agreements between the Parties with respect to employee withholding Taxes are expressly set forth in the Employee Matters Agreement, such Taxes shall be governed exclusively by the Employee Matters Agreement and not by this Agreement.

 

Section 11.14.                   Governing Law .  This Agreement (and any claims or disputes arising out of or related hereto or to the transactions contemplated hereby or to the inducement of any Party to enter herein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of Indiana, irrespective of the choice of Laws principles of the State of Indiana, including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.

 

Section 11.15.                   Assignability .  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.  Neither Party may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement without the express prior written consent of the other Party hereto; provided , however , that each Party may assign all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of its Subsidiaries; provided , further , that no such assignment shall release the assigning Party from any of its liabilities or obligations under this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no consent for assignment shall be required for the assignment of a Party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement and all other Ancillary Agreements in whole ( i.e ., the assignment of a party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and all Ancillary Agreements all at the same time) in connection with a change of control of a Party so long as the resulting, surviving or transferee Person assumes all the obligations of the relevant Party by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Party.  Nothing herein is intended to, or shall be construed to, prohibit either Party or any of its Subsidiaries from being party to or undertaking a transaction that would result in a change of control.

 

Section 11.16.                   Notices . Any notice, demand, claim or other communication under this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been given (a) on delivery if delivered personally; (b) on the date on which delivery thereof is guaranteed by the carrier if delivered by a national courier guaranteeing delivery with an fixed number of days of sending; or (c) on the date of facsimile transmission thereof if delivery is confirmed, but, in each case, only if addressed to the Parties in the following manner at the following addresses or facsimile numbers (or at the other address or other number as a Party may specify by notice to the others):

 

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If to SPG, to:

 

 

 

Simon Property Group, Inc.

 

225 West Washington Street, 14th Floor

 

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

 

Attention: General Counsel

 

Facsimile: (317) 685-7377

 

 

 

with a copy (until the Effective Time) to:

 

 

 

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

 

51 West 52nd Street

 

New York, NY 10019

 

Attention:  Adam O. Emmerich

 

Karessa L. Cain

 

Facsimile:  (212) 403-2000

 

 

 

If to WPG, to:

 

 

 

Washington Prime Group, Inc.

 

7315 Wisconsin Avenue — 5th Floor

 

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

 

Attention: General Counsel

 

Facsimile:

 

 

 

with a copy to (until the Effective Time) to:

 

 

 

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

 

51 West 52nd Street

 

New York, NY 10019

 

Attention:  Adam O. Emmerich

 

Karessa L. Cain

 

Facsimile:  (212) 403-2000

 

 

Section 11.17.                   Effective Date .  This Agreement shall become effective only upon the occurrence of the Distribution.

 

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank. ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, L.P.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP, L.P.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

[Signature Page to Tax Matters Agreement]

 




Exhibit 10.6

 

FORM OF
EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, INC.
SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, L.P.
WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP INC.
AND
WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP, L.P.

 

DATED AS OF       , 2014

 

EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

 

This EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”), dated as of       , 2014, is by and among SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (“ SPG ”), SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ SPG L.P. ”), WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP INC., an Indiana corporation (“ WPG ”) and WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP, L.P., an Indiana partnership (“ WPG L.P. ” and together with SPG, SPG L.P. and WPG, each a “ Party ” and collectively, the “ Parties ”).

 

WHEREAS, the board of directors of SPG has determined that it is in the best interests of SPG and its shareholders to create a new publicly traded company which shall operate the WPG Business;

 

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, the board of directors of SPG has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to separate the WPG Business from the SPG Business (the “ Separation ”);

 

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, the Parties have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of       , 2014 (the “ Separation Agreement ”), and have entered or will enter into other Transaction Documents that will govern certain matters relating to the Distribution and the relationship of SPG, WPG and their respective Affiliates prior to and following the Distribution Date; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Separation Agreement, the Parties have agreed to enter into this Agreement for the purpose of allocating assets, liabilities and responsibilities with respect to certain human resources, employee compensation and benefits matters between them to the extent not provided in, or varying from, the Separation Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the respective agreements and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

 



 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

1.1                                Definitions .  The following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Affiliate ” shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person, a Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such specified Person.  For the purpose of this definition, “ control ” (including with correlative meanings, “ controlled by ” and “ under common control with ”), when used with respect to any specified Person shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other interests, by contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment, undertaking or otherwise.  It is expressly agreed that, prior to, at and after the Effective Time, for purposes of the Transaction Documents (a) no member of the WPG Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the SPG Group and (b) no member of the SPG Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the WPG Group.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Benefit Plan ” means, with respect to an entity, each plan, program, arrangement, agreement or commitment that is an employment, consulting, non-competition or deferred compensation agreement, or an executive compensation, incentive bonus or other bonus, employee pension, profit-sharing, savings, retirement, supplemental retirement, stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, operating partnership unit, other equity-based compensation, severance pay, salary continuation, life, health, hospitalization, sick leave, vacation pay, paid time-off, disability or accident insurance plan, program, arrangement, agreement or commitment, corporate-owned or key-man life insurance or other employee benefit plan, program, arrangement, agreement or commitment, including any “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), sponsored or maintained by such entity (or to which such entity contributes or is required to contribute).

 

COBRA ” means the continuation coverage requirements for “group health plans” under Title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, and as codified in Code Section 4980B and Sections 601 through 608 of ERISA, and any similar state group health plan continuation Law, together with all regulations and proposed regulations promulgated thereunder, including any amendments or other modifications of such Laws and regulations that may be made from time to time.

 

Code ” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Distribution ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to the Separation Agreement.

 

Distribution Date ” shall mean the date of the consummation of the Distribution, which shall be determined by the SPG Board in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

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Effective Time ” shall mean 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Distribution Date.

 

Employee ” means any individual who is a full or part-time common law employee of the applicable entity.

 

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

Exchange Act ” shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Force Majeure ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Separation Agreement.

 

Former Employee ” means any former Employee of SPG or an Affiliate of SPG or of WPG or an Affiliate of WPG, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether having last been employed by a member of the SPG Group or a member of the WPG Group, including retired and other inactive terminated Employees.  For clarification purposes, former Employees who are on long-term disability leave as of the Effective Time shall be considered Former Employees for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government, any state, municipality or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity, body, agency, commission, department, board, bureau, court, tribunal or other instrumentality, whether federal, state, local, domestic, foreign or multinational, exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, administrative or other similar functions of, or pertaining to, government and any executive official thereof.

 

Group ” shall mean either the WPG Group or the SPG Group, as the context requires.

 

HIPAA ” means the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended.

 

Law ” means any national, supranational, federal, state, provincial, local or similar law (including common law), statute, code, order, ordinance, rule, regulation, treaty (including any income tax treaty), license, permit, authorization, approval, consent, decree, injunction, binding judicial or administrative interpretation or other requirement, in each case, enacted, promulgated, issued or entered by a Governmental Authority.

 

Liabilities ” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Separation Agreement.

 

Parties ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Person ” shall mean an individual, a general or limited partnership, a corporation, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, a limited liability entity, any other entity and any Governmental Authority.

 

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Separation ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Separation Agreement ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

SPG 401(k) Plan ” means the Simon Property Group & Adopting Entities Matching Savings Plan.

 

SPG Annual Bonus Plans ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.1 of this Agreement.

 

SPG Benefit Plan ” means any Benefit Plan sponsored, maintained or contributed to by SPG or any of its Affiliates.

 

SPG Business ” shall mean all businesses, operations and activities (whether or not such businesses, operations or activities are or have been terminated, divested or discontinued) conducted at any time prior to the Effective Time by either Party or any member of its Group, other than the WPG Business.

 

SPG Common Share ” shall mean a common share, par value of $0.0001 per share, of SPG.

 

SPG Equity Plan ” means the Simon Property Group, L.P. Amended and Restated 1998 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

SPG Group ” means SPG and each Person that is a Subsidiary of SPG (other than any member of the WPG Group).

 

SPG Group Employee ” means any person who, immediately following the Effective Time, is an Employee of any member of the SPG Group, including any such Employee who is on an approved leave at such time.

 

SPG Participant ” means any SPG Group Employee or Former Employee and who is, at any time prior to, on, or after the Effective Time, a participant in the applicable SPG Benefit Plan or is a beneficiary, dependent or alternate payee of such a participant.

 

SPG Severance Benefits Program ” means the SPG severance program which covers employees of the WPG Group immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

SPG Share Fund ” means the fund under the SPG 401(k) Plan which provides for investment in SPG Common Shares.

 

SPG Welfare Plans ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.1(a) of this Agreement.

 

Subsidiary ” or “ subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, joint venture or partnership of which such Person (i) beneficially owns, either directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of (A) the total combined

 

4



 

voting power of all classes of voting securities of such Person, (B) the total combined equity interests, or (C) the capital or profit interests, in the case of a partnership, or (ii) otherwise has the power to vote, either directly or indirectly, sufficient securities to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar governing body.

 

Transaction Documents ” means all agreements entered into by the Parties or the members of their respective Groups (but as to which no third party is a party) in connection with the Separation, the Distribution, or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including this Agreement, the Separation Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Property Management Agreements, the Property Development Agreement and the Transfer Documents, as such terms are defined in the Separation Agreement (if not defined in this Agreement).

 

Transfer Period ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.1(c) of this Agreement.

 

Transition Services Agreement ” means the Transition Services Agreement to be entered into by and between SPG and WPG or any members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement.

 

U.S. ” means the United States of America.

 

Welfare Plan ” means a plan that provides for health, welfare or other insurance benefits (within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA).

 

WPG ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

WPG 401(k) Plan ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.1(a) of this Agreement.

 

WPG Annual Bonus Plan ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.1 of this Agreement.

 

WPG Benefit Plan ” means any Benefit Plan sponsored, maintained or contributed to by a member of the WPG Group after the Effective Time, but excluding any SPG Benefit Plan.

 

WPG Business ” shall mean the business, operations and activities of the SPG Group relating to the WPG Properties as defined in the Separation Agreement as conducted at any time prior to the Effective Time by either Party or any of their current or former Subsidiaries.

 

WPG Common Share ” shall mean a share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of WPG.

 

WPG Equity Plan ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.

 

5



 

WPG Group ” shall mean (a) prior to the Effective Time, WPG and each Person that will be a Subsidiary of WPG as of immediately after the Effective Time, including the Transferred Entities (as defined in the Separation Agreement), even if, prior to the Effective Time, such Person is not a Subsidiary of WPG; and (b) on and after the Effective Time, WPG and each Person that is a Subsidiary of WPG.

 

WPG Group Employee ” means any person who, immediately following the Effective Time, is an Employee of any member of the WPG Group, including any such Employee who is on an approved leave at such time other than long-term disability leave.

 

WPG Participant ” means any WPG Group Employee who was, prior to the Effective Time, a participant in the applicable SPG Benefit Plan or is, after the Effective Time, a participant in the applicable WPG Benefit Plan, or is a beneficiary, dependent or alternate payee of such a participant.

 

WPG Share Fund ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.1(c).

 

WPG Welfare Plans ” means Welfare Plans which are maintained or contributed to by a member of the WPG Group, but excluding the SPG Welfare Plans.

 

ARTICLE II
EMPLOYMENT GENERALLY

 

2.1                                Continuation of Employment .  Except as otherwise provided on Schedule 2.1 of this Agreement or as required by applicable local Law, SPG and its Affiliates shall take all actions necessary to ensure that, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, (i) all Employees intended by the Parties to be WPG Group Employees are employed by a member of the WPG Group and (ii) all Employees intended by the Parties to be SPG Group Employees are employed by a member of the SPG Group.

 

2.2                                Service Recognition .  WPG shall give, or shall cause its Affiliates to give, each WPG Group Employee full credit for all purposes under any WPG Benefit Plan for such WPG Group Employee’s service with SPG or any of its Affiliates prior to the Effective Time to the same extent such service was recognized by the corresponding SPG Benefit Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided , however , that such service shall not be recognized to the extent that such recognition would result in the duplication of benefits or as otherwise provided by applicable local Law.

 

2.3                                No Separation From Service or Termination of Employment .  The Distribution and the assignment, transfer, or continuation of employment of any Employee of SPG or any of its Affiliates in connection therewith (including in accordance with Section 2.1 hereof) shall not be deemed a separation from service or termination of employment entitling such Employee to be eligible to participate in, or to receive payment of, severance or other termination payments or benefits under any applicable Law, SPG Benefit Plan or WPG Benefit Plan provided , however , that any Employee of SPG or any of its Affiliates whose employment is not intended to be continued by SPG or any of its Affiliates following the Effective Time and is not assigned to a member of the WPG Group, and whose employment is involuntarily terminated

 

6



 

by SPG as of the Effective Time, shall be deemed to have incurred a separation from service and shall be eligible to receive severance and benefits as set forth in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.

 

2.4                                Former Employees WPG shall have no liability with respect to Former Employees, if any, as of the Effective Time. SPG shall retain liability, if any, with respect to Former Employees.

 

ARTICLE III
RETIREMENT PLANS

 

3.1                                The SPG 401(k) Plan and WPG 401(k) Plan .

 

(a)                                  Establishment of Plan and Trust .  WPG or one of its Affiliates shall adopt a retirement plan and related trust which are qualified and tax-exempt pursuant to Code Sections 401(a) and 501(a), respectively, and which is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 401(k) (the “ WPG 401(k) Plan ”), and any trust agreement or other plan documents reasonably necessary in connection therewith, and shall cause a trustee to be appointed for the WPG 401(k) Plan.  Such actions shall be completed prior to, or as soon as reasonably practicable following, the Effective Time.

 

(b)                                  Assumption of Liabilities Transfer of Assets .  As soon as practicable after the Effective Time and subject to completion of the Transfer Period, and subject to Section 3.1(c) and Applicable Law:  (i) SPG shall cause the accounts (including any outstanding loan balances) of each WPG Employee in the SPG 401(k) Plan to be transferred to the WPG 401(k) Plan and its related trust; (ii) the WPG 401(k) Plan shall assume and be solely responsible for all Liabilities under the WPG 401(k) Plan relating to the accounts that are so transferred as of and following the time of such transfer; and (iii) WPG shall cause such transferred accounts to be accepted by the WPG 401(k) Plan and its related trust and shall cause the WPG 401(k) Plan to satisfy all protected benefit requirements under the Code and applicable Law with respect to the transferred accounts.  Such transfer shall be made in (i) cash but, other than as set forth in Section 3.1(c), only to the extent it is not practicable to transfer in kind (as determined by the administrator of the SPG 401(k) Plan) and (ii) promissory notes evidencing the transfer of outstanding loans.

 

(c)                                   Employer Securities .  The SPG 401(k) Plan will provide, effective as of the Effective Time:  (i) for the establishment of a share fund for WPG Common Shares (the “ WPG Share Fund ”); and (ii) that the WPG Share Fund shall receive a transfer of and hold all WPG Common Shares distributed in connection with the Distribution in respect of SPG Common Shares held in the SPG Share Fund.  Each WPG Group Employee participating in the SPG 401(k) Plan will be prohibited from allocating contributions to, or transferring funds into, the SPG Share Fund and WPG Share Fund on and following the Distribution Date, and shall have a period of at least 10 business days following the Distribution Date, as determined by the administrator of the SPG 401(k) Plan (the “Transfer Period”), to transfer amounts invested in such funds to any other investment fund offered under the SPG 401(k) Plan.  As soon as practicable following the completion of the Transfer Period and prior to the transfer of assets described in Section 3.1(b), to the extent amounts remain invested on behalf of a WPG Group Employee in the SPG Share Fund and/or WPG Share Fund, such invested amounts shall be

 

7



 

(i) liquidated to cash, (ii) transferred in cash to the WPG 401(k) Plan in accordance with Section 3.1(b), and (iii) invested on behalf of such employee in a target date fund based on the age of such employee at the time of such transfer, in accordance with such procedures as are determined by the administrator of the WPG 401(k) Plan.

 

(d)                                  Contributions Under the SPG 401(k) Plan as of the Effective Time .  All employer contributions, including employee deferrals, matching contributions (including any true-up contributions, if applicable), profit-sharing contributions, and employer non-elective contributions, accrued by WPG Participants under the SPG 401(k) Plan through the Effective Time, determined in accordance with the terms and provisions of the SPG 401(k) Plan, ERISA and the Code, and based on all service performed and compensation accrued through the Effective Time, shall be deposited by SPG to the SPG 401(k) Plan and allocated to the SPG 401(k) Plan accounts of the proper WPG Participants prior to the Effective Time.

 

3.2                                Reservation of Rights .  Except as provided in Section 3.1, the Parties hereby acknowledge that nothing in this Article III shall be construed to require (a) SPG or any of its Affiliates to continue the SPG 401(k) Plan before or after the Effective Time, and (b) WPG or any of its Affiliates to continue the WPG 401(k) Plan after the Effective Time following its establishment and receipt of the asset and liability transfer described in Section 3.1.  The Parties agree that (i) SPG reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend or terminate the SPG 401(k) Plan at any time following the date of this Agreement in accordance with its terms and applicable Law, and (ii) WPG reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend or terminate the WPG 401(k) Plan at any time following the date of this Agreement in accordance with its terms and applicable Law; provided that no such amendment to either the SPG 401(k) Plan or the WPG 401(k) Plan shall prevent the actions described in Section 3.1.

 

ARTICLE IV
HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANS

 

4.1                                WPG Health and Welfare Plans .

 

(a)                                  Cessation of Participation in SPG Health and Welfare Plans .  No later than the Effective Time, WPG (acting directly or through its Affiliates) shall establish the WPG Welfare Plans, which shall generally correspond to the SPG health and welfare plans in which WPG Group Employees participate immediately prior to the Effective Time (“ SPG Welfare Plans ”).  WPG shall cause WPG Group Employees and their covered dependents who participate in SPG Welfare Plans immediately prior to the Effective Time to be automatically enrolled as of the Effective Time in WPG Welfare Plans corresponding to the SPG Welfare Plans in which the WPG Employee or his or her covered dependents, if any, participated immediately before the Effective Time; provided that, with respect to flexible spending accounts, if automatic enrollment is not possible, WPG Group Employees shall be eligible to elect coverage as of or as soon as reasonably practicable following the Effective Time under each WPG Welfare Plan which is a flexible spending account plan and which corresponds to an SPG Welfare Plan which is a flexible spending account plan.

 

(b)                                  Allocation of Health and Welfare Plan Liabilities .  All outstanding Liabilities relating to, arising out of, or resulting from health and welfare claims incurred by or

 

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on behalf of WPG Employees or their covered dependents under the SPG Welfare Plans on or before the Effective Time, including claims incurred but not reported, shall be retained by SPG.

 

(c)                                   Waiver of Conditions .  To the extent permitted by applicable Law and the terms of the applicable WPG Welfare Plan, WPG (acting directly or through its Affiliates) shall cause the WPG Welfare Plans to (i) waive all limitations as to preexisting conditions, exclusions, and service conditions with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to any WPG Group Employee, other than limitations that were in effect with respect to the WPG Group Employee under the corresponding SPG Welfare Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (ii) waive any waiting period limitation or evidence of insurability requirement applicable to a WPG Group Employee other than limitations or requirements that were in effect with respect to such WPG Group Employee under the corresponding SPG Welfare Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time.  Such waivers described in clauses (i) and (ii) of the foregoing sentence, with respect to the WPG Welfare Plans, shall apply to initial enrollment effective immediately following the Effective Time.  Following the initial enrollment, pre-existing condition limitations, exclusions, and services conditions under the WPG Welfare Plans shall apply only to the extent allowable under HIPAA.

 

(d)                                  Deductibles, Etc.   To the extent permitted by applicable Law and the terms of the applicable WPG Welfare Plan, expenses incurred by any WPG Group Employee and credited during the year which includes the Distribution Date for purposes of calculating deductibles, co-payments and out-of-pocket maximums under an SPG Welfare Plan shall be taken into account as if such expense had been incurred under the corresponding WPG Welfare Plan.

 

4.2                                COBRA and HIPAA Compliance .  SPG shall continue to be responsible for compliance with the health care continuation requirements of COBRA (including the requirements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act), the certificate of creditable coverage requirements of HIPAA, and the corresponding provisions of the SPG Welfare Plans with respect to any WPG Group Employees or any of their covered dependents who incur a qualifying event or loss of coverage under COBRA at or before the Effective Time (including as a result of the Separation and Distribution).  WPG shall assume responsibility for compliance with the health care continuation requirements of COBRA, the certificate of creditable coverage requirements of HIPAA, and the corresponding provisions of the WPG Welfare Plans, with respect to any WPG Group Employees or any of their covered dependents who incur a qualifying event or loss of coverage under the WPG Welfare Plans after the Effective Time.

 

4.3                                Time-Off Benefits .  WPG shall credit each WPG Group Employee immediately following the Effective Time with the amount of accrued but unused paid time-off as such WPG Group Employee had under the applicable SPG paid time-off policy immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

4.4                                Incurred Claim Definition .  For purposes of this Article IV, a claim or Liability is deemed to be incurred:  (a) with respect to medical, dental, vision and/or prescription drug benefits, upon the rendering of health services giving rise to such claim or Liability; (b) with respect to life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment and business travel accident insurance, upon the occurrence of the event giving rise to such claim or Liability; (c) with

 

9



 

respect to disability benefits, upon the date of an Employee’s disability, as determined by the disability benefit insurance carrier or claim administrator, giving rise to such claim or Liability; and (d) with respect to a period of continuous hospitalization, upon the date of admission to the hospital.

 

4.5                                Workers Compensation .  The ownership and administration of workers compensation insurance shall be governed by Section 5.1 of the Separation Agreement regarding insurance matters.  For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted to allocate between the Parties the claims and Liabilities under any workers compensation insurance policies.

 

4.6                                Reservation of Rights WPG shall maintain Welfare Plans that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to the SPG Welfare Plans in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time for the period commencing as of Effective Time through December 31, 2014.  The Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that nothing in this Article IV shall be construed to require (a) SPG or any of its Affiliates to continue any SPG Benefit Plan before or after the Effective Time, or (b) WPG or any of its Affiliates to continue any WPG Benefit Plan before or after the Effective Time, in each case, except as set forth in Article VI and this Section 4.6.  Each of SPG and WPG reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend or terminate any SPG Benefit Plan and any WPG Benefit Plan, respectively, at any time after the date of this Agreement, to the extent permitted or required under the terms of the applicable SPG Benefit Plan, WPG Benefit Plan or applicable Law; provided that no such amendment or termination shall prevent the actions described in Article IV.

 

ARTICLE V
EQUITY PLANS

 

5.1                                Establishment of WPG Equity Plan .  As of or prior to the Effective Time, WPG shall adopt an equity compensation plan (the “ WPG Equity Plan ”) pursuant to which equity awards may be granted to WPG Group Employees.  The WPG Equity Plan shall provide for the same types of awards as the SPG Equity Plan.  SPG and WPG shall take all actions as may be necessary or advisable to adopt and obtain shareholder and/or board of directors approval of the WPG Equity Plan (and the awards in respect of WPG Common Shares thereunder) in order to satisfy the requirement of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and the applicable rules and regulations of any applicable exchange on which WPG Common Shares will be traded.  The WPG Equity Plan shall be approved prior to the Effective Time by SPG as WPG’s sole shareholder.

 

5.2                                Liabilities for Settlement of Awards .  SPG shall be responsible for all Liabilities associated with awards made under the SPG Equity Plan, including without limitation such awards made to WPG Group Employees.  WPG shall be responsible for all Liabilities associated with awards made under the WPG Equity Plan.

 

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ARTICLE VI
ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION MATTERS; SEVERANCE

 

6.1                                Annual Cash Incentive Awards . Immediately prior to the Effective Time, WPG Group Employees shall cease participating in each SPG annual bonus plan or policy (“ SPG Annual Bonus Plans ”) and, as of the Effective Time, there shall be an accrual on the financial statements of WPG equal to the amount accrued by SPG on its financial statements for the portion of the calendar year ending immediately prior to the Effective Time for WPG Group Employees under such plans as appropriate based on the results achieved to date and the forecasted achievement of applicable annual targets.  As of the Effective Time, (i) WPG shall establish annual bonus plans or policies (“ WPG Annual Bonus Plans ”) substantially similar to the SPG Bonus Plans in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time which shall provide annual incentive bonuses for the entire calendar year in which occurs the Effective Time and (ii) WPG Group Employees who were eligible to participate in the SPG Bonus Plans shall be eligible to participate in the WPG Bonus Plans.  WPG shall be solely responsible for funding, paying and discharging all obligations under the WPG Annual Bonus Plans and SPG shall have no liability with respect to annual bonuses to be paid to WPG group employees with respect to the calendar year in which occurs the Effective Time.

 

6.2                                Assumption of Severance Liabilities .

 

(a)                                  Severance Liabilities .  WPG Group Employees who are terminated in connection with the Distribution prior to, on, or within eighteen (18) months following, the Effective Time shall be entitled to receive severance benefits that are no less favorable than the severance benefits provided under the terms of the SPG Severance Benefits Program in effect as of the applicable termination of employment or, if earlier, the Effective Time; provided , however , that such severance benefits shall not result in the duplication of benefits.  WPG shall adopt a severance program that has terms substantially similar to the SPG Severance Benefits Program as in effect as of the Effective Time.

 

(b)                                  Severance Agreements .  In the event any WPG Group Employee who is a salaried employee is eligible for severance benefits on account of a termination of employment within eighteen (18) months following the Effective Time, unless agreed otherwise by the Chief Human Resources Officers of WPG and SPG and such employee, WPG shall require such employee, as a condition of receiving severance benefits, to agree in writing to a release of existing claims and confidentiality and noncompete provisions in favor of WPG and SPG, in substantially the form of the Separation Agreement and Release and Confidentiality and Non-Compete Letter Agreement attached as Exhibit A hereto.

 

6.3                                Code Section 409A .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if any of the provisions of this Agreement would result in imposition of taxes and/or penalties under Section 409A of the Code, SPG and WPG shall cooperate in good faith to modify the applicable provision so that such taxes and/or penalties do not apply in order to comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, other applicable provisions of the Code and/or any rules, regulations or other regulatory guidance issued under such statutory provisions.

 

11



 

6.4                                Reservation of Rights .  The Parties hereby acknowledge that, except for the obligations described in this Article VI, nothing in this Article VI shall be construed to require either SPG or WPG (and their respective Affiliates) to continue any cash incentive awards program, deferred compensation plan, or severance plan after the Effective Time.  The Parties agree that each of SPG and WPG reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend or terminate any cash incentive awards program, deferred compensation plan, or severance plan maintained by the SPG Group or the WPG Group, respectively, at any time after the Effective Time to the extent permitted under the terms of the applicable cash incentive awards program, deferred compensation plan, or severance plan and applicable Law; provided that no such amendment shall prevent the actions described in this Article VI.

 

ARTICLE VII
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

 

7.1                                Non-Termination of Employment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries .  Except as expressly provided for in this Agreement or the Separation Agreement, no provision of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents shall be construed to create any right, or accelerate entitlement, to any compensation or benefit whatsoever on the part of any SPG Group Employee, WPG Group Employee or any Former Employee, or future Employee of SPG or any of its Affiliates or WPG or any of its Affiliates under any SPG Benefit Plan or WPG Benefit Plan or otherwise, nor shall any such provision be construed as an amendment to any employee benefit plan or other employee compensatory or benefit arrangement.  Furthermore, nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer upon any Employee or Former Employee any right to continued employment, any recall or similar rights to an Employee on layoff or any type of approved leave, or to change the employment status of any Employee from “at will.”

 

7.2                                Beneficiary Designation/Release of Information/Right to Reimbursement .  To the extent permitted by applicable Law and except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, all beneficiary designations, authorizations for the release of Information (as defined in the Separation Agreement) and rights to reimbursement made by or relating to WPG Participants under SPG Benefit Plans shall be transferred to and be in full force and effect under the corresponding WPG Benefit Plans until such beneficiary designations, authorizations or rights are replaced or revoked by, or no longer apply, to the relevant WPG Participant.

 

7.3                                Not a Change in Control .  The Parties acknowledge and agree that the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement and this Agreement do not constitute a “change in control” for purposes of any SPG Benefit Plan or WPG Benefit Plan.

 

ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS

 

8.1                                Relationship of Parties .  Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed by the Parties or any third party as creating the relationship of principal and agent, partnership or joint venture between the Parties, it being understood and agreed that no provision contained therein, and no act of the Parties, shall be deemed to create any relationship between the Parties other than the relationship set forth herein.

 

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8.2                                Affiliates .  Each of SPG and WPG shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement to be performed by each of their respective Affiliates.

 

8.3                                Corporate Power .  SPG represents on behalf of itself and on behalf of other members of the SPG Group, and WPG represents on behalf of itself and on behalf of other members of the WPG Group, as follows:

 

(a)                                  each such Person has the requisite corporate power and authority and has taken all corporate action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and

 

(b)                                  this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

8.4                                Governing Law .  This Agreement (and any claims or disputes arising out of or related hereto or to the transactions contemplated hereby or to the inducement of any party to enter herein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of Indiana irrespective of the choice of laws principles of the State of Indiana including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.

 

8.5                                Survival of Covenants .  Except as expressly set forth in any other Transaction Document, the covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement, and Liability for the breach of any obligations contained herein or therein, shall survive each of the transactions described in the Plan of Reorganization (as defined in the Separation Agreement) and the Distribution and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

8.6                                Force Majeure .  No Party shall be deemed in default of this Agreement or, unless otherwise expressly provided therein, any other Transaction Document for any delay or failure to fulfill any obligation (other than a payment obligation) hereunder or thereunder so long as and to the extent to which any delay or failure in the fulfillment of such obligation is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure.  In the event of any such excused delay, the time for performance of such obligations (other than a payment obligation) shall be extended for a period equal to the time lost by reason of the delay.  A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event, (a) provide written notice to the other Party of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure condition; and (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to remove any such causes and resume performance under the Transaction Documents, as applicable, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

8.7                                Notices .  All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by facsimile or electronic transmission with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service) or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt

 

13



 

requested) to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 8.7):

 

If to SPG Property, to:

 

Simon Property Group, Inc.

225 West Washington Street, 14 th  Floor

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Attention:

General Counsel

Facsimile:

(317) 685-7377

 

with a copy (until the Effective Time) to:

 

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, New York 10019

Attention:

Adam O. Emmerich

 

Karessa L. Cain

Facsimile:

(212) 403-2000

 

if to WPG:

 

Washington Prime Group Inc.

7315 Wisconsin Avenue — 5 th  Floor

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

Attention:

General Counsel

Facsimile:

 

 

with a copy (until the Effective Time) to:

 

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, New York 10019

Attention:

Adam O. Emmerich

 

Karessa L. Cain

Facsimile:

(212) 403-2000

 

8.8                                Termination .  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated and the Distribution abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by and in the sole discretion of SPG without the prior approval of any Person, including WPG.  In the event of such termination, this Agreement shall become void and no Party, or any of its officers and directors, shall have any liability to any Person by reason of this Agreement.  After the Effective Time, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the Parties.

 

8.9                                Severability .  If any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or

 

14



 

the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby.  Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties

 

8.10                         Entire Agreement .  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, this Agreement (including the Schedules hereto) and the applicable provisions of the Separation Agreement together constitute the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between or on behalf of the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

8.11                         Indemnification; Dispute Resolutions .  Article IV of the Separation Agreement governs the Parties’ indemnification rights and obligations and Article VII of the Separation Agreement governs the resolution of any dispute between the Parties.

 

8.12                         Assignment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries .  This Agreement shall not be assigned by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties, except that SPG may assign (i) any or all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of its Affiliates and (ii) any or all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement in connection with a sale or disposition of any assets or entities or lines of business of SPG; provided , however , that, in each case, no such assignment shall release SPG from any liability or obligation under this Agreement nor change any of the steps in the Plan of Reorganization (as defined in the Separation Agreement).  Except as provided in Article IV of the Separation Agreement with respect to Indemnified Parties (as defined in the Separation Agreement), this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties and members of their respective Group and their permitted successors and assigns and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

8.13                         Public Announcements .  From and after the Effective Time, SPG and WPG shall consult with each other before issuing, and give each other the opportunity to review and comment upon, any press release or other public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation, except as may be required by applicable Law, court process or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with any national securities exchange or national securities quotation system.

 

8.14                         Specific Performance .  Subject to the provisions of Article VII of the Separation Agreement, in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Party or Parties who are or are to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief (on an interim or permanent basis) of its rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative.  The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, may be inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived.  Any

 

15



 

requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived by each of the Parties.

 

8.15                         Amendment .  No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified except by a written instrument signed by all the Parties.  No waiver by any Party of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and executed by the Party so waiving.  The waiver by any Party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other subsequent breach.

 

8.16                         Rules of Construction .  Interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the following rules of construction (i) words in the singular shall be held to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be held to include the other gender as the context requires, (ii) references to the terms Article, Section, paragraph, clause, Exhibit and Schedule are references to the Articles, Sections, paragraphs, clauses, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified, (iii) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereto,” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto, (iv) references to “ $ ” shall mean U.S. dollars, (v) the word “ including ” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation,” unless otherwise specified, (vi) the word “or” shall not be exclusive, (vii) references to “written” or “in writing” include in electronic form, (viii) unless the context requires otherwise, references to “ Party ” shall mean SPG or WPG, as appropriate, and references to “ Parties ” shall mean SPG and WPG, (ix) provisions shall apply, when appropriate, to successive events and transactions, (x) the table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement, (xi) SPG and WPG have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and if an ambiguity or question of interpretation should arise, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or burdening either Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions in this Agreement or any interim drafts of this Agreement, and (xii) a reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and permitted assigns.

 

8.17                         Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different Parties in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or portable document format (PDF) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of any such Agreement.

 

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, INC,

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, L.P. a Delaware limited partnership

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Simon Property Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP, L.P.,

 

an Indiana limited partnership

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Washington Prime Group Inc.,
an Indiana corporation, its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

17



 

 

Exhibit A

 

, 2014

 

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

 

1.                                       The parties to this Separation Agreement and General Release (“General Release”) are «PayrollCo» (“«PayrollAbbreviation»“), and «EmployeeName» (“Employee”).  This General Release is privately negotiated and entered into on an individual basis.

 

2.                                       «PayrollAbbreviation» advises Employee of «His_Her» right to consult with an attorney before signing this General Release.  Employee agrees that «He_She» has had a reasonable opportunity to consult legal counsel regarding this General Release, and has been given at least 21 days to review, consider and sign it.  Employee also acknowledges that «He_She» is responsible for all fees and costs for «His_Her» attorney’s review of this General Release.

 

3 .                                       Employee has carefully read this General Release, knows its contents and signs it voluntarily with a full understanding of its significance, intending to be bound by its terms.

 

4.                                       Employee agrees «His_Her» last day of employment with «PayrollAbbreviation» is or was «TerminationDate» (“Termination Date”).  To the extent «He_She» has not done so, Employee agrees promptly to return to «PayrollAbbreviation» all of its property in «His_Her» possession.

 

5.                                       As consideration for the promises in this General Release and the Confidentiality and Non-Compete Letter Agreement signed contemporaneously herewith and incorporated herein by reference, «PayrollAbbreviation» agrees to pay Employee a lump sum cash benefit of                                      Dollars ($«SeveranceAmount»), less applicable taxes and withholdings, as soon as practicable after the Termination Date.

 

6.                                       In consideration of the payment described in Paragraph 5, Employee on behalf of «Him_Her»self and «His_Her» heirs, successors and assigns, releases and forever discharges «PayrollAbbreviation», Washington Property Group Inc., an Indiana corporation, and Washington Property Group, L.P., an Indiana limited partnership, Simon Property Group, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Simon Property Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and each and every one of their predecessors, successors, partners, assigns, divisions, parents, related or affiliated companies, and all of their respective employee benefit plans, officers, directors, shareholders, members, employees and agents, including but not limited to any and all management and supervisory employees (hereinafter, collectively the “Released Parties”) from all causes of action, claims, demands, costs and expenses for damages, known or unknown, on any grounds whatsoever that arose or could have arisen as of the date Employee signs this General Release, including but not limited to any claim on account of or related to «His_Her» employment and/or termination of employment with «PayrollAbbreviation» and/or its predecessors or related entities, any claim of discrimination on any basis (including race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or handicap), arising under any federal, state or local

 



 

statute, ordinance, order or law, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, any claim that the Released Parties, jointly or severally, breached any contract or promise, express or implied, or any term or condition of Employee’s employment, and any claim for promissory estoppel, wrongful or constructive discharge.  This General Release shall not include or extend to:  any claim that cannot be released or waived as a matter of law; any claim for or right to vested benefits under any retirement, stock or employee benefit plan; any right to enforce this General Release; and any claims based on acts or events occurring after Employee signs this General Release.  Nothing in this General Release prevents a challenge to its validity or prohibits the filing of a charge or complaint with, or testimony, assistance or participation in, any investigation, proceeding or hearing conducted by any federal, state or local governmental agency, including but not limited to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

 

7.                                       Employee acknowledges that the payment described in Paragraph 5 is in exchange for «His_Her» promises in this General Release and Confidentiality and Non-Compete Letter Agreement and that said payment is not otherwise available under the policies, plans or programs of «PayrollAbbreviation» or related entities.  Employee further agrees that neither such payment nor this General Release is an admission by any of the Released Parties of any liability or violation of any law or regulation.  «PayrollAbbreviation» specifically denies any such liability or violation.

 

8.                                       Employee agrees that «He_She» has not disclosed and shall not disclose the provisions, terms and conditions of this General Release and/or the Confidentiality and Non-Compete Letter Agreement, which are and shall remain confidential, to any person not a party hereto under any circumstances, except Employee’s counsel or as otherwise required by law.  Employee agrees to keep confidential and refrain from disclosing any non-public information about Washington Prime Group, Simon Property Group, Inc. and their respective affiliates, partners, officers, directors, employees and agents that she obtained through «His_Her» employment, or any of its or their past or present business operations.  Employee also agrees to refrain from making critical or disparaging statements regarding the past or present business practices of Washington Prime Group, Simon Property Group, Inc. and their respective affiliates, partners, officers, directors, employees and agents.

 

9.                                       Employee agrees that no promises have been made to «Him_Her» relating to the subject matter of this General Release except those herein.  This General Release supersedes all prior agreements between the parties and contains the entire understanding of the parties on such subject matter.  This General Release may only be amended or modified through a writing signed by both parties.

 

10.                                Employee may revoke and cancel this General Release in writing at any time within seven days after its execution by providing written notice of revocation to «Signer» whose address is provided below.  If Employee does so revoke, this General Release will be null and void, and «PayrollAbbreviation» shall have no obligation to make the payment described in Paragraph 5.  This General Release shall not become effective and enforceable until after

 



 

expiration of this seven-day revocation period.  After such time, if there has been no revocation, the General Release shall be irrevocable, fully effective and enforceable.

 

11.                                The terms and provisions of this General Release shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana, and any cause of action regarding this General Release shall be brought in a state or federal court in Indiana.  Except for the release of claims in Paragraph 6, if any provision of this General Release is declared invalid or unenforceable, the remaining portions shall not be affected and the unenforceable provision shall be deemed not a part of this General Release.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, «PayrollCo» and the undersigned, «EmployeeName», have executed this Separation Agreement and General Release on the dates set forth below.

 

 

«PayrollCo»

 

[Put complete signature block]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Date:

 

 

«Signer»

 

 

«SignerTitle»

 

 

Washington Prime Group Inc.

 

 

7315 Wisconsin Avenue, 5 th  Floor

 

 

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

 

 

 

 

 

«EmployeeName»

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Date:

 

 

Signature

 

 

 



 

Confidentiality and Non-Compete Letter Agreement

 

Washington Prime Group Inc.

7315 Wisconsin Avenue, 5 th  Floor

Bethesda, Maryland  20814

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

In connection with my separation from employment with Washington Prime Group Inc. and/or its related entities, including «PayrollCo», (collectively referred to as “WPG”), and in consideration of the severance payments and other valuable benefits received by me from WPG as more fully described in the Confidential Separation Agreement and General Release (“General Release”), I hereby acknowledge and agree as follows:

 

1.               I agree to keep confidential and refrain from disclosing any trade secrets, confidential or other non-public information about WPG (and its predecessors including Simon Property Group, Inc. and/or its related entities (collectively, “SPG”)) that I obtained through my employment, or any of its or their past or present business operations.  I also agree to refrain from making critical or disparaging statements regarding the past or present business practices of WPG or its affiliates (and their respective predecessors, including SPG).

 

2.               I agree not to solicit (or attempt to influence, persuade and otherwise assist) the employees, customers, clients, suppliers or other business contacts of WPG or SPG to take any action that would have a material adverse economic effect on WPG or SPG or any of the operating assets owned or managed by WPG or SPG.

 

3.               I further agree that until <<DATE>>, I will not accept employment or perform consulting work in the commercial retail real estate industry that competes with the business interests of WPG or SPG or would have a material adverse economic effect on WPG or SPG or any of the operating assets owned or managed by WPG or SPG as of my Separation Date; provided, however, that this restriction is not intended, and shall not be construed, to prohibit or restrict me from undertaking or engaging in any employment or business activity outside of the commercial retail real estate industry that does not compete with WPG or SPG or would not have a direct material adverse economic effect on WPG or SPG or any of the operating assets owned or managed by WPG or SPG or its affiliates as of my Separation Date.

 

4.               I agree that I will not solicit for hire or assist in any way in the soliciting for hire of any individuals who are actively employed by WPG or SPG, or any individual who has voluntarily resigned their employment with WPG or SPG.

 

5.               At WPG’s request, I agree to cooperate and consult with WPG and SPG and where necessary, testify on behalf of WPG or SPG, in connection with any litigated or non-litigated matters with which I may have relevant knowledge.

 



 

6.               I agree to keep the terms and conditions of my agreements with WPG and SPG concerning my separation from employment confidential at all times and to discuss them only with my attorney, tax-preparer or as required by law.  I agree and understand that this letter is incorporated by reference in, and is a part of, my confidential Separation Agreement and General Release.

 

7.               I acknowledge that I have a continuing legal and ethical obligation to protect WPG and SPG’s confidential and proprietary information and will continue to abide by all applicable company policies, including, but not limited to, the WPG code of business conduct as well as internet and computer usage policies.

 

8.               I hereby state that I have knowingly and willingly signed and delivered this letter to WPG and it is binding and enforceable.  I have had an opportunity to ask questions and, prior to signing and delivering this letter, have had any and all such questions answered to my satisfaction.

 

I have delivered a signed original of this letter to an authorized representative of WPG.  I have retained a copy of this letter for my personal files.

 

 

Signed,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

 

 

 

 

«EmployeeName»

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledged and Agreed:

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 


 



Exhibit 10.8

 

FORM OF WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP, L.P.
2014 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

 

SECTION 1.                          Purpose; Definitions

 

The purpose of this Plan is to provide for Eligible Individuals of the Partnership and certain of its Affiliates an equity-based incentive to maintain and enhance the performance and profitability of the Partnership and the Company.

 

For purposes of this Plan, the following terms are defined as set forth below:

 

(a)                                  Affiliate ” means any entity which, at the time of reference, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Partnership; provided , however , that the Company and Affiliates of the Company shall be considered Affiliates of the Partnership.

 

(b)                                  Applicable Exchange means the New York Stock Exchange or such other securities exchange as may at the applicable time be the principal market for the Common Stock.

 

(c)                                   Award ” means a Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, LTIP Unit, Performance Unit or Other Stock-Based Award granted pursuant to the terms of this Plan.

 

(d)                                  Award Agreement means a written or electronic document or agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of a specific Award.

 

(e)                                   Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(f)                                    Cause ” means, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, (1) “Cause” as defined in any Individual Agreement to which the Participant is a party as of the Grant Date, or (2) if there is no such Individual Agreement or if it does not define Cause:  (A) conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere by, the Participant for committing a felony under federal law or the law of the state in which such action occurred, (B) willful and deliberate failure on the part of the Participant to perform his or her employment duties in any material respect, (C) dishonesty in the course of fulfilling the Participant’s employment duties, (D) a material violation of the Company’s ethics and compliance program or (E) prior to a Change in Control, such other events as shall be determined by the Committee.  Notwithstanding the general rule of Section 2(c), following a Change in Control, any determination by the Committee as to whether “Cause” exists shall be subject to de novo review.

 

(g)                                   Change in Control ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(e).

 



 

(h)                                  Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto, the Treasury Regulations thereunder and other relevant interpretive guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service or the Treasury Department.  Reference to any specific section of the Code shall be deemed to include such regulations and guidance, as well as any successor provision of the Code.

 

(i)                                      Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency.

 

(j)                                     Committee ” means the Committee referred to in Section 2.

 

(k)                                  Common Stock ” means common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company as constituted on the Effective Date, all rights which may hereafter trade with such shares of common stock, and any other shares into which such common stock shall thereafter be changed by reason of a recapitalization, merger, consolidation, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or the like.

 

(l)                                      Company ” means Washington Prime Group Inc., an Indiana corporation, or its successor.

 

(m)                              Corporate Transaction has the meaning set forth in Section 3(e).

 

(n)                                  Disability ” means, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, (1) “Disability” as defined in any Individual Agreement to which the Participant is a party, or (2) if there is no such Individual Agreement or it does not define “Disability,” permanent and total disability as determined under the Company’s Long-Term Disability Plan applicable to the Participant.

 

(o)                                  Disaffiliation means a Subsidiary’s or Affiliate’s ceasing to be a Subsidiary or Affiliate for any reason (including, without limitation, as a result of a public offering, or a spinoff or sale by the Company, of the stock of the Subsidiary or Affiliate) or a sale of a division of the Company and its Affiliates.

 

(p)                                  Effective Date has the meaning set forth in Section 13(a).

 

(q)                                  Eligible Individuals ” means directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Partnership or an Affiliate, and prospective directors, officers, employees and consultants or the Partnership or an Affiliate who have accepted offers of employment or consultancy from the Partnership or an Affiliate.

 

(r)                                     Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

 

(s)                                    Fair Market Value ” of a Share or a Unit means, except as otherwise determined by the Committee, the closing price of a Share on the Applicable Exchange on the date of

 

2



 

measurement or, if Shares were not traded on the Applicable Exchange on such measurement date, then on the next preceding date on which Shares were traded on the Applicable Exchange, as reported by such source as the Committee may select.  If there is no regular public trading market for such Common Stock, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be determined by the Committee in good faith and, to the extent applicable, such determination shall be made in a manner that satisfies Section 409A and, if applicable, Section 422(c)(1) of the Code.

 

(t)                                     Free-Standing SAR has the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).

 

(u)                                  Full-Value Award ” means any Award other than a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

 

(v)                                  General Partner ” means Washington Prime Group Inc. (or any successor thereto), the general partner of the Partnership.

 

(w)                                Grant Date means the date which the Committee designates for granting of an Award, which shall be no earlier than the date on which the Committee adopts a resolution memorializing such grant.

 

(x)                                  Incentive Stock Option ” means any Stock Option designated in the applicable Award Agreement as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, and that in fact so qualifies.

 

(y)                                  Incumbent Board has the meaning set forth in Section 11(e)(ii).

 

(z)                                   Individual Agreement ” means an employment, consulting or similar agreement between a Participant and the Partnership or an Affiliate, and, after a Change in Control, a change in control or salary continuation agreement between a Participant and the Partnership or an Affiliate.  If a Participant is party to both an employment agreement and a change in control or salary continuation agreement, the employment agreement shall be the relevant “Individual Agreement” prior to a Change in Control, and, the change in control or salary continuation agreement shall be the relevant “Individual Agreement” after a Change in Control.

 

(aa)                           LTIP Units ” mean long-term incentive plan interests in the Partnership created under the Partnership Agreement and granted under Section 8(a) which, under certain conditions, are convertible into Units.

 

(bb)                           Nonqualified Stock Option ” means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(cc)                             Other Stock-Based Award means Awards of Common Stock and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based upon, Common Stock,

 

3



 

including (without limitation) unrestricted stock, dividend equivalents, and convertible debentures.

 

(dd)                           Participant means an Eligible Individual to whom an Award is or has been granted.

 

(ee)                             Partnership ” means Washington Prime Group, L.P., an Indiana partnership, or its successor.

 

(ff)                               Partnership Agreement ” means the Limited Partnership Agreement of the Partnership, as in effect on the Effective Date and as amended or restated from time to time thereafter, including any certificates of designation establishing the powers, preferences, economic rights and conditions to vesting of a series of LTIP Units.

 

(gg)                             Performance Goals ” means the performance goals established by the Committee in connection with the grant of an Award.  In the case of Qualified Performance-Based Awards that are intended to qualify under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, (i) such goals shall be based on the attainment of specified levels of one or more of the following measures:  (A) earnings per share; (B) return on equity; (C) return on assets; (D) market value per share; (E) funds from operations; (F) return to stockholders (including dividends); (G) revenues; (H) cash flow; (I) cost reduction goals; (J) implementation or completion of critical activities, including achieving goals set for development, leasing and marketing activities; (K) return on capital deployed; (L) debt, credit or other leverage measures or ratios; (M) improvement in cash flow; and (N) net operating income, in each case with respect to the Partnership, an Affiliate or any one or more Subsidiaries, divisions, business units or business segments thereof, either in absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more other companies (including an index covering multiple companies) and (ii) such Performance Goals shall be set by the Committee within the time period prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(hh)                           Performance Period ” means that period established by the Committee at the time any Performance Unit is granted or at any time thereafter during which any Performance Goals specified by the Committee with respect to such Award are to be measured.

 

(ii)                                   Performance Unit ” means any Award granted under Section 9 of a unit valued by reference to a designated amount of cash or property other than Shares, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, or any combination thereof, upon achievement of such Performance Goals during the Performance Period as the Committee shall establish at the time of such grant or thereafter.

 

(jj)                                 Plan ” means the Washington Prime Group, L.P. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, as set forth herein and as hereinafter amended from time to time.

 

(kk)                           Qualified Performance-Based Award ” means an Award intended to qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption, as provided in Section 12.

 

4



 

(ll)                                   Replaced Award ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(b).

 

(mm)                   Replacement Award ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(b).

 

(nn)                           Restricted Stock ” means an Award granted under Section 6.

 

(oo)                           Restricted Stock Unit has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).

 

(pp)                           Restriction Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(c)(ii).

 

(qq)                           Retirement ” means, except as otherwise provided by the Committee, (i) retirement from active employment with the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to the early or normal retirement provisions of the applicable retirement plan of such employer or (ii) pursuant to the retirement scheme applicable under local law or the local policies and procedures of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

(rr)                                 Section 16(b) has the meaning set forth in Section 12(d).

 

(ss)                               Section 162(m) Exemption ” means the exemption from the limitation on deductibility imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code that is set forth in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

 

(tt)                                 Share means a share of Common Stock.

 

(uu)                           Stock Appreciation Right means an Award granted under Section 5(b) or 5(c).

 

(vv)                           Stock Option ” means an Award granted under Section 5(a).

 

(ww)                       Subsidiary ” means any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity during any period in which at least a 50% voting or profits interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Partnership or an Affiliate or any successor thereto.

 

(xx)                           Tandem SAR has the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).

 

(yy)                           Term means the maximum period during which a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right may remain outstanding, subject to earlier termination upon Termination of Employment or otherwise, as specified in the applicable Award Agreement or other document approved by the Committee.

 

(zz)                             Termination of Employment ” means the termination of the applicable Participant’s employment with, or performance of services for, the Partnership and all Subsidiaries and Affiliates.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, (i) if a Participant’s employment with the Partnership and all Subsidiaries and Affiliates terminates but such Participant continues to provide services to the Partnership or a Subsidiary or Affiliate in a non-employee capacity, such change in status shall not be deemed a Termination of Employment and (ii) a Participant employed by, or performing services for, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate or a

 

5



 

division of the Partnership shall also be deemed to incur a Termination of Employment if, as a result of a Disaffiliation, such Subsidiary, Affiliate or division ceases to be a Subsidiary, Affiliate or division, as the case may be, and the Participant does not immediately thereafter become an employee of, or service provider for, the Partnership or another Subsidiary or Affiliate.  Temporary absences from employment because of illness, vacation or leave of absence and transfers among the Partnership and Subsidiaries and Affiliates shall not be considered Terminations of Employment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition, with respect to any Award that constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, a Participant shall not be considered to have experienced a “Termination of Employment” unless the Participant has experienced a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (a “ Separation from Service ”).

 

(aaa)                    Units ” means units of limited partnership interests of the Partnership, as defined in the Partnership Agreement, which are exchangeable for shares of Common Stock on a one-for-one basis or an equivalent amount of cash, as selected by the General Partner of the Partnership.

 

In addition, certain other terms used herein have definitions given to them in the first place in which they are used.

 

SECTION 2.                          Administration

 

(a)                                  Committee .  The Partnership, acting through the Company as its General Partner, hereby appoints the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors as administrator of the Plan, which committee shall be composed of not less than two directors, and shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, the Committee shall have absolute authority:

 

(i)                                      To select the Eligible Individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;

 

(ii)                                   To determine whether and to what extent Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, LTIP Units, Performance Units, Other Stock-Based Awards or any combination thereof are to be granted hereunder;

 

(iii)                                To determine the number of Shares or LTIP Units to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

 

(iv)                               To approve the form of any Award Agreement and determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder, including, but not limited to, the exercise price (subject to Section 5(a)), any vesting condition, restriction or limitation

 

6



 

(which may be related to the performance of the Participant, the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate) and any vesting acceleration or forfeiture waiver regarding any Award and the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based on such factors as the Committee shall determine;

 

(v)                                  To modify, amend or adjust the terms and conditions of any Award (subject to Sections 5(a) and 5(b)), at any time or from time to time, including, but not limited to, Performance Goals; provided , however , that the Committee may not adjust upwards the amount payable with respect to any Qualified Performance-Based Award;

 

(vi)                               To determine to what extent and under what circumstances Common Stock and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred;

 

(vii)                            To determine under what circumstances an Award may be settled in cash, Shares, other property or a combination of the foregoing;

 

(viii)                         To determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, Shares and other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award under this Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant;

 

(ix)                               To adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing this Plan as it shall from time to time deem advisable;

 

(x)                                  To establish any “blackout” period that the Committee in its sole discretion deems necessary or advisable;

 

(xi)                               To interpret the terms and provisions of this Plan and any Award issued under this Plan (and any Award Agreement relating thereto);

 

(xii)                            To decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award; and

 

(xiii)                         To otherwise administer this Plan.

 

(b)                                  Procedures .

 

(i)                                      The Committee may act only by a majority of its members then in office, except that the Committee may, except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the listing standards of the Applicable Exchange and subject to Section 12, allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it.  Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time.

 

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(ii)                                   Subject to Section 12(c), any authority granted to the Committee may be exercised by the full Board.  To the extent that any permitted action taken by the Board conflicts with action taken by the Committee, the Board action shall control.

 

(c)                                   Discretion of Committee .  Subject to Section 1(g), any determination made by the Committee or pursuant to delegated authority under the provisions of this Plan with respect to any Award shall be made in the sole discretion of the Committee or such delegate at the time of the grant of the Award or, unless in contravention of any express term of this Plan, at any time thereafter.  All decisions made by the Committee or any appropriately delegated officer pursuant to the provisions of this Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive on all persons, including the Company, Participants and Eligible Individuals.

 

(d)                                  Cancellation or Suspension .  Subject to Section 5(d), the Committee shall have full power and authority to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances any Award shall be canceled or suspended.

 

(e)                                   Award Agreements.   The terms and conditions of each Award, as determined by the Committee, shall be set forth in a written (or electronic) Award Agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant receiving such Award upon, or as promptly as is reasonably practicable following, the grant of such Award.  The effectiveness of an Award shall be subject to the Award Agreement being signed by the Company and the Participant receiving the Award unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement.  Award Agreements may be amended only in accordance with Section 13(d) hereof.

 

SECTION 3.                          Common Stock Subject to Plan

 

(a)                                  Plan Maximums The maximum number of Shares that may be granted pursuant to Awards under this Plan shall be 10,000,000.  The maximum number of Shares that may be granted pursuant to Stock Options intended to be Incentive Stock Options shall be 3,000,000 Shares.  Shares subject to an Award under this Plan may be authorized and unissued Shares.

 

(b)                                  Individual Limits .  No Participant may be granted Awards (other than Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) in any calendar year covering in excess of 500,000 Shares, less the number of Shares covered by Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted to such Participant in such calendar year.  No Participant may be granted Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights in any calendar year covering in excess of 500,000 Shares, less the number of Shares covered by Awards other than Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted to such Participant in such calendar year.

 

(c)                                   Rules for Calculating Shares Delivered .  To the extent that any Award is forfeited, terminates, expires or lapses instead of being exercised, or any Award is settled for cash, the Shares subject to such Awards not delivered as a result thereof shall again be available for Awards under this Plan.  If the exercise price of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right and/or the tax withholding obligations relating to any Award are satisfied by delivering Shares (either actually or through a signed document affirming the Participant’s ownership and

 

8



 

delivery of such Shares) or withholding Shares relating to such Award, the net number of Shares subject to the Award after payment of the exercise price and/or tax withholding obligations shall be deemed to have been granted for purposes of the first sentence of Section 3(a).

 

(d)                                  LTIP Units .  Each Unit into which an Award of LTIP Units may become convertible shall be treated as one share of Common Stock for purposes of this Section 3.

 

(e)                                   Adjustment Provisions .

 

(i)                                      In the event of a merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or shares, stock rights offering, liquidation, disposition for consideration of the Company’s direct or indirect ownership of a Subsidiary or Affiliate (including by reason of a Disaffiliation), or similar event affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each, a “ Corporate Transaction ”), the Committee or the Board may in its discretion make such substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable to (i) the aggregate number and kind of Shares or other securities reserved for issuance and delivery under this Plan, (ii) the various maximum limitations set forth in Sections 3(a) and 3(b) upon certain types of Awards and upon the grants to individuals of certain types of Awards, (iii) the number and kind of Shares or other securities subject to outstanding Awards; and (iv) the exercise price of outstanding Awards.

 

(ii)                                   In the event of a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, share combination, or recapitalization or similar event affecting the capital structure of the Company or the Partnership, or a Disaffiliation, separation or spinoff, in each case without consideration, or other extraordinary dividend of cash or other property to the Company’s shareholders or the Partnership’s unitholders, the Committee or the Board shall make such substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable to (A) the aggregate number and kind of Shares or other securities reserved for issuance and delivery under this Plan, (B) the various maximum limitations set forth in Sections 3(a) and 3(b) upon certain types of Awards and upon the grants to individuals of certain types of Awards, (C) the number and kind of Shares or other securities subject to outstanding Awards; (D) the exercise price of outstanding Awards; and (E) such other terms and conditions of Awards as may be determined by the Committee or the Board.

 

(iii)                                In the case of Corporate Transactions, such adjustments may include, without limitation, (1) the cancellation of outstanding Awards in exchange for payments of cash, property or a combination thereof having an aggregate value equal to the value of such Awards, as determined by the Committee or the Board in its sole discretion (it being understood that in the case of a Corporate Transaction with respect to which shareholders of Common Stock receive consideration other than publicly traded equity securities of the ultimate surviving entity, any such determination by the Committee that the value of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall for this purpose be deemed to equal the excess, if any, of the value of the consideration being paid for each Share pursuant to such Corporate Transaction over the exercise price of such Stock Option or Stock

 

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Appreciation Right shall conclusively be deemed valid); (2) the substitution of other property (including, without limitation, cash or other securities of the Company and securities of entities other than the Company) for the Shares subject to outstanding Awards; and (3) in connection with any Disaffiliation, arranging for the assumption of Awards, or replacement of Awards with new awards based on other property or other securities (including, without limitation, other securities of the Company and securities of entities other than the Company), by the affected Subsidiary, Affiliate, or division or by the entity that controls such Subsidiary, Affiliate, or division following such Disaffiliation (as well as any corresponding adjustments to Awards that remain based upon Company securities).  The Committee may adjust the Performance Goals applicable to any Awards to reflect any unusual or non-recurring events and other extraordinary items, impact of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, and the cumulative effects of accounting or tax changes, each as defined by generally accepted accounting principles or as identified in the Company’s financial statements, notes to the financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis or other the Company’s filings with the Commission, provided that in the case of Performance Goals applicable to any Qualified Performance-Based Awards, such adjustment does cause any such Award to cease being a Qualified Performance-Based Award.

 

(iv)                               A ny adjustments made pursuant to this Section 3(e) to Awards that are considered “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code; and (ii) any adjustments made pursuant to this Section 3(e) to Awards that are not considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be made in such a manner as to ensure that after such adjustments, either (A) the Awards continue not to be subject to Section 409A of the Code or (B) there does not result in the imposition of any penalty taxes under Section 409A of the Code in respect of such Awards.

 

(v)                                  Any adjustment under this Section 3(e) need not be the same for all Participants.

 

SECTION 4.                          Eligibility

 

Awards may be granted under this Plan to Eligible Individuals; provided , however , that Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company and a parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company (within the meaning of Section 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively).

 

SECTION 5.                          Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights

 

(a)                                  Types of Stock Options .  Stock Options may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted under this Plan and may be of two types:  Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options.  The Award Agreement for a Stock Option shall indicate whether the Stock Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.

 

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(b)                                  Types and Nature of Stock Appreciation Rights.   Stock Appreciation Rights may be “Tandem SARs,” which are granted in conjunction with a Stock Option, or “Free-Standing SARs,” which are not granted in conjunction with a Stock Option.  Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash, Shares, or both, in value equal to the product of (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of one Share over the exercise price of the applicable Stock Appreciation Right, multiplied by (ii) the number of Shares in respect of which the Stock Appreciation Right has been exercised.  The applicable Award Agreement shall specify whether such payment is to be made in cash or Common Stock or both, or shall reserve to the Committee or the Participant the right to make that determination prior to or upon the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right.

 

(c)                                   Tandem SARs .  A Tandem SAR may be granted at the Grant Date of the related Stock Option.  A Tandem SAR shall be exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that the related Stock Option is exercisable in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5, and shall have the same exercise price as the related Stock Option.  A Tandem SAR shall terminate or be forfeited upon the exercise or forfeiture of the related Stock Option, and the related Stock Option shall terminate or be forfeited upon the exercise or forfeiture of the Tandem SAR.

 

(d)                                  Exercise Price .  The exercise price per Share subject to a Stock Option or Free-Standing SAR shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, and shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of the Common Stock on the applicable Grant Date.  In no event may any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under this Plan be amended, other than pursuant to Section 3(e), to decrease the exercise price thereof, be cancelled in exchange for cash or other Awards or in conjunction with the grant of any new Stock Option or Free-Standing SAR with a lower exercise price, or otherwise be subject to any action that would be treated, under the Applicable Exchange listing standards or for accounting purposes, as a “repricing” of such Stock Option or Free-Standing SAR, unless such amendment, cancellation, or action is approved by the Company’s shareholders.

 

(e)                                   Term .  The Term of each Stock Option and each Free-Standing SAR shall be fixed by the Committee, but no Stock Option or Free-Standing SAR shall be exercisable more than 10 years after its Grant Date.

 

(f)                                    Exercisability .  Except as otherwise provided herein, Stock Options and Free-Standing SARs shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee.

 

(g)                                   Method of Exercise .  Subject to the provisions of this Section 5, Stock Options and Free-Standing SARs may be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time during the Term thereof by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Option to be purchased, or subject to the Free-Standing SAR as to which exercised.

 

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In the case of the exercise of a Stock Option, such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the aggregate purchase price (which shall equal the product of such number of Shares subject to such Stock Options multiplied by the applicable exercise price) by certified or bank check, wire transfer, or such other instrument or method as the Company may accept. If provided for in the applicable Award Agreement as approved by the Committee, payment in full or in part may also be made as follows:

 

(i)                                      In the form of unrestricted Common Stock (by delivery of such shares or by attestation) already owned by the Participant of the same class as the Common Stock subject to the Stock Option (based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the Stock Option is exercised); provided , however , that, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Participant shall only have the right to make a payment in the form of already owned shares of Common Stock of the same class as the Common Stock subject to the Stock Option if such right is set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

(ii)                                   To the extent permitted by applicable law, by delivering a properly executed exercise notice to the Company, together with a copy of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of stock necessary to pay the purchase price, and, if requested, the amount of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes.  To facilitate the foregoing, the Company may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, enter into agreements for coordinated procedures with one or more brokerage firms.

 

(iii)                                By instructing the Company to withhold a number of such shares having a Fair Market Value (based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the applicable Stock Option is exercised) equal to the product of (A) the exercise price per Share multiplied by (B) the number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which the Stock Option shall have been exercised.

 

(h)                                  Delivery; Rights of Shareholders .  A Participant shall not be entitled to delivery of Shares pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right until the exercise price therefor has been fully paid and applicable taxes have been withheld.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 5(l), a Participant shall have all of the rights of a shareholder of the Company holding the class or series of Common Stock that is subject to such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right (including, if applicable, the right to vote the applicable Shares), when the Participant (i) has given written notice of exercise, (ii) if requested, has given the representation described in Section 15(a) and (iii) in the case of a Stock Option, has paid in full for such Shares.

 

(i)                                      Nontransferability of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights .  No Stock Option or Free-Standing SAR shall be transferable by a Participant other than, for no value or consideration, (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; or (ii) in the case of a Nonqualified Stock Option or Free-Standing SAR, as otherwise expressly permitted by the Committee including, if so permitted, pursuant to a transfer to such Participant’s family members, whether directly or indirectly or by means of a trust or partnership or otherwise (for

 

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purposes of this Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, “family member” shall have the meaning given to such term in General Instructions A.1(a)(5) to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor thereto).  A Tandem SAR shall be transferable only with the related Stock Option as permitted by the preceding sentence.  Any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable, subject to the terms of this Plan, only by the Participant, the guardian or legal representative of the Participant, or any person to whom such stock option is transferred pursuant to this Section 5(i), it being understood that the term “holder” and “Participant” include such guardian, legal representative and other transferee; provided, however , that the term “Termination of Employment” shall continue to refer to the Termination of Employment of the original Participant.

 

(j)                                     Termination of Employment .  The effect of a Participant’s Termination of Employment on any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right then held by the Participant shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement or any other document approved by the Committee and applicable to such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right.  In no event shall a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right be exercisable after the expiration of its Term.

 

(k)                                  Additional Rules for Incentive Stock Options .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, no Stock Option which is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option may be granted to any Eligible Employee who at the time of such grant owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Subsidiary, unless at the time such Stock Option is granted the exercise price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share and such Stock Option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date such Stock Option is granted.  In addition, the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Common Stock (determined at the time a Stock Option for the Common Stock is granted) for which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year, under all of the incentive stock option plans of the Company and of any Subsidiary, may not exceed $100,000.  To the extent a Stock Option that by its terms was intended to be an Incentive Stock Option exceeds this $100,000 limit, the portion of the Stock Option in excess of such limit shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

 

(l)                                      Dividends and Dividend Equivalents .  Dividends (whether paid in cash or Shares) and dividend equivalents shall not be paid or accrued on Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights unless provided by the Committee; provided that Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be adjusted under certain circumstances in accordance with the terms of Section 3(e).

 

SECTION 6.                          Restricted Stock

 

(a)                                  Administration .  Shares of Restricted Stock are actual Shares issued to a Participant and may be awarded either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under this Plan.  The Committee shall determine the Eligible Individuals to whom and the time or times at which grants of Restricted Stock will be awarded, the number of shares to be awarded to any Eligible Individual, the conditions for vesting, the time or times within which such shares of

 

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Restricted Stock may be subject to forfeiture and any other terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock, in addition to those contained in Section 6(c).

 

(b)                                  Book-Entry Registration or Certificated Shares .  Shares of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced in such manner as the Committee may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration or issuance of one or more stock certificates.  If any certificate is issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, such certificates shall be registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Award, substantially in the following form:

 

The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including forfeiture) of the Washington Prime Group, L.P. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan and an Award Agreement.  Copies of such Plan and Agreement are on file at the offices of Washington Prime Group Inc., 7315 Wisconsin Avenue, 5 th  Floor, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

 

The Committee may require that the certificates evidencing such shares be held in custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and that, as a condition of any Award of Restricted Stock, the applicable Participant shall have delivered a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Common Stock covered by such Award.

 

(c)                                   Terms and Conditions .  Shares of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and such other terms and conditions as are set forth in this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement or other document approved by the Committee (including the vesting or forfeiture provisions applicable upon a Termination of Employment):

 

(i)                                      The Committee shall, prior to or at the time of grant, condition (A) the vesting of an Award of Restricted Stock upon the continued service of the applicable Participant, or (B) the grant or vesting of an Award of Restricted Stock upon the attainment of Performance Goals or the attainment of Performance Goals and the continued service of the applicable Participant.  If the Committee conditions the grant or vesting of an Award of Restricted Stock upon the attainment of Performance Goals or the attainment of Performance Goals and the continued service of the applicable Participant, the Committee may, prior to or at the time of grant, designate an Award of Restricted Stock as a Qualified Performance-Based Award.  The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of Restricted Stock Awards (including without limitation any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each recipient.

 

(ii)                                   Subject to the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, during the period, if any, set by the Committee, commencing with the Grant Date of the Award and during which the vesting restrictions apply (the “ Restriction Period ”), the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber Shares of Restricted Stock.

 

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(d)                                  Rights of a Shareholder .  Except as provided in this Section 6 and the applicable Award Agreement, the applicable Participant shall have, with respect to the Shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a shareholder of the Company holding the class or series of Common Stock that is the subject of the Restricted Stock, including, if applicable, the right to vote the shares and the right to receive any dividends.  As determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement and subject to Section 15(e), (A) cash dividends on the class or series of Common Stock that is the subject of the Restricted Stock Award shall be payable in cash and shall, as determined by the Committee, be either (i) held subject to the vesting of the underlying Restricted Stock, or held subject to meeting Performance Goals applicable only to dividends, or (ii) distributed in full or in part without regard to the vested status of the underlying Restricted Stock and (B) dividends payable in Common Stock shall be paid in the form of Restricted Stock of the same class as the Common Stock with which such dividend was paid, and shall, as determined by the Committee, be either (i) held subject to the vesting of the underlying Restricted Stock, or held subject to meeting Performance Goals applicable only to dividends, or (ii) distributed in full or in part without regard to the vested status of the underlying Restricted Stock.

 

(e)                                   Delivery of Unlegended Certificates .  If and when any applicable Performance Goals are satisfied and the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the Shares of Restricted Stock for which legended certificates have been issued, unlegended certificates for such Shares shall be delivered to the Participant upon surrender of the legended certificates.

 

SECTION 7.                          Restricted Stock Units

 

(a)                                  Administration.   Restricted stock units and deferred share rights (together, “ Restricted Stock Units ”) are Awards denominated in Shares that will be settled, subject to the terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock Units, in an amount in cash, Shares, or both, based upon the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares.  The Committee shall determine the Eligible Individuals to whom and the time or times at which grants of Restricted Stock Units will be awarded, the number of shares in respect of which any granted Restricted Stock Units shall relate, the conditions for vesting, the time or times within which such Restricted Stock Units may be subject to forfeiture and any other terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock Units, in addition to those contained in Section 7(b).

 

(b)                                  Terms and Conditions .  Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and such other terms and conditions as are set forth in this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement or other document approved by the Committee (including the vesting or forfeiture provisions applicable upon a Termination of Employment):

 

(i)                                      The Committee shall, prior to or at the time of grant, condition (A) the vesting of Restricted Stock Units upon the continued service of the applicable Participant, or (B) the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock Units upon the attainment of Performance Goals or the attainment of Performance Goals and the continued service of the applicable Participant.  If the Committee conditions the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock Units upon the attainment of Performance Goals or the attainment of Performance Goals and

 

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the continued service of the applicable Participant, the Committee may, prior to or at the time of grant, designate the Restricted Stock Units as a Qualified Performance-Based Awards.  The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of Restricted Stock Units (including without limitation any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each recipient.  An Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be settled as and when the Restricted Stock Units vest, at a later time specified by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, or, if the Committee so permits, in accordance with an election of the Participant.

 

(ii)                                   Subject to the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, during the Restriction Period, if any, set by the Committee, the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber Restricted Stock Units.

 

(c)                                   Rights of a Shareholder .  A Participant to whom Restricted Stock Units are awarded shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to the Shares represented by the Restricted Stock Units unless and until Shares are actually delivered to the Participant in settlement thereof.  As determined by the Committee and subject to Section 15(e), either (i) an Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be adjusted to reflect deemed reinvestment in additional Restricted Stock Units of the dividends that would be paid and distributions that would be made with respect to the Award of Restricted Stock Units if it consisted of actual Shares, or (ii) dividend equivalents shall be paid on Restricted Stock Units in respect of such dividends and distributions, without regard to the vested status of the underlying Restricted Stock Units.  Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, if an adjustment to an Award of Restricted Stock Units is made pursuant to Section 3(e) as a result of any dividend or distribution, no increase to such Award (by means of deemed reinvestment in additional Restricted Stock Units) shall be made, and no dividend equivalents shall be paid, under this Section 7(c) as a result of the same dividend or distribution.

 

SECTION 8.                          LTIP Units

 

(a)                                  Administration .  The Committee shall determine the Eligible Individuals to whom and the time or times at which grants of LTIP Units will be awarded, the number of LTIP Units to be awarded to any Eligible Individual, the conditions for vesting, the time or times within which such LTIP Units may be subject to forfeiture and any other terms and conditions of the LTIP Units, in addition to those contained in Section 8(b).

 

(b)                                  Terms and Conditions .  LTIP Units shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and such other terms and conditions as are set forth in this Plan, the Partnership Agreement, Certificate of Designation of LTIP Units, the applicable Award Agreement or such other document approved by the Committee (including the vesting or forfeiture provisions applicable upon a Termination of Employment):

 

(i)                                      The Committee shall, prior to or at the time of grant, condition (A) the vesting of an Award of LTIP Units upon the continued service of the applicable Participant, or

 

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(B) the grant or vesting of an Award of LTIP Units upon the attainment of Performance Goals or the attainment of Performance Goals and the continued service of the applicable Participant.  If the Committee conditions the grant or vesting of an Award of LTIP Units upon the attainment of Performance Goals or the attainment of Performance Goals and the continued service of the applicable Participant, the Committee may, prior to or at the time of grant, designate an Award of LTIP Units as a Qualified Performance-Based Award.  The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of LTIP Unit Awards (including without limitation any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each recipient.

 

(ii)                                   Each LTIP Unit Award under the Plan shall relate to a specified number of Units.  LTIP Units shall be convertible into Units once vested and in accordance with the other terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Partnership Agreement and the applicable Certificate of Designation of LTIP Units.  Units into which LTIP Units are converted shall be exchangeable, in whole or in part, for shares of Common Stock on a one-for-one basis, or cash, as selected by the General Partner (or such other form of consideration equivalent in value thereto as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) at such time and on such terms as may be established by the Committee and in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and the applicable Certificate of Designation of LTIP Units.

 

(iii)                                Subject to the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, during the Restriction Period of an LTIP Unit Award, the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber the LTIP Units subject to such Award.

 

(c)                                   Rights of a Shareholder or Unitholder .  A Participant to whom LTIP Units are awarded shall have no rights as a holder of Units until such LTIP Units are converted into Units, and shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to the Shares for which such Units may be exchanged unless and until so exchanged and Shares are actually delivered to the Participant in settlement thereof.  A Participant’s rights to distributions in respect of LTIP Units, if any, shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement and the applicable Certificate of Designation of LTIP Units.

 

SECTION 9.                          Performance Units

 

Performance Units may be issued hereunder to Eligible Individuals, for no cash consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under this Plan.  The Performance Goals to be achieved during any Performance Period and the length of the Performance Period shall be determined by the Committee at the time of the resolution fixing the Grant Date for each Performance Unit.  The Committee may, in connection with the grant of Performance Units, designate them as Qualified Performance-Based Awards.  The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of Performance Units (including without limitation any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each recipient.  Performance Units may be paid in cash, Shares, other property or any

 

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combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement or other document approved by the Committee.  Each Performance Unit award will be evidenced by an Award Agreement or other document approved by the Committee that specifies the date and terms of the award and such additional limitations, terms and conditions as the Committee may determine.  The maximum value of the property, including cash, that may be paid or distributed to any Participant pursuant to Performance Units which were originally granted in any one calendar year shall be $5,000,000.

 

SECTION 10.                   Other Stock-Based Awards

 

Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted either alone or in conjunction with other Awards granted under this Plan.

 

SECTION 11.                   Change-in-Control Provisions

 

(a)                                  General .  The provisions of this Section 11 shall, subject to Section 3(e), apply notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, except to the extent the Committee specifically provides otherwise in an Award Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Impact of Change in Control.   Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement: (i) all then-outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall become fully vested and exercisable, and all Full-Value Awards (other than performance-based Awards) shall vest in full, be free of restrictions, and be deemed to be earned and payable in an amount equal to the full value of such Award, except in each case to the extent that another Award meeting the requirements of Section 11(c) (any award meeting the requirements of Section 11(c), a “ Replacement Award ”) is provided to the Participant pursuant to Section 3(e) to replace such Award (any award intended to be replaced by a Replacement Award, a “ Replaced Award ”), and (ii) any performance-based Award that is not replaced by a Replacement Award shall be deemed to be earned and payable in an amount equal to the full value of such performance-based Award (with all applicable Performance Goals deemed achieved at the greater of (x) the applicable target level and (y) the level of achievement of the Performance Goals for the Award as determined by the Committee not later than the date of the Change in Control, taking into account performance through the latest date preceding the Change in Control as to which performance can, as a practical matter, be determined (but not later than the end of the applicable Performance Period)).

 

(c)                                   Replacement Awards.   An Award shall meet the conditions of this Section 11(c) (and hence qualify as a Replacement Award) if: (i) it is of the same type as the Replaced Award; (ii) it has a value equal to the value of the Replaced Award as of the date of the Change in Control, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion consistent with Section 3(e); (iii) the underlying Replaced Award was an equity-based award, it relates to publicly traded equity securities of the Company or the entity surviving the Company following the Change in Control; (iv) it contains terms relating to vesting (including with respect to a Termination of Employment) that are substantially identical to those of the Replaced Award; and (v) its other terms and conditions are not less favorable to the Participant than the terms and conditions of the

 

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Replaced Award (including the provisions that would apply in the event of a subsequent Change in Control) as of the date of the Change in Control.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Replacement Award may take the form of a continuation of the applicable Replaced Award if the requirements of the preceding sentence are satisfied.  If a Replacement Award is granted, the Replaced Award shall not vest upon the Change in Control.  The determination whether the conditions of this Section 11(c) are satisfied shall be made by the Committee, as constituted immediately before the Change in Control, in its sole discretion.

 

(d)                                  Termination of Employment.   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary and unless otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, upon a Termination of Employment of a Participant by the Company other than for Cause within 24 months following a Change in Control, (i) all Replacement Awards held by such Participant shall vest in full, be free of restrictions, and be deemed to be earned in full (with respect to Performance Goals, unless otherwise agreed in connection with the Change in Control, at the greater of (x) the applicable target level and (y) the level of achievement of the Performance Goals for the Award as determined by the Committee taking into account performance through the latest date preceding the Termination of Employment as to which performance can, as a practical matter, be determined (but not later than the end of the applicable Performance Period)), and (ii) unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right held by the Participant as of the date of the Change in Control that remains outstanding as of the date of such Termination of Employment may thereafter be exercised until the expiration of the stated full Term of such Nonqualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

 

(e)                                   Definition of Change in Control .  For purposes of this Plan, a “ Change in Control ” shall mean the happening of any of the following events:

 

(i)                                      any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than any trustee, fiduciary or other person or entity holding securities under any employee benefit plan or trust of the Company or any of its subsidiaries), together with all “affiliates” and “associates” (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) of such person, shall become the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;

 

(ii)                                   individuals who, immediately following the consummation of the distribution of the Common Stock to the shareholders of Simon Property Group Inc., constitute the Board (the “ Incumbent Board ”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided , however , that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors

 

19



 

then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board;

 

(iii)                                a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company, in each case unless, following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, (A) more than sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Company’s outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportions as their beneficial ownership, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation, of the Company’s outstanding voting securities, (B) no person (excluding the Company, any employee benefit plan or related trust of the Company or such corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation and any person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation, directly or indirectly, twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the Company’s outstanding voting securities) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such reorganization, merger or consolidation;

 

(iv)                               the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a corporation with respect to which following such sale or other disposition (x) more than sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Company’s outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such sale or other disposition in substantially the same proportion as their beneficial ownership, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, of the Company’s outstanding voting securities, (y) no person (excluding the Company, any employee benefit plan or related trust of the Company or such corporation and any person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the Company’s outstanding voting securities) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and (z) at least a majority of the

 

20



 

members of the board of directors of such corporation were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board providing for such sale or other disposition of assets of the Company; or

 

(v)                                  approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

SECTION 12.                   Qualified Performance-Based Awards; Section 16(b); Section 409A

 

(a)                                  The provisions of this Plan are intended to ensure that all Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted hereunder to any Participant who is or may be a “covered employee” (within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of the Code) in the tax year in which such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right is expected to be deductible to the Company qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption, and, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all such Awards shall therefore be considered Qualified Performance-Based Awards and this Plan shall be interpreted and operated consistent with that intention (including, without limitation, to require that all such Awards be granted by a committee composed solely of members who satisfy the requirements for being “outside directors” for purposes of the Section 162(m) Exemption (“ Outside Directors ”)). When granting any Award other than a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the Committee may designate such Award as a Qualified Performance-Based Award, based upon a determination that (i) the recipient is or may be a “covered employee” (within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of the Code) with respect to such Award, and (ii) the Committee wishes such Award to qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption, and the terms of any such Award (and of the grant thereof) shall be consistent with such designation (including, without limitation, that all such Awards be granted by a committee composed solely of Outside Directors). To the extent required to comply with the Section 162(m) Exemption, no later than 90 days following the commencement of a Performance Period or, if earlier, by the expiration of 25% of a Performance Period, the Committee will designate one or more Performance Periods, determine the Participants for the Performance Periods and establish the Performance Goals for the Performance Periods.

 

(b)                                  Each Qualified Performance-Based Award (other than a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right) shall be earned, vested and/or payable (as applicable) upon the achievement of one or more Performance Goals, together with the satisfaction of any other conditions, such as continued employment, as the Committee may determine to be appropriate.

 

(c)                                   The full Board shall not be permitted to exercise authority granted to the Committee to the extent that the grant or exercise of such authority would cause an Award designated as a Qualified Performance-Based Award not to qualify for, or to cease to qualify for, the Section 162(m) Exemption.

 

(d)                                  Notwithstanding the above, Section 12(a), (b) and (c) shall apply only to the extent the Committee determines that Awards granted hereunder are subject to Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

21



 

(e)                                   The provisions of this Plan are intended to ensure that no transaction under this Plan is subject to (and all such transactions will be exempt from) the short-swing recovery rules of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (“ Section 16(b) ”).  Accordingly, the composition of the Committee shall be subject to such limitations as the Board deems appropriate to permit transactions pursuant to this Plan to be exempt (pursuant to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) from Section 16(b) (to the extent Section 16(b) otherwise would be applicable), and no delegation of authority by the Committee shall be permitted if such delegation would cause any such transaction to be subject to (and not exempt from) Section 16(b).

 

(f)                                    The Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption or exclusion therefrom and, with respect to amounts that are subject to Section 409A of the Code, it is intended that this Plan be administered in all respects in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.  Each payment under any Award that constitutes non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.  In no event may a Participant, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under any Award that constitutes non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, if a Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (as determined in accordance with the methodology established by the Company), amounts that constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code that would otherwise be payable by reason of a Participant’s Separation from Service during the six-month period immediately following such Separation from Service shall instead be paid or provided on the first business day following the date that is six months following the Participant’s Separation from Service.  If the Participant dies following the Separation from Service and prior to the payment of any amounts delayed on account of Section 409A of the Code, such amounts shall be paid to the personal representative of the Participant’s estate within 30 days following the date of the Participant’s death.

 

SECTION 13.                   Term, Amendment and Termination

 

(a)                                  Effectiveness .  The Plan was approved by the Board, the Partnership and Simon Property Group, Inc, as the Company’s sole shareholder, on         , 2014 (the “ Effective Date ”).

 

(b)                                  Termination .  The Plan will terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.  Awards outstanding as of such date shall not be affected or impaired by the termination of this Plan.

 

(c)                                   Amendment of Plan .  The Partnership, by action of the General Partner may amend, alter, or discontinue this Plan, but no amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be made which would materially impair the rights of the Participant with respect to a previously granted Award without such Participant’s consent, except such an amendment made to comply with applicable law, including without limitation Section 409A of the Code, Applicable Exchange listing standards or accounting rules.  In addition, no amendment shall be made

 

22



 

without the approval of the Company’s shareholders to the extent such approval is required by applicable law or the listing standards of the Applicable Exchange.

 

(d)                                  Amendment of Awards .  Subject to Section 5(d), the Committee may unilaterally amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, but no such amendment shall, without the Participant’s consent, materially impair the rights of any Participant with respect to an Award, except such an amendment made to cause this Plan or Award to comply with applicable law, Applicable Exchange listing standards or accounting rules.

 

SECTION 14.                   Unfunded Status of Plan

 

It is intended that this Plan constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation.  The Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations created under this Plan to deliver Common Stock or make payments; provided , however , that unless the Committee otherwise determines, the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the “unfunded” status of this Plan.

 

SECTION 15.                   General Provisions

 

(a)                                  Conditions for Issuance .  The Committee may require each person purchasing or receiving Shares or LTIP Units pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the Shares or LTIP Units without a view to the distribution thereof.  The certificates for such Shares may include any legend which the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or agreements made pursuant thereto, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for Shares under this Plan prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions: (i) listing or approval for listing upon notice of issuance, of such Shares on the Applicable Exchange; (ii) any registration or other qualification of such Shares of the Company under any state or federal law or regulation, or the maintaining in effect of any such registration or other qualification which the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion upon the advice of counsel, deem necessary or advisable; and (iii) obtaining any other consent, approval, or permit from any state or federal governmental agency which the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion after receiving the advice of counsel, determine to be necessary or advisable.

 

(b)                                  Additional Compensation Arrangements .  Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements for its employees.

 

(c)                                   No Contract of Employment .  The Plan shall not constitute a contract of employment, and adoption of this Plan shall not confer upon any employee any right to continued employment, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate to terminate the employment of any employee at any time.

 

23



 

(d)                                  Required Taxes .  No later than the date as of which an amount first becomes includible in the gross income of a Participant for federal, state, local or foreign income or employment or other tax purposes with respect to any Award under this Plan, such Participant shall pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such amount.  Unless otherwise determined by the Company, withholding obligations may be settled with Common Stock, including Common Stock that is part of the Award that gives rise to the withholding requirement, having a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld for tax purposes, all in accordance with such procedures as the Committee establishes.  The obligations of the Company under this Plan shall be conditional on such payment or arrangements, and the Company and its Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise due to such Participant.  The Committee may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate, including making irrevocable elections, for the settlement of withholding obligations with Common Stock.

 

(e)                                   Limitation on Dividend Reinvestment and Dividend Equivalents .  Reinvestment of dividends in additional Restricted Stock at the time of any dividend payment, and the payment of Shares with respect to dividends to Participants holding Awards of Restricted Stock Units, or the adjustment of Restricted Stock Units in respect of such dividends, shall only be permissible if sufficient Shares are available under Section 3 for such reinvestment or payment or the settlement of such Awards (taking into account then-outstanding Awards).  If sufficient Shares are not available for such reinvestment, payment or settlement, such reinvestment, payment or settlement shall be made in the form of a grant of Restricted Stock Units equal in number to the Shares that would have been obtained by such payment, reinvestment or settlement, the terms of which Restricted Stock Units shall provide for settlement in cash and for dividend equivalent reinvestment in further Restricted Stock Units on the terms contemplated by this Section 15(e).

 

(f)                                    Designation of Death Beneficiary .  The Committee shall establish such procedures as it deems appropriate for a Participant to designate a beneficiary to whom any amounts payable in the event of such Participant’s death are to be paid or by whom any rights of such eligible Individual, after such Participant’s death, may be exercised.

 

(g)                                   Subsidiary Employees .  In the case of a grant of an Award to any employee of a Subsidiary, the Company may, if the Committee so directs, issue or transfer the Shares, if any, covered by the Award to the Subsidiary, for such lawful consideration as the Committee may specify, upon the condition or understanding that the Subsidiary will transfer the Shares to the employee in accordance with the terms of the Award specified by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of this Plan.  All Shares underlying Awards that are forfeited or canceled revert to the Company.

 

(h)                                  Governing Law and Interpretation .  The Plan and all Awards made and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of

 

24



 

Indiana, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.  The captions of this Plan are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.

 

(i)                                      Non-Transferability .  Except as otherwise provided in Sections 5(i), 6(c)(ii),  7(b)(ii) and 8(b)(iii) or as determined by the Committee, Awards under this Plan are not transferable except by will or by laws of descent and distribution.

 

25




Exhibit 10.9

 

 

FORM OF REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

April     , 2014

 

among

 

WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP, L.P.

 

THE INSTITUTIONS FROM TIME TO TIME

PARTY HERETO AS LENDERS

 

and

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

and

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED OR ITS AFFILIATES

and

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC,

AS JOINT LEAD ARRANGERS AND JOINT BOOKRUNNERS

 

and

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS, INC., RBS SECURITIES INC., COMPASS BANK,

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUNTRUST BANK

and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

AS JOINT LEAD ARRANGERS AND JOINT BOOKRUNNERS

 

and

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

AS SYNDICATION AGENT

 

and

 

CITIBANK, N.A., THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC, COMPASS BANK,

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUNTRUST BANK, and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

AS CO-SYNDICATION AGENTS

 

and

 

UNION BANK, N.A. and

SUMITOMI MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION,

AS CO-DOCUMENTATION AGENTS

 

and

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., and

TD BANK, N.A.,

AS SENIOR MANAGING AGENTS

 

and

 

CAPITAL ONE, N.A., FIFTH THIRD BANK,

MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD., REGIONS BANK,

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,

BARCLAYS BANK, PLC, BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY, and

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

AS MANAGING AGENTS

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1

1.1

Certain Defined Terms

1

1.2

Computation of Time Periods

39

1.3

Accounting Terms

40

1.4

Other Terms

40

1.5

Letter of Credit Amounts

40

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF LOANS

40

2.1

Committed Loans

40

2.2

Money Market Loans

46

2.3

Use of Proceeds of Loans and Letters of Credit

50

2.4

Revolving Credit Termination Date; Maturity of Money Market Loans

50

2.5

Extension Options

51

2.6

Maximum Credit Facility

52

2.7

Authorized Agents

52

2.8

Special Provisions Regarding Alternative Currency Loans and Loans to Foreign Qualified Borrowers

53

2.9

Swingline Loan Subfacility

57

2.10

Qualified Borrowers

59

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

LETTERS OF CREDIT

60

3.1

Letters of Credit

60

3.2

Obligations Several

69

3.3

Expiration after the Revolving Credit Termination Date

69

3.4

Actions in Respect of Letters of Credit

69

3.5

Applicability of ISP and UCP

71

3.6

Existing Letters of Credit

71

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

PAYMENTS AND PREPAYMENTS

71

4.1

Prepayments; Reductions in Revolving Credit Commitments

71

4.2

Payments

73

4.3

Promise to Repay; Evidence of Indebtedness

76

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

INTEREST AND FEES

77

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

5.1

Interest on the Loans and other Obligations

77

5.2

Special Provisions Governing Eurodollar Rate Loans and Money Market Loans

80

5.3

Fees

84

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

CONDITIONS TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

85

6.1

Conditions Precedent to the Initial Loans and Letters of Credit

85

6.2

Conditions Precedent to All Subsequent Loans and Letters of Credit

86

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

87

7.1

Representations and Warranties of the Borrower

87

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

REPORTING COVENANTS

96

8.1

Borrower Accounting Practices

96

8.2

Financial Reports

97

8.3

Events of Default

100

8.4

Lawsuits

100

8.5

ERISA Notices

100

8.6

Environmental Notices

102

8.7

Labor Matters

102

8.8

Notices of Asset Sales and/or Acquisitions

103

8.9

Tenant Notifications

103

8.10

Other Reports

103

8.11

Other Information

103

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

103

9.1

Existence, Etc

103

9.2

Powers; Conduct of Business

104

9.3

Compliance with Laws, Etc

104

9.4

Payment of Taxes and Claims

104

9.5

Insurance

104

9.6

Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions

105

9.7

ERISA Compliance

105

9.8

Maintenance of Property

105

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

9.9

Company Status

105

9.10

Ownership of Projects, Minority Holdings and Property

105

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

106

10.1

Indebtedness

106

10.2

Sales of Assets

107

10.3

Liens

107

10.4

Investments

107

10.5

Conduct of Business

108

10.6

Transactions with Partners and Affiliates

108

10.7

Restriction on Fundamental Changes

108

10.8

Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations; Securities, Sanctions and Anti-Corruption Laws

108

10.9

ERISA

109

10.10

Organizational Documents

109

10.11

Fiscal Year

110

10.12

Other Financial Covenants

110

10.13

Pro Forma Adjustments

110

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

EVENTS OF DEFAULT; RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

111

11.1

Events of Default

111

11.2

Rights and Remedies

115

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII

THE AGENTS

117

12.1

Appointment

117

12.2

Nature of Duties

117

12.3

Right to Request Instructions

119

12.4

Reliance

119

12.5

Indemnification

119

12.6

Agents Individually

120

12.7

Successor Agents

120

12.8

Relations Among the Lenders

121

12.9

Sub-Agents

121

 

iii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

12.10

Independent Credit Decisions

121

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII

YIELD PROTECTION

122

13.1

Taxes

122

13.2

Increased Capital

126

13.3

Changes; Legal Restrictions

126

13.4

Replacement of Certain Lenders

127

13.5

No Duplication

128

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIV

MISCELLANEOUS

128

14.1

Assignments and Participations

128

14.2

Expenses

133

14.3

Indemnity

134

14.4

Change in Accounting Principles

135

14.5

Setoff

135

14.6

Ratable Sharing

136

14.7

Amendments and Waivers

136

14.8

Notices

139

14.9

Survival of Warranties and Agreements

140

14.10

Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative

141

14.11

Marshalling; Payments Set Aside

141

14.12

Severability

141

14.13

Headings

141

14.14

Governing Law

142

14.15

Limitation of Liability

142

14.16

Successors and Assigns

142

14.17

Certain Consents and Waivers of the Borrower

142

14.18

Counterparts; Effectiveness; Inconsistencies

144

14.19

Limitation on Agreements

145

14.20

Confidentiality

145

14.21

Disclaimers

146

14.22

No Bankruptcy Proceedings

146

 

iv



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

14.23

Interest Rate Limitation

146

14.24

USA Patriot Act

146

14.25

Defaulting Lenders

147

14.26

Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs

148

14.27

Judgment Currency

149

14.28

Guarantors

149

14.29

Entire Agreement

150

 

v



 

REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

This Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April     , 2014 (as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “ Agreement ”) is entered into among WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP, L.P., the institutions from time to time a party hereto as Lenders, whether by execution of this Agreement or an Assignment and Acceptance, the institutions from time to time a party hereto as Co-Agents, whether by execution of this Agreement or an Assignment and Acceptance, and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED OR ITS AFFILIATES, as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC, as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, the financial institutions listed on the cover page to this Agreement as “Joint Lead Arrangers”, as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, the financial institutions listed on the cover page to this Agreement as “Co-Documentation Agents”, as Co-Documentation Agents, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Syndication Agent, the financial institutions listed on the cover page to this Agreement as “Co-Syndication Agents”, as Co-Syndication Agents, the financial institutions listed on the cover page to this Agreement as “Senior Managing Agents”, as Senior Managing Agents, and the financial institutions listed on the cover page to this Agreement as “Managing Agents”, as Managing Agents.

 

R E C I T A L S

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders wish to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms of the revolving credit and term loan facilities to be made available to the Borrower;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

1.1                                Certain Defined Terms .  The following terms used in this Agreement shall have the following meanings, applicable both to the singular and the plural forms of the terms defined:

 

Additional Credit Extension Amendment ” means an amendment to this Agreement providing for any Incremental Commitments which shall be consistent with the applicable provisions of this Agreement relating to such Incremental Commitments and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

Administrative Agent ” is BofA, except only in the case of the delivery of a Notice of Committed Borrowing with respect to an Alternative Currency Loan or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, “Administrative Agent” is                                     , and each successor Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to the terms of Article XII of this Agreement.

 



 

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

 

Affiliate ”, as applied to any Person, means any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, that Person.  For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to vote fifteen percent (15.0%) or more of the equity Securities having voting power for the election of directors of such Person or otherwise to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting equity Securities or by contract or otherwise.  For the avoidance of doubt, Simon Property Group, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ SPG ”), shall not be considered an Affiliate of the Borrower by virtue of its performance of the management services to be performed by SPG on behalf of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as described in the Registration Statement.

 

Agent ” means BofA in its capacity as Administrative Agent, each Senior Managing Agent, each Managing Agent, each Co-Agent, and each successor agent appointed pursuant to the terms of Article XII of this Agreement.

 

Agent Party ” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 14.8(d) .

 

Agreement ” is defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Alternative Currency ” means the lawful currency of Canada (Canadian Dollars).  For all purposes of this Agreement, including without limitation the calculation of the Dollar Equivalent Amount at any time and from time to time, each Alternative Currency Borrowing will be marked-to-market on the last Business Day of each month and as of the date of each Borrowing or issuance or renewal of a Letter of Credit or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit.

 

Alternative Currency Commitment ” means with respect to each Lender, the amount set forth next to the name of such Lender on Schedule 1.1 hereto as its commitment for Loans in Alternative Currency (and, for each Lender which is an assignee, the amount set forth in the Transfer Supplement entered into pursuant to Section 14.1 as the assignee’s Commitment), as such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 4.1(b)  or in connection with an assignment to an assignee, and as such amount may be increased in connection with an assignment from an assignor or from time to time pursuant to Section 2.1(e) . In no event shall any Lender’s Alternative Currency Commitment be deemed to reduce such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment; it being understood that with respect to those Lenders with both a Revolving Credit Commitment and an Alternative Currency Commitment, Borrower may borrow in either or both of Dollars and Alternative Currency, up to an aggregate amount (or Dollar Equivalent Amount) not to exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment.

 

Alternative Currency Letter of Credit ” means a Letter of Credit denominated in Alternative Currency.

 

2



 

Alternative Currency Sublimit ” means, a Dollar Equivalent Amount of Loans denominated in Alternative Currency and Alternative Currency Letter(s) of Credit, equal to 25% of the Maximum Revolving Credit Amount.

 

Annual Compliance Certificate ” is defined in Section 8.2(b) .

 

Annual EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Project or Minority Holding, as of the first day of each fiscal quarter for the immediately preceding consecutive four fiscal quarters, an amount equal to (i) total revenues relating to such Project or Minority Holding for such period, less (ii) total operating expenses relating to such Project or Minority Holding for such period (it being understood that the foregoing calculation shall exclude non-cash charges as determined in accordance with GAAP).  Each of the foregoing amounts shall be determined by reference to the Borrower’s Statement of Operations for the applicable periods.  An example of the foregoing calculation is set forth on Exhibit G hereto.

 

Anti-Corruption Laws ” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

 

Applicable Lending Office ” means, with respect to a particular Lender, (i) its Eurodollar Lending Office in respect of provisions relating to Eurodollar Rate Loans, (ii) its Domestic Lending Office in respect of provisions relating to Base Rate Loans and (iii) its Money Market Lending Office in respect of provisions relating to Money Market Loans.

 

Applicable Margin ” means:

 

(a)                                  From and after the Closing Date and until the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date (or if the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date has occurred and the Borrower thereafter makes an irrevocable, one-time election by notice to the Administrative to again have the Applicable Margins determined by the Total Leverage Ratio), with respect to each Loan, the respective percentages per annum determined, as of the times provided herein, based on the range into which the Total Leverage Ratio then falls, in accordance with the following tables (such tables, the “ Leverage Based Pricing Grids ”):

 

(i)                                      for Revolving Loans, the Applicable Margin shall be determined by the range into which the Total Leverage Ratio falls in the table below:

 

Ratio Level

 

Total
Leverage Ratio

 

Applicable Margin for
Eurodollar - Rate Loan

(% per annum)

 

Applicable Margin for
Base Rate Loans

(% per annum)

 

Level I

 

< 40%

 

1.25

%

0.25

%

Level II

 

> 40% and < 45%

 

1.30

%

0.30

%

Level III

 

> 45% and < 50%

 

1.40

%

0.40

%

Level IV

 

> 50% and < 55%

 

1.55

%

0.55

%

Level V

 

> 55%

 

1.65

%

0.65

%

 

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(ii)                                   for Term Loans, the Applicable Margin shall be determined by the range into which the Total Leverage Ratio falls in the table below:

 

Ratio Level

 

Total
Leverage Ratio

 

Applicable Margin for
Eurodollar - Rate Loan
(% per annum)

 

Applicable Margin for
Base Rate Loans
(% per annum)

 

Level I

 

< 40%

 

1.40

%

0.40

%

Level II

 

> 40% and < 45%

 

1.50

%

0.50

%

Level III

 

> 45% and < 50%

 

1.65

%

0.65

%

Level IV

 

> 50% and < 55%

 

1.80

%

0.80

%

Level V

 

> 55%

 

1.95

%

0.95

%

 

For purposes of this clause (a), any increase or decrease in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a compliance certificate is delivered in accordance with Section 8.2 ; provided , however , that if such compliance certificate is not delivered within thirty (30) days after notice from the Administrative Agent or the Requisite Lenders to the Borrower notifying the Borrower of the failure to deliver such compliance certificate on the date when due in accordance with Section 8.2 , then the Applicable Margin shall be the percentage that would apply to (i) the Level [II] Ratio in the case of the compliance certificate for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2014; and (ii) the Level V Ratio in the case of compliance certificates for the subsequent fiscal quarters, and it shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such compliance certificate was required to have been delivered.  The Applicable Margin from the Closing Date until the delivery of the compliance certificate for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2014 shall be based on Level [I], based on the proforma covenant compliance certificate delivered by the Borrower on the Closing Date.

 

If at any time the financial statements upon which the Applicable Margin was determined were incorrect (whether based on a restatement, fraud or otherwise), the Borrower shall be required to retroactively pay any additional amount that the Borrower would have been required to pay if such financial statements had been accurate at the time they were delivered.

 

(b)                                  From and after the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date, with respect to each Loan, the respective percentages per annum determined, at any time, based on the range into which Borrower’s Credit Rating then falls, in accordance with the tables below (such tables, the “ Ratings Based Pricing Grids ”).  A change (if any) in the Applicable Margin shall be effective immediately as of the date on which any of the rating agencies announces a change in the Borrower’s Credit Rating or the date on which the Borrower no longer has a Credit Rating from one of the rating agencies or the date on which the Borrower has a Credit Rating from a rating agency that had not provided a Credit Rating for the Borrower on the day immediately preceding such date, whichever is applicable.

 

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(i)                                      For Revolving Credit Loans, the Applicable Margin shall be determined by the Credit Ratings in the table below:

 

Range of Borrower’s
Credit Rating
(S&P/Moody’s/Fitch Ratings)

 

Applicable Margin for
Eurodollar Rate Loans
(% per annum)

 

Applicable Margin for Base
Rate Loans
(% per annum)

 

A-/A3 or higher

 

0.875

%

0.000

%

BBB+/Baa1

 

1.000

%

0.000

%

BBB/Baa2

 

1.050

%

0.050

%

BBB-/Baa3

 

1.250

%

0.250

%

below BBB-/Baa3 or unrated

 

1.650

%

0.650

%

 

(ii)                                   For Term Loans, the Applicable Margin shall be determined by the Credit Ratings in the table below:

 

Range of Borrower’s
Credit Rating
(S&P/Moody’s/Fitch Ratings)

 

Applicable Margin for
Eurodollar Rate Loans
(% per annum)

 

Applicable Margin for Base
Rate Loans
(% per annum)

 

A-/A3 or higher

 

0.900

%

0.000

%

BBB+/Baa1

 

1.050

%

0.050

%

BBB/Baa2

 

1.150

%

0.150

%

BBB-/Baa3

 

1.450

%

0.450

%

below BBB-/Baa3 or unrated

 

1.900

%

0.900

%

 

For purposes of this clause (b), if at any time the Borrower has two (2) Credit Ratings, the Applicable Margin shall be the rate per annum applicable to the highest Credit Rating; provided that if the highest Credit Rating and the lowest Credit Rating are more than one ratings category apart, the Applicable Margin shall be the rate per annum applicable to Credit Rating that is one ratings category below the highest Credit Rating.  If at any time the Borrower has three (3) Credit Ratings, and such Credit Ratings are split, then: (A) if the difference between the highest and the lowest such Credit Ratings is one ratings category (e.g. Baa2 by Moody’s and BBB- by S&P or Fitch), the Applicable Margin shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the highest of the Credit Ratings were used; and (B) if the difference between such Credit Ratings is two ratings categories (e.g. Baa1 by Moody’s and BBB- by S&P or Fitch) or more, the Applicable Margin shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the average of the two (2) highest Credit Ratings were used, provided that if such average is not a recognized rating category, then the Applicable Margin shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the second highest Credit Rating of the three were used.  If at any time the Borrower has only one Credit Rating (and such Credit Rating is from Moody’s or S&P), the Applicable Margin shall be the rate per annum applicable to such Credit Rating.  If the Borrower does not have a Credit Rating from either Moody’s or S&P, the Applicable Margin shall be the rate per annum applicable to a Credit Rating of “below BBB-/Baa3 or unrated” in the tables above.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, if both (i) the Borrower has received indicative Investment Grade Credit Ratings from at least two of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch on or before the Initial Funding Date and (ii) the Borrower receives Investment Grade Credit Ratings from at least two of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch on the Spinoff Date, then the Debt

 

5



 

Rating Pricing Election Date shall be deemed to have occurred (without, for the avoidance of doubt, the delivery of a Debt Rating Pricing Election Notice) on, and the Applicable Margins shall be determined by reference to the Ratings Based Pricing Grids (using the Investment Grade Credit Ratings received on the Spinoff Date) from and after, the Initial Funding Date; it being agreed that if either of such events described in clauses (i) and (ii) above does not occur, then the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date shall be deemed to have not occurred and the Applicable Margins shall be determined by reference to the Leverage Based Pricing Grid from and after the Initial Funding Date.

 

Approved Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

Arrangers ” mean Bank of America, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

Assignment and Acceptance ” means an Assignment and Acceptance in substantially the form of Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof (with blanks appropriately completed) delivered to the Administrative Agent in connection with an assignment of a Lender’s interest under this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 14.1 .

 

Authorized Financial Officer ” means a chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, treasurer or other qualified senior officer acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

Bankruptcy Event ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, provided, further, that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

 

Banks’ L/C Fee Rate ” is defined in Section 3.1(g).

 

Base Eurocurrency Rate ” means, with respect to (A) any Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans in any LIBOR Quoted Currency and for any applicable Interest Period, the London interbank offered rate or comparable successor rate approved by the Administrative Agent for such LIBOR Quoted Currency for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as

 

6



 

published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page ( or, in the event such rate does not appear on such Bloomberg page, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate as shall be selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion (the “ LIBOR Screen Rate ”)) as of the Specified Time on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period and (B) any Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans denominated in any Non-Quoted Currency and for any applicable Interest Period, the applicable Local Screen Rate for such Non-Quoted Currency as of the Specified Time on the Quotation Day for such currency and Interest Period.

 

Base Rate ” means, for any day, a fluctuating interest rate per annum as shall be in effect from time to time, which rate per annum shall at all times be equal to the highest of:

 

(i)                                      the rate of interest announced publicly by the Administrative Agent from time to time, as the Administrative Agent’s prime rate;

 

(ii)                                   the sum of (A) one-half of one percent (0.50%) per annum plus (B) the Federal Funds Rate in effect from time to time during such period; and

 

(iii)                                the sum of (A) the one month Base Eurocurrency Rate in effect on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) (the “ Daily LIBOR Rate ”) plus (B) one percent (1%) per annum.

 

Base Rate Loan ” means (i) a Committed Loan denominated in Dollars which bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate and the Applicable Margin as provided in Section 5.1(a)  or (ii) an overdue amount which was a Base Rate Loan immediately before it became due.

 

BofA ” means Bank of America, N. A.

 

Borrower ” means Washington Prime Group, L.P., an Indiana limited partnership.

 

Borrower Partnership Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Borrower dated as of [April]     , 2014 as such agreement may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time with the consent of the Administrative Agent or as permitted under Section 10.10 .

 

Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of Loans of the same type made, continued or converted on the same day.

 

Business Activity Report ” means (i) an Indiana Business Activity Report from the Indiana Department of Revenue, Compliance Division, [or (ii) a Notice of Business Activities Report from the State of New Jersey Division of Taxation, (iii) a Minnesota Business Activity Report from the Minnesota Department of Revenue,] or (iv) a similar report to those referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) hereof with respect to any jurisdiction where the failure to file such report would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed;

 

7



 

and when used in connection with a Eurodollar Rate Loan for a LIBOR Quoted Currency, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for general business in London; and in addition, with respect to any date for the payment or purchase of, or the fixing of an interest rate in relation to, any Non-Quoted Currency, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for general business in the principal financial center of the country of that currency.

 

Capital Expenditures ” means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether payable in cash or other property or accrued as a liability (but without duplication)) during such period that, in conformity with GAAP, are required to be included in or reflected by the Company’s, the Borrower’s or any of their Subsidiaries’ fixed asset accounts as reflected in any of their respective balance sheets; provided , however , (i) Capital Expenditures shall include, whether or not such a designation would be in conformity with GAAP, (a) that portion of Capital Leases which is capitalized on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company, the Borrower and their Subsidiaries and (b) expenditures for Equipment which is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing Equipment owned by the General Partner, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries, to the extent the gross purchase price of the purchased Equipment exceeds the book value of the Equipment being traded in at such time; and (ii) Capital Expenditures shall exclude, whether or not such a designation would be in conformity with GAAP, expenditures made in connection with the restoration of Property, to the extent reimbursed or financed from insurance or condemnation proceeds.

 

Capitalization Rate ” means (a) 7.25% per annum for malls and other Properties and (b) 6.75% per annum for strip centers.

 

Capitalization Value ” means the sum of (i) Mall EBITDA capitalized at the applicable Capitalization Rate, and (ii) Strip Center EBITDA capitalized at the applicable Capitalization Rate, and (iii) Cash and Cash Equivalents, and (iv) Construction Asset Cost, and (v) undeveloped land, valued, in accordance with GAAP, at the lower of cost and market value, and (vi) the Borrower’s economic interest in mortgage notes, valued, in accordance with GAAP, at the lower of cost and market value, provided, however, that any mortgage notes that are more than sixty (60) days past due, shall not be included in this clause (vi), and (vii) Investments in publicly traded Securities, valued at Borrower’s book value determined in accordance with GAAP, and (viii) Investments in non-publicly traded Securities, valued at Borrower’s book value determined in accordance with GAAP, provided, however, that in no event shall (x) the aggregate value of such Investments in non-publicly traded Securities included in Capitalization Value exceed ten percent (10%) of Capitalization Value in the aggregate, (y) the aggregate value attributable to undeveloped land included in Capitalization Value exceed five percent (5%) of Capitalization Value in the aggregate or (z) the aggregate value attributed to undeveloped land, non-retail Properties, mortgage notes, Construction Asset Cost and Limited Minority Holdings included in Capitalization Value exceed thirty percent (30%) of Capitalization Value in the aggregate.

 

Capital Lease ” means any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by a Person as lessee which, in conformity with GAAP, is accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

 

8



 

Capital Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any capital stock of such Person (if a corporation), and all equivalent ownership interests in such Person (other than a corporation), regardless of class or designation, and all warrants, options, purchase rights, conversion or exchange rights, voting rights, calls or claims of any character with respect thereto.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents ” means (i) cash, (ii) marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States government and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government; and (iii) domestic and Eurodollar certificates of deposit and time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia, any foreign bank, or its branches or agencies, which, at the time of acquisition, are rated A-1 (or better) by S&P or P-1 (or better) by Moody’s; provided   that the maturities of such Cash and Cash Equivalents shall not exceed one year.

 

Cash Interest Expense ” means, for any period, total interest expense, whether paid or accrued, but without duplication, (including the interest component of Capital Leases) of the Borrower, which is payable in cash, all as determined in conformity with GAAP.

 

CDOR Rate ” means for any Loans in Canadian Dollars, (i) the CDOR Screen Rate or (ii) if so provided herein, the applicable Reference Bank Rate.

 

CDOR Screen Rate ” means, with respect to any Interest Period, the Canadian Dealer Offered Rate or a comparable or successor rate which is approved by the Administrative Agent with a tenor equal to such Interest Period, published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or, in the event such rate does not appear on such Bloomberg page, on any successor or substitute page on such screen or service that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) as of the Specified Time on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period.

 

CERCLA ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq ., any amendments thereto, any successor statutes, and any regulations or guidance having the force of law promulgated thereunder.

 

CF Rate ” is defined in Section 5.2(d)(i) .

 

Change in Law ” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement (or, with respect to any Lender, such later date on which such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement) of any of the following: (a) the adoption of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) compliance by any Lender or Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 13.2 , by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,  (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated

 

9



 

by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or issued by the applicable Governmental Authority or other body, agency or authority having jurisdiction; provided, however, that if the applicable Lender shall have implemented changes prior to the date hereof in response to any such requests, rules, guidelines or directives, then the same shall not be deemed to be a Change in Law with respect to such Lender.

 

Charges ” is defined in Section 14.23 .

 

Claim ” means any claim or demand, by any Person, of whatsoever kind or nature for any alleged Liabilities and Costs, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute, Permit, ordinance or regulation, common law or otherwise.

 

Closing Date ” means April     , 2014.

 

Co-Agents ” means the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arrangers, the Co-Documentation Agents, the Syndication Agent, the Co-Syndication Agents, and the Senior Managing Agents.

 

Co-Documentation Agents ” means the financial institutions listed on the cover page to this Agreement as “Co-Documentation Agents”.

 

Co-Syndication Agents ” means the financial institutions listed on the cover page to this Agreement as “Co-Syndication Agents”.

 

Combined Debt Service ” means, for any period, the sum of (i) regularly scheduled payments of principal and interest (net of amounts payable to the Consolidated Businesses in regard thereto under Interest Rate Hedges) of the Consolidated Businesses paid and/or accrued during such period and (ii) the portion of the regularly scheduled payments of principal and interest of Minority Holdings allocable to the Borrower in accordance with GAAP, paid during such period, in each case including participating interest expense and excluding balloon payments of principal and extraordinary interest payments and net of amortization of deferred costs associated with new financings or refinancings of existing Indebtedness.

 

Combined EBITDA ” means the sum of (i) 100% of the Annual EBITDA from the General Partner and the Borrower, and the Borrower’s pro rata share of the Annual EBITDA from the other Consolidated Businesses; and (ii) the portion of the Annual EBITDA of the Minority Holdings allocable to the Borrower in accordance with GAAP; and (iii) 100% of the actual Annual EBITDA from third party property and asset management; provided, however that the Borrower’s share of the Annual EBITDA from unaffiliated third party property and asset management shall in no event constitute in excess of five percent (5%) of Combined EBITDA; provided , however, that for purposes of determining Capitalization Value and Unencumbered Capitalization Value (but for no other purposes hereunder), Annual EBITDA of less than zero with respect to any individual Property shall be disregarded.  Combined EBITDA shall exclude the effect of non-recurring extraordinary items or asset sales or write-ups or forgiveness of

 

10



 

indebtedness (both gains and losses) and impairment charges, and costs and expenses incurred during such period with respect to acquisitions or mergers consummated during such period. Combined EBITDA also shall exclude dividends, distributions and other payments from Securities. For purposes of newly opened Projects the costs of which are no longer capitalized as construction in progress, the Annual EBITDA shall be based upon twelve-month projections, until such time as actual performance data for a twelve-month period is available.

 

Combined Equity Value ” means Capitalization Value minus Total Adjusted Outstanding Indebtedness.

 

Commercial Letter of Credit ” means any sight letter of credit issued by an Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 3.1 for the account of the Borrower, which is drawable upon presentation of documents evidencing the sale or shipment of goods purchased by the Borrower in the ordinary course of its business.

 

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission and any Person succeeding to the functions thereof.

 

Commitments ” means the Revolving Credit Commitments and the Term Commitments.

 

Committed Borrowing ” means a Borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans or Term Loans made or to be made pursuant to the Notice of Committed Borrowing.

 

Committed Loan ” means a Revolving Credit Loan or a Term Loan made by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.1 ; provided that, if any such Loan or Loans (or portions thereof) are combined or subdivided pursuant to a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, the term “Committed Loan” shall refer to the combined principal amount resulting from such combination or to each of the separate principal amounts resulting from such subdivision, as the case may be.

 

Communications ” is defined in Section 14.8(d) .

 

Company ” means Washington Prime Group, Inc., an Indiana corporation.

 

Compliance Certificate ” is defined in Section 8.2(b) .

 

Connection Income Taxes ” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

 

Consolidated ” means consolidated, in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Businesses ” means the General Partner, the Borrower and their wholly-owned Subsidiaries.

 

Construction Asset Cost ” means, with respect to Property on which construction or redevelopment of Improvements has commenced but has not yet been completed (as such completion shall be evidenced by such Property being opened for business to the general public),

 

11



 

the aggregate sums expended on the construction or redevelopment of such Improvements (including land acquisition costs).

 

Contaminant ” means any waste, pollutant, hazardous substance, toxic substance, hazardous waste, special waste, petroleum or petroleum-derived substance or waste, radioactive materials, asbestos (in any form or condition), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), or any constituent of any such substance or waste, and includes, but is not limited to, these terms as defined in federal, state or local laws or regulations; provided , however , that “Contaminant” shall not include the foregoing items to the extent (i) the same exists on the applicable Property in negligible amounts and are stored and used in accordance with all Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law or (ii) are used in connection with a tire or battery retail store provided the same are stored, sold and used in accordance with all Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law.

 

Contingent Obligation ” as to any Person means, without duplication, (i) any contingent obligation of such Person required to be shown on such Person’s balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) any obligation required to be disclosed in the footnotes to such Person’s financial statements in accordance with GAAP, guaranteeing partially or in whole any non-recourse Indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation, exclusive of contractual indemnities (including, without limitation, any indemnity or price-adjustment provision relating to the purchase or sale of securities or other assets) and guarantees of non-monetary obligations (other than guarantees of completion and environmental indemnities given in conjunction with a mortgage financing) which have not yet been called on or quantified, of such Person or of any other Person.  The amount of any Contingent Obligation described in clause (ii) shall be deemed to be (a) with respect to a guaranty of interest or interest and principal, or operating income guaranty, the sum of all payments required to be made thereunder (which in the case of an operating income guaranty shall be deemed to be equal to the debt service for the note secured thereby), calculated at the interest rate applicable to such Indebtedness, through (i) in the case of an interest or interest and principal guaranty, the stated date of maturity of the obligation (and commencing on the date interest could first be payable thereunder), or (ii) in the case of an operating income guaranty, the date through which such guaranty will remain in effect, and (b) with respect to all guarantees not covered by the preceding clause (a) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such guaranty is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as recorded on the balance sheet and on the footnotes to the most recent financial statements of the applicable Borrower required to be delivered pursuant hereto.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, guarantees of completion and environmental indemnities shall not be deemed to be Contingent Obligations unless and until a claim for payment has been made thereunder, at which time any such guaranty of completion or environmental indemnity shall be deemed to be a Contingent Obligation in an amount equal to any such claim.  Subject to the preceding sentence, (i) in the case of a joint and several guaranty given by such Person and another Person (but only to the extent such guaranty is recourse, directly or indirectly to the applicable Borrower), the amount of the guaranty shall be deemed to be 100% thereof unless and only to the extent that (X) such other Person has delivered Cash or Cash Equivalents to secure all or any part of such Person’s guaranteed obligations or (Y) such other Person holds an Investment Grade Credit Rating from either Moody’s or S&P, in which case the amount of the guaranty shall be deemed

 

12



 

to be equal to such Person’s pro rata share thereof, as reasonably determined by Borrower, and (ii) in the case of a guaranty, (whether or not joint and several) of an obligation otherwise constituting Indebtedness of such Person, the amount of such guaranty shall be deemed to be only that amount in excess of the amount of the obligation constituting Indebtedness of such Person.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, “Contingent Obligations” shall not be deemed to include guarantees of loan commitments or of construction loans to the extent the same have not been drawn.

 

Contractual Obligation ”, as applied to any Person, means any provision of any Securities issued by that Person or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, security agreement, pledge agreement, guaranty, contract, undertaking, agreement or instrument to which that Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound, or to which it or any of its properties is subject.

 

Credit Extension ” is defined in Section 5.2(e)(iv) .

 

Credit Party ” means the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender.

 

Credit Rating ” means the publicly announced senior unsecured credit rating (or, prior to the availability of a senior unsecured credit rating, the corporate credit rating) of a Person given by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch.

 

Cure Loans ” is defined in Section 4.2(b)(v)(C) .

 

Customary Non-Recourse Carve-Outs ” means fraud, misrepresentation, misapplication of cash, waste, environmental claims and liabilities and other circumstances customarily excluded by institutional lenders from exculpation provisions and/or included in separate indemnification agreements.

 

Customary Permitted Liens ” means

 

(i)                                      Liens (other than Environmental Liens and Liens in favor of the PBGC) with respect to the payment of taxes, assessments or governmental charges in all cases which are not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings in accordance with Section 9.4 and with respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained in accordance with GAAP;

 

(ii)                                   statutory Liens of landlords against any Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and Liens against any Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in favor of suppliers, mechanics, carriers, materialmen, warehousemen or workmen and other Liens against any Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries imposed by law created in the ordinary course of business for amounts which, if not resolved in favor of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, could not result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(iii)                                Liens (other than any Lien in favor of the PBGC) incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with worker’s

 

13


 

compensation, unemployment insurance or other types of social security benefits or to secure the performance of bids, tenders, sales, contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money), surety, appeal and performance bonds; provided   that (A) all such Liens do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s assets or Property or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of their respective businesses, and (B) all Liens of attachment or judgment and Liens securing bonds to stay judgments or in connection with appeals do not secure at any time an aggregate amount of recourse Indebtedness exceeding $25,000,000; and

 

(iv)          Liens against any Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower arising with respect to zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, reservations, covenants, rights-of-way, utility easements, building restrictions and other similar charges or encumbrances on the use of Real Property which do not interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent it could not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Daily LIBOR Rate ” is defined in the definition of “Base Rate”.

 

Debt Rating Pricing Election Date ” means the date on which (a) the Borrower has achieved and continues to maintain an Investment Grade Credit Rating from at least two of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch and (b) the Borrower has delivered a Debt Rating Pricing Election Notice to the Administrative Agent.

 

Debt Rating Pricing Election Notice ” means a notice delivered by Borrower to the Administrative Agent of its election to have the Applicable Margins determined by reference to the Ratings Based Pricing Grid instead of the Leverage Based Pricing Grid.

 

Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, or, in the case of clause (iii) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith dispute with the amount of such payment (specifically identified), (b) has notified the Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, an Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this

 

14



 

clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of an equity interest in that Lender of any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority.

 

Delayed Transfer Assets ” is defined in Section 6.1(g) .

 

Designated Bank ” means a special purpose corporation that (i) shall have become a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 14.1(f) , and (ii) is not otherwise a Lender.

 

Designated Bank Notes ” means promissory notes of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, evidencing the obligation of the Borrower to repay Money Market Loans made by Designated Banks, as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time, and “ Designated Bank Note ” means any one of such promissory notes issued under Section 14.1(f)  hereof.

 

Designating Lender ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.1(f)  hereof.

 

Designation Agreement ” means a designation agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit K attached hereto, entered into by a Lender and a Designated Bank and accepted by the Administrative Agent.

 

Designee Lender ” is defined in Section 13.4 .

 

DOL ” means the United States Department of Labor and any Person succeeding to the functions thereof.

 

Dollar Equivalent Amount ” shall mean (i) with respect to any amount of Alternative Currency on any day, the equivalent amount in Dollars of such amount of Alternative Currency as determined by the Administrative Agent using the applicable Exchange Rate on such day and (ii) with respect to any amount of Dollars, such amount.

 

Dollars ” and “ $ ” mean the lawful money of the United States.

 

Domestic Lending Office ” means, with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s office, located in the United States, specified as the “Domestic Lending Office” under its name on the signature pages hereof or on the Assignment and Acceptance by which it became a Lender or such other United States office of such Lender as it may from time to time specify by written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

Electronic Signature ” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.

 

Electronic System ” means any electronic system, including e-mail, e-fax, Intralinks®, ClearPar®, Debt Domain, Syndtrak and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Administrative Agent and

 

15



 

the Issuing Bank and any of its respective Related Parties or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security measures.

 

Eligible Assignee ” means (i) a Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) and its Affiliates and Approved Funds (other than an Approved Fund qualifying as such by virtue of its relationship with a Defaulting Lender); (ii) a commercial bank having total assets in excess of $2,500,000,000; (iii) the central bank of any country which is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; or (iv) a finance company or other financial institution reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which is regularly engaged in making, purchasing or investing in loans and having total assets in excess of $300,000,000 or is otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks; provided that an Ineligible Institution shall not be an Eligible Assignee.

 

Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law ” means all Requirements of Law derived from or relating to any  federal, state or local law, ordinance, rule, regulation, Permit, license or other binding determination of any Governmental Authority relating to, imposing liability or standards concerning, or otherwise addressing the environment, health and/or safety, including, but not limited to the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, CERCLA, RCRA, any so-called “Superfund” or “Superlien” law, the Toxic Substances Control Act and OSHA, and public health codes, each as from time to time in effect.

 

Environmental Lien ” means a Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority for any (i) liabilities under any Environmental, Health or Safety Requirement of Law, or (ii) damages arising from, or costs incurred by such Governmental Authority in response to, a Release or threatened Release of a Contaminant into the environment.

 

Environmental Property Transfer Act ”  means any applicable Requirement of Law that conditions, restricts, prohibits or requires any notification or disclosure triggered by the transfer, sale, lease or closure of any Property or deed or title for any Property for environmental reasons, including, but not limited to, any so-called “Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act” or “Responsible Property Transfer Act”.

 

Equipment ” means equipment used in connection with the maintenance of Projects and Properties.

 

Equity Interests ” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such shares or interests.

 

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. §§ 1000 et   seq ., any amendments thereto, any successor statutes, and any regulations or guidance having the force of law promulgated thereunder.

 

ERISA Affiliate ” means (i) any corporation which is a member of the same controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Internal Revenue Code) as the Borrower; (ii) a partnership or other trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is under common control (within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Internal Revenue

 

16



 

Code) with the Borrower; and (iii) a member of the same affiliated service group (within the meaning of Section 414(m) of the Internal Revenue Code) as the Borrower, any corporation described in clause (i) above or any partnership or trade or business described in clause (ii) above.

 

ERISA Termination Event ” means (i) a Reportable Event with respect to any Plan; (ii) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Plan during a plan year in which the Borrower or such ERISA Affiliate was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or the cessation of operations which results in the termination of employment of 20% of Plan participants who are employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate; (iii) the imposition of an obligation on the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate under Section 4041 of ERISA to provide affected parties written notice of intent to terminate a Plan in a distress termination described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (iv) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Plan; (v) any event or condition which might constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan; or (vi) the partial or complete withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan.

 

Eurodollar Affiliate ” means, with respect to each Lender, the Affiliate of such Lender (if any) set forth below such Lender’s name under the heading “Eurodollar Affiliate” on the signature pages hereof or on the Assignment and Acceptance by which it became a Lender or such Affiliate of a Lender as it may from time to time specify by written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

Eurodollar Interest Period ” is defined in Section 5.2(b)(i) .

 

Eurodollar Interest Rate Determination Date ” is defined in Section 5.2(c) .

 

Eurodollar Lending Office ” means, with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s office (if any) specified as the “Eurodollar Lending Office” under its name on the signature pages hereof or on the Assignment and Acceptance by which it became a Lender or such other office or offices of such Lender as it may from time to time specify by written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

Eurodollar Money Market Loan ” means a Loan to be made by a Lender pursuant to a LIBOR Auction (including such a Loan bearing interest at the Base Rate pursuant to Section 5.2 ).

 

Eurodollar Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Interest Period applicable to a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a Money Market Loan, an interest rate per annum obtained by dividing (i) the Base Eurocurrency Rate applicable to that Eurodollar Interest Period by (ii) a percentage equal to 100% minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage in effect on the relevant Eurodollar Interest Rate Determination Date.

 

Eurodollar Rate Loan ” means (i) a Committed Loan which bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate and the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans or (ii) an overdue amount which was a Eurodollar Rate Loan immediately before it became due.

 

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Eurodollar Reserve Percentage ” means, for any day, that percentage which is in effect on such day, as prescribed by the Federal Reserve Board for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) for a member bank of the Federal Reserve System in New York, New York with deposits exceeding five billion Dollars in respect of “Eurocurrency Liabilities” (or in respect of any other category of liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate on Eurodollar Rate Loans is determined or any category of extensions of credit or other assets which includes loans by a non-United States office of any bank to United States residents).

 

Event of Default ” means any of the occurrences set forth in Section 11.1 after the expiration of any applicable grace period and the giving of any applicable notice, in each case as expressly provided in Section 11.1 .

 

Exchange Rate ” means, for a currency, the rate determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as applicable, to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made; provided that the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank may obtain such spot rate from Reuters, Bloomberg or another financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency; and provided   further that the Issuing Bank may use such spot rate quoted on the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made in the case of any Alternative Currency Letter of Credit.

 

Excluded Taxes ” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office located in or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan, Letter of Credit or Revolving Credit Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 13.4 ) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 13.1 , amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Revolving Credit Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 13.1(f) , and (d) any U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

Facility ” means each of the Term Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

Facility Fee ” is defined in Section 5.3(a) .

 

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Facility Fee Percentage ” means

 

(a)            From and after the Closing Date and until the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date (or if the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date has occurred and the Borrower thereafter makes an irrevocable, one-time election by notice to the Administrative to again have the Applicable Margins determined by the Total Leverage Ratio), the applicable percentages per annum determined, at times specified herein, based on the range into which the Total Leverage Ratio then falls, in accordance with the following table:

 

Ratio Level

 

Total
Leverage Ratio

 

Facility Fee Percentage
(% per annum)

 

Level I

 

< 40%

 

0.20

%

Level II

 

> 40% and < 45%

 

0.25

%

Level III

 

> 45% and < 50%

 

0.30

%

Level IV

 

> 50% and < 55%

 

0.30

%

Level V

 

> 55%

 

0.35

%

 

For purposes of this clause (a), any increase or decrease in the Facility Fee Percentage resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a compliance certificate is delivered in accordance with Section 8.2; provided , however , that if such compliance certificate is not delivered within thirty (30) days after notice from the Administrative Agent or the Requisite Lenders to the Borrower notifying the Borrower of the failure to deliver such compliance certificate on the date when due in accordance with Section 8.2, then the Facility Fee Percentage shall be the percentage that would apply to (i) the Level [II] Ratio in the case of the compliance certificate for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2014; and (ii) the Level V Ratio in the case of compliance certificates for the subsequent fiscal quarters, and it shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such compliance certificate was required to have been delivered.  The Facility Fee Percentage from the Closing Date until the delivery of the compliance certificate for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2014 shall be based on Level [I], based on the proforma covenant compliance certificate delivered by the Borrower on the Closing Date.

 

If at any time the financial statements upon which the Facility Fee Percentage was determined were incorrect (whether based on a restatement, fraud or otherwise), the Borrower shall be required to retroactively pay any additional amount that the Borrower would have been required to pay if such financial statements had been accurate at the time they were delivered.

 

(b)           From and after the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date, the applicable percentages per annum determined, at any time, based on the range into which Borrower’s Credit Rating then falls, in accordance with the following table.  A change (if any) in the Facility Fee Percentage shall be effective immediately as of the date on which any of the rating agencies announces a change in the Borrower’s Credit Rating or the date on which the Borrower no longer has a Credit Rating from one or more rating agencies or the date on which the Borrower has a Credit Rating from a rating agency that had not provided a Credit Rating for the Borrower on the day immediately preceding such date, whichever is applicable.

 

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Range of Borrower’s
Credit Rating
(S&P/Moody’s/Fitch Ratings)

 

Facility Fee Percentage
(% per annum)

 

below BBB-/Baa3 or unrated

 

0.300

%

BBB-/Baa3

 

0.250

%

BBB/Baa2

 

0.200

%

BBB+/Baa1

 

0.150

%

A-/A3 or higher

 

0.125

%

 

If at any time the Borrower has two (2) Credit Ratings, the Facility Fee Percentage shall be the rate per annum applicable to the highest Credit Rating; provided that if the highest Credit Rating and the lowest Credit Rating are more than one ratings category apart, the Facility Fee Percentage shall be the rate per annum applicable to Credit Rating that is one ratings category below the highest Credit Rating.  If at any time the Borrower has three (3) Credit Ratings, and such Credit Ratings are split, then: (A) if the difference between the highest and the lowest such Credit Ratings is one ratings category (e.g. Baa2 by Moody’s and BBB- by S&P or Fitch), the Facility Fee Percentage shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the highest of the Credit Ratings were used; and (B) if the difference between such Credit Ratings is two ratings categories (e.g. Baa1 by Moody’s and BBB- by S&P or Fitch) or more, the Facility Fee Percentage shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the average of the two (2) highest Credit Ratings were used, provided that if such average is not a recognized rating category, then the Facility Fee Percentage shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the second highest Credit Rating of the three were used.  If at any time the Borrower has only one Credit Rating (and such Credit Rating is from Moody’s or S&P), the Facility Fee Percentage shall be the rate per annum applicable to such Credit Rating.  If the Borrower does not have a Credit Rating from either Moody’s or S&P, the Facility Fee Percentage shall be the rate per annum applicable to a Credit Rating of “below BBB-/Baa3 or unrated” in the tables above.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, if both (i) the Borrower has received indicative Investment Grade Credit Ratings from at least two of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch on or before the Initial Funding Date and (ii) the Borrower receives Investment Grade Credit Ratings from at least two of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch on the Spinoff Date, then the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date shall be deemed to have occurred (without, for the avoidance of doubt, the delivery of a Debt Rating Pricing Election Notice) on, and the Facility Fee Percentage shall be determined by reference to the Ratings Based Pricing Grids (using the Investment Grade Credit Ratings received on the Spinoff Date) from and after, the Initial Funding Date; it being agreed that if either of such events described in clauses (i) and (ii) above does not occur, then the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date shall be deemed to have not occurred and the Facility Fee Percentage shall be determined by reference to the Leverage Based Pricing Grid from and after the Initial Funding Date.

 

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version thereof that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

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Federal Funds Rate ” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day in New York, New York, for the next preceding Business Day) in New York, New York by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day in New York, New York, the average of the quotations for such day on transactions by the Reference Bank, as determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

Federal Reserve Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any Governmental Authority succeeding to its functions.

 

Financial Statements ” means (i) quarterly and annual consolidated statements of income and retained earnings, statements of cash flow, and balance sheets, (ii) such other financial statements as the General Partner shall routinely and regularly prepare for itself and the Borrower on a quarterly or annual basis, and (iii) such other financial statements of the Consolidated Businesses or Minority Holdings as the Arrangers or the Requisite Lenders may from time to time reasonably specify; provided , however , that the Financial Statements referenced in clauses (i) and (ii) above shall be prepared in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

Fiscal Year ” means the fiscal year of the Company and the Borrower for accounting and tax purposes, which shall be the 12-month period ending on December 31 of each calendar year.

 

Fitch ” means Fitch, Inc.

 

Foreign Lender ” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes.

 

Foreign Qualified Borrower ” means a Qualified Borrower that is not an entity formed or organized under the laws of the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof.

 

Funding Date ” means, with respect to any Loan, the date of funding of such Loan.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Accounting Principles Board and Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be in general use by significant segments of the accounting profession as in effect on the Closing Date (unless otherwise specified herein as in effect on another date or dates).

 

General Partner ” means the Company and any successor general partner(s) of the Borrower.

 

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Governmental Approval ” means all right, title  and interest in any existing or future certificates, licenses, permits, variances, authorizations and approvals issued by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect to any Project.

 

Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government, any federal, state, local or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

 

Guarantees ” is defined in Section 14.28 .

 

Guarantors ” is defined in Section 14.28 .

 

Holder ” means any Person entitled to enforce any of the Obligations, whether or not such Person holds any evidence of Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the Administrative Agent, each Arranger, and each other Lender.

 

Honor Date ” is defined in Section 3.1(d)(i) .

 

Improvements ” means all buildings, fixtures, structures, parking areas, landscaping and all other improvements whether existing now or hereafter constructed, together with all machinery and mechanical, electrical, HVAC and plumbing systems presently located thereon and used in the operation thereof, excluding (a) any such items owned by utility service providers, (b) any such items owned by tenants or other third-parties unaffiliated with the Borrower and (c) any items of personal property.

 

Increased Amount Date ” is defined in Section 2.1(e) .

 

Incremental Commitments ” is defined in Section 2.1(e) .

 

Indebtedness ”, as applied to any Person, means, at any time, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness, obligations or other liabilities of such Person (whether consolidated or representing the proportionate interest in any other Person) (i) for borrowed money (including construction loans) or evidenced by debt securities, debentures, acceptances, notes or other similar instruments, (ii) under profit payment agreements or in respect of obligations to redeem, repurchase or exchange any Securities of such Person or to pay dividends that have been declared with respect to any stock, (iii) with respect to letters of credit issued for such Person’s account, (iv) to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except accounts payable and accrued expenses arising in the ordinary course of business, (v) in respect of Capital Leases, (vi) which are Contingent Obligations or (vii) under warranties and indemnities; (b) all indebtedness, obligations or other liabilities of such Person or others secured by a Lien on any property of such Person, whether or not such indebtedness, obligations or liabilities are assumed by such Person, all as of such time; (c) all indebtedness, obligations or other liabilities of such Person in respect of interest rate contracts and foreign exchange contracts, net of liabilities owed to such Person by the counterparties thereon; (d) all preferred stock subject (upon the occurrence of any contingency or otherwise) to mandatory redemption; and (e) all contingent Contractual Obligations with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Indemnified Matters ” is defined in Section 14.3 .

 

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Indemnified Taxes ” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.

 

Ineligible Institution ” means (a) a natural person, (b) a Defaulting Lender or any Affiliate thereof, and (c) the Borrower or any of its Affiliates.

 

Indemnitees ” is defined in Section 14.3 .

 

Initial Funding Date ” means the date on or after the Closing Date, but in no event later than May 30, 2014, on which all of the conditions described in Section 6.1 have been satisfied (or waived) in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and on which the initial Loans under this Agreement are made by the Lenders to the Borrower in an amount not less than the amount then outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement (without regard to those letters of credit set forth on Schedule 3.6 hereto).

 

Interest Period ” is defined in Section 5.2(b) .

 

Internal Revenue Code ” or “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended to the date hereof and from time to time hereafter, any successor statute and any regulations or guidance having the force of law promulgated thereunder.

 

Investment ” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any purchase or other acquisition by that Person of Securities, or of a beneficial interest in Securities, issued by any other Person, (ii) any purchase by that Person of all or substantially all of the assets of a business conducted by another Person, and (iii) any loan, advance (other than deposits with financial institutions available for withdrawal on demand, prepaid expenses, accounts receivable, advances to employees and similar items made or incurred in the ordinary course of business) or capital contribution by that Person to any other Person, including, without limitation, all Indebtedness to such Person arising from a sale of property by such Person other than in the ordinary course of its business.  The amount of any Investment shall be determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Investment Grade ” means (i) with respect to Moody’s, a Credit Rating of Baa3 or higher and (ii) with respect to S&P or Fitch, a Credit Rating of BBB- or higher.

 

Investment Grade Credit Rating ” means (i) a Credit Rating of Baa3 or higher given by Moody’s, (ii) a Credit Rating of BBB- or higher given by S&P or (iii) a Credit Rating of BBB- or higher given by Fitch.

 

IRS ” means the Internal Revenue Service and any Person succeeding to the functions thereof.

 

ISP ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

 

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Issuing Bank ” is defined in Section 3.1 .

 

JPMorgan Chase ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

knowledge ” with reference to any General Partner, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, means the actual knowledge of such Person after reasonable inquiry (which reasonable inquiry shall include, without limitation, interviewing and questioning such other Persons as such General Partner, the Borrower or such Subsidiary of the Borrower, as applicable, deems reasonably necessary).

 

Lead Arrangers ” means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its Affiliates, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, the other financial institutions listed on the cover page to this Agreement as “Joint Lead Arrangers” and each successor Lead Arranger appointed pursuant to the terms of Article XII of this Agreement.

 

Lease ” means a lease, license, concession agreement or other agreement providing for the use or occupancy of any portion of any Project, including all amendments, supplements, modifications and assignments thereof and all side letters or side agreements relating thereto.

 

Lender ” means (i) each of the Arrangers, the Co-Agents, and each financial institution a signatory hereto as a Lender as of the Closing Date and, at any other given time, each financial institution which is a party hereto as an Arranger, Co-Agent or Lender, whether as a signatory hereto or pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, and regardless of the capacity in which such entity is acting (i.e. whether as Administrative Agent, Arranger, Co-Agent or Lender) and (ii) each Designated Bank; provided, however, that the term “Lender” shall exclude each Designated Bank when used in reference to a Committed Loan, the Commitments or terms relating to the Committed Loans and the Commitments and shall further exclude each Designated Bank for all other purposes hereunder (including, without limitation, for purposes of Section 13.4 hereof) except that any Designated Bank which funds a Money Market Loan shall, subject to Section 14.1(f) , have the rights (including, without limitation, the rights given to a Lender contained in Section 14.2 and otherwise in Article XIV ) and obligations of a Lender associated with holding such Money Market Loan.

 

Lending Office ” is defined in Section 5.2(e)(iv) .

 

Letter of Credit ” means any Commercial Letter of Credit or Standby Letter of Credit whether in Dollars or the Alternative Currency.

 

Letter of Credit Obligations ” means, as at the date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all outstanding Reimbursement Obligations.  For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.5 .  For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

 

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Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement ” means, with respect to a Letter of Credit or an Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, such form of application therefor and form of reimbursement agreement therefor (whether in a single or several documents, taken together) as an Issuing Bank may employ in the ordinary course of business for its own account, with such modifications thereto as may be agreed upon by such Issuing Bank and the Borrower and as are not materially adverse (in the judgment of such Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent) to the interests of the Lenders; provided , however , in the event of any conflict between the terms of any Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

 

Liabilities and Costs ” means all liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, losses, damages, personal injury, death, punitive damages, economic damages, consequential damages, treble damages, intentional, willful or wanton injury, damage or threat to the environment, natural resources or public health or welfare, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, attorney, expert and consulting fees and expenses and costs of investigation, feasibility or Remedial Action studies), fines, penalties and monetary sanctions, interest, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, past, present or future.

 

LIBOR Auction ” means a solicitation of Money Market Quotes setting forth Money Market Margins based on the Eurodollar Rate pursuant to Section 2.2 .

 

LIBOR Quoted Currency ” means Dollars.

 

LIBOR Screen Rate ” is defined in the definition of “Base Eurocurrency Rate”.

 

Lien ” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, conditional sale agreement, deposit arrangement, security interest, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other and including, without limitation, any Environmental Lien), preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever in respect of any property of a Person, whether granted voluntarily or imposed by law, and includes the interest of a lessor under a Capital Lease or under any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing and the filing of any financing statement or similar notice (other than a financing statement filed by a “true” lessor pursuant to § 9-505 of the Uniform Commercial Code), naming the owner of such property as debtor, under the Uniform Commercial Code or other comparable law of any jurisdiction.

 

Limited Minority Holdings ” means Minority Holdings in which (i) Borrower has a less than fifty percent (50%) ownership interest and (ii) neither the Borrower nor the Company directly or indirectly controls the management of such Minority Holdings, whether as the general partner or managing member of such Minority Holding, or otherwise. As used in this definition only, the term “control” shall mean the authority to make major management decisions or the management of day-to-day operations of such entity or its Property(ies) and shall include instances in which the Management Company manages the day-to-day leasing, management, control or development of the Properties of such Minority Holdings pursuant to the terms of a management agreement.

 

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Limited Partners ” means those Persons who from time to time are limited partners of the Borrower; and “ Limited Partner ” means each of the Limited Partners, individually.

 

Loan Account ” is defined in Section 4.3(b) .

 

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, the Notes, each Qualified Borrower Guaranty, and all other instruments, agreements and written Contractual Obligations between the Borrower, the Qualified Borrowers and any of the Lenders pursuant to or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Loans ” means Committed Loans, Money Market Loans and Swingline Loans.

 

Local Screen Rate ” means the CDOR Screen Rate.

 

Management Company ” means, collectively, (i) the Borrower and its wholly-owned (directly or indirectly) or controlled (directly or indirectly) Subsidiaries, and (ii) such other property management companies controlled (directly or indirectly) by the Company for which the Borrower has previously provided the Administrative Agent with: (1) notice of such property management company, and (2) evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that such property management company is controlled (directly or indirectly) by the Company.

 

Mall EBITDA ” means that portion of Combined EBITDA which represents net revenues earned from malls, calculated on the first day of each fiscal quarter for the four immediately preceding consecutive fiscal quarters.

 

Margin Stock ” means “margin stock” as such term is defined in Regulation U.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect upon (i) the financial condition or assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents, or (iii) the ability of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent to enforce any of the Loan Documents.

 

Maturing Indebtedness ” means, in the case of any calculation required hereunder, Indebtedness that by its terms is scheduled to mature on or before the date that is 24 months from the date of calculation.

 

Maturing Secured Indebtedness ” means, in the case of any calculation required hereunder, Secured Indebtedness that by its terms is scheduled to mature on or before the date that is 24 months from the date of calculation.

 

Maturing Unsecured Indebtedness ” means, in the case of any calculation required hereunder, Unsecured Indebtedness that by its terms is scheduled to mature on or before the date that is 24 months from the date of calculation.

 

Maximum Rate ” is defined in Section 14.23 .

 

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Maximum Revolving Credit Amount ” means, at any particular time, the Revolving Credit Commitments existing at such time.

 

MIS ” means a computerized management information system for recording and maintenance of information regarding purchases, sales, aging, categorization, and locations of Properties, creation and aging of receivables, and accounts payable (including agings thereof).

 

Minority Holdings ”  means interests in partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies and corporations held or owned by the Borrower or a General Partner or their respective Subsidiaries which are not wholly-owned, directly or indirectly, by the Borrower or a General Partner.

 

Money Market Lender ” means, as to each Money Market Loan, the Lender funding such Money Market Loan.

 

Money Market Lending Office ” means, as to each Lender, its Domestic Lending Office or such other office, branch or affiliate of such Lender as it may hereafter designate as its Money Market Lending Office by notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

Money Market Loan ” means a loan to be made by a Lender pursuant to a LIBOR Auction (including such a loan bearing interest at the Base Rate pursuant to Section 5.2 ).

 

Money Market Margin ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 .

 

Money Market Quote ” means an offer by a Lender to make a Money Market Loan in accordance with Section 2.2 .

 

Money Market Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 .

 

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investor Services, Inc.

 

Multiemployer Plan ” means a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA which is, or within the immediately preceding six (6) years was, contributed to by either the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has assumed any liability.

 

New Foreign Qualified Borrower Amendment ” is defined in Section 2.10(a) .

 

New Foreign Qualified Borrower Notice ” is defined in Section 2.10(a) .

 

New Revolving Credit Commitments ” is defined in Section 2.1(e) .

 

New Revolving Credit Lender ” is defined in Section 2.1(e) .

 

New Term Commitment ” is defined in Section 2.1(e) .

 

New Term Lender ” is defined in Section 2.1(e) .

 

New Term Loans ” is defined in Section 2.1(e) .

 

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Non-Consenting Lender ” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment within two (2) Business Days after the approval deadline that (i) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 14.7 and (ii) has been approved by the Requisite Lenders.

 

Non Pro Rata Loan ” is defined in Section 4.2(b)(v ).

 

Non-Quoted Currency ” means Canadian Dollars.

 

Non-Recourse Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness with respect to which recourse for payment is limited to (i) specific assets related to a particular Property or group of Properties encumbered by a Lien securing such Indebtedness or (ii) any Subsidiary (provided that if a Subsidiary is a partnership, there is no recourse to the Borrower or the General Partner as a general partner of such partnership); provided, however, that personal recourse of the Borrower or the General Partner for any such Indebtedness for Customary Non-Recourse Carve-Outs in non-recourse financing of real estate shall not, by itself, prevent such Indebtedness from being characterized as Non-Recourse Indebtedness.

 

Note ” means a promissory note in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B payable to the order of a Lender, evidencing certain of the Obligations of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower to such Lender and executed by the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower as required by Section 4.3(a) , as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time, together with the Designated Bank Notes; “ Notes ” means, collectively, all of such Notes outstanding at any given time.

 

Notice of Borrowing ” means a Notice of Committed Borrowing or a Notice of Money Market Borrowing.

 

Notice of Committed Borrowing ” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto and made a part hereof.

 

Notice of Conversion/Continuation ” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto and made a part hereof with respect to a proposed conversion or continuation of a Loan pursuant to Section 5.1(c) .

 

Notice of Money Market Borrowing ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 .

 

Obligations ” means all Loans, Letter of Credit Obligations, advances, debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties owing by the Borrower and the Qualified Borrowers to the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Co-Agent, any other Lender, any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Co-Agents, any other Lender, or any Person entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 14.3 of this Agreement, of any kind or nature, arising under this Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Document.  The term includes, without limitation, all interest, charges, expenses, fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements and any other sum chargeable to the Borrower or any of the Qualified Borrowers under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

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Occupancy Rate ” means, with respect to a Property at any time, the occupancy rate that is calculated by the Borrower using the methodology that is used by the Borrower for public reporting purposes on the Closing Date and as modified from time to time in keeping with industry standard practices.  The Borrower shall provide notice to the Administrative Agent of any such modification that it considers significant.

 

Officer’s Certificate ” means, as to a corporation, a certificate executed on behalf of such corporation by the chairman of its board of directors (if an officer of such corporation) or its chief executive officer, president, any of its vice-presidents, its chief financial officer, its chief accounting officer, or its treasurer and, as to a partnership, a certificate executed on behalf of such partnership by the chairman of the board of directors (if an officer of such corporation) or chief executive officer, president, any vice-president, or treasurer of the general partner of such partnership.

 

Operating Lease ” means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee which is not a Capital Lease.

 

Organizational Documents ” means, with respect to any corporation, limited liability company, or partnership (i) the articles/certificate of incorporation (or the equivalent organizational documents) of such corporation or limited liability company, (ii) the partnership agreement executed by the partners in the partnership, (iii) the by-laws (or the equivalent governing documents) of the corporation, limited liability company or partnership, and (iv) any document setting forth the designation, amount and/or relative rights, limitations and preferences of any class or series of such corporation’s Capital Stock or such limited liability company’s or partnership’s equity or ownership interests.

 

OSHA ” means the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. §§ 651 et seq ., any amendments thereto, any successor statutes and any regulations or guidance having the force of law promulgated thereunder.

 

Other Connection Taxes ” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan, Letter of Credit or Loan Document).

 

Other Taxes ” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 13.4 ).

 

Parent ” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.

 

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Participant ” is defined in Section 14.1(e) .

 

Participant Register ” is defined in Section 14.1(e) .

 

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any Person succeeding to the functions thereof.

 

Permits ” means any permit, consent, approval, authorization, license, variance, or permission required from any Person pursuant to Requirements of Law, including any Governmental Approvals.

 

Permitted Securities Options ” means the subscriptions, options, warrants, rights, convertible Securities and other agreements or commitments relating to the issuance of the Borrower’s Securities or the Company’s Capital Stock identified as such on Schedule 1.1.4 .

 

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, general partnership, joint stock company, joint venture, association, company, trust, bank, trust company, land trust, business trust or other organization, whether or not a legal entity, and any Governmental Authority.

 

Plan ” means an employee benefit plan defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is, or within the immediately preceding six (6) years was, an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA or the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has assumed any liability.

 

Potential Event of Default ” means an event that has occurred with respect to the Borrower which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Process Agent ” is defined in Section 14.17(a) .

 

Project ” means any shopping center, retail property and mixed-use property owned, directly or indirectly, by any of the Consolidated Businesses or Minority Holdings.

 

Property ” means any Real Property or personal property, plant, building, facility, structure, underground storage tank or unit, equipment, general intangible, receivable, or other asset owned, leased or operated by any Consolidated Business or any Minority Holding (including any surface water thereon or adjacent thereto, and soil and groundwater thereunder).

 

Pro Rata Share ” means, with respect to any Lender, as applicable and as the context may require, (a) with respect to matters relating to both Facilities, a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which shall be the sum of the Revolving Credit Commitment and Term Commitment (or if the Term Commitments have expired or terminated, such Lender’s Term Exposure) of such Lender and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate amount of all Revolving Credit Commitments and Term Commitments (or if the Term Commitments have expired or terminated, the aggregate Term Exposures of all Lenders), (b) with respect to matters relating to the Term Facility, a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which shall be the amount of such Lender’s Term Commitment (or if the Term Commitments have expired

 

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or terminated, such Lender’s Term Exposure) and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate amount of all of the Lenders’ Term Commitments (or if the Term Commitments have expired or terminated, the aggregate Term Exposures of all Lenders), (c) with respect to matters relating to the Revolving Credit Facility, a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which shall be the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate amount of all of the Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments, or (d) with respect to matters relating to Alternative Currency Commitments and Loans in Alternative Currency and Alternative Currency Letters of Credit only, a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which shall be the amount of such Lender’s Alternative Currency Commitment and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate amount of all of the applicable Lenders’ Alternative Currency Commitments, in each case as adjusted from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, if at any time Borrower shall be unable (but for the operation of this sentence) to draw down the entire Revolving Credit Availability solely as a result of all or any portion of the Alternative Currency Commitments being outstanding, then, solely for purposes of funding the remaining Revolving Credit Availability, “Pro Rata Share” with respect to each Lender that shall not have advanced an amount (or Dollar Equivalent Amount) equal to an amount (or Dollar Equivalent Amount) equal to 100% of its Revolving Credit Commitment, shall be deemed to mean the sum of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share (with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitments) and such Lender’s pro rata share (with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitments) of the aggregate Pro Rata Shares (with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitments) of all the Lenders that shall have advanced 100% of their Revolving Credit Commitments. Notwithstanding the foregoing (but excluding for the purposes of this sentence the last paragraph of Section 14.25 ), however, in the case of Section 14.25 when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, for purposes of determining whether the threshold for Requisite Lenders has been met only, “Pro Rata Share” shall be calculated disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment or unused Term Commitments.

 

Qualified Borrower(s) ” means one or more foreign or domestic entities (a) that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of Borrower, (b) which is not organized in a Sanctioned Country and to which it is lawful under applicable law for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that are obligated to lend to such entity to make loans, (c) the indebtedness of which entity can be guaranteed by Borrower without violation of Borrower’s Organizational Documents, (d) which executes one or more joinder agreements and promissory notes with respect to Loans made to such Qualified Borrower, (e) whose obligations under such note(s) and the this Agreement are the joint and several obligation of, or guaranteed by, Borrower  pursuant to the Qualified Borrower Guaranty, and with respect to which a Qualified Borrower Guaranty has been delivered, and (f) which has satisfied the requirements of Section 2.10 .

 

Qualified Borrower Guaranty ” means a full and unconditional guaranty of payment in the form of Exhibit L attached hereto, enforceable against Borrower for the payment of a Qualified Borrower’s debt or obligation to the Lenders.

 

Quarterly Compliance Certificate ” is defined in Section 8.2(a)(iii ).

 

Quotation Day ” means, with respect to any Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans for any Interest Period, (i) if the currency is Canadian Dollars, the first day of such Interest

 

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Period or (ii) for Dollars, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period (unless, in each case, market practice differs in the relevant market where the Eurodollar Rate for such currency is to be determined, in which case the Quotation Day will be  determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with market practice in such market (and if quotations would normally be given on more than one day, then the Quotation Day will be the last of those days)).

 

RCRA ” means the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq ., any amendments thereto, any successor statutes, and any regulations or guidance having the force of law promulgated thereunder.

 

Real Property ” means all of the Borrower’s present and future right, title and interest (including, without limitation, any leasehold estate) in (i) any plots, pieces or parcels of land, (ii) any Improvements of every nature whatsoever (the rights and interests described in clauses (i) and (ii) above being the “Premises”), (iii) all easements, rights of way, gores of land or any lands occupied by streets, ways, alleys, passages, sewer rights, water courses, water rights and powers, and public places adjoining such land, and any other interests in property constituting appurtenances to the Premises, or which hereafter shall in any way belong, relate or be appurtenant thereto, (iv) all hereditaments, gas, oil, minerals (with the right to extract, sever and remove such gas, oil and minerals), and easements, of every nature whatsoever, located in, on or benefitting the Premises and (v) all other rights and privileges thereunto belonging or appertaining and all extensions, additions, improvements, betterments, renewals, substitutions and replacements to or of any of the rights and interests described in clauses (iii)  and (iv)  above.

 

Recipient ” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Bank, as applicable.

 

Reference Banks ” means such banks (other than Bank of America, N.A.) as may be appointed by the Administrative Agent with the consent of such bank in consultation with the Borrower.

 

Reference Bank Rate ” means, for Loans in the Alternative Currency and for the applicable Interest Period, the arithmetic mean of the rates (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards to four decimal places) supplied to the Administrative Agent at its request by the Reference Banks as the rate at which such Reference Banks are willing to extend credit by the purchase of Canadian Dollar-denominated bankers’ acceptances which have been accepted by banks which are for the time being customarily regarded as being of appropriate credit standing for such purpose with a term to maturity equal to the relevant Interest Period as of the Specified Time on the Quotation Day.

 

Register ” is defined in Section 14.1(c) .

 

Registration Statement ” means Form 10, GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on                              , 2014, as amended from time to time prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

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Regulation A ” means Regulation A of the Federal Reserve Board as in effect from time to time.

 

Regulation T ” means Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board as in effect from time to time.

 

Regulation U ” means Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board as in effect from time to time.

 

Regulation X ” means Regulation X of the Federal Reserve Board as in effect from time to time.

 

Reimbursement Date ” is defined in Section 3.1(d)(i) .

 

Reimbursement Obligations ” means the aggregate non-contingent reimbursement or repayment obligations of the Borrower with respect to amounts drawn under Letters of Credit and Alternative Currency Letters of Credit.

 

REIT ” means a domestic trust or corporation that qualifies as a real estate investment trust under the provisions of Sections 856, et seq . of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

 

Release ” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, dumping, injection, deposit, disposal, abandonment, or discarding of barrels, containers or other receptacles, discharge, emptying, escape, dispersal, leaching or migration into the indoor or outdoor environment or into or out of any Property, including the movement of Contaminants through or in the air, soil, surface water, groundwater or Property.

 

Remedial Action ” means actions required to (i) clean up, remove, treat or in any other way address Contaminants in the indoor or outdoor environment; (ii) prevent the Release or threat of Release or minimize the further Release of Contaminants; or (iii) investigate and determine if a remedial response is needed and to design such a response and post-remedial investigation, monitoring, operation and maintenance and care.

 

Replacement Issuing Bank ” is defined in Section 3.1(a) .

 

Reportable Event ” means any of the events described in Section 4043(b) of ERISA and the regulations having the force of law promulgated thereunder as in effect from time to time but not including any such event as to which the thirty (30) day notice requirement has been waived by applicable PBGC regulations.

 

Requirements of Law ” means, as to any Person, the charter and by-laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, rule or regulation, or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any

 

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of its property is subject including, without limitation, the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act, Regulations T, U and X, ERISA, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and any certificate of occupancy, zoning ordinance, building, environmental or land use requirement or Permit and Environmental, Health or Safety Requirement of Law.

 

Requisite Facility Lenders ” means with respect to the Term Facility or the Revolving Credit Facility, as applicable, the holders of more than 51% of the total Term Exposures and unused Term Commitments or the total Revolving Credit Commitments, as the case may be, outstanding under such Facility (or, in the case of the Revolving Credit Facility, after any termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments, the holders of more than 51% of the total Revolving Credit Obligations); provided that, in the event any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender, then for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, “Requisite Facility Lenders” means Lenders (excluding all Defaulting Lenders) having more than 51% of the total Term Exposures and unused Term Commitments or the total Revolving Commitments (or total Revolving Credit Obligations), as the case may be, outstanding under such Facility (excluding the Term Exposures, Revolving Commitments and Revolving Credit Obligations, as applicable, of all Defaulting Lenders).

 

Requisite Lenders ” means , at any time, Lenders having Term Exposures, Revolving Credit Obligations and unused Commitments representing more than 51% of the sum of the total Term Exposures, Revolving Credit Obligations and unused Commitments at such time; provided that, in the event any of the Lenders shall be a Defaulting Lender, then for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, “Requisite Lenders” means Lenders (excluding all Defaulting Lenders) having Term Exposures, Revolving Credit Obligations and unused Commitments representing more than 51% of the sum of the total Term Exposures, Revolving Credit Obligations and unused Commitments of such Lenders (excluding all Defaulting Lenders) at such time.

 

Revolving Credit Availability ” means, at any particular time, the amount by which the Maximum Revolving Credit Amount at such time exceeds the Revolving Credit Obligations at such time.

 

Revolving Credit Commitment ” means, with respect to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and to participate in Letters of Credit pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and which shall not exceed the sum of the principal amounts set forth opposite such Lender’s name under the headings “Revolving Credit Commitment” and “Alternative Currency Commitment” on Schedule 1.1 attached hereto or the signature page of the Assignment and Acceptance by which it became a Lender, as modified from time to time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or to give effect to any applicable Assignment and Acceptance, and “ Revolving Credit Commitments ” means the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments (inclusive of the Alternative Currency Commitments) of all the Lenders, the maximum amount of which shall be $900,000,000, as reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 4.1 or increased pursuant to Section 2.1(e) .

 

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Revolving Credit Extension Fee ” means, for each Revolving Credit Extension Option for each date on which a payment is required pursuant to Section 2.5(a) , an amount equal to three and three-fourths (3.75) basis points on the Maximum Revolving Credit Amount on such date.

 

Revolving Credit Extension Notice ” is defined in Section 2.5(a) .

 

Revolving Credit Extension Option ” is defined in Section 2.5(a) .

 

Revolving Credit Extension Period ” is defined in Section 2.5(a) .

 

Revolving Credit Facility ” means the Revolving Credit Commitments and the Revolving Credit Obligations.

 

Revolving Credit Lender ” means a Lender with a Revolving Credit Commitment or Revolving Credit Obligations.

 

Revolving Credit Loan ” is defined in Section 2.1(b) .

 

Revolving Credit Obligations ” means, at any particular time, the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans at such time, plus (ii) the Letter of Credit Obligations at such time, plus (iii) the outstanding principal amount of the Money Market Loans at such time, plus (iv) the outstanding principal amount of all Swingline Borrowings at such time.

 

Revolving Credit Period ” means the period from the Initial Funding Date to the Business Day next preceding the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

 

Revolving Credit Termination Date ” means the earlier to occur of (i) May 30, 2018 (or, if not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) , provided , however , that the Revolving Credit Termination Date may be extended in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.5(a)  hereof; and (ii) the date of termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service.

 

Sanctions ” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

 

Sanctioned Country ” means, at any time, a country or territory which is the subject or target of any Sanctions.

 

Sanctioned Person ” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, the or by the United Nations Security

 

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Council, the European Union or any EU member state, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person controlled by any Person described in (a) or (b).

 

Screen Rate ” means the LIBOR Screen Rate and the Local Screen Rates collectively and individually as the context may require.

 

Secured Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness secured by a Lien.

 

Securities ” means any stock, shares, voting trust certificates, partnership interests, bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities”, including, without limitation, any “security” as such term is defined in Section 8-102 of the Uniform Commercial Code, or any certificates of interest, shares, or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire any of the foregoing, but shall not include the Notes or any other evidence of the Obligations.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

Securities Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

Senior Managing Agents ” means the financial institutions listed on the cover page to this Agreement as “Senior Managing Agents”.

 

Sharing Event ” means (i) the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to Borrower or any General Partner under clauses (f) or (g) of Section 11.1 , (ii) at the election of any Lender, with respect only to its Alternative Currency Commitment, the occurrence of any other Event of Default with respect to Borrower or any General Partner, or (iii) the acceleration of the Loans pursuant to Section 11.2 (a Sharing Event under clauses (i) or (iii) being an “ Automatic Sharing Event ”, and a Sharing Event under clause (ii) being an “ Elective Sharing Event ”).

 

Solvent ”, when used with respect to any Person, means that at the time of determination:

 

(1)           the fair saleable value of its assets is in excess of the total amount of its liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities); and

 

(2)           the present fair saleable value of its assets is greater than its probable liability on its existing debts as such debts become absolute and matured; and

 

(3)           it is then able and expects to be able to pay its debts (including, without limitation, contingent debts and other commitments) as they mature; and

 

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(4)           it has capital sufficient to carry on its business as conducted and as proposed to be conducted.

 

Specified Time ” means (i) in relation to a Loan in Canadian Dollars, as of 11:00 a.m. Toronto, Ontario time, and (ii) in relation to a Loan in a LIBOR Quoted Currency, as of 11:00 a.m., London time.

 

SPG ” is defined in the definition of “Affiliate.”

 

SPG Businesses ” means the ninety-eight (98) Projects in which the Borrower owns the interest previously owned by SPG.

 

Spinoff Date ” means the date on which the common shares of the Company are distributed to the shareholders of Simon Property Group, Inc.

 

Standby Letter of Credit ” means any letter of credit issued by an Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 3.1 for the account of the Borrower, which is not a Commercial Letter of Credit.

 

Strip Center EBITDA ” means that portion of Combined EBITDA which represents net revenues earned from strip centers, calculated on the first day of each fiscal quarter for the four immediately preceding consecutive fiscal quarters.

 

Subsidiary ” of a Person means any corporation, limited liability company, general or limited partnership, or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person, one or more of the other subsidiaries of such Person or any combination thereof.

 

Swingline Borrowing ” means a Borrowing under Section 2.9 hereof.

 

Swingline Commitment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a) .

 

Swingline Lender ” means the Administrative Agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and any other Lender designated by the Borrower from among those Lenders identified by the Administrative Agent as permissible Swingline Lenders and provided that such Lender accepts such designation.

 

Swingline Loan ” means a Dollar loan made by a Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.9 .

 

Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

Tenant Allowance ” means a cash allowance paid to a tenant by the landlord pursuant to a Lease.

 

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Term Commitment ” means, with respect to any Term Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Term Loans hereunder, including any New Term Commitments.  The initial amount of each Lender’s Term Commitment is set forth on Schedule 1.1 .  The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Term Commitments is $500,000,000.

 

Term Commitment Period ” means the period from the Closing Date to the first anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

Term Exposure ” means, with respect to any Term Lender at any time, the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Term Loans.

 

Term Extension Fee ” means, for each Term Extension Option for each date on which a  payment is required pursuant to Section 2.5(b) , an amount equal to three and three-fourths (3.75) basis points on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans on such date.

 

Term Extension Notice ” is defined in Section 2.5(b) .

 

Term Extension Option ” is defined in Section 2.5(b) .

 

Term Extension Period ” is defined in Section 2.5(b) .

 

Term Facility ” means the Term Commitments and the Term Loans made thereunder.

 

Term Lender ” means a Lender with a Term Commitment or Term Exposure.

 

Term Loan ” is defined in Section 2.1(a)  and includes any New Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.1(e) .

 

Term Maturity Date ” means May 30, 2016, subject to extension in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.5(b)  hereof.

 

TI Work ” means any construction or other “build-out” of tenant leasehold improvements to the space demised to such tenant under Leases (excluding such tenant’s furniture, fixtures and equipment) performed pursuant to the terms of such Leases, whether or not such tenant improvement work is performed by or on behalf of the landlord or as part of a Tenant Allowance.

 

Ticking Fee ” is defined in Section 5.3(b) .

 

Total Adjusted Outstanding Indebtedness ” means, for any period, the sum of (i) the amount of Indebtedness of the General Partner and the Borrower and the Borrower’s pro rata share of the Indebtedness of the other Consolidated Businesses set forth on the then most recent quarterly financial statements of the Borrower and (ii) the outstanding amount of Minority Holding Indebtedness allocable in accordance with GAAP to any of the Consolidated Businesses as of the time of determination.

 

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Total Leverage Ratio ” means the ratio of Total Adjusted Outstanding Indebtedness to Capitalization Value.

 

Total Outstanding Unsecured Indebtedness ” means that portion of Total Adjusted Outstanding Indebtedness that is not secured by a Lien.

 

Unencumbered Asset ” is defined in the definition of “Unencumbered Combined EBITDA”.

 

Unencumbered Capitalization Value ” means the sum of (i) Unencumbered Combined EBITDA capitalized at the applicable Capitalization Rate, (ii) Cash and Cash Equivalents, and (iii) Construction Asset Cost for Unencumbered Assets, and (iv) Unencumbered Assets that are undeveloped land, valued, in accordance with GAAP, at the lower of cost and market value and limited to 5%.  The Capitalization Value of any individual Unencumbered Asset is limited to 10% of Unencumbered Capitalization Value (including such Property).  The sum of Unencumbered Capitalization Value from undeveloped land, Properties located outside the United States and Canada, ground-leased Properties, non-retail Properties, non-wholly owned Properties and Construction Asset Cost is limited to 20% of Unencumbered Capitalization Value (including such Property).  The aggregate Occupancy Rate of the Unencumbered Assets (determined on the basis of the aggregate gross leasable area of such Unencumbered Assets) taken into account in determining Unencumbered Capitalization Value hereunder shall not be less than 80%.  Accordingly, if such aggregate Occupancy Rate is less than 80% when taking into account all of the Unencumbered Assets, a sufficient number of Projects having the lowest Occupancy Rates shall be excluded from the determination such that the 80% Occupancy Rate requirement is satisfied.

 

Unencumbered Combined EBITDA ” means that portion of Combined EBITDA which represents revenues earned from third party property and asset management (up to 5% of Combined EBITDA) or from Real Property that is not subject to or encumbered by Secured Indebtedness and is not subject to any agreements (other than those agreements more particularly described on Schedule 1.1.5 ), the effect of which would be to restrict, directly or indirectly, the ability of the owner of such Property from granting Liens thereon (such Real Property, an “ Unencumbered Asset ”), calculated on the first day of each fiscal quarter for the four immediately preceding consecutive fiscal quarters.

 

Uniform Commercial Code ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted in the State of New York, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

Unreimbursed Amount ” is defined in Section 3.1(d)(i) .

 

Unrestricted Cash ” means Cash and Cash Equivalents that are not subject to any pledge, lien or control agreement, less (i) $40,000,000, (ii) amounts normally and customarily set aside by Borrower for operating, capital and interest reserves, and (iii) amounts placed with third parties as deposits or security for contractual obligations; provided, however, that the sum of (i), (ii) and (iii) shall in no event exceed the total Cash and Cash Equivalents.

 

Unsecured Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness not secured by a Lien.

 

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Unsecured Interest Expense ” means the interest expense incurred on the Total Outstanding Unsecured Indebtedness.

 

U.S. Person ” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 13.1(f)(ii)(B)(3) .

 

1.2          Computation of Time Periods .  In this Agreement, in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding”.  Periods of days referred to in this Agreement shall be counted in calendar days unless Business Days are expressly prescribed.  Any period determined hereunder by reference to a month or months or year or years shall end on the day in the relevant calendar month in the relevant year, if applicable, immediately preceding the date numerically corresponding to the first day of such period, provided that if such period commences on the last day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month during which such period is to end), such period shall, unless otherwise expressly required by the other provisions of this Agreement, end on the last day of the calendar month.

 

1.3          Accounting Terms .  Subject to Section 14.4 , for purposes of this Agreement, all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in conformity with GAAP.

 

1.4          Other Terms .  All other terms contained in this Agreement shall, unless the context indicates otherwise, have the meanings assigned to such terms by the Uniform Commercial Code to the extent the same are defined therein.

 

1.5          Letter of Credit Amounts .  Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent Amount of the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided , however , that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent Amount of the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

 

ARTICLE II

 

AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF LOANS

 

2.1          Committed Loans .

 

(a)           Availability of Term Loans .  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, each Term Lender hereby severally and not jointly agrees to make term loans (each individually, a “ Term Loan ” and, collectively, the “ Term Loans ”), in Dollars, to the Borrower on the Initial Funding Date and from time to time thereafter during the Term

 

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Commitment Period as requested by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.1(c)  (the first of such Borrowings, the “ Initial Term Loan Borrowing ” and each of the subsequent Borrowings, a “ Delayed Term Loan Borrowing ”, and collectively, the “ Term Loan Borrowings ”); provided that (i) the Initial Term Loan Borrowings shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $300,000,000, and each Delayed Term Loan Borrowing shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $25,000,000, (ii) all Delayed Term Loan Borrowings shall be made no later than the last day of the Term Commitment Period, (iii) the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans (after giving effect to all amounts requested) shall not exceed the Term Commitments, and (iv) the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans from any Term Lender to the Borrower shall not exceed such Lender’s Term Commitment.  All Term Loans comprising the same Borrowing under this Agreement shall be made by the Lenders simultaneously and proportionately to their then respective Pro Rata Shares for the Term Facility, it being understood that no Lender shall be responsible for any failure by any other Lender to perform its obligation to make a Term Loan hereunder nor shall the Term Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as a result of any such failure.  The Term Loans, or any portion thereof, may be either a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan, as determined by the Borrower in any Notice of Committed Borrowing, any Notice of Conversion/Continuation or as otherwise provided in this Agreement.  The Term Commitments, with respect to the making of the Term Loans (and not with respect to the obligations of the Lenders to convert or continue any Term Loans), shall expire on (x) the Initial Funding Date, in the case of the Initial Term Loan Borrowing, and (y) the last day of the Term Commitment Period, in the case of the Delayed Term Loan Borrowings (regardless of the failure of the Borrower to request a Delayed Term Loan Borrowing or the failure of the Borrower to fully utilize the Term Commitments).  The Borrower may not reborrow the Term Loans following any repayment thereof.

 

(b)           Availability of Revolving Credit Loans .  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, (i) each Revolving Credit Lender hereby severally and not jointly agrees to make revolving loans (each individually, a “ Revolving Credit Loan ” and, collectively, the “ Revolving Credit Loans ”), in Dollars, to the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower from time to time during the Revolving Credit Period, in an amount not to exceed such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Credit Availability at such time, and (ii) in furtherance and clarification of the foregoing, as to Revolving Credit Lenders with an Alternative Currency Commitment only, to make Eurodollar Rate Loans to the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower denominated in the Alternative Currency (provided (A) the Alternative Currency is freely transferable and convertible to Dollars, and (B) Bloomberg (or any successor thereto or substitute service selected by the Administrative Agent) reports a Base Eurocurrency Rate (or CDOR Rate, for Eurodollar Rate Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars) for the Alternative Currency relating to the applicable Interest Period), in an aggregate principal Dollar Equivalent Amount not to exceed such Lender’s Alternative Currency Commitment; provided that after giving effect to such Revolving Credit Loans, the Dollar Equivalent Amount of all Alternative Currency Loans and all Letter of Credit Obligations with respect to Alternative Currency Letters of Credit shall not exceed the Alternative Currency Sublimit.  All Revolving Credit Loans comprising the same Borrowing under this Agreement shall be made by the Revolving Credit Lenders simultaneously and proportionately to their then respective Pro Rata Shares for the Revolving Credit Facility, it being understood that no Lender shall be responsible for any failure by any other Lender to perform its obligation to make a Revolving Credit Loan hereunder nor shall the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Lender be

 

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increased or decreased as a result of any such failure.  Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Borrower or applicable Qualified Borrower may repay any outstanding Revolving Credit Loan on any day which is a Business Day and any amounts so repaid may be reborrowed, up to the amount available under this Section 2.1(b)  at the time of such Borrowing, until the Business Day next preceding the Revolving Credit Termination Date.  Each requested Borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans funded on any Funding Date shall be in a principal amount of at least $1,500,000 (or, with respect to an Alternative Currency Borrowing only, the Dollar Equivalent Amount of $1,500,000); provided, however, that if the Revolving Credit Availability at the time of such requested Borrowing is less than $1,500,000 (or the Dollar Equivalent Amount of $1,500,000 in the case of an Alternative Currency Borrowing), then the requested Borrowing shall be for the total amount of the Revolving Credit Availability.

 

(c)           Notice of Committed Borrowing .  When the Borrower or applicable Qualified Borrower desires to borrow under this Section 2.1 , it shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a Notice of Committed Borrowing, signed by it (i) no later than 12:00 noon (New York time) on the proposed Funding Date, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, (ii) no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York time) at least three (3) Business Days in advance of the proposed Funding Date, in the case of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans, (iii) no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York time) at least four (4) Business Days before each Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, and (iv) no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York time) at least nine (9) Business Days before each Borrowing by a Foreign Qualified Borrower; provided that a Foreign Qualified Borrower may not deliver a Notice of Committed Borrowing until the date that is at least five (5) Business Days following the later of (A) the date of a New Foreign Qualified Borrower Notice or (B) the date of a New Foreign Qualified Borrower Amendment.  Such Notice of Committed Borrowing shall specify (i) whether such Borrowing is a Borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans or Term Loans, (ii) the proposed Funding Date (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the amount of the proposed Borrowing, (iv) the Revolving Credit Availability or remaining unused Term Commitments, as applicable, as of the date of such Notice of Borrowing, (v) whether the proposed Borrowing will be of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, and if Eurodollar Rate Loans are requested whether Dollars or the Alternative Currency is being requested, (vi) in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, the requested Eurodollar Interest Period, (vii) instructions for the disbursement of the proceeds of the proposed Borrowing and (viii) if the Notice of Committed Borrowing is delivered by a Foreign Qualified Borrower, the jurisdiction of formation and organization of such Foreign Qualified Borrower.  In lieu of delivering such a Notice of Committed Borrowing (except with respect to a Borrowing of Committed Loans on the Initial Funding Date or to a Foreign Qualified Borrower), the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower may give the Administrative Agent telephonic notice of any proposed Borrowing by the time required under this Section 2.1(c) , if the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower confirms such notice by delivery of the Notice of Borrowing to the Administrative Agent by facsimile transmission promptly, but in no event later than 3:00 p.m. (New York time) on the same day.  Any Notice of Committed Borrowing (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof) given pursuant to this Section 2.1(c)  shall be irrevocable.

 

(d)           Making of Loans .

 

(i)            Promptly after receipt of a Notice of Committed Borrowing under Section 2.1(c)  (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof), the Administrative Agent shall notify

 

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each applicable Lender by facsimile transmission, or other similar form of written transmission, of the proposed Borrowing (which notice to the Lenders, in the case of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans, shall be at least three (3) Business Days in advance of the proposed Funding Date for such Loans, or four (4) Business Days in the case of an Alternative Currency Loan, or seven (7) Business Days in the case of a Committed Loan to a Foreign Qualified Borrower).  Subject to Section 2.8(i)  with respect to Committed Loans to a Foreign Qualified Borrower, each Lender shall deposit an amount equal to its applicable Pro Rata Share (if any) of the Borrowing requested by the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower with the Administrative Agent at its office in New York, New York, in immediately available funds in Dollars or Alternative Currency, as applicable, not later than 12:00 noon (New York time), or (x) in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans for which the Notice of Committed Borrowing was given on such Funding Date, 2:00 p.m. (New York time) or (y)  in the case of an Alternative Currency Borrowing, 12:00 noon local time of the principal financial center of the country of that currency, on the respective Funding Date therefor.  Subject to the fulfillment of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 , as applicable, the Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of such amounts received by it available to the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower at the Administrative Agent’s office in New York, New York on such Funding Date (or on the date received if later than such Funding Date) and shall disburse such proceeds in accordance with the Borrower’s or the applicable Qualified Borrower’s disbursement instructions set forth in the applicable Notice of Borrowing.  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.8(i)  with respect to Committed Loans to a Foreign Qualified Borrower, the failure of any Lender to deposit the amount described above with the Administrative Agent on the applicable Funding Date shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder to make its Committed Loan on such Funding Date. In the event the conditions precedent set forth in Section 6.1 or 6.2 are not fulfilled as of the proposed Funding Date for any Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall promptly return, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, the amount deposited by each Lender to such Lender.

 

(ii)           Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender on the Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Funding Date (or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans for which the Notice of Committed Borrowing was given on such Funding Date, by 2:00 p.m. (New York time) on such Funding Date) in respect of any Borrowing that such Lender does not intend to fund its Committed Loan requested to be made on such Funding Date, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has funded its Committed Loan and is depositing the proceeds thereof with the Administrative Agent on the Funding Date therefor, and the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion may, but shall not be obligated to, disburse a corresponding amount to the Borrower on the applicable Funding Date.  In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower jointly and severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined

 

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by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower, the interest rate applicable to the Loan.  If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing and the interest rate applicable to such Borrowing shall be as requested by the Borrower in the applicable Notice of Borrowing. This Section 2.1(d)(ii)  does not relieve any Lender of its obligation to make its Committed Loan on any applicable Funding Date.

 

(e)                                   Incremental Facilities .  On one or more occasions at any time after the Closing Date, the Borrower may by written notice to the Administrative Agent elect to request (A) an increase to the existing Revolving Credit Commitments (any such increase, the “ New Revolving Credit Commitments ”) and/or (B) the establishment of one or more new term loan commitments (the “ New Term Commitments ”, together with the New Revolving Credit Commitments, the “ Incremental Commitments ”), by up to an aggregate amount not to exceed $400,000,000 for all Incremental Commitments (so that the sum of the Maximum Revolving Credit Amount plus the principal amount of Term Commitments made hereunder does not exceed $1,800,000,000).  Each such notice shall specify the date (each, an “ Increased Amount Date ”) on which the Borrower proposes that such Incremental Commitments shall be effective, which shall be a date not less than ten (10) Business Days after the date on which such notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent and/or its Affiliates shall use commercially reasonable efforts, with the assistance of the Borrower, to arrange a syndicate of Lenders or other Persons that are Eligible Assignees willing to hold the requested Incremental Commitments; provided that (x) any Incremental Commitments on any Increased Amount Date shall be in the minimum aggregate amount of $10,000,000, (y) any Lender approached to provide all or a portion of the Incremental Commitments may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide an Incremental Commitment; provided that (1) the Lenders will first be afforded the opportunity to provide the Incremental Commitments on a pro rata basis, and if any Lender so approached fails to respond within such ten (10) Business Day period after its receipt of such request, such Lender shall be deemed to have declined to provide such Incremental Commitments and (2) any Revolving Credit Lender which is a party to this Agreement prior to such request for increase that so elects to increase its Revolving Credit Commitment shall be required to increase its Alternative Currency Commitment on a pro rata basis (provided that to the extent any Revolving Credit Lender’s Pro Rata Share of Alternative Currency Commitments was zero prior to such increase, then such Lender shall not be required to allocate any portion of such increase to an Alternative Currency Commitment), and (z) any Lender or other Person that is an Eligible Assignee (each, a “ New Revolving Credit Lender ” or “ New Term Lender ,” as applicable) to whom any portion of such Incremental Commitment shall be allocated shall be subject to the approval of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), and, in the case of a New Revolving Credit Commitment, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender (each of which approvals shall not be unreasonably withheld), unless such New Revolving Credit Lender is an existing Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) with a Revolving Credit Commitment at such time or such New Term Lender is an existing Lender or an Affiliate of an existing Lender.

 

The terms and provisions of any New Revolving Credit Commitments shall be identical to the existing Revolving Credit Commitments.  The terms and provisions of any New Term

 

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Commitments and any New Term Loans shall (a) provide that the maturity date of any New Term Loan that is a separate tranche shall be no earlier than the Term Maturity Date and shall not have any scheduled amortization payments, (b) share ratably in any prepayments of the existing Term Facility, unless the Borrower and the New Term Lenders in respect of such New Term Loans elect lesser payments and (c) otherwise be identical to the existing Term Loans or reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and each New Term Lender.

 

The effectiveness of any Incremental Commitments and the availability of any borrowings under any such Incremental Commitments shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent: (x) after giving pro forma effect to such Incremental Commitments and borrowings and the use of proceeds thereof, (i) no Potential Event of Default or Event of Default shall exist and (ii) as of the last day of the most recent calendar quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 8.2 , the Borrower would have been in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 10.1 and Section 10.12 ; (y) the representations and warranties made or deemed made by the Borrower in any Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects on the effective date of such Incremental Commitments except to the extent that such representations and warranties expressly relate solely to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date); and (z) the Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent: (i) if not previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, copies certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of all corporate or other necessary action taken by the Borrower to authorize such Incremental Commitments; and (ii) a customary opinion of counsel to the Borrower (which may be in substantially the same form as delivered on the Closing Date and may be delivered by internal counsel of the Borrower), and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (iii) if requested by any Lender, new Notes executed by the Borrower, payable to any new Lender, and replacement Notes executed by the Borrower, payable to any existing Lenders.

 

On any Increased Amount Date on which New Revolving Credit Commitments are effected, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, (a) each of the Revolving Credit Lenders shall assign to each of the New Revolving Credit Lenders, and each of the New Revolving Credit Lenders shall purchase from each of the Revolving Credit Lenders, at the principal amount thereof (together with accrued interest), such interests in the Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on such Increased Amount Date as shall be necessary in order that, after giving effect to all such assignments and purchases, such Revolving Credit Loans will be held by existing Revolving Credit Lenders and New Revolving Credit Lenders ratably in accordance with their Revolving Credit Commitments after giving effect to the addition of such New Revolving Credit Commitments to the Revolving Credit Commitments, (b) each New Revolving Credit Commitment shall be deemed for all purposes a Revolving Credit Commitment and each Loan made thereunder shall be deemed, for all purposes, a Revolving Credit Loan and (c) each New Revolving Credit Lender shall become a Lender with respect to its New Revolving Credit Commitment and all matters relating thereto.

 

On any Increased Amount Date on which any New Term Commitments are effected, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, (i) each New Term Lender shall make a Loan to the Borrower (a “New Term Loan”) in an amount equal to its New Term

 

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Commitment, and (ii) each New Term Lender shall become a Lender hereunder with respect to the New Term Commitment and the New Term Loans made pursuant thereto.

 

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders promptly upon receipt of the Borrower’s notice of each Increased Amount Date and in respect thereof (y) the New Revolving Credit Commitments and the New Revolving Credit Lenders or the New Term Commitments and the New Term Lenders, as applicable, and (z) in the case of each notice to any Revolving Credit Lender, the respective interests in such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Loans, in each case subject to the assignments contemplated by this paragraph.

 

The fees payable by Borrower upon any such increase in the Commitments shall be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and Borrower at the time of such increase.

 

The Incremental Commitments shall be evidenced pursuant to one or more Additional Credit Extension Amendments executed and delivered by the Borrower, the New Revolving Credit Lenders or New Term Lenders, as applicable, and the Administrative Agent, and each of which shall be recorded in the Register.  Each Additional Credit Extension Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.1(e) .

 

2.2                                Money Market Loans .

 

(a)                                  The Money Market Option .  From time to time during the Revolving Credit Period, and provided that at such time the Borrower maintains an Investment Grade Credit Rating, the Borrower may, as set forth in this Section 2.2 , request the Revolving Credit Lenders during the Revolving Credit Period to make offers to make Money Market Loans in Dollars or the Alternative Currency to the Borrower, provided that the aggregate outstanding amount of such Money Market Loans shall not exceed, at any time, the lesser of (i) sixty five percent (65%) of the Maximum Revolving Credit Amount and (ii) the Revolving Credit Availability; provided that the aggregate outstanding Dollar Equivalent Amount of Money Market Loans denominated in the Alternative Currency shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the Maximum Revolving Credit Amount; and provided further that after giving effect to any Money Market Loan denominated in the Alternative Currency, the Dollar Equivalent Amount of all Alternative Currency Loans and all Letter of Credit Obligations with respect to Alternative Currency Letters of Credit shall not exceed the Alternative Currency Sublimit.  Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Borrower may repay any outstanding Money Market Loan on any day which is a Business Day and any amounts so repaid may be reborrowed, up to the amount available under this Section 2.2(a)  at the time of such Borrowing, until the Business Day next preceding the Revolving Credit Termination Date.  The Revolving Credit Lenders may, but shall have no obligation to, make such offers and the Borrower may, but shall have no obligation to, accept any such offers in the manner set forth in this Section 2.2 .

 

(b)                                  Money Market Quote Request .  When the Borrower wishes to request offers to make Money Market Loans under this Section, it shall transmit to the Administrative Agent by telex or facsimile transmission a Money Market Quote Request substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto so as to be received not later than 10:30 A.M. (New York City time) on

 

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the fifth (5th) Business Day prior to the date of Borrowing proposed therein (or such other time or date as the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall have mutually agreed and shall have notified to the Revolving Credit Lenders not later than the date of the Money Market Quote Request for the first LIBOR Auction for which such change is to be effective) specifying:

 

(i)                                      whether the proposed Borrowing is to be in Dollars or the Alternative Currency and whether the proposed Borrowing is to be of Eurodollar Money Market Loans,

 

(ii)                                   the proposed date of Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day,

 

(iii)                                the aggregate amount of such Borrowing, which shall be in a minimum amount of $25,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000,

 

(iv)                               the duration of the Eurodollar Interest Period applicable thereto, subject, in each case, to the provisions of Section 5.2(b) ,

 

(v)                                  the amount of all Money Market Loans then outstanding (which, together with the requested Borrowing shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the lesser of (A) sixty five percent (65%) of the Maximum Revolving Credit Amount and (B) the Revolving Credit Availability); and

 

(vi)                               in the case of a Money Market Quote Request for a Borrowing in the Alternative Currency, the Dollar Equivalent Amount of all Money Market Loans denominated in the Alternative Currency then outstanding (which, together with the Dollar Equivalent Amount of the requested Borrowing shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the lesser of (A) twenty-five percent (25%) of the Maximum Revolving Credit Amount and (B) the Revolving Credit Availability).

 

The Borrower may request offers to make Money Market Loans for more than one Eurodollar Interest Period in a single Money Market Quote Request.  Borrower may not make more than six (6) Money Market Quote Requests in any thirty-day period.

 

(c)                                   Invitation for Money Market Quotes .  Promptly upon receipt of a Money Market Quote Request, the Administrative Agent shall send to the Revolving Credit Lenders by facsimile transmission an Invitation for Money Market Quotes substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto, which shall constitute an invitation by the Borrower to each Revolving Credit Lender to submit Money Market Quotes offering to make the Money Market Loans to which such Money Market Quote Request relates in accordance with this Section.

 

(d)                                  Submission and Contents of Money Market Quotes .  (i) Each Revolving Credit Lender may submit a Money Market Quote containing an offer or offers to make Money Market Loans in response to any Invitation for Money Market Quotes.  Each Money Market Quote must comply with the requirements of this subsection (d) and must be submitted to the Administrative Agent by facsimile transmission not later than 2:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the fourth (4th) Business Day prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of a LIBOR Auction (or such other time or date as the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall have mutually agreed and shall have notified to the Revolving Credit Lenders not later than the

 

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date of the Money Market Quote Request for the first LIBOR Auction for which such change is to be effective); provided that Money Market Quotes submitted by the Administrative Agent (or any affiliate of the Administrative Agent) in the capacity of a Revolving Credit Lender may be submitted, and may only be submitted, if the Administrative Agent or such affiliate notifies the Borrower of the terms of the offer or offers contained therein not later than one hour prior to the deadline for the other Lenders.  Any Money Market Quote so made shall be irrevocable except with the written consent of the Administrative Agent given on the instructions of the Borrower.  All or any portion of Money Market Loans to be funded pursuant to a Money Market Quote may, as provided in Section  14.1(f) , be funded by a Revolving Credit Lender’s Designated Bank.  A Lender making a Money Market Quote may, but shall not be required to, specify in its Money Market Quote whether all or any portion of the related Money Market Loans are intended to be funded by such Lender’s Designated Bank, as provided in Section 14.1(f) .

 

(ii)                                   Each Money Market Quote shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit J hereto and shall in any case specify:

 

(A)                                the proposed date of Borrowing,

 

(B)                                the principal amount of the Money Market Loan for which each such offer is being made, which principal amount (w) may be greater than or less than the Revolving Credit Commitment of the quoting Lender, (x) must be $5,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000, (y) may not exceed the principal amount of Money Market Loans for which offers were requested and (z) may be subject to an aggregate limitation as to the principal amount of Money Market Loans for which offers being made by such quoting Lender may be accepted,

 

(C)                                either (1) the margin above or below the applicable Eurodollar Rate (each, a “ Money Market Margin ”) offered for each such Money Market Loan, expressed as a percentage (specified to the nearest 1/10,000th of 1%) to be added to or subtracted from such base rate, or (2) a flat rate of interest (each, a “ Money Market Rate ”) offered for each Money Market Loan, and

 

(D)                                the identity of the quoting Revolving Credit Lender.

 

A Money Market Quote may set forth up to five separate offers by the quoting Revolving Credit Lender with respect to each Eurodollar Interest Period specified in the related Invitation for Money Market Quotes.

 

(iii)                                Any Money Market Quote shall be disregarded if it:

 

(A)                                is not substantially in conformity with Exhibit J hereto or does not specify all of the information required by subsection (d)(ii) above;

 

(B)                                proposes terms other than or in addition to those set forth in the applicable Invitation for Money Market Quotes; or

 

(C)                                arrives after the time set forth in subsection (d)(i).

 

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(e)                                   Notice to Borrower .  The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower of the terms (x) of any Money Market Quote submitted by a Revolving Credit Lender that is in accordance with subsection (d) and (y) of any Money Market Quote that amends, modifies or is otherwise inconsistent with a previous Money Market Quote submitted by such Revolving Credit Lender with respect to the same Money Market Quote Request.  Any such subsequent Money Market Quote shall be disregarded by the Administrative Agent unless such subsequent Money Market Quote is submitted solely to correct a manifest error in such former Money Market Quote.  The Administrative Agent’s notice to the Borrower shall specify (A) the aggregate principal amount of Money Market Loans for which offers have been received for each Interest Period specified in the related Money Market Quote Request, (B) the principal amounts and Money Market Margin or Money Market Rate, as the case may be, so offered and (C) if applicable, limitations on the aggregate principal amount of Money Market Loans for which offers in any single Money Market Quote may be accepted.

 

(f)                                    Acceptance and Notice by Borrower .  Not later than 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the third Business Day prior to the proposed date of Borrowing (or such other time or date as the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall have mutually agreed and shall have notified to the Lenders not later than the date of the Money Market Quote Request for the first LIBOR Auction for which such change is to be effective), the Borrower shall telephonically notify the Administrative Agent of its acceptance or non-acceptance of the offers so notified to it pursuant to subsection (e), and the Borrower shall confirm such telephonic notification in writing not later than the third Business Day prior to the proposed date of Borrowing.  In the case of acceptance, such notice (a “ Notice of Money Market Borrowing ”), whether telephonic or in writing, shall specify the aggregate principal amount of offers for each Eurodollar Interest Period that are accepted.  The Borrower may accept any Money Market Quote in whole or in part; provided that :

 

(i)                                      the aggregate principal amount of each Money Market Borrowing may not exceed the applicable amount set forth in the related Money Market Quote Request;

 

(ii)                                   the principal amount of each Money Market Borrowing must be $5,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000;

 

(iii)                                acceptance of offers may only be made on the basis of ascending Money Market Quotes; and

 

(iv)                               the Borrower may not accept any offer that is described in subsection (d)(iii) or that otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this Agreement.

 

(g)                                   Allocation by Administrative Agent .  If offers are made by two or more Revolving Credit Lenders with the same Money Market Margins and/or Money Market Rates, for a greater aggregate principal amount than the amount in respect of which such offers are accepted for the related Eurodollar Interest Period, the principal amount of Money Market Loans in respect of which such offers are accepted shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent among such Revolving Credit Lenders as nearly as possible (in multiples of $1,000,000, as the

 

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Administrative Agent may deem appropriate) in proportion to the aggregate principal amounts of such offers.  Determinations by the Administrative Agent of the amounts of Money Market Loans shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

 

(h)                                  Notification by Administrative Agent .  Upon receipt of the Borrower’s Notice of Money Market Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.2(f)  hereof, the Administrative Agent shall, on the date such Notice of Money Market Borrowing is received by the Administrative Agent, notify each Revolving Credit Lender of the principal amount of the Money Market Borrowing accepted by the Borrower and of such Revolving Credit Lender’s share (if any) of such Money Market Borrowing and such Notice of Money Market Borrowing shall not thereafter be revocable by the Borrower. A Revolving Credit Lender who is notified that it has been selected to make a Money Market Loan may designate its Designated Bank (if any) to fund such Money Market Loan on its behalf, as described in Section 14.1(f) .  Any Designated Bank which funds a Money Market Loan shall on and after the time of such funding become the obligee under such Money Market Loan and be entitled to receive payment thereof when due.  No Revolving Credit Lender shall be relieved of its obligation to fund a Money Market Loan, and no Designated Bank shall assume such obligation, prior to the time the applicable Money Market Loan is funded.

 

2.3                                Use of Proceeds of Loans and Letters of Credit .  The proceeds of the Loans and the Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrower hereunder may be used for the purposes of:

 

(a)                                  acquisition of Projects, portfolios of Projects, or interests in Projects, similar to and consistent with the types of Projects owned and/or operated by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date;

 

(b)                                  acquisition of Persons or interests in Persons that own or have direct or indirect interests in Projects or portfolios of Projects similar to and consistent with the types of Projects owned and/or operated by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date;

 

(c)                                   expansion, renovation and redevelopment of Properties owned in whole or in part and operated by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries;

 

(d)                                  funding of TI Work and Tenant Allowances;

 

(e)                                   financing construction related to new or existing Properties owned or to be owned in whole or in part and operated by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries ;

 

(f)                                    in the case of Loans borrowed on the Initial Funding Date and the first Delayed Term Loan Borrowing only, distribution or payment of such proceeds to SPG or its Affiliates; and

 

(g)                                   other general corporate, partnership and working capital needs of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, inclusive of repayment of Indebtedness for borrowed money;

 

each of which purposes described in clauses (a) through (f) above must otherwise be lawful general corporate, partnership and working capital purposes of the Borrower.

 

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2.4                                Revolving Credit Termination Date; Maturity of Money Market Loans .

(a) The Revolving Credit Commitments shall terminate, and all outstanding Revolving Credit Obligations shall be paid in full (or, in the case of unmatured Letter of Credit Obligations, provision for payment in cash shall be made to the satisfaction of the Lenders actually issuing Letters of Credit and the Requisite Lenders), on the Revolving Credit Termination Date. Each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans shall terminate on the Business Day next preceding the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

 

(b)                                  All outstanding Term Loans shall be paid in full on the Term Maturity Date.  Each Term Lender’s obligation to make Term Loans shall terminate on (x) the Initial Funding Date, in the case of the Initial Term Loan Borrowing, and (y) the last day of the Term Commitment Period, in the case of the Delayed Term Loan Borrowing.

 

(c)                                   Each Money Market Loan included in any Money Market Borrowing shall mature, and the principal amount thereof shall be due and payable, together with the accrued interest thereon, on the earlier of the last day of the Eurodollar Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing and the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

 

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2.5                                Extension Options .

 

(a)                                  Revolving Credit Extension Option .

 

(i)                                      The Borrower shall have two options (each, a “ Revolving Credit Extension Option ”) to extend the Revolving Credit Termination Date for a period of six (6) months per extension (each such period, a “ Revolving Credit Extension Period ”).  Subject to the conditions set forth in clause (ii) below, Borrower may exercise each Revolving Credit Extension Option by delivering written notice (a “ Revolving Credit Extension Notice ”), together with the payment of the first installment of the Revolving Credit Extension Fee for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders (based on their respective Pro Rata Shares for the Revolving Credit Facility), to the Administrative Agent on or before the date that is at least 30 days, but not more than 180 days, prior to the then applicable Revolving Credit Termination Date, stating that Borrower will extend the Revolving Credit Termination Date for six (6) months (or if such date that is six months after the Revolving Credit Termination Date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day).  Borrower’s delivery of a Revolving Credit Extension Notice shall be irrevocable.  In no event shall the Revolving Credit Termination Date occur later than May 30, 2019.

 

(ii)                                   The Borrower’s right to exercise each Revolving Credit Extension Option shall be subject to the following terms and conditions: (A) no Potential Event of Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing either on the date Borrower delivers the applicable Revolving Credit Extension Notice to the Administrative Agent or on the date that this Agreement would otherwise have terminated, (B) the Borrower shall be in full compliance with all covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement as of the date Borrower delivers the applicable Revolving Credit Extension Notice to the Administrative Agent and on the date that this Agreement would otherwise have terminated, and (C) the Borrower shall have paid the first quarterly installment of the Revolving Credit Extension Fee to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders (based on their respective Pro Rata Shares for the Revolving Credit Facility).

 

(iii)                                If the Borrower exercises any Revolving Credit Extension Option, the Borrower shall pay the quarterly installments of the Revolving Credit Extension Fee on (A) the date of the Extension Notice and (B) the first day of the fourth month of the applicable Revolving Credit Extension Period.

 

(b)                                  Term Extension Option .

 

(i)                                      The Borrower shall have three options (each, a “ Term Extension Option ”) to extend the Term Maturity Date for a period of one (1) year per extension (each such period, a “ Term Extension Period ”).  Subject to the conditions set forth in clause (ii) below, Borrower may exercise each Term Extension Option by delivering written notice (a “ Term Extension Notice ”), together with the payment of the first installment of the Term Extension Fee for the account of the Term Lenders (based on their respective Pro Rata Shares for the Term Facility), to the Administrative Agent on or

 

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before the date that is at least 30 days, but not more than 180 days, prior to the then applicable Term Maturity Date, stating that Borrower will extend the Term Maturity Date for one (1) year (or if such date that is one year after the Term Maturity Date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day).  Borrower’s delivery of a Term Extension Notice shall be irrevocable.  In no event shall the Term Maturity Date occur later than May 30, 2019.

 

(ii)                                   The Borrower’s right to exercise each Term Extension Option shall be subject to the following terms and conditions: (A) no Potential Event of Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing either on the date Borrower delivers the applicable Term Extension Notice to the Administrative Agent or on the date that this Agreement would otherwise have terminated, (B) the Borrower shall be in full compliance with all covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement as of the date Borrower delivers the applicable Term Extension Notice to the Administrative Agent and on the date that this Agreement would otherwise have terminated, and (C) the Borrower shall have paid the first quarterly installment of the Term Extension Fee to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Term Lenders (based on their respective Pro Rata Shares for the Term Facility).

 

(iii)                                If the Borrower exercises any Term Extension Option, the Borrower shall pay the quarterly installments of the Term Extension Fee on (A) the date of the Extension Notice and (B) on the first day of the fourth, seventh and tenth months of the applicable Term Extension Period.

 

2.6                                Maximum Credit Facility .  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the aggregate principal Revolving Credit Obligations exceed the Maximum Revolving Credit Amount.

 

2.7                                Authorized Agents .  On the Closing Date and from time to time thereafter, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of the employees and agents authorized to request Loans and Letters of Credit and to request a conversion/continuation of any Loan and containing a specimen signature of each such employee or agent.  The employees and agents so authorized shall also be authorized to act for the Borrower in respect of all other matters relating to the Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Co-Agents, the Lenders and any Issuing Bank shall be entitled to rely conclusively on such employee’s or agent’s authority to request such Loan or Letter of Credit or such conversion/continuation until the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers receive written notice to the contrary.  None of the Administrative Agent or the Arrangers shall have any duty to verify the authenticity of the signature appearing on any written Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation or any other document, and, with respect to an oral request for such a Loan or Letter of Credit or such conversion/continuation, the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall have no duty to verify the identity of any person representing himself or herself as one of the employees or agents authorized to make such request or otherwise to act on behalf of the Borrower.  None of the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers or the Lenders shall incur any liability to the Borrower or any other Person in acting upon any telephonic or facsimile notice referred to above which the Administrative Agent or the Arrangers believes to have been given by a person duly authorized to act on behalf of the Borrower and the Borrower hereby

 

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indemnifies and holds harmless the Administrative Agent, each Arranger and each other Lender from any loss or expense the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers or the Lenders might incur in acting in good faith as provided in this Section 2.7 .

 

2.8                                Special Provisions Regarding Alternative Currency Loans and Loans to Foreign Qualified Borrowers .

 

(a)                                  Upon the occurrence of an Automatic Sharing Event, automatically (and without the taking of any action), or upon the occurrence of an Elective Sharing Event, upon three (3) Business Days’ notice from the applicable Revolving Credit Lender to the Administrative Agent and Borrower, (x) all then outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans denominated in the Alternative Currency (in the case of an Elective Sharing Event, however, only with respect to all such Revolving Credit Loans of the applicable Lender) shall be automatically converted into Base Rate Loans denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent Amount of the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans on the date such Sharing Event first occurred, which Revolving Credit Loans denominated in Dollars (i) shall thereafter continue to be deemed to be Base Rate Loans and (ii) unless the Sharing Event resulted solely from a termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments, shall be immediately due and payable on the date such Sharing Event has occurred), and (y) unless the Sharing Event resulted solely from a termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments, all accrued and unpaid interest and other amounts owing with respect to such Revolving Credit Loans (in the case of an Elective Sharing Event, however, only with respect to all such Revolving Credit Loans of the applicable Lender) shall be immediately due and payable in Dollars, such accrued and unpaid interest and other amounts having been converted into a Dollar Equivalent Amount.

 

(b)                                  Upon the occurrence of a Sharing Event, and after giving effect to any automatic or elective conversion pursuant to Section 2.8(a) , each Revolving Credit Lender in the case of an Automatic Sharing Event or each applicable Revolving Credit Lender in the case of an Elective Sharing Event shall (and hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees to) purchase and sell (in each case in Dollars) undivided participating interests in all such Revolving Credit Loans outstanding to Borrower in such amounts so that each Revolving Credit Lender shall have a share of such outstanding Revolving Credit Loans then owing by Borrower equal to its Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Credit Commitments (although if because of fluctuations in currency exchange rates any Revolving Credit Lender would be required to purchase such participations after giving effect to which such Revolving Credit Lender’s allocated share of all Revolving Credit Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations (including participations therein purchased pursuant to this Section 2.8 ) would exceed the Dollar Equivalent Amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, then such participations shall be in an amount after giving effect to which such Lender’s allocated share of all Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations (including participations therein purchased pursuant to this Section 2.8 ) would equal the Dollar Equivalent Amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment).  Upon any such occurrence, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Credit Lender and shall specify the amount of Dollars required from such Revolving Credit Lender in order to effect the purchases and sales by the various Revolving Credit Lenders of participating interests in the amounts required above (together with accrued interest with respect to the period for the last interest payment date through the date of the Sharing Event plus any additional amounts payable by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.8 in respect of such accrued but unpaid interest);

 

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provided, in the event that a Sharing Event shall have occurred, each Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to have purchased, automatically and without request, such participating interests. Promptly upon receipt of such request, each Revolving Credit Lender shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (in immediately available funds in Dollars) the net amounts as specified by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver the amounts so received to the various Revolving Credit Lenders in such amounts as are needed to effect the purchases and sales of participations as provided above. Promptly following receipt thereof, each Revolving Credit Lender which has sold participations in any of its Revolving Credit Loans (through the Administrative Agent) will deliver to each Revolving Credit Lender (through the Administrative Agent) which has so purchased a participating interest a participation certificate dated the date of receipt of such funds and in such amount. It is understood that the amount of funds delivered by each Revolving Credit Lender shall be calculated on a net basis, giving effect to both the sales and purchases of participations by the various Revolving Credit Lenders as required above.

 

(c)                                   Upon the occurrence of an Automatic Sharing Event or an Elective Sharing Event with respect to the applicable electing Revolving Credit Lenders (i) no further Alternative Currency Loans shall be made, (ii) all amounts from time to time accruing with respect to, and all amounts from time to time payable on account of, any outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans initially denominated in the Alternative Currency (including, without limitation, any interest and other amounts which were accrued but unpaid on the date of such purchase) shall be payable in Dollars as if such Eurodollar Rate Loans had originally been made in Dollars and shall be distributed by the relevant Revolving Credit Lenders (or their Affiliates) to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders which made such Loans or are participating therein and (iii) the Revolving Credit Commitments of the Revolving Credit Lenders shall be automatically terminated. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above, the failure of any Revolving Credit Lender to purchase its participating interest in any Revolving Credit Loans upon the occurrence of a Sharing Event shall not relieve any other Revolving Credit Lender of its obligation hereunder to purchase its participating interests in a timely manner, but no Revolving Credit Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Revolving Credit Lender to purchase the participating interest to be purchased by such other Revolving Credit Lender on any date.

 

(d)                                  If any amount required to be paid by any Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to Section 2.8(b)  is not paid to the Administrative Agent within one (1) Business Day following the date upon which such Lender receives notice from the Administrative Agent of the amount of its participations required to be purchased pursuant to said Section 2.8(b) , such Lender shall also pay to the Administrative Agent on demand an amount equal to the product of (i) the amount so required to be paid by such Lender for the purchase of its participations times (ii) the daily average Federal Funds Rate during the period from and including the date of request for payment to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Administrative Agent times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapsed during such period and the denominator of which is 360. If any such amount required to be paid by any Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to Section 2.8(b)  is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days following the date upon which such Lender receives notice from the Administrative Agent as to the amount of participations required to be purchased by it, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover from such Lender on

 

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demand, such amount with interest thereon calculated from such request date at the rate per annum applicable to Base Rate Loans hereunder. A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Revolving Credit Lender with respect to any amounts payable by any Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the relevant Revolving Credit Lenders; provided that, if the Administrative Agent (in its sole discretion) has elected to fund on behalf of such Lender the amounts owing to such Lenders, then the amounts shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for its own account.

 

(e)                                   Whenever, at any time after the relevant Revolving Credit Lenders have received from any Revolving Credit Lenders purchases of participations in any Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.8 , the Revolving Credit Lenders receive any payment on account thereof, such Lenders will distribute to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the various Revolving Credit Lenders participating therein, such Lenders’ participating interests in such amounts (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such participations were outstanding) in like funds as received; provided, however, that in the event that such payment received by any Revolving Credit Lenders are required to be returned, the Revolving Credit Lenders who received previous distributions in respect of their participating interests therein will return to the respective Lenders any portion thereof previously so distributed to them in like funds as such payment is required to be returned by the respective Revolving Credit Lenders.

 

(f)                                    Each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to purchase participating interests pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance including, without limitation, (a) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against any other Lender, Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (b) the occurrence or continuance of an Event of Default, (c) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of Borrower or any other Person, (d) any breach of this Agreement by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Lender or any other Person, or (e) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

 

(g)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement, upon any purchase of participations as required above, each Revolving Credit Lender which has purchased such participations shall be entitled to receive from Borrower any increased costs and indemnities directly from Borrower to the same extent as if it were the direct Lender as opposed to a participant therein. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that, upon the occurrence of a Sharing Event and after giving effect to the requirements of this Section 2.8 , increased Taxes may be owing by the Borrower pursuant to Section 13.1 , which Taxes shall be paid (to the extent provided in Section 13.1 ) by Borrower, without any claim that the increased Taxes are not payable because same resulted from the participations effected as otherwise required by this Section 2.8 .

 

(h)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement, subject to the reasonable approval of the Administrative Agent, from time to time, the Borrower may request that the definition of “Alternative Currencies” be amended to include one or more additional alternative currencies specified at such time by the Borrower. If less than all the Lenders holding Alternative Currency Commitments shall agree to such proposed

 

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amendment, then any such amendment shall be subject to a sufficient numbers of such Lenders agreeing to fund in such additional alternative currency or currencies as the Administrative Agent shall deem to be practicable and shall include any such other changes as the Administrative Agent and such Lenders shall deem to be reasonably necessary to effectuate such amendment. Nothing in this Section 2.8(h)  shall constitute or be deemed to constitute an agreement by any Lender to fund any additional alternative currency even if such an amendment shall be entered into.

 

(i)                                      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement, in the event a Foreign Qualified Borrower delivers a Notice of Committed Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.1 , on or before 3:00 p.m. on the day that is five (5) Business Days after the Administrative Agent notifies such Revolving Credit Lender of the proposed Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.1(c)(i)  (the “ Election Deadline ”), each Revolving Credit Lender with an Alternative Currency Commitment shall notify the Administrative Agent that it elects to either (x) fund such Committed Loan to the applicable Foreign Qualified Borrower or (y) not fund such Committed Loan to the applicable Foreign Qualified Borrower.  If any such Revolving Credit Lender fails to notify the Administrative Agent of such election on or before the Election Deadline, then such Lender shall be irrevocably deemed to have elected not to make such Committed Loan.  Based on the results of such elections, the following shall apply:

 

(i)                                      If all Revolving Credit Lenders with an Alternative Currency Commitment elect to fund such Committed Loan to the applicable Foreign Qualified Borrower, then the provisions of Section 2.1(c)(i)  shall apply without modification.

 

(ii)                                   If no Revolving Credit Lenders with an Alternative Currency Commitment elect to fund such Committed Loan to the applicable Foreign Qualified Borrower, then the applicable Foreign Qualified Borrower shall be deemed never to have submitted a Notice of Committed Borrowing.

 

(iii)                                If some but less than all of the Revolving Credit Lenders with an Alternative Currency Commitment elect to make such Committed Loan to the applicable Foreign Qualified Borrower, then the Pro Rata Shares of the Revolving Credit Lenders with an Alternative Currency Commitment electing to make such Committed Loan to such applicable Foreign Qualified Borrower shall be increased with respect to such Committed Loan in proportion to their respective Alternative Currency Commitments such that the sum of such Lenders’ Pro Rata Shares is 100%; provided, however, that in no event shall a Revolving Credit Lender be required to fund a cumulative aggregate amount exceeding its Alternative Currency Commitment.  If the limitation on Revolving Credit Lenders’ funding obligations provided in the preceding sentence results in an amount less than the amount of the proposed Borrowing set forth in the Notice of Committed Borrowing being funded, then such amount of proposed Borrowing shall be deemed to be reduced to the amount funded in accordance with this Section 2.8(i)(iii) .

 

(j)                                     Limitation on Foreign Qualified Borrowers .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Foreign Qualified Borrowers may borrow only in an Alternative Currency.  In no event shall a Foreign Qualified Borrower have the right to borrow hereunder in Dollars.

 

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2.9                                Swingline Loan Subfacility .

 

(a)                                  Swingline Commitment .  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.9 , each Swingline Lender, in its individual capacity, agrees to make certain revolving credit loans to the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower in Dollars (each a “ Swingline Loan ” and, collectively, the “ Swingline Loans ”) from time to time during the term hereof; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans outstanding at any time shall not exceed the lesser of (i) $75,000,000, and (ii) the Revolving Credit Availability (the “ Swingline Commitment ”); and provided further that the aggregate outstanding amount of any Swingline Loans made by any individual Swingline Lender shall not exceed $37,500,000.  Subject to the limitations set forth herein, any amounts repaid in respect of Swingline Loans may be reborrowed.

 

(b)                                  Swingline Borrowings .

 

(i)                                      Notice of Borrowing .  With respect to any Swingline Borrowing, the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent notice in writing which shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the proposed date of a Swingline Borrowing (and confirmed by telephone by such time), specifying (1) that a Swingline Borrowing is being requested, (2) the amount of such Swingline Borrowing, (3) the proposed date of such Swingline Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day and (4) that no Potential Event of Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing both before and after giving effect to such Swingline Borrowing.  Such notice shall be irrevocable.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly provide such notice to each Swingline Lender.  Unless the Swingline Loan requested in such notice would cause the aggregate outstanding amount of all Swingline Loans made by the Administrative Agent to exceed $37,500,000, the Administrative Agent shall make such Swingline Loan.  If the Swingline Loan requested in such notice would cause the aggregate outstanding amount of all Swingline Loans made by the Administrative Agent to exceed $37,500,000, then (i) the Administrative Agent shall make the portion (if any) of such Swingline Loan as shall cause the aggregate outstanding amount of its Swingline Loans to equal $37,500,000 and (ii) the other Swingline Lender(s) shall make the remaining portion of such Swingline Loan.

 

(ii)                                   Minimum Amounts .  Each Swingline Borrowing shall be in a minimum principal amount of $3,000,000.

 

(iii)                                Repayment of Swingline Loans .  Each Swingline Loan shall be due and payable on the earliest of (A) 10 days from and including the date of the applicable Swingline Borrowing, (B) the date of the next Revolving Credit Borrowing or (C) the Revolving Credit Termination Date.  If, and to the extent, any Swingline Loans shall be outstanding on the date of any Revolving Credit Borrowing, such Swingline Loans shall first be repaid from the proceeds of such Revolving Credit Borrowing prior to the disbursement of the same to the Borrower or the Qualified Borrower, as applicable.  If, and to the extent, a Revolving Credit Borrowing is not requested prior to the Revolving Credit Termination Date or the end of the 10 day period after a Swingline

 

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Borrowing, or unless the Borrower shall have notified the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lenders prior to 1:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the fourth (4th) Business Day after the Swingline Borrowing that the Borrower intends to reimburse the applicable Swingline Lender for the amount of such Swingline Borrowing with funds other than proceeds of the Revolving Credit Loans, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Credit Borrowing comprised entirely of Base Rate Loans in the amount of the applicable Swingline Loan then outstanding, the proceeds of which shall be used to repay such Swingline Loan to the applicable Swingline Lender.  In addition, if (x) the Borrower does not repay the Swingline Loan on or prior to the end of such 10 day period, or (y) a Potential Event of Default or Event of Default shall have occurred during such 10 day period, the Swingline Lender may, at any time, in its sole discretion, by written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, demand repayment of its Swingline Loans by way of a Revolving Credit Borrowing, in which case the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Credit Borrowing comprised entirely of Base Rate Loans in the amount of such Swingline Loans then outstanding, the proceeds of which shall be used to repay such Swingline Loans to the applicable Swingline Lender.  Any Revolving Credit Borrowing which is deemed requested by the Borrower in accordance with this Section 2.9(b)(iii)  is hereinafter referred to as a “ Mandatory Borrowing ”.  Each Revolving Credit Lender hereby irrevocably agrees to make Revolving Credit Loans promptly upon receipt of notice from the Swingline Lender of any such deemed request for a Mandatory Borrowing in the amount and in the manner specified in the preceding sentences and on the date such notice is received by such Lender (or the next Business Day if such notice is received after 12:00 noon (New York City time)) notwithstanding (I) that the amount of the Mandatory Borrowing may not comply with the minimum amount of Revolving Credit Borrowings otherwise required hereunder, (II) whether any conditions specified in Section 6.2 are then satisfied, (III) whether a Potential Event of Default or an Event of Default then exists, (IV) failure of any such deemed request for a Revolving Credit Borrowing to be made by the time otherwise required in Section 2.1 , (V) the date of such Mandatory Borrowing (provided that such date must be a Business Day), or (VI) any termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments immediately prior to such Mandatory Borrowing or contemporaneously therewith; provided, however, that no Revolving Credit Lender shall be obligated to make Revolving Credit Loans in respect of a Mandatory Borrowing if a Potential Event of Default or an Event of Default then exists and the applicable Swingline Loan was made by the Swingline Lender without receipt of a written Notice of Borrowing in the form specified in subclause (i) above or after the Administrative Agent has delivered a notice of Potential Event of Default or Event of Default which has not been rescinded.

 

(iv)                               Purchase of Participations .  In the event that any Mandatory Borrowing cannot for any reason be made on the date otherwise required above (including, without limitation, as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to the Borrower), then each Revolving Credit Lender hereby agrees that it shall forthwith purchase (as of the date the Mandatory Borrowing would otherwise have occurred, but adjusted for any payment received from the Borrower on or after such date and prior to such purchase) from the Swingline Lender such participations in the outstanding Swingline Loans as shall be necessary to cause each such Revolving Credit Lender to share in such Swingline Loans ratably based upon

 

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its Pro Rata Share for the Revolving Credit Facility (determined before giving effect to any termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant hereto), provided that (A) all interest payable on the Swingline Loans with respect to any participation shall be for the account of the applicable Swingline Lender until but excluding the day upon which the Mandatory Borrowing would otherwise have occurred, and (B) in the event of a delay between the day upon which the Mandatory Borrowing would otherwise have occurred and the time any purchase of a participation pursuant to this sentence is actually made, the purchasing Revolving Credit Lender shall be required to pay to the Swingline Lender interest on the principal amount of such participation for each day from and including the day upon which the Mandatory Borrowing would otherwise have occurred to but excluding the date of payment for such participation, at the rate equal to the Federal Funds Rate, for the two (2) Business Days after the date the Mandatory Borrowing would otherwise have occurred, and thereafter at a rate equal to the Base Rate.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Revolving Credit Lender shall be obligated to purchase a participation in any Swingline Loan if a Potential Event of Default or an Event of Default then exists and such Swingline Loan was made by the Swingline Lender without receipt of a written Notice of Borrowing in the form specified in subclause (i) above or after the Administrative Agent has delivered a notice of Potential Event of Default or Event of Default which has not been rescinded.

 

(c)                                   Interest Rate .  Each Swingline Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for each day from the date such Swingline Loan is made until the date it is repaid, at a rate per annum equal to the Daily LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans for such day.

 

2.10                         Qualified Borrowers .

 

(a)                                  The Borrower may, at any time or from time to time, request that one or more Qualified Borrowers be added to this Agreement by notifying the Administrative Agent thereof in substantially the form of Exhibit O hereto (including the jurisdiction of formation thereof), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender. Borrower shall, or shall cause such Qualified Borrower to, deliver all documents required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 6.1 and 6.2(d)  with respect to a proposed Qualified Borrower, including, without limitation, copies of all Organizational Documents, good standing certificates (if applicable), and resolutions, each of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.  Following the giving of any request pursuant to this Section 2.10 , if the request for such Qualified Borrower obligates the Administrative Agent or any Lender to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, the Borrower shall, promptly upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, supply such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in order for the Administrative Agent or such Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with the results of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations.  Upon delivery of the documentation and information required above to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, the proposed Qualified Borrower shall become a Qualified Borrower under this Agreement and the Administrative Agent shall give written notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders (a “ New Foreign Qualified Borrower

 

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Notice ”).  If the jurisdiction of organization of any proposed Qualified Borrower would require the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender(s) or any Lender to comply with any Requirements of Law (including, without limitation any provisions relating to tax treaty status with respect to loans to Foreign Qualified Borrowers organized in the United Kingdom or anti-social forces representations and covenants with respect to Foreign Qualified Borrowers organized in Japan) then the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to implement the provisions of this Section, a copy of which amendment (a “ New Foreign Qualified Borrower Amendment ”) shall be made available to each Lender.  Nothing contained in this Section 2.10(a)  shall limit the provisions of Section 2.8(i) .

 

(b)                                  If the Borrower shall designate as a Qualified Borrower hereunder any entity not organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof, any Lender may, with notice to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, fulfill its Commitment by causing an Affiliate of such Lender to act as the Bank in respect of such Qualified Borrower (and such Lender shall, to the extent of Loans  made to, and participations in Letters of Credit issued for the account of such Qualified Borrower, be deemed for all purposes hereof to have pro tanto assigned such Loans and participations to such Affiliate in compliance with the provisions of Section 14.16 (but only for so long as such Loans or Letters of Credit shall be outstanding) except that unless such an Affiliate is a Eligible Assignee, nothing herein shall be deemed to have relieved such Lender from its obligations under its Commitments).

 

ARTICLE III

 

LETTERS OF CREDIT

 

3.1                                Letters of Credit .  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 3.1(c)(ii) , the Administrative Agent hereby agrees to issue for the account of the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower one or more Letters of Credit or, with respect to the Administrative Agent only, Alternative Currency Letters of Credit (the Administrative Agent, together with any other Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender designated, with such Lender’s consent, by the Borrower, an “ Issuing Bank ”), subject to the following provisions:

 

(a)                                  Types and Amounts .  An Issuing Bank shall not have any obligation to issue, amend or extend, and shall not issue, amend or extend, any Letter of Credit or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit at any time:

 

(i)                                      if the aggregate Letter of Credit Obligations with respect to such Issuing Bank, after giving effect to the issuance, amendment or extension of the Letter of Credit or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit requested hereunder, shall exceed any limit imposed by law or regulation upon such Issuing Bank;

 

(ii)                                   if, immediately after giving effect to the issuance, amendment or extension of such Letter of Credit or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, (1) the Letter of Credit Obligations at such time would exceed $50,000,000 with respect to Letters of

 

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Credit (including Alternative Currency Letters of Credit, the amount of which shall be calculated based on the Dollar Equivalent Amount thereof) or (2) the Revolving Credit Obligations at such time would exceed the Maximum Revolving Credit Amount at such time, or (3) the sum of the Revolving Credit Loans in the Alternative Currency and the Letter of Credit Obligations with respect to Alternative Currency Letters of Credit at such time would exceed the Alternative Currency Sublimit, or (4) one or more of the conditions precedent contained in Sections 6.1 or 6.2 , as applicable, would not on such date be satisfied, unless such conditions are thereafter satisfied and written notice of such satisfaction is given to such Issuing Bank by the Administrative Agent (and such Issuing Bank shall not otherwise be required to determine that, or take notice whether, the conditions precedent set forth in Sections 6.1 or 6.2 , as applicable, have been satisfied);

 

(iii)                                which has an expiration date later than the first anniversary of the then Revolving Credit Termination Date;

 

(iv)                               which is in a currency other than Dollars or the Alternative Currency;

 

(v)                                  (A) where the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit is a Sanctioned Person, (B) to secure any transaction or the undertaking of any activity or business of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of such issuance is the subject of any Sanctions or (C) in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any party to this Agreement;

 

(vi)                               if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Bank from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the Issuing Bank or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Bank shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Bank refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it; or

 

(vii)                            if the issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, if the Administrative Agent (and/or any other Lender or Affiliate of a Lender designated by the Borrower, with such Lender’s consent, to issue a Letter of Credit) are not obligated or permitted pursuant to any of the preceding paragraphs of this Section 3.1(a)  to issue a Letter of Credit but another Lender designated by the Borrower, with such Lender’s consent, to issue such Letter of Credit (a “ Replacement Issuing Bank ”) is not prohibited from issuing such Letter of Credit pursuant to any of the preceding paragraphs of this Section

 

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3.1(a) , then the Replacement Issuing Bank shall, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, issue such Letter of Credit.

 

(b)                                  Conditions .  In addition to being subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent contained in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 , as applicable, the obligation of an Issuing Bank to issue, amend or extend any Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit is subject to the satisfaction in full of the following conditions:

 

(i)                                      if the Issuing Bank so requests, the Borrower shall have executed and delivered to such Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent a Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement and Application and such other documents and materials as may be required pursuant to the terms thereof; it being agreed that in the event of any inconsistencies between this Agreement and such Letter of Credit Agreement and Application, the provisions of this Agreement shall control; and

 

(ii)                                   the terms of the proposed Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit shall be satisfactory to the Issuing Bank in its sole discretion.

 

(c)                                   Issuance of Letters of Credit .  (i) The Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank written notice (a “ Letter of Credit Notice ”) that it requires the issuance of a Letter of Credit or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on the third (3rd) Business Day preceding the requested date for issuance thereof under this Agreement.  Such notice shall be irrevocable unless and until such request is denied by the applicable Arranger and shall specify (A) that the requested Letter of Credit or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit is either a Commercial Letter of Credit or a Standby Letter of Credit, (B) that such Letter of Credit or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit is solely for the account of the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower, (C) the stated amount of the Letter of Credit or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit requested, (D) the effective date (which shall be a Business Day) of issuance of such Letter of Credit or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, (E) the date on which such Letter of Credit or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall be a Business Day and no later than the Business Day immediately preceding the first anniversary of the then scheduled Revolving Credit Termination Date), (F) the Person for whose benefit such Letter of Credit or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit is to be issued, (G) other relevant terms of such Letter of Credit or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, (H) the Revolving Credit Availability at such time, and (I) the amount of the then outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations.

 

(ii)                                   If the Administrative Agent declines to issue the Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower shall select an alternative Lender with such Lender’s written consent to issue such Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit.

 

(iii)                                The selected Issuing Bank (if not the Administrative Agent) shall give the Administrative Agent written notice, or telephonic notice confirmed promptly thereafter in writing, of the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit.

 

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(iv)                               If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Notice, the Issuing Bank shall agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “ Auto-Extension Letter of Credit ”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the Issuing Bank to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “ Non-Extension Notice Date ”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued.  Unless otherwise directed by the Issuing Bank, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the Issuing Bank for any such extension.  Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the Issuing Bank to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Business Day immediately preceding the first anniversary of Revolving Credit Termination Date; provided , however , that the Issuing Bank shall not permit any such extension if (A) the Issuing Bank has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of Section 3.1(a)  or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date from the Administrative Agent, any Revolving Credit Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 6.2 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the Issuing Bank not to permit such extension.

 

(d)                                  Reimbursement Obligations; Duties of Issuing Banks and other Lenders .

 

(i)                                      Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in any Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement, if an Issuing Bank shall make any disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall reimburse such Issuing Bank in respect of such Reimbursement Obligation by paying to the Issuing Bank an amount equal to such Reimbursement Obligation not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower receives notice of such disbursement, if such notice is received prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time (such date, the “ Reimbursement Date ”), provided that the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.1 that such payment be financed with a Base Rate Borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s or the applicable Qualified Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting Base Rate Borrowing.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the case of an Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall reimburse the Issuing Bank in such Alternative Currency, unless (A) the Issuing Bank (at its option) shall have notified the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower that it will require reimbursement in Dollars, or any such drawing is made at a time when an Event of Default exists or a Sharing Event shall have occurred, or (B) in the

 

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absence of any such requirement for reimbursement in Dollars, the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall have notified the Issuing Bank promptly following receipt of the notice of drawing that the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower will reimburse the Issuing Bank in Dollars.  In the case of any such reimbursement in Dollars of a drawing under an Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank shall notify the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower of the Dollar Equivalent Amount of the amount of the drawing promptly following the determination thereof.  Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date of any payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in Dollars, or the Specified Time on the date of any payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in an Alternative Currency (each such date, an “ Honor Date ”), the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall reimburse the Issuing Bank through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing and in the applicable currency.  In the event that (A) a drawing denominated in an Alternative Currency is to be reimbursed in Dollars as set forth above and (B) the Dollar amount paid by the Borrower, whether on or after the Honor Date, shall not be adequate on the date of that payment to purchase in accordance with normal banking procedures a sum denominated in the Alternative Currency equal to the drawing, the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower agrees, as a separate and independent obligation, to indemnify the Issuing Bank for the loss resulting from its inability on that date to purchase the Alternative Currency in the full amount of the drawing.  If the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower fails to timely reimburse the Issuing Bank on the Honor Date, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (expressed in Dollars in the Dollar Equivalent Amount thereof in the case of an Alternative Currency Letter of Credit) (the “ Unreimbursed Amount ”), and the amount of such Lender’s applicable Pro Rate Share thereof.  In such event, the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.1(b)  for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the Revolving Credit Availability and the conditions set forth in Section 6.2 (other than the delivery of a Notice of Committed Borrowing).  Any notice given by the Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 3.1(d)(i)  may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

 

(ii)                                   The Issuing Bank shall give the Administrative Agent written notice, or telephonic notice confirmed promptly thereafter in writing, of all drawings under a Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit and the payment (or the failure to pay when due) by the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower on account of a Reimbursement Obligation (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit by telegram, facsimile transmission or similar transmission to each Revolving Credit Lender).

 

(iii)                                No action taken or omitted in good faith by an Issuing Bank under or in connection with any Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit shall put such Issuing Bank under any resulting liability to any Lender, the Borrower or

 

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Qualified Borrower or, so long as it is not issued in violation of Section 3.1(a) , relieve any Revolving Credit Lender of its obligations hereunder to such Issuing Bank.  Solely as between the Issuing Banks and the other Revolving Credit Lenders, in determining whether to pay under any Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to the other Lenders other than to confirm that any documents required to be delivered under a respective Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit appear to have been delivered and that they appear on their face to comply with the requirements of such Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit.

 

(e)                                   Participations .  (i)  Immediately upon issuance by an Issuing Bank of any Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.1 , each Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to have irrevocably and unconditionally purchased and received from that Issuing Bank, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit to the extent of such Lender’s applicable Pro Rata Share, including, without limitation, all obligations of the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower with respect thereto (other than amounts owing to the Issuing Bank under Section 3.1(g) ) and any security therefor and guaranty pertaining thereto.

 

(ii)                                   If any Issuing Bank makes any payment under any Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit and the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower does not repay such amount to the Issuing Bank on the Reimbursement Date, the Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent, which shall promptly notify each other Revolving Credit Lender, and each Revolving Credit Lender shall promptly and unconditionally pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank, in immediately available funds, the amount of such Revolving Credit Lender’s applicable Pro Rata Share of such payment (net of that portion of such payment, if any, made by such Issuing Bank in its capacity as an issuer of a Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to such Issuing Bank such amounts received by it, and any other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for such Issuing Bank’s account, pursuant to this Section 3.1(e) .  If a Revolving Credit Lender does not make its Pro Rata Share of the amount of such payment available to the Administrative Agent, such Revolving Credit Lender agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank, forthwith on demand, such amount together with interest thereon at the greater of the Base Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. The failure of any Revolving Credit Lender to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of an Issuing Bank its Pro Rata Share of any such payment shall neither relieve any other Revolving Credit Lender of its obligation hereunder to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank such other Revolving Credit Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any payment on the date such payment is to be made nor increase the obligation of any other Revolving Credit Lender to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

 

(iii)                                Whenever an Issuing Bank receives a payment on account of a Reimbursement Obligation, including any interest thereon, as to which the

 

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Administrative Agent has previously received payments from any other Revolving Credit Lender for the account of such Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 3.1(e) , such Issuing Bank shall promptly pay to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to each other Revolving Credit Lender an amount equal to such other Revolving Credit Lender’s applicable Pro Rata Share thereof.  Each such payment shall be made by such reimbursed Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, on the Business Day on which such Person receives the funds paid to such Person pursuant to the preceding sentence, if received prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on such Business Day, and otherwise on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

(iv)                               Upon the written request of any Revolving Credit Lender, the Issuing Banks shall furnish such requesting Revolving Credit Lender copies of any Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement, and related amendment to which such Issuing Bank is party and such other documentation as reasonably may be requested by the requesting Revolving Credit Lender.

 

(v)                                  The obligations of a Revolving Credit Lender to make payments to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Issuing Bank with respect to a Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit shall be irrevocable, shall not be subject to any qualification or exception whatsoever except willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Issuing Bank, and shall be honored in accordance with this Article III (irrespective of the satisfaction of the conditions described in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 , as applicable) under all circumstances, including, without limitation, any of the following circumstances:

 

(A)                                any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents;

 

(B)                                the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right which the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower may have at any time against a beneficiary named in a Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit or any transferee of a beneficiary named in a Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit(or any Person for whom any such transferee may be acting), any Lender, or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transactions (including any underlying transactions between the account party and beneficiary named in any Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit);

 

(C)                                any draft, certificate or any other document presented under the Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit having been determined to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

 

(D)                                the surrender or impairment of any security for the performance or observance of any of the terms of any of the Loan Documents;

 

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(E)                                 any failure by that Issuing Bank to make any reports required pursuant to Section 3.1(h)  or the inaccuracy of any such report; or

 

(F)                                  the occurrence of any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default.

 

(f)                                    Payment of Reimbursement Obligations .  (i)  The Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower unconditionally agrees to pay to each Issuing Bank, in Dollars or Alternative Currency, as applicable, the amount of all Reimbursement Obligations, interest and other amounts payable to such Issuing Bank under or in connection with the Letters of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit when such amounts are due and payable, irrespective of any claim, setoff, defense or other right which the Borrower may have at any time against any Issuing Bank or any other Person.

 

(ii)                                   In the event any payment by the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower received by an Issuing Bank with respect to a Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit and distributed by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Credit Lenders on account of their participations is thereafter set aside, avoided or recovered from such Issuing Bank in connection with any receivership, liquidation or bankruptcy proceeding, each Revolving Credit Lender which received such distribution shall, upon demand by such Issuing Bank, contribute such Revolving Credit Lender’s applicable Pro Rata Share of the amount set aside, avoided or recovered together with interest at the rate required to be paid by such Issuing Bank upon the amount required to be repaid by it.

 

(g)                                   Letter of Credit Fee Charges .  In connection with each Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, Borrower and the applicable Qualified Borrower each hereby covenants to pay to the Administrative Agent the following fees each payable quarterly in arrears (on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter following the issuance of each Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit):  (1) a fee (in Dollars) for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders, computed daily on the amount or Dollar Equivalent Amount, as applicable, of the Letter of Credit or the Alternative Currency Letter of Credit issued and outstanding at a rate per annum equal to the “Banks’ L/C Fee Rate” (as hereinafter defined) and (2) a fee (in Dollars), for the Issuing Bank’s own account, computed daily on the amount or Dollar Equivalent Amount, as applicable, of the Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit issued and outstanding at a rate per annum equal to 0.125%.  For purposes of this Agreement, the “ Banks’ L/C Fee Rate ” shall mean, at any time, a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans less 0.125% per annum.  It is understood and agreed that the last installment of the fees provided for in this paragraph (g) with respect to any particular Letter of Credit shall be due and payable on the first day of the fiscal quarter following the return, undrawn, or cancellation of such Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit.  In addition, the Borrower shall pay to each Issuing Bank, solely for its own account, the standard charges assessed by such Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, administration, amendment and payment or cancellation of Letters of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit and such compensation in respect of such Letters of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letters of Credit for the Borrower’s account as may be agreed upon by the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower and such Issuing Bank from time to time.

 

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(h)                                  Letter of Credit Reporting Requirements .  Each Issuing Bank shall, no later than the tenth (10th) Business Day following the last day of each calendar month, provide to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, separate schedules for Commercial Letters of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letters of Credit and Standby Letters of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letters of Credit issued as Letters of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letters of Credit, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth the aggregate Letter of Credit Obligations outstanding to it at the end of each month and, to the extent not otherwise provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.1(c)(ii) , any information requested by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower relating to the date of issue, account party, amount, expiration date and reference number of each Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit issued by it.

 

(i)                                      Indemnification; Exoneration .  (i)  In addition to all other amounts payable to an Issuing Bank, the Borrower and the applicable Qualified Borrower each, jointly and severally, hereby agrees to defend, indemnify, and save the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, and each other Lender harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, penalties, damages, losses (other than loss of profits), costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses but excluding taxes) which the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks, or such other Lender may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (A) the issuance of any Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit other than as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Bank, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, or (B) the failure of the Issuing Bank to honor a drawing under such Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit as a result of any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto government or Governmental Authority.

 

(ii)                                   As between the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower on the one hand and the Lenders on the other hand, the Borrower and the applicable Qualified Borrower assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of Letters of Credit by, the respective beneficiaries of the Letters of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letters of Credit.  In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, subject to the provisions of the Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreements, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall not be responsible for:  (A) the form, validity, legality, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of the Letters of Credit, and/or Alternative Currency Letters of Credit even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (B) the validity, legality or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (C) failure of the beneficiary of a Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit to duly comply with conditions required in order to draw upon such Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit; (D) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (E) errors in interpretation of technical terms; (F) any loss or delay in

 

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the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under any Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (G) the misapplication by the beneficiary of a Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letter of Credit; and (H) any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or the other Lenders.

 

3.2                                Obligations Several .  The obligations of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, and each other Revolving Credit Lender under this Article III are several and not joint, and no Issuing Bank or other Lender shall be responsible for the obligation to issue Letters of Credit and/or Alternative Currency Letters of Credit or participation obligation hereunder, respectively, of any other Issuing Bank or other Revolving Credit Lender.

 

3.3                                Expiration after the Revolving Credit Termination Date .  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if any Letters of Credit, by their terms, shall mature after the Revolving Credit Termination Date (as the same may be extended), then, on and after the Revolving Credit Termination Date, the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect with respect to such Letters of Credit, and the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall comply with the provisions of Section 3.4 .

 

3.4                                Actions in Respect of Letters of Credit .  (a) If, at any time and from time to time, any Letter of Credit shall have been issued hereunder and the same shall expire on a date after the Revolving Credit Termination Date, then, on the Revolving Credit Termination Date, the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders, in same day funds at the Administrative Agent’s office designated in such demand, for deposit in a special cash collateral account (the “ Letter of Credit Collateral Account ”) to be maintained in the name of the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders) and under its sole dominion and control at such place as shall be designated by the Administrative Agent, an amount equal to the amount of the Letter of Credit Obligations, in the applicable currency, under the Letters of Credit.  Interest shall accrue on the Letter of Credit Collateral Account at a rate equal to the rate on overnight funds.  The Borrower shall also make deposits into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account in accordance with Section 11.2 and Section 14.25(c) .

 

(b)                                  The Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower hereby pledges, assigns and grants to the Administrative Agent, as Administrative Agent for its benefit and the ratable benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders a lien on and a security interest in, the following collateral (the “ Letter of Credit Collateral ”):

 

(i)                                      the Letter of Credit Collateral Account, all cash deposited therein and all certificates and instruments, if any, from time to time representing or evidencing the Letter of Credit Collateral Account;

 

(ii)                                   all notes, certificates of deposit and other instruments from time to time hereafter delivered to or otherwise possessed by the Administrative Agent for or on

 

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behalf of the Borrower in substitution for or in respect of any or all of the then existing Letter of Credit Collateral;

 

(iii)                                all interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the then existing Letter of Credit Collateral; and

 

(iv)                               to the extent not covered by the above clauses, all proceeds of any or all of the foregoing Letter of Credit Collateral.

 

(c)                                   The lien and security interest granted hereby secures the payment of all obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing hereunder and under any other Loan Document.

 

(d)                                  The Borrower and the applicable Qualified Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders to apply, from time to time after funds are deposited in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account and for so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, funds then held in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account to the payment of any amounts, in such order as the Administrative Agent may elect, as shall have become due and payable by the Borrower to the Revolving Credit Lenders in respect of the Letters of Credit.

 

(e)                                   Neither the Borrower nor the applicable Qualified Borrower nor any Person claiming or acting on behalf of or through the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall have any right to withdraw any of the funds held in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account.

 

(f)                                    The Borrower and the applicable Qualified Borrower each agrees that it will not (i) sell or otherwise dispose of any interest in the Letter of Credit Collateral or (ii) create or permit to exist any lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance upon or with respect to any of the Letter of Credit Collateral, except for the security interest created by this Section 3.4 .

 

(g)                                   If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing:

 

(i)                                      The Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, without notice to the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower except as required by law and at any time from time to time, charge, set off or otherwise apply all or any part of first , (x) amounts previously drawn on any Letter of Credit that have not been reimbursed by the Borrower and (y) any Letter of Credit Obligations described in clause (ii) of the definition thereof that are then due and payable and second , any other unpaid Obligations then due and payable against the Letter of Credit Collateral Account or any part thereof, in such order as the Administrative Agent shall elect.  The rights of the Administrative Agent under this Section 3.4 are in addition to any rights and remedies which any Lender may have.

 

(ii)                                   The Administrative Agent may also exercise, in its sole discretion, in respect of the Letter of Credit Collateral Account, in addition to the other rights and

 

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remedies provided herein or otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured party upon default under the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of New York at that time.

 

(iii)                                The Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the Letter of Credit Collateral if the Letter of Credit Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Administrative Agent accords its own property, it being understood that, assuming such treatment, the Administrative Agent shall not have any responsibility or liability with respect thereto.

 

(iv)                               At such time as all Events of Default have been cured or waived in writing, all fees and expenses, if any, owing to the Lenders paid in full, and all Letters of Credit returned to the Issuing Banks, all amounts remaining in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account shall be promptly returned to the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower.  Absent such cure or written waiver, any surplus of the funds held in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account and remaining after payment in full of all of the Obligations of the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower hereunder and under any other Loan Document after the Revolving Credit Termination Date shall be paid promptly to the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.

 

3.5                                Applicability of ISP and UCP .  Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the Issuing Bank and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect) shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit.

 

3.6                                Existing Letters of Credit .  It is hereby acknowledged and agreed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and all the Lenders party hereto that on the Initial Funding Date, the letters of credit previously issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as “Issuing Bank” which is more particularly set forth on Schedule 3.6 hereto, shall be transferred to this Agreement and shall be deemed to be Letters of Credit hereunder.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

PAYMENTS AND PREPAYMENTS

 

4.1                                Prepayments; Reductions in Revolving Credit Commitments .

 

(a)                                  Voluntary Prepayments .  The Borrower or any Qualified Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, prepay the Loans in part or in their entirety, subject to the following limitations. The Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall give at least one (1) Business Day’s prior written notice, in the case of Base Rate Loans, and at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, to the Administrative Agent (which the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each Lender) of any prepayment in the entirety to be made prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default, which

 

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notice of prepayment shall specify the date (which shall be a Business Day) of prepayment. When notice of prepayment is delivered as provided herein, the outstanding principal amount of the Loans on the prepayment date specified in the notice shall become due and payable on such prepayment date. Each voluntary partial prepayment of the Loans shall be in a minimum amount of $1,000,000 (or the remaining balance of the applicable Loans, if less), except in the case of Swingline Loans, which shall be in the minimum amount of $100,000. Eurodollar Rate Loans and Money Market Loans may be prepaid in part or in their entirety only upon payment of the amounts described in Section 5.2(f) .

 

(b)                                  Voluntary Reductions In Revolving Credit Commitments and Unused Term Commitments .  The Borrower may, upon at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent (which the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each Lender), at any time and from time to time, terminate in whole or permanently reduce in part the Revolving Credit Commitments and/or the Alternative Currency Commitments and/or the unused Term Commitments, provided that the Borrower shall have made whatever payment may be required to reduce the Revolving Credit Obligations to an amount less than or equal to the Revolving Credit Commitments as reduced or terminated, which amount shall become due and payable on the date specified in such notice.  Any partial reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments and/or the Alternative Currency Commitments and/or the unused Term Commitments shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $10,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount, and shall reduce the Revolving Credit Commitment and/or the Alternative Currency Commitment and/or the unused Term Commitments of each Lender proportionately in accordance with its applicable Pro Rata Share.  Any notice of termination or reduction given to the Administrative Agent under this Section 4.1(b)  shall specify the date (which shall be a Business Day) of such termination or reduction and, with respect to a partial reduction, the aggregate principal amount thereof.

 

(c)                                   No Penalty .  The prepayments and payments in respect of reductions and terminations described in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 4.1 may be made without premium or penalty (except as provided in Section 5.2(f) ).

 

(d)                                  Mandatory Prepayments of Alternative Currency Loans .  The Administrative Agent shall calculate the Dollar Equivalent Amount of all Loans denominated in the Alternative Currency at the time of each Borrowing thereof and on the last Business Day of each month during each Interest Period longer than one month in duration.  If at any such time (y) the Dollar Equivalent Amount of the sum of (i) all outstanding Loans denominated in the Alternative Currency, and (ii) the outstanding Dollar Equivalent Amount of the Letter of Credit Obligations for Alternative Currency Letters of Credit, so determined by the Administrative Agent, in the aggregate, exceeds the Alternative Currency Sublimit, Borrower shall repay all or a portion of such Loans, otherwise in accordance with the applicable terms of this Agreement, in such amount so that, following the making of such payment, the Dollar Equivalent Amount outstanding of such Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations does not exceed the Alternative Currency Sublimit, or (z) the Dollar Equivalent Amount of the sum of (i) all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and (ii) the outstanding Dollar Equivalent Amount of the Letter of Credit Obligations so determined by the Administrative Agent, in the aggregate, exceeds the Maximum Revolving Credit Amount, Borrower shall, in each case, repay all or a portion of the Revolving Credit Loans, otherwise in accordance with the applicable terms of this Agreement, in

 

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such amount so that, following the making of such payment, the Dollar Equivalent Amount outstanding of all Revolving Credit Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations does not exceed the Maximum Revolving Credit Amount.

 

4.2                                Payments .

 

(a)                                  Manner and Time of Payment .  All payments of principal of and interest on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and other Obligations (including, without limitation, fees and expenses) which are payable to the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers or any other Lender shall be made without condition or reservation of right, in immediately available funds, delivered to the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of Reimbursement Obligations, to the pertinent Arranger) not later than 12:00 noon (New York time or local time to the principal financial center of the country of that currency, in the case of an Alternative Currency) on the date and at the place due, to such account of the Administrative Agent (or such Arranger) as it may designate, for the account of the Administrative Agent, an Arranger, or such other Lender, as the case may be; and funds received by the Administrative Agent (or such Arranger), including, without limitation, funds in respect of any Loans to be made on that date, not later than 12:00 noon (New York time or local time to the principal financial center of the country of that currency, in the case of an Alternative Currency) on any given Business Day shall be credited against payment to be made that day and funds received by the Administrative Agent (or such Arranger) after that time shall be deemed to have been paid on the next succeeding Business Day.  All payments shall be in Dollars except for payments of principal, interest and fees on Alternative Currency Loans and Reimbursement Obligations with respect to Alternative Currency Letters of Credit, which shall be in the applicable Alternative Currency thereof. Payments actually received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders, or any of them, shall be paid to them by the Administrative Agent promptly after receipt thereof, in immediately available funds.

 

(b)                                  Apportionment of Payments .  (i)  Subject to the provisions of Section 4.2(b)(v) , all payments of principal and interest in respect of outstanding Loans, all payments in respect of Reimbursement Obligations, all payments of fees and all other payments in respect of any other Obligations, shall be allocated among such of the Lenders as are entitled thereto, in proportion to their respective applicable Pro Rata Shares or otherwise as provided herein.  Subject to the provisions of Section 4.2(b)(ii) , all such payments and any other amounts received by the Administrative Agent from or for the benefit of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower shall be applied in the following order:

 

(A)                                to pay principal of and interest on any portion of the Loans which the Administrative Agent may have advanced on behalf of any Lender other than itself for which the Administrative Agent has not then been reimbursed by such Lender or the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower,

 

(B)                                to pay all other Obligations then due and payable and

 

(C)                                as the Borrower so designates.

 

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Unless otherwise designated by the Borrower, all principal payments in respect of Committed Loans shall be applied first , to repay outstanding Base Rate Loans, and then to repay outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans, with those Eurodollar Rate Loans which have earlier expiring Interest Periods being repaid prior to those which have later expiring Interest Periods.

 

(ii)                                   After the occurrence of an Event of Default and while the same is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall apply all payments in respect of any Obligations and any amounts received as a result of the exercise of remedies pursuant to Sections 11.12 and 14.5 , in the following order:

 

(A)                                first, to pay principal of and interest on any portion of the Loans which the Administrative Agent may have advanced on behalf of any Lender other than itself for which the Administrative Agent has not then been reimbursed by such Lender or the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower;

 

(B)                                second, to pay Obligations in respect of any fees, expense reimbursements or indemnities then due to the Administrative Agent;

 

(C)                                third, to pay principal of and interest on Letter of Credit Obligations (or, to the extent such Obligations are contingent, deposited with the Administrative Agent to provide cash collateral in respect of such Obligations);

 

(D)                                fourth, to pay Obligations in respect of any fees, expense reimbursements or indemnities then due to the Lenders and the Co-Agents;

 

(E)                                 fifth, to pay interest due in respect of Loans;

 

(F)                                  sixth, to the ratable payment or prepayment of principal outstanding on Loans; and

 

(G)                                seventh, to the ratable payment of all other Obligations.

 

The order of priority set forth in this Section 4.2(b)(ii)  and the related provisions of this Agreement are set forth solely to determine the rights and priorities of the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the other Lenders and other Holders as among themselves.  The order of priority set forth in clauses (C) through (G) of this Section 4.2(b)(ii)  may at any time and from time to time be changed by the Requisite Lenders without necessity of notice to or consent of or approval by the Borrower, any Holder which is not a Lender, or any other Person.  The order of priority set forth in clauses (A) and (B) of this Section 4.2(b)(ii)  may be changed only with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

(iii)                                The Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion subject only to the terms of this Section 4.2(b)(iii) , may pay from the proceeds of Revolving Credit Loans made to the Borrower hereunder, whether made following a request by the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower pursuant to Sections 2.1 or 2.2 or a deemed request as provided in this Section 4.2(b)(iii) , all amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder, including, without limitation, amounts payable with respect to payments of principal, interest, Reimbursement Obligations and fees and all reimbursements for expenses pursuant to

 

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Section 14.2 .  The Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes the Lenders to make Revolving Credit Loans, which Revolving Credit Loans shall be Base Rate Loans, in each case, upon notice from the Administrative Agent as described in the following sentence for the purpose of paying principal, interest, Reimbursement Obligations and fees due from the Borrower, reimbursing expenses pursuant to Section 14.2 and paying any and all other amounts due and payable by the Borrower hereunder or under the Notes, and agrees that all such Revolving Credit Loans so made shall be deemed to have been requested by it pursuant to Section 2.1 as of the date of the aforementioned notice.  The Administrative Agent shall request Revolving Credit Loans on behalf of the Borrower as described in the preceding sentence by notifying the Revolving Credit Lenders by facsimile transmission or other similar form of transmission (which notice the Administrative Agent shall thereafter promptly transmit to the Borrower), of the amount and Funding Date of the proposed Borrowing and that such Borrowing is being requested on the Borrower’s behalf pursuant to this Section 4.2(b)(iii) .  On the proposed Funding Date, the Revolving Credit Lenders shall make the requested Revolving Credit Loans in accordance with the procedures and subject to the conditions specified in Section 2.1 .

 

(iv)                               Subject to Section 4.2(b)(v) , the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to each Arranger and each other Lender at its primary address set forth on the appropriate signature page hereof or the signature page to the Assignment and Acceptance by which it became a Lender, or at such other address as a Lender or other Holder may request in writing, such funds as such Person may be entitled to receive, subject to the provisions of Article XII ; provided that the Administrative Agent shall under no circumstances be bound to inquire into or determine the validity, scope or priority of any interest or entitlement of any Holder and may suspend all payments or seek appropriate relief (including, without limitation, instructions from the Requisite Lenders or an action in the nature of interpleader) in the event of any doubt or dispute as to any apportionment or distribution contemplated hereby.

 

(v)                                  In the event that any Lender fails to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Loan requested by the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower which such Lender is obligated to fund under the terms of this Agreement (the funded portion of such Loan being hereinafter referred to as a “ Non Pro Rata Loan ”), until the earlier of such Defaulting Lender’s cure of such failure and the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments or the Term Commitments, as applicable, the proceeds of all amounts thereafter repaid to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower and otherwise required to be applied to such Defaulting Lender’s share of all other Obligations pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be advanced to the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower by the Administrative Agent on behalf of such Defaulting Lender to cure, in full or in part, such failure by such Lender, but shall nevertheless be deemed to have been paid to such Defaulting Lender in satisfaction of such other Obligations.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary:

 

(A)                                the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.2(b)(v)  shall apply only with respect to the proceeds of payments of Obligations and shall not affect the conversion or continuation of Loans pursuant to Section 5.1(c) ;

 

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(B)                                a Lender shall be deemed to have cured its failure to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Loan at such time as an amount equal to such Lender’s original Pro Rata Share of the requested principal portion of such Loan is fully funded to the Borrower, whether made by such Lender itself or by operation of the terms of this Section 4.2(b)(v) , and whether or not the Non Pro Rata Loan with respect thereto has been repaid, converted or continued;

 

(C)                                amounts advanced to the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower to cure, in full or in part, any such Lender’s failure to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Loan (“ Cure Loans ”) shall bear interest at the Base Rate in effect from time to time, and for all other purposes of this Agreement shall be treated as if they were Base Rate Loans; and

 

(D)                                regardless of whether or not an Event of Default has occurred or is continuing, and notwithstanding the instructions of the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower as to its desired application, all repayments of principal which, in accordance with the other terms of this Section 4.2 , would be applied to the outstanding Base Rate Loans shall be applied first , ratably to all Base Rate Loans constituting Non Pro Rata Loans, second , ratably to Base Rate Loans other than those constituting Non Pro Rata Loans or Cure Loans and, third , ratably to Base Rate Loans constituting Cure Loans.

 

(c)                                   Payments on Non-Business Days .  Whenever any payment to be made by the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower hereunder or under the Notes is stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the payment shall instead be due on the next succeeding Business Day (or, as set forth in Section 5.2(b)(iii) , the next preceding Business Day).

 

4.3                                Promise to Repay; Evidence of Indebtedness .

 

(a)                                  Promise to Repay .  The Borrower and each Qualified Borrower hereby promise to pay when due the principal amount of each Loan which is made to it, and further agree to pay all unpaid interest accrued thereon, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Notes.  Unless a Lender elects not to receive any such promissory note, the Borrower and/or any Qualified Borrower shall execute and deliver to each Lender on the Closing Date (or in the case of any Qualified Borrower, at such time as it becomes a Qualified Borrower hereunder), a promissory note, in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent and such Lender, evidencing the Loans and thereafter shall execute and deliver such other promissory notes as are necessary to evidence the Loans owing to the Lenders after giving effect to any assignment thereof pursuant to Section 14.1 or any increase in such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitments or Term Commitments pursuant to Section 2.1(e) , all in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent, the applicable Lenders and the parties to such assignment (all such promissory notes and all amendments thereto, replacements thereof and substitutions therefor being collectively referred to as the “ Notes ”; and “ Note ” means any one of the Notes).

 

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(b)                                  Loan Account .  Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts (a “ Loan Account ”) evidencing the Indebtedness of the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan owing to such Lender from time to time, including the amount of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder and under the Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure by any Lender to maintain a Loan Account shall in no way affect the Borrower’s or the applicable Qualified Borrower’s obligations hereunder, including, without limitation, the obligation to repay the Obligations.

 

(c)                                   Control Account .  The Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 14.1(c)  shall include a control account, and a subsidiary account for each Lender, in which accounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the date and amount of each Borrowing made hereunder, the type of Loan comprising such Borrowing and any Eurodollar Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the effective date and amount of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to and accepted by it and the parties thereto, (iii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder or under the Notes and (iv) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower hereunder and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

(d)                                  Entries Binding .  The entries made in the Register and each Loan Account shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

(e)                                   No Recourse to Limited Partners or General Partner .  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, it is expressly understood and agreed that nothing herein or in the Notes shall be construed as creating any liability on any Limited Partner, any General Partner, or any partner, member, manager, officer, shareholder or director of any Limited Partner or any General Partner, to pay any of the Obligations other than liability arising from or in connection with (i) fraud or (ii) the misappropriation or misapplication of proceeds of the Loans (in which case such liability shall extend to the Person(s) committing such fraud, misappropriation or misapplication, but not to any other Person described above); but nothing contained in this Section 4.3(e ) shall be construed to prevent the exercise of any remedy allowed to the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Co-Agents or the Lenders by law or by the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents which does not relate to or result in such an obligation by any Limited Partner or any General Partner (or any partner, member, manager, officer, shareholder or director of any Limited Partner or any General Partner) to pay money.

 

ARTICLE V

 

INTEREST AND FEES

 

5.1                                Interest on the Loans and other Obligations .

 

(a)                                  Rate of Interest .  All Loans and the outstanding principal balance of all other Obligations shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof from the date such Loans are made and such other Obligations are due and payable until paid in full, except as otherwise provided in Section 5.1(d) , as follows:

 

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(i)                                      If a Base Rate Loan or such other Obligation, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (A) the Base Rate, as in effect from time to time as interest accrues, plus (B) the then Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans;

 

(ii)                                   If a Eurodollar Rate Loan, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (A) the Eurodollar Rate determined for the applicable Eurodollar Interest Period, plus (B) the then Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans;

 

(iii)                                If a Eurodollar Money Market Loan, at a rate per annum equal to either (A) the sum of (1) the Eurodollar Rate determined for the applicable Eurodollar Interest Period (determined as if the related Money Market Borrowing were a Committed Eurodollar Rate Borrowing) plus (or minus) (2) the Money Market Margin quoted by the Lender making such Money Market Loan in accordance with Section 2.2 or (B) the Money Market Rate, as applicable; and

 

(iv)                               If a Swingline Loan, as provided in Section 2.9(c) .

 

The applicable basis for determining the rate of interest on the Loans shall be selected by the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower at the time a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation is delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent; provided , however , neither the Borrower nor any Qualified Borrower may select the Eurodollar Rate as the applicable basis for determining the rate of interest on such a Loan if at the time of such selection an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default would occur or has occurred and is continuing and further provided that , from and after the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default, each Eurodollar Rate Loan then outstanding may, at the Administrative Agent’s option, convert to a Base Rate Loan.  If on any day any Loan is outstanding with respect to which notice has not been timely delivered to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement specifying the basis for determining the rate of interest on that day, then for that day interest on that Loan shall be determined by reference to the Base Rate.

 

(b)                                  Interest Payments .  (i)  Interest accrued on each Committed Loan shall be calculated on the last day of each calendar month and shall be payable in arrears (A) on the first day of each calendar month, commencing on the first such day following the making of such Committed Loan, and (B) if not theretofore paid in full, on the maturity date (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of such Committed Loan.

 

(ii)                                   Interest accrued on each Money Market Loan shall be calculated on the last day of each calendar month during the Interest Period applicable thereto (or, if such Interest Period is for a period one month or less, on the last day of such Interest Period) and shall be payable in arrears (A) if such Money Market Loan has an Interest Period longer than one month (1) on the first day of each calendar month, commencing on the first such day following the making of such Money Market Loan, and (2) if not theretofore paid in full, at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of such Money Market Loan; and (B) if such Money Market Loan has an Interest Period of one month or less, at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of such Money Market Loan.

 

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(iii)                                Interest accrued on the principal balance of all other Obligations shall be calculated on the last day of each calendar month and shall be payable in arrears (A) on the first day of each calendar month, commencing on the first such day following the incurrence of such Obligation, (B) upon repayment thereof in full or in part, and (C) if not theretofore paid in full, at the time such other Obligation becomes due and payable (whether by acceleration or otherwise).

 

(c)                                   Conversion or Continuation .  (i)  The Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall have the option (A) to convert at any time all or any part of outstanding Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans; (B) to convert all or any part of outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans having Eurodollar Interest Periods which expire on the same date to Base Rate Loans, on such expiration date; and (C) to continue all or any part of outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans having Eurodollar Interest Periods which expire on the same date as Eurodollar Rate Loans, and the succeeding Eurodollar Interest Period of such continued Loans shall commence on such expiration date; provided , however , no such outstanding Loan may be continued as, or be converted into, a Eurodollar Rate Loan (i) if the continuation of, or the conversion into, would violate any of the provisions of Section 5.2 or (ii) if an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default would occur or has occurred and is continuing.  Any conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans under this Section 5.1(c)  shall be in a minimum amount of $1,000,000 and in integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount, except in the case of a conversion into or a continuation of an entire Borrowing of Non Pro Rata Loans.

 

(ii)                                   To convert or continue a Loan under Section 5.1(c)(i) , the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall deliver a Notice of Conversion/Continuation to the Administrative Agent no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York time) at least three (3) Business Days (in the case of a Dollar denominated Loan), or four (4) Business Days (in the case of an Alternative Currency Loan) in advance of the proposed conversion/continuation date.  A Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall specify (A) the proposed conversion/continuation date (which shall be a Business Day), (B) the principal amount of the Loan to be converted/continued, (C) whether such Loan shall be converted and/or continued, and (D) in the case of a conversion to, or continuation of, a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the requested Eurodollar Interest Period.  In lieu of delivering a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower may give the Administrative Agent telephonic notice of any proposed conversion/continuation by the time required under this Section 5.1(c)(ii) , if the Borrower confirms such notice by delivery of the Notice of Conversion/Continuation to the Administrative Agent by facsimile transmission promptly, but in no event later than 3:00 p.m. (New York time) on the same day.  Promptly after receipt of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation under this Section 5.1(c)(ii)  (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof), the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender by facsimile transmission, or other similar form of transmission, of the proposed conversion/continuation.  Any Notice of Conversion/Continuation for conversion to, or continuation of, a Loan (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof) given pursuant to this Section 5.1(c)(ii)  shall be irrevocable, and the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall be bound to convert or continue in accordance therewith.  In the event no Notice of Conversion/Continuation is delivered as and when specified in this Section 5.1(c)(ii)  with respect to outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans, upon the expiration of the Interest Period applicable thereto, such Loans

 

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shall automatically be continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans with a Eurodollar Interest Period of one month; provided , however , no such outstanding Loan may be continued as, or be converted into, a Eurodollar Rate Loan (i) if the continuation of, or the conversion into, would violate any of the provisions of Section 5.2 or (ii) if an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default would occur or has occurred and is continuing.

 

(d)                                  Default Interest .  Notwithstanding the rates of interest specified in Section 5.1(a)  or elsewhere in this Agreement, effective immediately upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and for as long thereafter as such Event of Default shall be continuing, the principal balance of all Loans and other Obligations shall bear interest at a rate equal to the sum of (A) the Base Rate, as in effect from time to time as interest accrues, plus (B) two percent (2.0%) per annum.

 

(e)                                   Computation of Interest .  Interest on all Obligations shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which interest accrues and a year of 360 days (or 365/366 days in the case of interest computed by reference to clause (i) of the Base Rate or the CDOR Rate).  In computing interest on any Loan, the date of the making of the Loan or the first day of a Eurodollar Interest Period, as the case may be, shall be included and the date of payment or the expiration date of a Eurodollar Interest Period, as the case may be, shall be excluded; provided , however , if a Loan is repaid on the same day on which it is made, one (1) day’s interest shall be paid on such Loan.

 

(f)                                    Eurodollar Rate Information .  Upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower from time to time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly provide to the Borrower such information with respect to the applicable Eurodollar Rate as may be so requested.

 

5.2                                Special Provisions Governing Eurodollar Rate Loans and Money Market Loans .

 

(a)                                  Amount of Eurodollar Rate Loans .  Each Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be in a minimum principal amount of $1,500,000 or, in the case of an Alternative Currency Loan, the Dollar Equivalent Amount equal to $1,500,000.

 

(b)                                  Determination of Eurodollar Interest Period .  By giving notice as set forth in Section 2.1(b)  (with respect to a Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans), Section 2.2 (with respect to a Borrowing of Money Market Loans), or Section 5.1(c)  (with respect to a conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans), the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall have the option, subject to the other provisions of this Section 5.2 , to select an interest period (each, an “ Interest Period ”) to apply to the Loans described in such notice, subject to the following provisions:

 

(i)                                      Subject to availability, the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower may only select, as to a particular Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans, an Interest Period (each, a “ Eurodollar Interest Period ”) of one, two, three or six months in duration (or, with the prior written consent of the Administrative agent and if available to all Lenders, twelve months) or for a period of 7 days (provided, however, that in no event

 

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shall there be more than three (3) Eurodollar Interest Periods of 7 days outstanding at any time);

 

(ii)                                   The Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower may only select, as to a particular Borrowing of Eurodollar Money Market Loans, a Eurodollar Interest Period of one, two, or three months in duration;

 

(iii)                                In the case of immediately successive Eurodollar Interest Periods applicable to a Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans, each successive Eurodollar Interest Period shall commence on the day on which the next preceding Eurodollar Interest Period expires;

 

(iv)                               If any Eurodollar Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day which is not a Business Day, such Eurodollar Interest Period shall be extended to expire on the next succeeding Business Day if the next succeeding Business Day occurs in the same calendar month, and if there will be no succeeding Business Day in such calendar month, the Eurodollar Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Business Day;

 

(v)                                  Neither the Borrower nor the applicable Qualified Borrower may select an Interest Period as to any Loan if such Interest Period terminates later than the Revolving Credit Termination Date;

 

(vi)                               Neither the Borrower nor the applicable Qualified Borrower may select an Interest Period with respect to any portion of principal of a Loan which extends beyond a date on which the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower is required to make a scheduled payment of such portion of principal; and

 

(vii)                            There shall be no more than eight (8) Interest Periods in effect at any one time with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans.

 

(c)                                   Determination of Eurodollar Interest Rate .  As soon as practicable on the second Business Day prior to the first day of each Eurodollar Interest Period (the “ Eurodollar Interest Rate Determination Date ”), the Administrative Agent shall determine (pursuant to the procedures set forth in the definition of “ Eurodollar Rate ”) the interest rate which shall apply to the Eurodollar Rate Loans or Eurodollar Money Market Loans for which an interest rate is then being determined for the applicable Eurodollar Interest Period and shall promptly give notice thereof (in writing or by telephone confirmed in writing) to the Borrower, the applicable Qualified Borrower(s) and to each Lender.  The Administrative Agent’s determination shall be presumed to be correct, absent manifest error, and shall be binding upon the Borrower, the applicable Qualified Borrower and each Lender.

 

(d)                                  Market Disruption and Alternate Rate of Interest .  (i)  If at the time that the Administrative Agent shall seek to determine the relevant Screen Rate on the Quotation Day for any Interest Period for a Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans the applicable Screen Rate shall not be available for such Interest Period and/or for the applicable currency with respect to such Borrowing for any reason, then the applicable Reference Bank Rate shall be the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period for such Borrowing; provided,  however,  that if less than two

 

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Reference Banks shall supply a rate to the Administrative Agent for purposes of determining the Eurodollar Rate for such Borrowing, (i) if such Borrowing shall be requested in Dollars, then such Borrowing shall be made as a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans at the Base Rate and (ii) if such Borrowing shall be requested in any Alternative Currency, the Eurodollar Rate shall be equal to the cost to each Lender to fund its pro rata share of such Borrowing (from whatever source and using whatever methodologies as such Lender may select in its reasonable discretion; such rate, the “ CF Rate ”).

 

(ii)                                   If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans:

 

(A)                                the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Base Eurocurrency Rate or the Eurodollar Rate, as applicable, for a Loan in the applicable currency or for the applicable Interest Period; or

 

(B)                                the Administrative Agent is advised by the Requisite Lenders (or, in the case of a Eurodollar Money Market Loan, the Lender that is required to make such Loan) that the Base Eurocurrency Rate or the Eurodollar Rate, as applicable, for a Loan in the applicable currency or for the applicable Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period,

 

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone promptly followed in writing or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (1) any Notice of Conversion/Continuation that requests the conversion of any Eurodollar Rate Loans to, or continuation of any Eurodollar Rate Loans in the applicable currency or for the applicable Interest Period, as the case may be, shall be ineffective, (2)  if such Borrowing is requested in Dollars, such Borrowing shall be made as a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans and (3) if such Borrowing is requested  in any Alternative Currency, then the Eurodollar Rate for such Borrowing shall be at the CF Rate (as defined in clause (i) above); provided , further that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice do not affect all the Lenders, then requests by the Borrower for Eurodollar Money Market Loan may be made to Lenders that are not affected thereby.

 

(e)                                   Illegality .  (i)  If at any time any Lender determines (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties) that the making, converting, maintaining or continuation of any Eurodollar Rate Loan or Money Market Loan has become unlawful or impermissible by compliance by that Lender with any law, governmental rule, regulation or order of any Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law and whether or not failure to comply therewith would be unlawful or would result in costs or penalties), then, and in any such event, such Lender may give notice of that determination, in writing, to the Borrower, the applicable Qualified Borrower and the

 

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Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit the notice to each other Lender.

 

(ii)                                   When notice is given by a Lender under Section 5.2(e)(i) , (A) the Borrower’s or the applicable Qualified Borrower’s right to request from such Lender and such Lender’s obligation, if any, to make Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be immediately suspended, and such Lender shall make a Base Rate Loan as part of any requested Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans and (B) if the affected Eurodollar Rate Loans, or Eurodollar Money Market Loans are then outstanding, the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower shall immediately, or if permitted by applicable law, no later than the date permitted thereby, upon at least one (1) Business Day’s prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and the affected Lender, convert each such Loan into a Base Rate Loan.

 

(iii)                                If at any time after a Lender gives notice under Section 5.2(e)(i)  such Lender determines that it may lawfully make Eurodollar Rate Loans, such Lender shall promptly give notice of that determination, in writing, to the Borrower, the applicable Qualified Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit the notice to each other Lender.  The Borrower’s and such Qualified Borrower’s right to request, and such Lender’s obligation, if any, to make Eurodollar Rate Loans shall thereupon be restored.

 

(iv)                               A Lender may at its option may make any Loan or issue or extend any Letter of Credit (a “ Credit Extension ”) to the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender (any “ Lending Office ”) to make such Credit Extension; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower to repay such Credit Extension in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, if the Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for the Lender or its applicable Lending Office to issue, make, maintain, fund or charge interest with respect to any Credit Extension to any Foreign Qualified Borrower then, on notice thereof by the Lender to the Borrower, and until such notice by the Lender is revoked, any obligation of the Lender or its Lending Office to issue, make, maintain, fund or charge interest with respect to any such Credit Extension shall be suspended.  Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall take all reasonable actions requested by the Lender to mitigate or avoid such illegality.

 

(f)                                    Compensation .  In addition to all amounts required to be paid by the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower pursuant to Section 5.1 and Article XIII , the Borrower and the applicable Qualified Borrower shall compensate each Lender, upon demand, for all losses, expenses to third parties and liabilities (including, without limitation, any loss or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender to fund or maintain such Lender’s Eurodollar Rate Loans and/or Money Market Loans to the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower but excluding any loss of Applicable Margin on the relevant Loans, any losses or expenses incurred as the result of such Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction) and any administrative fees incurred in effecting such liquidation

 

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or reemployment) which that Lender may sustain (i) if for any reason a Borrowing, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans and/or Eurodollar Money Market Loans does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation given by the Borrower or any applicable Qualified Borrower or in a telephonic request by it for borrowing or conversion/ continuation or a successive Eurodollar Interest Period does not commence after notice therefor is given pursuant to Section 5.1(c) , including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 5.2(d) , (ii) if for any reason any Eurodollar Rate Loan or Money Market Loan is prepaid on a date which is not the last day of the applicable Interest Period (including pursuant to Section 13.4 ), (iii) as a consequence of a required conversion of a Eurodollar Rate Loan or Money Market Loan to a Base Rate Loan as a result of any of the events indicated in Section 5.2(d) , or (iv) as a consequence of any failure by the Borrower or any applicable Qualified Borrower to repay a Eurodollar Rate Loan or Money Market Loan when required by the terms of this Agreement.  The Lender making demand for such compensation shall deliver to the Borrower concurrently with such demand a written statement in reasonable detail as to such losses, expenses and liabilities, and this statement shall be conclusive as to the amount of compensation due to that Lender, absent manifest error.

 

(g)                                   Booking of Eurodollar Rate Loans and Money Market Loans .  Any Lender may make, carry or transfer Eurodollar Rate Loans and Money Market Loans at, to, or for the account of, its Eurodollar Lending Office or Eurodollar Affiliate or its other offices or Affiliates.  No Lender shall be entitled, however, to receive any greater amount under Sections 4.2 or 5.2(f)  or Article XIII as a result of the transfer of any such Eurodollar Rate Loan or Money Market Loan to any office (other than such Eurodollar Lending Office) or any Affiliate (other than such Eurodollar Affiliate) than such Lender would have been entitled to receive immediately prior thereto, unless (i) the transfer occurred at a time when circumstances giving rise to the claim for such greater amount did not exist and (ii) such claim would have arisen even if such transfer had not occurred.

 

(h)                                  Affiliates Not Obligated .  No Eurodollar Affiliate or other Affiliate of any Lender shall be deemed a party to this Agreement or shall have any liability or obligation under this Agreement.

 

(i)                                      Adjusted Eurodollar Rate .  Any failure by any Lender to take into account the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage when calculating interest due on Eurodollar Rate Loans or Money Market Loans shall not constitute, whether by course of dealing or otherwise, a waiver by such Lender of its right to collect such amount for any future period.

 

5.3                                Fees .

 

(a)                                  Facility Fee .  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders based on their respective Pro Rata Shares for the Revolving Credit Facility, a fee (the “ Facility Fee ”), accruing at a per annum rate equal to the then applicable Facility Fee Percentage on the Maximum Revolving Credit Amount and commencing on the Initial Funding Date, such fee being payable quarterly, in arrears, commencing on the first day of the fiscal quarter next succeeding the Initial Funding Date and on the first day of each fiscal quarter thereafter and on the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

 

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(b)                                  Ticking Fee .  If any Term Commitments remain undrawn and uncanceled on the date that is 90 days after the Closing Date (after giving effect to (i) any Term Loans borrowed on or before such date and (ii) any Term Commitment reductions on or before such date pursuant to Section 4.1(b) ), then the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Term Lender (in accordance with its applicable Pro Rata Share for the Term Facility, a fee (the “ Ticking Fee ”) which shall accrue and be payable for the period beginning on the date that is 91 days after the Closing Date (the “ Ticking Fee Commencement Date ”), and continuing through the last day of the Term Commitment Period , at a daily per annum rate equal to the then applicable Facility Fee Percentage on the daily amount of unused and uncanceled Term Commitments.  All Ticking Fees shall be fully earned when paid and nonrefundable under any circumstances.  Accrued Ticking Fees shall be payable in arrears on the first day of each calendar quarter (for the preceding quarter) and on the last day of the Term Commitment Period, commencing on the first day of the calendar quarter after the Ticking Fee Commencement Date.

 

(c)                                   Calculation and Payment of Fees .  All fees shall be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a 360-day year.  All fees shall be payable in addition to, and not in lieu of, interest, compensation, expense reimbursements, indemnification and other Obligations.  Fees shall be payable to the Administrative Agent at its office in New York, New York in immediately available funds.  All fees shall be fully earned and nonrefundable when paid.  All fees due to any Arranger or any other Lender, including, without limitation, those referred to in this Section 5.3 , shall bear interest, if not paid when due, at the interest rate specified in Section 5.1(d)  and shall constitute Obligations.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

CONDITIONS TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

 

6.1                                Conditions Precedent to the Initial Loans and Letters of Credit .  The obligation of each Lender on the Initial Funding Date to make any Loan requested to be made by it, and to issue Letters of Credit, shall be subject to the satisfaction of all of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                                  Documents .  The Administrative Agent shall have received on or before the Closing Date all of the following:

 

(i)                                      this Agreement, the Notes, and, to the extent not otherwise specifically referenced in this Section 6.1(a) , all other Loan Documents and agreements, documents and instruments described in the List of Closing Documents attached hereto as Exhibit E and made a part hereof, each duly executed and in recordable form, where appropriate, and in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; without limiting the foregoing, the Borrower hereby directs its legal counsel to prepare and deliver to the Agents and the Lenders, the legal opinions referred to in such List of Closing Documents; and

 

(ii)                                   such additional documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

 

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(b)                                  No Legal Impediments .  No law, regulation, order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority shall be, and the Administrative Agent shall not have received any notice that litigation is pending or threatened which is likely to enjoin, prohibit or restrain the making of the Loans and/or the issuance of Letters of Credit on the Initial Funding Date.

 

(c)                                   Interim Liabilities and Equity .  Except as disclosed to the Arrangers and the Lenders or in the Registration Statement, since December 31, 2013, neither the Borrower nor the Company shall have (i) entered into any material (as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent) commitment or transaction, including, without limitation, transactions for borrowings and capital expenditures, which are not in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business, (ii) declared or paid any dividends or other distributions other than in the ordinary course of business, (iii) established compensation or employee benefit plans, or (iv) redeemed or issued any equity Securities.

 

(d)                                  No Default .  No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the making of the Loans or the issuance of any Letter of Credit.

 

(e)                                   Representations and Warranties .  All of the representations and warranties contained in Section 7.1 and in any of the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Initial Funding Date.

 

(f)                                    Fees and Expenses Paid .  There shall have been paid to the Administrative Agent, for the accounts of the Agents and the other Lenders, as applicable, all fees due and payable on or before the Closing Date and all expenses due and payable on or before the Initial Funding Date, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Loan Documents.

 

(g)                                   Contribution or Transfer of Assets .  The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) satisfactory evidence that the assets and liabilities of all of the SPG Businesses described in the Registration Statement, other than strip centers and malls having an aggregate Capitalization Value of less than 10% of the Capitalization Value of all of the SPG Businesses described in the Registration Statement, which may be transferred after the Initial Funding Date (the “Delayed Transfer Assets”), shall have been contributed or transferred to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries by SPG and its Subsidiaries and (ii) an Officer’s Certificate of the Borrower certifying as to pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 10.1 and Section 10.12 after giving effect to such contribution or transfer (other than any Delayed Transfer Assets) and the Loans to be made on the Initial Funding Date.

 

6.2                                Conditions Precedent to All Subsequent Loans and Letters of Credit .  The obligation of each Lender to make any Loan requested to be made by it on any date after the Initial Funding Date and the agreement of each Lender to issue, increase or extend any Letter of Credit or participate therein on any date after the Initial Funding Date is subject to the following conditions precedent as of each such date:

 

(a)                                  Representations and Warranties .  As of such date, both before and after giving effect to the Loans to be made or the Letter of Credit to be issued, increased or extended

 

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on such date, all of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Section 7.1 and in any other Loan Document (other than representations and warranties which expressly speak as of a different date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct as of such date) shall be true and correct in all material respects.

 

(b)                                  No Defaults .  No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the making of the requested Loan or issuance or extension of the requested Letter of Credit.

 

(c)                                   No Legal Impediments .  No law, regulation, order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority shall, and the Administrative Agent shall not have received from such Lender notice that, in the judgment of such Lender, litigation is pending or threatened which is likely to, enjoin, prohibit or restrain, or impose or result in the imposition of any material adverse condition upon, such Lender’s making of the requested Loan or participation in or issuance, increase or extension of the requested Letter of Credit.

 

(d)                                  Qualified Borrower .  In the event that such Loan is to be made to, or such Letter of Credit is to be issued or extended for the account of, a Qualified Borrower, receipt by the Administrative Agent of a Note by such Qualified Borrower for the account of each Lender, if not previously delivered, satisfying the requirements of Section 4.3 , together with the Qualified Borrower Guaranty and all other items that would have been required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 2.10 and 6.1 with respect to such Qualified Borrower.

 

Each submission by the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Borrowing with respect to a Loan or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation with respect to any Loan, each acceptance by the Borrower or a Qualified Borrower of the proceeds of each Loan made, converted or continued hereunder, each submission by the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower to a Lender of a request for issuance or extension of a Letter of Credit and the issuance of such Letter of Credit, shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower as of the Funding Date in respect of such Loan, the date of conversion or continuation and the date of issuance or extension of such Letter of Credit, that all the conditions contained in this Section 6.2 have been satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 14.7 .

 

ARTICLE VII

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

7.1                                Representations and Warranties of the Borrower .  In order to induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans and the other financial accommodations to the Borrower and to issue the Letters of Credit described herein, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants to each Lender that the following statements are true, correct and complete:

 

(a)                                  Organization; Powers .  (i)  The Borrower (A) is a limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Indiana, (B) is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which failure to be so qualified and in good standing will have or is reasonably likely to have a Material

 

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Adverse Effect, (C) has filed and maintained effective (unless exempt from the requirements for filing) a current Business Activity Report with the appropriate Governmental Authority in each state in which failure to do so would have a Material Adverse Effect, (D) has all requisite power and authority to own, operate and encumber its Property and to conduct its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted in connection with and following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (E) is a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

 

(ii)                                   The Company (A) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Indiana, (B) is duly authorized and qualified to do business and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which failure to be so qualified and in good standing will have or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (C) has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, operate and encumber its Property and to conduct its business as presently conducted.

 

(iii)                                Each Qualified Borrower and General Partner in existence as of the date hereof is (or shall be at such time as it becomes a Qualified Borrower or General Partner) a duly formed and validly existing legal entity under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation and has all powers and all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to own its property and assets and carry on its business as now conducted or as it presently proposes to conduct and has been duly qualified and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the failure to be so qualified and/or in good standing is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(iv)                               True, correct and complete copies of the Organizational Documents identified on Schedule 7.1-A have been delivered to the Administrative Agent, each of which is in full force and effect, has not been modified or amended except to the extent set forth indicated therein and, to the best of the Borrower’s knowledge, there are no defaults under such Organizational Documents and no events which, with the passage of time or giving of notice or both, would constitute a default under such Organizational Documents.

 

(v)                                  Neither the Borrower nor the Company is a “foreign person” within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

(b)                                  Authority .  (i)  The General Partner has the requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement on behalf of the Borrower and each of the other Loan Documents which are required to be executed on behalf of the Borrower as required by this Agreement.  The General Partner is the Person who has executed this Agreement and such other Loan Documents on behalf of the Borrower and is the sole general partner of the Borrower. Each Qualified Borrower has the requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents which are required to be executed by it as required by this Agreement.

 

(ii)                                   The execution, delivery and performance of each of the Loan Documents which must be executed in connection with this Agreement by the Borrower

 

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and each Qualified Borrower and to which the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby are within the Borrower’s partnership powers or such Qualified Borrower’s partnership or corporate powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary partnership or other applicable action (and, in the case of the General Partner acting on behalf of the Borrower in connection therewith, all necessary corporate action of such General Partner) and such authorization has not been rescinded.  No other partnership or corporate action or proceedings on the part of the Borrower or any General Partner or any Qualified Borrower is necessary to consummate such transactions.

 

(iii)                                Each of the Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Borrower and constitutes the Borrower’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforcement thereof or the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting creditors rights generally or by general principles of equity, or by the discretion of any court in awarding equitable remedies, regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding of equity or at law, is in full force and effect and all the terms, provisions, agreements and conditions set forth therein and required to be performed or complied with by the Company, the Borrower and the Borrower’s Subsidiaries on or before the Initial Funding Date have been performed or complied with, and no Potential Event of Default, Event of Default or breach of any covenant by any of the Company, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower exists thereunder.

 

(iv)                               Each of the Loan Documents to which any Qualified Borrower is a party has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Qualified Borrower and constitutes such Qualified Borrower’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against such Qualified Borrower in accordance with its terms, is in full force and effect and all the terms, provisions, agreements and conditions set forth therein and required to be performed or complied with by such Qualified Borrower have been performed or complied with, and no Potential Event of Default, Event of Default or breach of any covenant by any of such Qualified Borrower exists thereunder.

 

(c)                                   Subsidiaries; Ownership of Capital Stock and Partnership Interests .  (i)  Schedule 7.1-C (A) contains a chart, together with lists, indicating the corporate structure of the Company, the Borrower, and any other Person in which the Company or the Borrower holds a direct or indirect partnership, joint venture or other equity interest indicating the nature of such interest with respect to each Person included in such diagram; and (B) accurately sets forth (1) the correct legal name of such Person, the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and the jurisdictions in which it is qualified to transact business as a foreign corporation, or otherwise, and (2) the authorized, issued and outstanding shares or interests of each class of Securities of the Company, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries of the Borrower and the owners of such shares or interests (provided, however, that the shareholders of the Company and the limited partners of the Borrower are not listed thereon).  None of such issued and outstanding Securities is subject to any vesting, redemption, or repurchase agreement, and there are no warrants or options (other

 

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than Permitted Securities Options) outstanding with respect to such Securities, except as noted on Schedule 7.1-C .  The outstanding Capital Stock of the Company is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and the outstanding Securities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are duly authorized and validly issued.  Attached hereto as part of Schedule 7.1-C is a true, accurate and complete copy of the Borrower Partnership Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date and such Partnership Agreement has not been amended, supplemented, replaced, restated or otherwise modified in any respect since the Closing Date.

 

(ii)                                   Except where failure may not have a Material Adverse Effect, each Subsidiary: (A) is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership, as indicated on Schedule 7.1-C , duly organized, validly existing and, if applicable, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (B) is duly qualified to do business and, if applicable, is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which failure to be so qualified and in good standing would limit its ability to use the courts of such jurisdiction to enforce Contractual Obligations to which it is a party, and (C) has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its Property and to conduct its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted hereafter.

 

(d)                                  No Conflict .  The execution, delivery and performance of each of the Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower is a party do not and will not (i) conflict with the Organizational Documents of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower, (ii) constitute a tortious interference with any Contractual Obligation of any Person or conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation of the Borrower, the General Partner, any Limited Partner, any Subsidiary of the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, or any general or limited partner of any Subsidiary of the Borrower, or require termination of any such Contractual Obligation which may subject the Administrative Agent or any of the other Lenders to any liability, (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien whatsoever upon any of the Property or assets of the Borrower, the General Partner, any Limited Partner, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower, or any general partner or limited partner of any Subsidiary of the Borrower, or (iv) require any approval of shareholders of the Company or any general partner (or equity holder of any general partner) of any Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

(e)                                   Governmental Consents .  The execution, delivery and performance of each of the Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower is a party do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to, or other action to, with or by any Governmental Authority, except filings, consents or notices which have been made, obtained or given.

 

(f)                                    Governmental Regulation .  Neither the Borrower nor any General Partner nor any Qualified Borrower is subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act, the Interstate Commerce Act, or the Investment Company Act of 1940, or any other federal or state statute or regulation which limits its ability to incur indebtedness or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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(g)                                   Financial Position .  Complete and accurate copies of the following financial statements and materials have been delivered to the Administrative Agent:  (i) audited combined financial statements of the SPG Businesses for the calendar year ended December 31, 2013; and (ii) unaudited pro forma combined financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the calendar year ended December 31, 2013.  All financial statements included in such materials were prepared in all material respects in conformity with GAAP, except as otherwise noted therein, and fairly present in all material respects on a pro forma basis the respective consolidated financial positions, and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows (except that the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the calendar year ended December 31, 2013 do not include a statement of cash flows) for each of the periods covered thereby of the SPG Businesses and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, as at the respective dates thereof.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any Contingent Obligation, contingent liability or liability for any taxes, long-term leases or commitments, not reflected in its audited financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Closing Date or otherwise disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in writing, which will have or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(h)                                  Indebtedness Schedule 7.1-H sets forth, as of December 31, 2013, all Indebtedness for borrowed money of each of the Borrower, the General Partner and their respective Subsidiaries and, except as set forth on Schedule 7.1-H , there are no defaults in the payment of principal or interest on any such Indebtedness and no payments thereunder have been deferred or extended beyond their stated maturity and there has been no material change in the type or amount of such Indebtedness (except for the repayment of certain Indebtedness) since December 31, 2013, which, in the case of Non-Recourse Indebtedness only, will have or is reasonably likely to have, in any of such cases, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(i)                                      Litigation; Adverse Effects .  Except as set forth in Schedule 7.1-I , as of the Closing Date, there is no action, suit, proceeding, Claim, investigation or arbitration before or by any Governmental Authority or private arbitrator pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against the Company, the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or any Property of any of them (i) challenging the validity or the enforceability of any of the Loan Documents, (ii) which will or is reasonably likely to result in a loss in excess of $30,000,000, or (iii) under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act or any similar federal or state statute where such Person is a defendant in a criminal indictment that provides for the forfeiture of assets to any Governmental Authority as a potential criminal penalty.  There is no material loss contingency within the meaning of GAAP which has not been reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the Borrower.  None of the Company, any General Partner, the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower is (A) in violation of any applicable Requirements of Law which violation will have or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (B) subject to or in default with respect to any final judgment, writ, injunction, restraining order or order of any nature, decree, rule or regulation of any court or Governmental Authority which will have or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(j)                                     No Material Adverse Effect .  Since December 31, 2013, there has occurred no event which has had or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(k)                                  Tax Examinations .  The IRS has examined (or is foreclosed from examining by applicable statutes) the federal income tax returns of any of the Company’s, the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ predecessors in interest with respect to the Projects for all tax periods prior to and including the taxable year ending December 31, 2009 and the appropriate state Governmental Authority in each state in which the Company’s, the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ predecessors in interest with respect to the Projects were required to file state income tax returns has examined (or is foreclosed from examining by applicable statutes) the state income tax returns of any of such Persons with respect to the Projects for all tax periods prior to and including the taxable year ending December 31, 2009. All deficiencies which have been asserted against such Persons as a result of any federal, state, local or foreign tax examination for each taxable year in respect of which an examination has been conducted have been fully paid or finally settled or are being contested in good faith, and no issue has been raised in any such examination which, by application of similar principles, reasonably can be expected to result in assertion of a material deficiency for any other year not so examined which has not been reserved for in the financial statements of such Persons to the extent, if any, required by GAAP.  No such Person has taken any reporting positions for which it does not have a reasonable basis nor anticipates any further material tax liability with respect to the years which have not been closed pursuant to applicable law.

 

(l)                                      Payment of Taxes .  All tax returns, reports and similar statements or filings of each of the Persons described in Section 7.1(k) , the Company, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and any Qualified Borrower required to be filed have been timely filed, and, except for Customary Permitted Liens, all taxes, assessments, fees and other charges of Governmental Authorities thereupon and upon or relating to their respective Properties, assets, receipts, sales, use, payroll, employment, income, licenses and franchises which are shown in such returns or reports to be due and payable have been paid, except to the extent (i) such taxes, assessments, fees and other charges of Governmental Authorities are being contested in good faith by an appropriate proceeding diligently pursued as permitted by the terms of Section 9.4 and (ii) such taxes, assessments, fees and other charges of Governmental Authorities pertain to Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and the non-payment of the amounts thereof would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.  All other taxes (including, without limitation, real estate taxes), assessments, fees and other governmental charges upon or relating to the respective Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which are due and payable have been paid, except for Customary Permitted Liens and except to the extent described in clauses (i) and (ii) hereinabove.  The Borrower has no knowledge of any proposed tax assessment against the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of the Projects that will have or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(m)                              Performance .  Neither the Company, the Borrower nor any of their Affiliates nor any Qualified Borrower has received any notice, citation or allegation, nor has actual knowledge, that (i) it is in default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions contained in any Contractual Obligation applicable to it, (ii) any of its Properties is in violation of any Requirements of Law or (iii) any condition exists which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute a default with respect to any such Contractual Obligation, in each case, except where such default or defaults, if any, will not have or is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(n)                                  Disclosure .  The representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in the Loan Documents, and all certificates and other documents delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms thereof, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading.  The Borrower has not intentionally withheld any fact from the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Co-Agents or the other Lenders in regard to any matter which will have or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Lenders acknowledge that the Borrower shall not have liability under this clause (n) with respect to its projections of future events.

 

(o)                                  Requirements of Law .  The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries and each Qualified Borrower is in compliance with all Requirements of Law applicable to it and its respective businesses and Properties, in each case where the failure to so comply individually or in the aggregate will have or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(p)                                  Environmental Matters .

 

(i)                                      Except as disclosed on Schedule 7.1-P and except where failure is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(A)                                the operations of the Borrower, each of its Subsidiaries, and each Qualified Borrower, and their respective Properties comply with all applicable Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law;

 

(B)                                the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries and each Qualified Borrower have obtained all material environmental, health and safety Permits necessary for their respective operations, and all such Permits are in good standing and the holder of each such Permit is currently in compliance with all terms and conditions of such Permits;

 

(C)                                none of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Qualified Borrower or any of their respective present or past Property or operations are subject to or are the subject of any investigation, judicial or administrative proceeding, order, judgment, decree, dispute, negotiations, agreement or settlement by any Governmental Authority respecting (I) any Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law, (II) any Remedial Action, (III) any Claims or Liabilities and Costs arising from the Release or threatened Release of a Contaminant into the environment, or (IV) any violation of or liability under any Environmental, Health or Safety Requirement of Law;

 

(D)                                none of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Qualified Borrower has filed any notice under any applicable Requirement of Law (I)  reporting a Release of a Contaminant; (II) indicating past or present treatment, storage or disposal of a hazardous waste, as that term is defined under 40 C.F.R. Part 261 or any state equivalent; or (III) reporting a violation of any applicable Environmental, Health or Safety Requirement of Law;

 

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(E)                                 none of the Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ or any Qualified Borrower’s present or past Property is listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List (“ NPL ”) pursuant to CERCLA or on the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Information System List (“ CERCLIS ”) or any similar state list of sites requiring Remedial Action;

 

(F)                                  neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any Qualified Borrower has sent or directly arranged for the transport of any waste to any site listed or proposed for listing on the NPL, CERCLIS or any similar state list;

 

(G)                                to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, there is not now, and to Borrower’s knowledge there has never been on or in any Project (I) any treatment, recycling, storage or disposal of any hazardous waste, as that term is defined under 40 C.F.R. Part 261 or any state equivalent; (II) any landfill, waste pile, or surface impoundment; (III) any underground storage tanks the presence or use of which is or, to Borrower’s knowledge, has been in violation of applicable Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law, (IV) any asbestos-containing material which such Person has any reason to believe could subject such Person or its Property to Liabilities and Costs arising out of or relating to environmental, health or safety matters that would result in a Material Adverse Effect; or (V) any polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) used in hydraulic oils, electrical transformers or other Equipment, in all cases,  which such Person has any reason to believe could subject such Person or its Property to Liabilities and Costs arising out of or relating to environmental, health or safety matters;

 

(H)                               neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any Qualified Borrower has received any notice or Claim to the effect that any of such Persons is or may be liable to any Person as a result of the Release or threatened Release of a Contaminant into the environment;

 

(I)                                    neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries or any Qualified Borrower has any contingent liability in connection with any Release or threatened Release of any Contaminants into the environment;

 

(J)                                    no Environmental Lien has attached to any Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower;

 

(K)                               no Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower is subject to any Environmental Property Transfer Act, or to the extent such acts are applicable to any such Property, the Borrower and/or such Subsidiary whose Property is subject thereto has fully complied with the requirements of such acts; and

 

(L)                                 neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any Qualified Borrower owns or operates, or, to Borrower’s knowledge has ever

 

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owned or operated, any underground storage tank, the presence or use of which is or has been in violation of applicable Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law, at any Project.

 

(ii)                                   the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries and each Qualified Borrower are conducting and will continue to conduct their respective businesses and operations and maintain each Project in compliance in all material respects with applicable Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law and no such Person has been, and no such Person has any reason to believe that it or any Project will be, subject to Liabilities and Costs arising out of or relating to environmental, health or safety matters that would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(q)                                  ERISA . Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or contributes to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan other than those listed on Schedule 7.1-Q hereto.  Each such Plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as currently in effect has been determined by the IRS to be so qualified, and each trust related to any such Plan has been determined to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as currently in effect.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 7.1-Q , neither the Borrower nor any of its ERISA Affiliates maintains or contributes to any employee welfare benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA which provides benefits to employees after termination of employment other than as required by Section 601 of ERISA.  The Borrower and each of its ERISA Affiliates is in compliance in all material respects with the responsibilities, obligations and duties imposed on it by ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to all Plans.  No Plan has incurred any accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in Sections 302(a)(2) of ERISA and 412(a) of the Internal Revenue Code) whether or not waived.  Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate nor any fiduciary of any Plan which is not a Multiemployer Plan (i) has engaged in a nonexempt prohibited transaction described in Sections 406 of ERISA or 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) has taken or failed to take any action which would constitute or result in a Termination Event.  Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is subject to any liability under Sections 4063, 4064, 4069, 4204 or 4212(c) of ERISA.  Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC which remains outstanding other than the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due which are unpaid.  Schedule B to the most recent annual report filed with the IRS with respect to each Plan and furnished to the Administrative Agent is complete and accurate in all material respects.  Since the date of each such Schedule B, there has been no material adverse change in the funding status or financial condition of the Plan relating to such Schedule B.  Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has (i) failed to make a required contribution or payment to a Multiemployer Plan or (ii) made a complete or partial withdrawal under Sections 4203 or 4205 of ERISA from a Multiemployer Plan.  Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has failed to make a required installment or any other required payment under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code on or before the due date for such installment or other payment.  Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is required to provide security to a Plan under Section 401(a)(29) of the Internal Revenue Code due to a Plan amendment that results in an increase in current liability for the plan year.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 7.1-Q , neither the Borrower nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has, by reason of the transactions contemplated hereby, any obligation to make any payment to any employee pursuant to any Plan or existing contract or arrangement.

 

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(r)                                     Securities Activities .  Neither the Borrower nor any Qualified Borrower is engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.

 

(s)                                    Solvency .  After giving effect to the Loans to be made on the Initial Funding Date or such other date as Loans requested hereunder are made, and the disbursement of the proceeds of such Loans pursuant to the Borrower’s or the applicable Qualified Borrower’s instructions, the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower, if any, is Solvent.

 

(t)                                     Insurance Schedule 7.1-T accurately sets forth as of the Closing Date all insurance policies and programs currently in effect with respect to the respective Property and assets and business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, specifying for each such policy and program, (i) the amount thereof, (ii) the risks insured against thereby, (iii) the name of the insurer and each insured party thereunder, (iv) the policy or other identification number thereof, and (v) the expiration date thereof. Such insurance policies and programs are currently in full force and effect, in compliance with the requirements of Section 9.5 hereof and, together with payment by the insured of scheduled deductible payments, are in amounts sufficient to cover the replacement value of the respective Property and assets of the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries.

 

(u)                                  REIT Status .  The Company qualifies as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code.

 

(v)                                  Ownership of Projects, Minority Holdings and Property .  Ownership of substantially all wholly-owned Projects, Minority Holdings and other Property of the Consolidated Businesses is held by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and is not held directly by the General Partner.

 

(w)                                Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions .  The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designated to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and employees, and to the knowledge of the Borrower, its directors and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects.  None of (a) Borrower, any Subsidiary, or to the knowledge of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of the Borrower, any agent of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person.  No Borrowing or Letter of Credit (directly or indirectly), use of proceeds or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement will violate Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable Sanctions.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

REPORTING COVENANTS

 

The Borrower covenants and agrees that so long as any Commitments or any Letters of Credit are outstanding and thereafter until payment in full of all of the Obligations

 

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(other than indemnities pursuant to Section 14.3 not yet due), unless the Requisite Lenders shall otherwise give prior written consent thereto:

 

8.1                                Borrower Accounting Practices .  The Borrower shall maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with sound business practices to permit preparation of consolidated and consolidating financial statements in conformity with GAAP as in effect from time to time, and each of the financial statements and reports described below shall be prepared from such system and records and in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

8.2                                Financial Reports . The Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent:

 

(a)                                  Quarterly Reports.

 

(i)                                      Borrower Quarterly Financial Reports . As soon as practicable, and in any event within (A) ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal quarter ending in 2014 beginning with the quarter ending June 30, 2014; and (B) fifty (50) days after the end of each fiscal quarter in each Fiscal Year thereafter (other than the last fiscal quarter in each Fiscal Year), a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flow of the Borrower (to be prepared and delivered quarterly in conjunction with the other reports delivered hereunder at the end of each fiscal quarter) for each such fiscal quarter, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and, in comparative form, the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year, certified by an Authorized Financial Officer of the Borrower as fairly presenting the consolidated and consolidating financial position of the Borrower as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flow for the months indicated in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal quarterly adjustments.

 

(ii)                                   Company Quarterly Financial Reports . As soon as practicable, and in any event within (A) ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal quarter ending in 2014; and (B) fifty (50) days after the end of each fiscal quarter in each Fiscal Year thereafter (other than the last fiscal quarter in each Fiscal Year), the Financial Statements of the Company, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on Form 10-Q as at the end of such period and a report setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding period of the previous Fiscal Year, certified by an Authorized Financial Officer of the Company as fairly presenting the consolidated and consolidating financial position of the Company, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the date indicated and the results of their operations and cash flow for the period indicated in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal adjustments.

 

(iii)                                Quarterly Compliance Certificates .  Together with each delivery of any quarterly report pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 8.2 , the Borrower shall deliver Officer’s Certificates, substantially in the form of Exhibit F attached hereto of the Borrower and the Company (the “ Quarterly Compliance Certificates ”), signed by the Borrower’s and the Company’s respective Authorized Financial Officers representing

 

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and certifying (1) that the Authorized Financial Officer signatory thereto has reviewed the terms of the Loan Documents, and has made, or caused to be made under his/her supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions and consolidated and consolidating financial condition of the Company, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, during the fiscal quarter covered by such reports, that such review has not disclosed the existence during or at the end of such fiscal quarter, and that such officer does not have knowledge of the existence as at the date of such Officer’s Certificate, of any condition or event which constitutes an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or mandatory prepayment event, or, if any such condition or event existed or exists, and specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the General Partner and/or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has taken, is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto, (2) the calculations (with such specificity as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request) for the period then ended which demonstrate compliance with the covenants and financial ratios set forth in Articles IX and X and, when applicable, that no Event of Default described in Section 11.1 exists, (3) a schedule of the Borrower’s outstanding Indebtedness, including the amount, maturity, interest rate and amortization requirements, as well as such other information regarding such Indebtedness as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, (4) a schedule of Combined EBITDA, (5) a schedule of Unencumbered Combined EBITDA, (6) a schedule of Mall EBITDA, (7) a schedule of Strip Center EBITDA, and (8) calculations, in the form of Exhibit G attached hereto, evidencing compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Article X hereof.

 

(b)                                  Annual Reports .

 

(i)                                      Borrower Financial Statements . As soon as practicable, and in any event within (A) one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of the 2014 Fiscal Year; and (B) ninety-five (95) days after the end of each Fiscal Year thereafter, (i) the Financial Statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year, (ii) a report with respect thereto of  Ernst & Young, LLP or other independent certified public accountants acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which report shall be without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception or a qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit and shall state that such financial statements fairly present the consolidated and consolidating financial position of each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flow for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years (except for changes with which  Ernst & Young, LLP or any such other independent certified public accountants, if applicable, shall concur and which shall have been disclosed in the notes to the financial statements), and (iii) in the event that the report referred to in clause (ii) above is qualified, a copy of the management letter or any similar report delivered to the General Partner or to any officer or employee thereof by such independent certified public accountants in connection with such financial statements (which letter or report shall be subject to the confidentiality limitations set forth herein).  The Administrative Agent and each Lender (through the Administrative Agent) may, with the consent of the Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), communicate directly with such accountants, with any such communication to occur together with a representative of the Borrower, at the expense of the Administrative

 

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Agent (or the Lender requesting such communication), upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times during normal business hours.

 

(ii)                                   Company Financial Statements . As soon as practicable, and in any event within (A) one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of the 2014 Fiscal Year; and (B) ninety-five (95) days after the end of each Fiscal Year thereafter, (i) the Financial Statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries on Form 10-K as at the end of such Fiscal Year and a report setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures from the consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the prior Fiscal Year; (ii) a report with respect thereto of Ernst & Young LLP or other independent certified public accountants acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which report shall be without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception or a qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit and shall state  that such financial statements fairly present the consolidated and consolidating financial position of each of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flow for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years (except for changes with which Ernst & Young LLP or any such other independent certified public accountants, if applicable, shall concur and which shall have been disclosed in the notes to the financial statements)(which report shall be subject to the confidentiality limitations set forth herein); and (iii) in the event that the report referred to in clause (ii) above is qualified, a copy of the management letter or any similar report delivered to the Company or to any officer or employee thereof by such independent certified public accountants in connection with such financial statements.  The Administrative Agent and each Lender (through the Administrative Agent) may, with the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), communicate directly with such accountants, with any such communication to occur together with a representative of the Company, at the expense of the Administrative Agent (or the Lender requesting such communication), upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times during normal business hours.

 

(iii)                                Annual Compliance Certificates .  Together with each delivery of any annual report pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 8.2(b) , the Borrower shall deliver Officer’s Certificates of the Borrower and the Company (the “ Annual Compliance Certificates ” and, collectively with the Quarterly Compliance Certificates, the “ Compliance Certificates ”), signed by the Borrower’s and the Company’s respective Authorized Financial Officers, representing and certifying that (1) the officer signatory thereto has reviewed the terms of the Loan Documents, and has made, or caused to be made under his/her supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions and consolidated and consolidating financial condition of the General Partner, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, during the accounting period covered by such reports, that such review has not disclosed the existence during or at the end of such accounting period, and that such officer does not have knowledge of the existence as at the date of such Officer’s Certificate, of any condition or event which constitutes an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or mandatory prepayment event, or, if any such condition or event existed or exists, and specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the General Partner and/or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has taken, is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto, (2) the calculations (with such

 

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specificity as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request) for the period then ended which demonstrate compliance with the covenants and financial ratios set forth in Articles IX and X and, when applicable, that no Event of Default described in Section 11.1 exists, (3) a schedule of the Borrower’s outstanding Indebtedness including the amount, maturity, interest rate and amortization requirements, as well as such other information regarding such Indebtedness as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, (4) a schedule of Combined EBITDA, (5) a schedule of Unencumbered Combined EBITDA, (6) a schedule of Mall EBITDA, (7) a schedule of Strip Center EBITDA, (8) calculations, in the form of Exhibit G attached hereto, evidencing compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Article X hereof, and (9) a schedule of the estimated taxable income of the Borrower for such fiscal year.

 

(iv)                               Tenant Bankruptcy Reports .  As soon as practicable, and in any event within (A) one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of the 2014 Fiscal Year; and (B) ninety-five (95) days after the end of each Fiscal Year thereafter, the Borrower shall deliver a written report, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of all bankruptcy proceedings filed by or against any tenant of any of the Projects, which tenant occupies 3% or more of the gross leasable area in the Projects in the aggregate.

 

8.3                                Events of Default .  Promptly upon the Borrower obtaining knowledge (a) of any condition or event which constitutes an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default, or becoming aware that any Lender or the Administrative Agent has given any notice to the Borrower with respect to a claimed Event of Default or Potential Event of Default under this Agreement; (b) that any Person has given any notice to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or taken any other action with respect to a claimed default or event or condition of the type referred to in Section 11.1(e) ; or (c) of any condition or event which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders an Officer’s Certificate specifying (i) the nature and period of existence of any such claimed default, Event of Default, Potential Event of Default, condition or event, (ii) the notice given or action taken by such Person in connection therewith, and (iii) what action the Borrower has taken, is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

8.4                                Lawsuits .  Promptly upon the Borrower’s obtaining knowledge of the institution of, or written threat of, any action, suit, proceeding, governmental investigation or arbitration against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries not previously disclosed pursuant to Section 7.1(i) , which action, suit, proceeding, governmental investigation or arbitration exposes, or in the case of multiple actions, suits, proceedings, governmental investigations or arbitrations arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances which expose, in the Borrower’s reasonable judgment, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to liability in an amount aggregating $15,000,000 or more and is not covered by Borrower’s insurance, the Borrower shall give written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and provide such other information as may be reasonably available to enable each Lender and the Administrative Agent and its counsel to evaluate such matters.

 

8.5                                ERISA Notices .  The Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent, at the Borrower’s expense, the following information and notices as soon as reasonably possible, and in any event:

 

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(a)                                  within fifteen (15) Business Days after the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know that an ERISA Termination Event has occurred, a written statement of the chief financial officer of the Borrower describing such ERISA Termination Event and the action, if any, which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, and when known, any action taken or threatened by the IRS, DOL or PBGC with respect thereto;

 

(b)                                  within fifteen (15) Business Days after the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know that a prohibited transaction (defined in Sections 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code) has occurred, a statement of the chief financial officer of the Borrower describing such transaction and the action which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

(c)                                   within fifteen (15) Business Days after the filing of the same with the DOL, IRS or PBGC, copies of each annual report (form 5500 series), including Schedule B thereto, filed with respect to each Plan;

 

(d)                                  within fifteen (15) Business Days after receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of each actuarial report for any Plan or Multiemployer Plan and each annual report for any Multiemployer Plan, copies of each such report;

 

(e)                                   within fifteen (15) Business Days after the filing of the same with the IRS, a copy of each funding waiver request filed with respect to any Plan and all communications received by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to such request;

 

(f)                                    within fifteen (15) Business Days after the occurrence of any material increase in the benefits of any existing Plan or Multiemployer Plan or the establishment of any new Plan or the commencement of contributions to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate was not previously contributing, notification of such increase, establishment or commencement;

 

(g)                                   within fifteen (15) Business Days after the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate receives notice of the PBGC’s intention to terminate a Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer a Plan, copies of each such notice;

 

(h)                                  within fifteen (15) Business Days after the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries receives notice of any unfavorable determination letter from the IRS regarding the qualification of a Plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, copies of each such letter;

 

(i)                                      within fifteen (15) Business Days after the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate receives notice from a Multiemployer Plan regarding the imposition of withdrawal liability, copies of each such notice;

 

(j)                                     within fifteen (15) Business Days after the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to make a required installment or any other required payment under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code on or before the due date for such installment or payment, a notification of such failure; and

 

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(k)                                  within fifteen (15) Business Days after the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know (i) a Multiemployer Plan has been terminated, (ii) the administrator or plan sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan intends to terminate a Multiemployer Plan, or (iii) the PBGC has instituted or will institute proceedings under Section 4042 of ERISA to terminate a Multiemployer Plan, notification of such termination, intention to terminate, or institution of proceedings.

 

For purposes of this Section 8.5 , the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate shall be deemed to know all facts known by the “Administrator” of any Plan of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is the plan sponsor.

 

8.6                                Environmental Notices .  The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing, promptly upon any representative of the Borrower or other employee of the Borrower responsible for the environmental matters at any Property of the Borrower learning thereof, of any of the following (together with any material documents and correspondence received or sent in connection therewith):

 

(a)                                  notice or claim to the effect that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is or may be liable to any Person as a result of the Release or threatened Release of any Contaminant into the environment, if such liability  would result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(b)                                  notice that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to investigation by any Governmental Authority evaluating whether any Remedial Action is needed to respond to the Release or threatened Release of any Contaminant into the environment which is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)                                   notice that any Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to an Environmental Lien if the claim to which such Environmental Lien relates would result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(d)                                  notice of violation by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Environmental, Health or Safety Requirement of Law which is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(e)                                   any condition which might reasonably result in a violation by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower of any Environmental, Health or Safety Requirement of Law, which violation would result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(f)                                    commencement of or written notice of intent to commence any judicial or administrative proceeding alleging a violation by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Environmental, Health or Safety Requirement of Law, which would result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(g)                                   new or proposed changes to any existing Environmental, Health or Safety Requirement of Law that could result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(h)                                  any proposed acquisition of stock, assets, real estate, or leasing of Property, or any other action by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that could subject the

 

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Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to environmental, health or safety Liabilities and Costs which could result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.7                                Labor Matters .  The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing, promptly upon the Borrower’s learning thereof, of any labor dispute to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may become a party (including, without limitation, any strikes, lockouts or other disputes relating to any Property of such Persons’ and other facilities) which is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.8                                Notices of Asset Sales and/or Acquisitions .  The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders written notice of each of the following upon the occurrence thereof: (a) a sale, transfer or other disposition of assets, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, for consideration in excess of $500,000,000, (b) an acquisition of assets, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, for consideration in excess of $500,000,000, and (c) the grant of a Lien with respect to assets, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, in connection with Indebtedness aggregating an amount in excess of $500,000,000.

 

8.9                                Tenant Notifications .  The Borrower shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent upon obtaining knowledge of the bankruptcy or cessation of operations of any tenant to which greater than 5% of the Borrower’s share of consolidated minimum rent is attributable.

 

8.10                         Other Reports .  The Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders to the extent not publicly available electronically at www.sec.gov or [www.[                ].com] (or successor web sites thereto), copies of all financial statements, reports, notices and other materials, if any, sent or made available generally by any General Partner and/or the Borrower to its respective Securities holders or filed with the Commission, all press releases made available generally by any General Partner and/or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the public concerning material developments in the business of any General Partner, the Borrower or any such Subsidiary and all notifications received by the General Partner, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder.

 

8.11                         Other Information .  Promptly upon receiving a request therefor from the Administrative Agent or any Arranger, the Borrower shall prepare and deliver to the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders such other information with respect to any General Partner, the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries, as from time to time may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any Lender.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Borrower and Qualified Borrowers each covenants and agrees that so long as any Commitments or Letters of Credit are outstanding and thereafter until payment in full of all of

 

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the Obligations (other than indemnities pursuant to Section 14.3 not yet due), unless the Requisite Lenders shall otherwise give prior written consent:

 

9.1                                Existence, Etc .   The Borrower and each Qualified Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at all times maintain its corporate existence or existence as a limited partnership or joint venture, as applicable, and preserve and keep, or cause to be preserved and kept, in full force and effect its rights and franchises material to its businesses, except where the loss or termination of such rights and franchises is not likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

9.2                                Powers; Conduct of Business .  The Borrower and each Qualified Borrower shall remain qualified, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to qualify and remain qualified, to do business and maintain its good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business and the ownership of its Property requires it to be so qualified and in good standing, except where the failure to remain so qualified is not likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

9.3                                Compliance with Laws, Etc .   The Borrower and each Qualified Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) comply with all Requirements of Law and all restrictive covenants affecting such Person or the business, Property, assets or operations of such Person, and (b) obtain and maintain as needed all Permits necessary for its operations (including, without limitation, the operation of the Projects) and maintain such Permits in good standing, except where noncompliance with either clause (a)  or (b)  above is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided , however , that the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law affecting such Person or the business, Property, assets or operations of such Person. The Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

 

9.4                                Payment of Taxes and Claims .  The Borrower and each Qualified Borrower shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, (i) all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges imposed upon it or on any of its Property or assets or in respect of any of its franchises, licenses, receipts, sales, use, payroll, employment, business, income or Property before any penalty or interest accrues thereon, and (ii) all Claims (including, without limitation, claims for labor, services, materials and supplies) for sums which have become due and payable and which by law have or may become a Lien (other than a Lien permitted by Section 10.3 or a Customary Permitted Lien for property taxes and assessments not yet due upon any of the Borrower’s or any Qualified Borrower’s or any of the Borrower’s or any Qualified Borrower’s Subsidiaries’ Property or assets, prior to the time when any penalty or fine shall be incurred with respect thereto; provided , however , that no such taxes, assessments, fees and governmental charges referred to in clause (i) above or Claims referred to in clause (ii) above need be paid if being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently instituted and conducted and if such reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor.

 

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9.5                                Insurance .  The Borrower and each Qualified Borrower shall maintain for itself and its Subsidiaries, or shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain in full force and effect the insurance policies and programs listed on Schedule 7.1-T or substantially similar policies and programs or other policies and programs as are reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.  All such policies and programs shall be maintained with insurers reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

9.6                                Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions .  The Borrower and each Qualified Borrower shall permit, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to permit, any authorized representative(s) designated by either the Administrative Agent or any Arranger, Co-Agent or other Lender to visit and inspect any of the Projects or inspect the MIS of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which relates to the Projects, to examine, audit, check and make copies of their respective financial and accounting records, books, journals, orders, receipts and any correspondence and other data relating to their respective businesses or the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, in connection with environmental compliance, hazard or liability), and to discuss their affairs, finances and accounts with their officers and independent certified public accountants, all with a representative of the Borrower present, upon reasonable notice and at such reasonable times during normal business hours, as often as may be reasonably requested.  Each such visitation and inspection shall be at such visitor’s expense.  The Borrower and each Qualified Borrower shall keep and maintain, and cause its Subsidiaries to keep and maintain, in all material respects on its MIS and otherwise proper books of record and account in which entries in conformity with GAAP shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to their respective businesses and activities.

 

9.7                                ERISA Compliance .  The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and ERISA Affiliates to, establish, maintain and operate all Plans to comply in all material respects with the provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, all other applicable laws, and the regulations and interpretations thereunder and the respective requirements of the governing documents for such Plans, except where failure to do so is not reasonably likely to result in liability to the Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate of an amount in excess of $5,000,000.

 

9.8                                Maintenance of Property .  The Borrower and each Qualified Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain in all material respects all of their respective owned and leased Property in good, safe and insurable condition and repair and in a businesslike manner, and not permit, commit or suffer any waste or abandonment of any such Property and from time to time shall make or cause to be made all material repairs, renewal and replacements thereof, including, without limitation, any capital improvements which may be required to maintain the same in a businesslike manner; provided , however , that such Property may be altered or renovated in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower or such applicable Subsidiary. Without any limitation on the foregoing, the Borrower shall maintain the Projects in a manner such that each Project can be used in the manner and substantially for the purposes such Project is used on the Closing Date, including, without limitation, maintaining all utilities, access rights, zoning and necessary Permits for such Project.

 

9.9                                Company Status .  The Company shall at all times (1) remain a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange or other national stock exchange; (2) maintain its status as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, (3) retain direct or indirect

 

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management and control of the Borrower, and (4) own, directly or indirectly, no less than ninety-nine percent (99%) of the equity Securities of any other General Partner of the Borrower.

 

9.10                         Ownership of Projects, Minority Holdings and Property . The ownership of substantially all wholly-owned Projects, Minority Holdings and other Property of the Consolidated Businesses shall be held by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and shall not be held directly by any General Partner.

 

9.11                         Delayed Transfer Assets . On before May 30, 2014, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent satisfactory evidence that the Delayed Transfer Assets shall have been transferred to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries by SPG and its Subsidiaries.

 

ARTICLE X

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Borrower and each Qualified Borrower each covenants and agrees that it shall comply with the following covenants so long as any Commitments or Letters of Credit are outstanding and thereafter until payment in full of all of the Obligations (other than indemnities pursuant to Section 14.3 not yet due), unless the Requisite Lenders shall otherwise give prior written consent:

 

10.1                         Indebtedness.  (a) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness, except:

 

(i)                                      Indebtedness which, when aggregated with Total Adjusted Outstanding Indebtedness as of the time of incurrence, creation or assumption thereof, would not cause Total Adjusted Outstanding Indebtedness to exceed sixty percent (60%) of Capitalization Value; provided, however, that in connection with a portfolio acquisition, Total Adjusted Outstanding Indebtedness may exceed sixty percent (60%) of Capitalization Value, but in no event exceed sixty-five percent (65%) of Capitalization Value, as of the time of such acquisition and for the four (4) consecutive full calendar quarters after such acquisition;

 

(ii)                                   Indebtedness which, when aggregated with Total Outstanding Unsecured Indebtedness as of the time of incurrence, creation or assumption thereof, would not cause Total Outstanding Unsecured Indebtedness to exceed sixty percent (60%) of Unencumbered Capitalization Value; provided, however, that in connection with a portfolio acquisition, Total Outstanding Unsecured Indebtedness may exceed sixty percent (60%) of Unencumbered Capitalization Value but in no event exceed sixty-five percent (65%) of Unencumbered Capitalization Value,  as of the time of such acquisition and for the four (4) consecutive full calendar quarters after such acquisition; and

 

(iii)                                Indebtedness which, when aggregated with Secured Indebtedness of the Consolidated Businesses and the Borrower’s proportionate share (determined in accordance with GAAP) of Secured Indebtedness of its Minority Holdings would not

 

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cause Secured Indebtedness of the Consolidated Businesses and the Borrower’s proportionate share (determined in accordance with GAAP) of Secured Indebtedness of its Minority Holdings to exceed forty percent (40%) of Capitalization Value; provided, however, that, in connection with a portfolio acquisition, such Secured Indebtedness may exceed forty percent (40%) of Capitalization Value, but in no event exceed fifty percent (50%) of Capitalization Value, as of the time of such acquisition and for the four (4) consecutive full calendar quarters after such acquisition.

 

For purposes of Section 10.1(a)(i)  only (and for no other purpose under this Agreement), (A) Total Adjusted Outstanding Indebtedness shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom an amount equal to the lesser of (x) Maturing Indebtedness, and (y) Unrestricted Cash, and (B) Capitalization Value shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom Cash and Cash Equivalents and adding back the amount, if any, by which Unrestricted Cash exceeds Maturing Indebtedness.

 

For purposes of Section 10.1(a)(ii)  only (and for no other purpose under this Agreement), (A) Total Outstanding Unsecured Indebtedness shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom an amount equal to the lesser of (x) Maturing Unsecured Indebtedness, and (y) the sum of Unrestricted Cash minus any Unrestricted Cash deducted from Secured Indebtedness pursuant to the following paragraph, and (B) Unencumbered Capitalization Value shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom Cash and Cash Equivalents and adding back the amount, if any, by which Unrestricted Cash exceeds Maturing Indebtedness.

 

For purposes of Section 10.1(a)(iii)  only (and for no other purpose under this Agreement) , (A) Secured Indebtedness shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom an amount equal to the lesser of (x) Maturing Secured Indebtedness, and (y) the sum of Unrestricted Cash minus any Unrestricted Cash deducted from Total Outstanding Unsecured Indebtedness pursuant to the preceding paragraph, and (B) Capitalization Value shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom Cash and Cash Equivalents and adding back the amount, if any, by which Unrestricted Cash exceeds Maturing Indebtedness.

 

(b)                                  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall incur, directly or indirectly, Indebtedness for borrowed money from the General Partner, unless such Indebtedness is unsecured and expressly subordinated to the payment of the Obligations.

 

10.2                         Sales of Assets .  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of any Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, or enter into any agreement to do so which would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

10.3                         Liens .  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to any Property, except:

 

(a)                                  Liens with respect to Capital Leases of Equipment entered into in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower pursuant to which the aggregate Indebtedness under such Capital Leases does not exceed $5,000,000 for any Project;

 

(b)                                  Liens securing permitted Secured Indebtedness; and

 

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(c)                                   Customary Permitted Liens.

 

10.4                         Investments .  Neither the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries shall directly or indirectly make or own any Investment except:

 

(a)                                  Investments in Cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(b)                                  Subject to the limitations of clause (e) below, Investments in the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, the Borrower’s Affiliates and Minority Holdings and the Management Company;

 

(c)                                   Investments in the form of advances to employees in the ordinary course of business; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all such advances at any time outstanding shall not exceed $1,000,000;

 

(d)                                  Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and lessees and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, lessees and suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)                                   Investments in any individual Project, which when combined with like Investments of the General Partner in such Project, do not exceed ten percent (10%) of the Capitalization Value (inclusive of the Capitalization Value attributable to such Project) after giving effect to such Investments of the Borrower; and

 

(f)                                    Investments in a single Person owning a Project or Property, or a portfolio of Projects or Properties, which when combined with like Investments of the General Partner in such Person, do not exceed forty percent (40%) of the combined Capitalization Value after giving effect to such Investments of the Borrower.

 

10.5                         Conduct of Business .  Neither the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries shall engage in any business, enterprise or activity other than (a) the businesses of acquiring, developing, re-developing and managing predominantly retail and mixed use Projects and portfolios of like Projects and (b) any business or activities which are substantially similar, related or incidental thereto.

 

10.6                         Transactions with Partners and Affiliates .  Neither the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries shall directly or indirectly enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any holder or holders of more than five percent (5%) of any class of equity Securities of the Borrower, or with any Affiliate of the Borrower which is not its Subsidiary, on terms that are determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner to be less favorable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, than those that might be obtained in an arm’s length transaction at the time from Persons who are not such a holder or Affiliate.  Nothing contained in this Section 10.6 shall prohibit (a) increases in compensation and benefits for officers and employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which are customary in the industry or consistent with the past business practice of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, provided that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default

 

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has occurred and is continuing; (b) payment of customary partners’ indemnities; or (c) performance of any obligations arising under the Loan Documents.

 

10.7                         Restriction on Fundamental Changes .  Neither the Borrower nor any Qualified Borrower shall enter into any merger or consolidation, or liquidate, wind-up or dissolve (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or change its jurisdiction of organization without the prior written consent of the Requisite Lenders, or convey, lease, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or series of transactions, all or substantially all of the Borrower’s or any Qualified Borrower’s business or Property, whether now or hereafter acquired, except (i)  in connection with issuance, transfer, conversion or repurchase of limited partnership interests in Borrower or (ii) where any such transaction does not constitute an Event of Default pursuant to Section 11.1(o) .

 

10.8                         Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations; Securities, Sanctions and Anti-Corruption Laws .  The proceeds of the Loans will be used only for the purposes described in Section 2.3 .  Neither the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries shall use all or any portion of the proceeds of any credit extended under this Agreement to purchase or carry Margin Stock or for any purpose that entails a violation of the Regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, including Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X.  The Borrower and the Qualified Borrowers will not request any Loan or Letter of Credit, and the Borrower and the Qualified Borrowers shall not use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit (A) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (B) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, or (C) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.10.9 ERISA .  The Borrower shall not and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates to:

 

(a)                                  engage in any prohibited transaction described in Sections 406 of ERISA or 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code for which a statutory or class exemption is not available or a private exemption has not been previously obtained from the DOL;

 

(b)                                  permit to exist any accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in Sections 302 of ERISA and 412 of the Internal Revenue Code), with respect to any Plan, whether or not waived;

 

(c)                                   fail to pay timely required contributions or annual installments due with respect to any waived funding deficiency to any Plan;

 

(d)                                  terminate any Plan which would result in any liability of Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate under Title IV of ERISA;

 

(e)                                   fail to make any contribution or payment to any Multiemployer Plan which Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate may be required to make under any agreement relating to such Multiemployer Plan, or any law pertaining thereto;

 

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(f)                                    fail to pay any required installment or any other payment required under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code on or before the due date for such installment or other payment; or

 

(g)                                   amend a Plan resulting in an increase in current liability for the plan year such that the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to provide security to such Plan under Section 401(a)(29) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

10.10                  Organizational Documents .  Neither the General Partner, the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries shall amend, modify or otherwise change any of the terms or provisions in any of their respective Organizational Documents as in effect on the Closing Date, except amendments to effect (a) a change of name of the Borrower, such Qualified Borrower or any such Subsidiary, provided that the Borrower shall have provided the Administrative Agent with sixty (60) days prior written notice of any such name change, or (b) changes (including changes in connection with the issuance of preferred securities) that would not affect such Organizational Documents in any material manner not otherwise permitted under this Agreement.

 

10.11                  Fiscal Year .  Neither the Company, the Borrower nor any of its Consolidated Businesses shall change its Fiscal Year for accounting or tax purposes from a period consisting of the 12-month period ending on December 31 of each calendar year.

 

10.12                  Other Financial Covenants .

 

(a)                                  Minimum Combined Equity Value .  The Combined Equity Value shall not be less than $2,000,000,000 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.

 

(b)                                  Minimum Debt Service Coverage Ratio .  As of the first day of each fiscal quarter for the immediately preceding consecutive four fiscal quarters, the ratio of Combined EBITDA to Combined Debt Service shall not be less than 1.50 to 1.00.

 

(c)                                   Unencumbered Combined EBITDA to Unsecured Interest Expense .  As of the first day of each fiscal quarter for the immediately preceding consecutive four fiscal quarters, the ratio of Unencumbered Combined EBITDA to Unsecured Interest Expense shall not be less than 1.60 to 1.00.

 

(d)                                  Distributions .  If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower shall not make distributions to the Company in excess of the amount of dividends required to be paid by the Company to its shareholders in order to maintain the Company’s REIT status in any taxable year (taking into account all amounts treated as dividends in such taxable year under the Internal Revenue Code).

 

10.13                  Pro Forma Adjustments .  In connection with an acquisition of a Project, a Property, or a portfolio of Projects or Properties, by any of the Consolidated Businesses or any Minority Holding (whether such acquisition is direct or through the acquisition of a Person which owns such Property), the financial covenants contained in this Agreement shall be calculated as follows on a pro forma basis (with respect to the pro rata share of the Borrower in the case of an acquisition by a Minority Holding), which pro forma calculation shall be effective

 

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until the last day of the fourth full fiscal quarter following such acquisition (or such earlier test period, as applicable), at which time actual performance shall be utilized for such calculations.

 

(a)                                  Annual EBITDA .  For up to four (4) fiscal quarters post acquisition, Annual EBITDA for the acquired Property shall be deemed to be an amount equal to (i) the net purchase price of the acquired Property (or the Borrower’s pro rata share of such net purchase price in the event of an acquisition by a Minority Holding) for the first fiscal quarter following such acquisition, multiplied by the applicable Capitalization Rate, and (ii) for the succeeding three fiscal quarters, Annual EBITDA shall be deemed the greater of (A) the net purchase price multiplied by the applicable Capitalization Rate, or (B) the actual EBITDA from such acquired Property during the period following Borrower’s (direct or indirect) acquisition, computed on an annualized basis, provided that such annualized EBITDA shall in no event exceed the final product obtained after multiplying (1) the net purchase price by (2) 1.1, and then by (3) the applicable Capitalization Rate.

 

(b)                                  Combined EBITDA .  The pro forma calculation of Annual EBITDA for the acquired Property shall be added to the calculation of Combined EBITDA.

 

(c)                                   Unencumbered Combined EBITDA . If, after giving effect to the acquisition, the acquired Property will not be encumbered by Secured Indebtedness, then the pro forma Annual EBITDA for the acquired Property shall be added to the calculation of Unencumbered Combined EBITDA.

 

(d)                                  Secured Indebtedness . Any Indebtedness secured by a Lien incurred and/or assumed in connection with such acquisition of a Property shall be added to the calculation of Secured Indebtedness.

 

(e)                                   Total Adjusted Outstanding Indebtedness . Any Indebtedness incurred and/or assumed in connection with such acquisition shall be added to the calculation of Total Adjusted Outstanding Indebtedness.

 

(f)                                    Total Outstanding Unsecured Indebtedness .  Any Indebtedness which is not secured by a Lien and which is incurred and/or assumed in connection with such acquisition shall be added to the calculation of Total Outstanding Unsecured Indebtedness.

 

(g)                                   Unsecured Interest Expense .  If any unsecured Indebtedness is incurred or assumed in connection with such acquisition, then the amount of interest expense to be incurred on such Indebtedness during the period following such acquisition, computed on an annualized basis during the applicable period, shall be added to the calculation of Unsecured Interest Expense.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT; RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

 

11.1                         Events of Default .  Each of the following occurrences shall constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement:

 

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(a)                                  Failure to Make Payments When Due .  The Borrower or any Qualified Borrower shall fail to pay (i) when due any principal payment on the Obligations which is due on the Revolving Credit Termination Date or the Term Maturity Date or pursuant to the terms of Section 2.4 , or (ii) within five (5) Business Days after the date on which due, any interest payment on the Obligations or any principal payment pursuant to the terms of Section 4.1(a) , or (iii) when due, any principal payment on the Obligations not referenced in clauses (i) or (ii) hereinabove, or (iv) within five (5) Business Days after notice from the Administrative Agent after the date on which due, any fees due pursuant to Section 5.3 .

 

(b)                                  Breach of Certain Covenants .  The Borrower or any Qualified Borrower shall fail duly and punctually to perform or observe any agreement, covenant or obligation binding on such Person under Sections 8.3 , 9.1 , 9.2 , 9.3 , 9.4 , 9.5 , 9.6 , or Article X .

 

(c)                                   Breach of Representation or Warranty .  Any representation or warranty made by the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower to the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any other Lender herein or by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in any of the other Loan Documents or in any statement or certificate at any time given by any such Person pursuant to any of the Loan Documents shall be false or misleading in any material respect on the date as of which made.

 

(d)                                  Other Defaults .  The Borrower or any Qualified Borrower shall default in the performance of or compliance with any term contained in this Agreement (other than as identified in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 11.1 ), or any default or event of default shall occur under any of the other Loan Documents, and such default or event of default shall continue for twenty (20) days after receipt of written notice from the Administrative Agent thereof.

 

(e)                                   Acceleration of Other Indebtedness .  Any breach, default or event of default shall occur, or any other condition shall exist under any instrument, agreement or indenture pertaining to any recourse Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) of the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries aggregating $50,000,000 or more, and the effect thereof is to cause an acceleration, mandatory redemption or other required repurchase of such Indebtedness, or permit the holder(s) of such Indebtedness to accelerate the maturity of any such Indebtedness or require a prepayment, redemption or other repurchase of such Indebtedness; or any such Indebtedness shall be otherwise declared to be due and payable (by acceleration or otherwise) or required to be prepaid, redeemed or otherwise repurchased by the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment) prior to the stated maturity thereof.

 

(f)                                    Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, Etc .

 

(i)                                      An involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect shall be commenced against any General Partner, the Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries to which $250,000,000 or more of the Combined Equity Value is attributable, or any Qualified Borrower and the petition shall not be dismissed, stayed, bonded or discharged within sixty (60) days after commencement of the case; or a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for

 

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relief in respect of any General Partner, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Qualified Borrower in an involuntary case, under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect; or any other similar relief shall be granted under any applicable federal, state, local or foreign law; or the respective board of directors of any General Partner or Limited Partners of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower or the board of directors or partners of any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries (or any committee thereof) adopts any resolution or otherwise authorizes any action to approve any of the foregoing.

 

(ii)                                   A decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, trustee, custodian or other officer having similar powers over any General Partner, the Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries to which $250,000,000 or more of the Combined Equity Value is attributable, or any Qualified Borrower or over all or a substantial part of the Property of any General Partner, the Borrower or any of such Subsidiaries shall be entered; or an interim receiver, trustee or other custodian of any General Partner, the Borrower or any of such Subsidiaries or any such Qualified Borrower or of all or a substantial part of the Property of any General Partner, the Borrower or any of such Subsidiaries or any such Qualified Borrower shall be appointed or a warrant of attachment, execution or similar process against any substantial part of the Property of any General Partner, the Borrower or any of such Subsidiaries or any such Qualified Borrower shall be issued and any such event shall not be stayed, dismissed, bonded or discharged within sixty (60) days after entry, appointment or issuance; or the respective board of directors of any General Partner or Limited Partners of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower or the board of directors or partners of any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries (or any committee thereof) adopts any resolution or otherwise authorizes any action to approve any of the foregoing.

 

(g)                                   Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, Etc .  Any of any General Partner, the Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries to which $250,000,000 or more of the Combined Equity Value is attributable, or any Qualified Borrower, shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case, or to the conversion of an involuntary case to a voluntary case, under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, trustee or other custodian for all or a substantial part of its Property; or any General Partner, the Borrower or any of such Subsidiaries or any such Qualified Borrower shall make any assignment for the benefit of creditors or shall be unable or fail, or admit in writing its inability, to pay its debts as such debts become due.

 

(h)                                  Judgments and Unpermitted Liens .

 

(i)                                      Any money judgment (other than a money judgment covered by insurance as to which the insurance company has acknowledged coverage), writ or warrant of attachment, or similar process against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Qualified Borrower or any of their respective assets involving in any case an amount in excess of $25,000,000 (other than with respect to Claims arising out of non-recourse Indebtedness) is entered and shall remain undischarged, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days or in any event later than five (5) days prior to the

 

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date of any proposed sale thereunder; provided , however , if any such judgment, writ or warrant of attachment or similar process is in excess of $50,000,000 (other than with respect to Claims arising out of non-recourse Indebtedness), the entry thereof shall immediately constitute an Event of Default hereunder.

 

(ii)                                   A federal, state, local or foreign tax Lien is filed against the Borrower which is not discharged of record, bonded over or otherwise secured to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent within fifty (50) days after the filing thereof or the date upon which the Administrative Agent receives actual knowledge of the filing thereof for an amount which, either separately or when aggregated with the amount of any judgments described in clause (i) above and/or the amount of the Environmental Lien Claims described in clause (iii) below, equals or exceeds $25,000,000.

 

(iii)                                An Environmental Lien is filed against any Project with respect to Claims in an amount which, either separately or when aggregated with the amount of any judgments described in clause (i) above and/or the amount of the tax Liens described in clause (ii) above, equals or exceeds $25,000,000.

 

(i)                                      Dissolution .  Any order, judgment or decree shall be entered against the Borrower decreeing its involuntary dissolution or split up; or the Borrower shall otherwise dissolve or cease to exist except as specifically permitted by this Agreement.

 

(j)                                     Loan Documents .  At any time, for any reason, any Loan Document ceases to be in full force and effect or the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower seeks to repudiate its obligations thereunder.

 

(k)                                  ERISA Termination Event .  Any ERISA Termination Event occurs which the Administrative Agent reasonably believes could subject either the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to liability in excess of $500,000.

 

(l)                                      Waiver Application .  The plan administrator of any Plan applies under Section 412(d) of the Code for a waiver of the minimum funding standards of Section 412(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Administrative Agent reasonably believes that the substantial business hardship upon which the application for the waiver is based could subject either the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to liability in excess of $500,000.

 

(m)                              Certain Defaults Pertaining to the General Partner .  The Company shall fail to (i) maintain its status as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, (ii) except where such failure does not constitute an Event of Default under Section 11.1(o) , continue as a general partner of the Borrower, (iii) maintain ownership (directly or indirectly) of no less than 99% of the equity Securities of any other General Partner of the Borrower, (iv) comply with all Requirements of Law applicable to it and its businesses and Properties, in each case where the failure to so comply individually or in the aggregate will have or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (v) remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange or other national stock exchange, or (vi) file all tax returns and reports required to be filed by it with any Governmental Authority as and when required to be filed or to pay any taxes, assessments, fees or other governmental charges upon it or its Property, assets, receipts, sales, use, payroll,

 

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employment, licenses, income, or franchises which are shown in such returns, reports or similar statements to be due and payable as and when due and payable, except for taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges (A) that are being contested by the Company in good faith by an appropriate proceeding diligently pursued, (B) for which adequate reserves have been made on its books and records, and (C) the amounts the non-payment of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(n)                                  Merger or Liquidation of the General Partner or the Borrower .  Any General Partner shall merge or liquidate with or into any other Person and, as a result thereof and after giving effect thereto, (i) except where such merger or liquidation does not constitute an Event of Default under Section 11.1(o) , such General Partner is not the surviving Person or (ii) such merger or liquidation would effect an acquisition of or Investment in any Person not otherwise permitted under the terms of this Agreement.  Except where such merger or liquidation does not constitute an Event of Default under Section 11.1(o) , the Borrower shall merge or liquidate with or into any other Person and, as a result thereof and after giving effect thereto, (i) the Borrower is not the surviving Person or (ii) such merger or liquidation would effect an acquisition of or Investment in any Person not otherwise permitted under the terms of this Agreement.

 

(o)                                  Merger or Consolidation .  If at any time from and after the Closing Date either the Borrower or the Company merges or consolidates with another Person unless either (x) the Borrower or the Company, as the case may be, is the surviving entity, or (y) a majority of the board of directors of the Company, and a majority of its senior management, immediately prior to the merger continue as directors of the surviving entity, and continue to be employed as senior management of the surviving entity.

 

(p)                                  Asset Sales .  If at any time from and after the Closing Date the Borrower or any Consolidated Business sells, transfers, assigns or conveys assets in a single transaction or series of related transactions, the book value of which (computed in accordance with GAAP but without deduction for depreciation), in the aggregate of all such sales, transfers, assignments, or conveyances exceeds 30% of the Capitalization Value.

 

(q)                                  Management Services .  If at any time from and after the Closing Date, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, the Management Company or SPG or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates cease to provide, collectively, directly or through their Affiliates property management and leasing services to at least 33% of the total number of shopping centers in which the Borrower has an ownership interest (it being agreed for the avoidance of doubt that the Borrower may self-manage its properties upon the establishment of self-incorporated management functions).

 

(r)                                     Change in Control .  (i) The acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) of Equity Interests representing more than 40% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Company; or (ii) during any period of 12 consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of any such 12-month period constituted the Board of Directors of the Company (together with any new directors

 

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whose election by such Board or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

An Event of Default shall be deemed “continuing” until cured or waived in writing in accordance with Section 14.7 .

 

11.2                         Rights and Remedies .

 

(a)                                  Acceleration and Termination .  Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Sections 11.1(f)  or 11.1(g)  with respect to the Borrower, the Revolving Credit Commitments and any unused Term Commitments shall automatically and immediately terminate and the unpaid principal amount of, and any and all accrued interest on, the Obligations and all accrued fees shall automatically become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, or protest or other requirements of any kind (including, without limitation, valuation and appraisement, diligence, presentment, notice of intent to demand or accelerate and of acceleration), all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower; and upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any other Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall at the request, or may with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders, by written notice to the Borrower, (i) declare that the Revolving Credit Commitments and any unused Term Commitments are terminated, whereupon the Revolving Credit Commitments and any unused Term Commitments and the obligation of each Lender to make any Loan hereunder and of each Lender to issue or participate in any Letter of Credit not then issued shall immediately terminate, and/or (ii) declare the unpaid principal amount of and any and all accrued and unpaid interest on the Obligations to be, and the same shall thereupon be, immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, or protest or other requirements of any kind (including, without limitation, valuation and appraisement, diligence, presentment, notice of intent to demand or accelerate and of acceleration), all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower.  In addition, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Borrower shall deposit cash collateral with the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.4 , in an amount equal to the then Letter of Credit Obligations.

 

(b)                                  Rescission .  If at any time after termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments and any unused Term Commitments and/or acceleration of the maturity of the Loans, the Borrower shall pay all arrears of interest and all payments on account of principal of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest on principal and, to the extent permitted by law, on overdue interest, at the rates specified in this Agreement) and all Events of Default and Potential Events of Default (other than nonpayment of principal of and accrued interest on the Loans due and payable solely by virtue of acceleration) shall be remedied or waived pursuant to Section 14.7 , then upon the written consent of the Requisite Lenders and written notice to the Borrower, the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments and any unused Term Commitments and/or the acceleration and their consequences may be rescinded and annulled; but such action shall not affect any subsequent Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or impair any right or remedy

 

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consequent thereon.  The provisions of the preceding sentence are intended merely to bind the Lenders to a decision which may be made at the election of the Requisite Lenders; they are not intended to benefit the Borrower and do not give the Borrower the right to require the Lenders to rescind or annul any acceleration hereunder, even if the conditions set forth herein are met.

 

(c)                                   Enforcement .  The Borrower and each Qualified Borrower acknowledges that in the event the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Qualified Borrower fails to perform, observe or discharge any of their respective obligations or liabilities under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any remedy of law may prove to be inadequate relief to the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the other Lenders; therefore, the Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the other Lenders shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

THE AGENTS

 

12.1                         Appointment .  (a)  Each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby designates and appoints Bank of America, N.A. as the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers as the Arrangers, and the Co-Agents as the Co-Agents of such Lender under this Agreement, and each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, and the Co-Agents to take such actions on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the Loan Documents and to exercise such powers as are set forth herein or therein together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Co-Agents each agree to act as such on the express conditions contained in this Article XII .

 

(b)                                  The provisions of this Article XII are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Co-Agents, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders, and neither the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, the General Partner nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall have any rights to rely on or enforce any of the provisions hereof (other than as expressly set forth in Section 12.7 ).  In performing their respective functions and duties under this Agreement, the Administrative Agent, each Arranger, and each Co-Agent shall act solely as agents of the Lenders and do not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation or relationship of agency, trustee or fiduciary with or for any General Partner, the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, or any Subsidiary of the Borrower.  The Administrative Agent, each Arranger and each Co-Agent may perform any of their respective duties hereunder, or under the Loan Documents, by or through their respective agents or employees.

 

12.2                         Nature of Duties .

 

(a)                                  The Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Co-Agents shall not have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents except in its capacity as Lender or an Issuing Bank and those expressly set forth in this Agreement or in the Loan Documents.  The duties of the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, and the Co-Agents shall be mechanical and administrative in nature.  None of the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, or any Co-Agent shall have by reason of this Agreement a fiduciary

 

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relationship in respect of any Holder.  Nothing in this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be construed to impose upon the Administrative Agent or any Arranger, or Co-Agent any obligations or duties in respect of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents except as expressly set forth herein or therein.  The Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Co-Agents shall not have any duties to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 14.7 ).  The Administrative Agent and each Arranger and Co-Agent each hereby agrees that its duties shall include providing copies of documents received by such Agent from the Borrower which are reasonably requested by any Lender and promptly notifying each Lender upon its obtaining actual knowledge of the occurrence of any Event of Default hereunder.  In addition, the Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver to each of the Lenders copies of all notices of default and other formal notices (including, without limitation, requests for waivers or modifications, as well as all notices received pursuant to Sections 8.4 , 8.5 , 8.6 and 8.7 ) sent or received, together with copies of all reports or other information received by it from the Borrower, including, without limitation, all financial information delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.2 .  Except as expressly set forth herein, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.  The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender.  The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article VI or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

(b)                                  In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby, the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the credit facilities provided for hereunder and any related arranging or other services in connection therewith are an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Co-Agents and the Lenders, on the other hand, and the Borrower is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) in connection with the process leading to such transaction, the Administrative Agent and each Arranger, Co-Agent and Lender or any Affiliate thereof is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any of its Affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or another Person; (iii) neither the Administrative Agent nor the Arrangers, Co-Agents nor any Lender or any Affiliate thereof has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower with respect to any of the

 

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transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto, including with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document (irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent or any Arranger, Co-Agent or Lender or any Affiliate thereof has advised or is currently advising the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any of its Affiliates on other matters) and neither the Administrative Agent nor any Arranger, Co-Agent or Lender or any Affiliate thereof has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; (iv) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers, Co-Agents and Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent nor any Arranger, Co-Agent or Lender or such Affiliate has any obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any relationship arising out of or related to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto; and (v) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers, the Co-Agents and the Lenders or any Affiliate thereof have not provided and will not provide any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby and the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate.  The Borrower and each Qualified Borrower hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Co-Agents and the Lenders or any Affiliate thereof with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty arising out of or related to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto.

 

12.3                         Right to Request Instructions .  The Administrative Agent and each Arranger and Co-Agent may at any time request instructions from the Lenders with respect to any actions or approvals which by the terms of any of the Loan Documents such Agent is permitted or required to take or to grant, and such Agent shall be absolutely entitled to refrain from taking any action or to withhold any approval and shall not be under any liability whatsoever to any Person for refraining from any action or withholding any approval under any of the Loan Documents until it shall have received such instructions from those Lenders from whom such Agent is required to obtain such instructions for the pertinent matter in accordance with the Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such Agent shall take any action, or refrain from taking any action, which is permitted by the terms of the Loan Documents upon receipt of instructions from those Lenders from whom such Agent is required to obtain such instructions for the pertinent matter in accordance with the Loan Documents, provided , that no Holder shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Administrative Agent or any Arranger or Co-Agent as a result of such Agent acting or refraining from acting under the Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions of the Requisite Lenders or, where required by the express terms of this Agreement, a greater proportion of the Lenders.

 

12.4                         Reliance .  The Administrative Agent and each Arranger and Co-Agent shall each be entitled to rely upon any written notices, statements, certificates, orders or other documents or any telephone message believed by it in good faith to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person.  The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.  W ith respect to all matters pertaining to this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents and its duties hereunder or

 

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thereunder, the Administrative Agent and each Arranger and Co-Agent may rely upon advice of legal counsel (including counsel for the Borrower), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

12.5                         Indemnification .  To the extent that the Administrative Agent or any Arranger or Co-Agent is not reimbursed and indemnified by the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower, the Lenders will reimburse and indemnify such Agent solely in its capacity as such Agent and not as a Lender for and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,  and reasonable costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against it in any way relating to or arising out of the Loan Documents or any action taken or omitted by such Agent under the Loan Documents, in proportion to each Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Facilities determined as of the time when such indemnification is sought, unless and to the extent that any such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, and reasonable costs, expenses or disbursements shall arise as a result of such Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a non-appealable final judgment.  Such Agent agrees to refund to the Lenders any of the foregoing amounts paid to it by the Lenders which amounts are subsequently recovered by such Agent from the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any other Person on behalf of the Borrower.  The obligations of the Lenders under this Section 12.5 shall survive the payment in full of the Loans, the Reimbursement Obligations and all other Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

12.6                         Agents Individually .  With respect to their respective Pro Rata Share of the Facilities hereunder, if any, and the Loans made by them, if any, the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Co-Agents shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and are subject to the same obligations and liabilities as and to the extent set forth herein for any other Lender.  The terms “Lenders” or “Requisite Lenders” or any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent, each Arranger and each other Co-Agent in its respective individual capacity as a Lender or as one of the Requisite Lenders.  The Administrative Agent and each other Arranger and Co-Agent and each of their respective Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as if they were not acting as the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers,  and Co-Agents pursuant hereto.

 

12.7                         Successor Agents .

 

(a)                                  Resignation and Removal .  Any Lead Arranger or the Administrative Agent may resign from the performance of all its functions and duties hereunder (including as Administrative Agent) at any time by giving at least thirty (30) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Borrower and the other Lenders, unless applicable law requires a shorter notice period or that there be no notice period, in which instance such applicable law shall control (the “ Resignation Effective Date ”).  Any Lead Arranger or the Administrative Agent may be removed at the direction of the Requisite Lenders, in the event such Lead Arranger or the Administrative Agent shall commit gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties hereunder.  Such resignation or removal shall take effect upon the acceptance by a

 

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successor Lead Arranger or Administrative Agent of appointment pursuant to this Section 12.7 .  Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

 

(b)                                  Appointment by Requisite Lenders .  Upon any such resignation or removal becoming effective, the Requisite Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent, subject to approval by the Borrower provided that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, selected from among the Lenders.

 

(c)                                   Appointment by Retiring Agent .  If a successor Administrative Agent shall not have been appointed within the thirty (30) Business Day or shorter period provided in paragraph (a)  of this Section 12.7 , the retiring Agent shall then appoint a successor Agent who shall serve as Administrative Agent until such time, if any, as the Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided above.

 

(d)                                  Rights of the Successor and Retiring Agents .  Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement.  After any retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Article XII shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was the Agent under this Agreement.

 

12.8                         Relations Among the Lenders .  Each Lender agrees that it will not take any legal action, nor institute any actions or proceedings, against the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower hereunder with respect to any of the Obligations, without the prior written consent of the Lenders.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Lender may accelerate or otherwise enforce its portion of the Obligations, or unilaterally terminate its Revolving Credit Commitment except in accordance with Section 11.2(a) .

 

12.9                         Sub-Agents .  The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties.  The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

12.10                  Independent Credit Decisions .  Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that the extensions of credit made hereunder are commercial loans and letters of credit and not investments in a business enterprise or securities.  Each Lender further represents that it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder.  Each Lender shall, independently and without reliance upon the

 

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Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder and in deciding whether or to the extent to which it will continue as a lender or assign or otherwise transfer its rights, interests and obligations hereunder.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

YIELD PROTECTION

 

13.1                         Taxes .

 

(a)                                  Payments Free of Taxes .  Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law.  If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable withholding agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a withholding agent, then the applicable withholding agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 13.1 ) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

 

(b)                                  Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower.   The Borrower and the Qualified Borrowers shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for, Other Taxes.

 

(c)                                   Evidence of Payments.   As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 13.1 , the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(d)                                  Indemnification by the Borrower.   The Borrower shall indemnify each Recipient, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the

 

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Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(e)                                   Indemnification by the Lenders .  Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower and the Qualified Borrowers to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 14.1(e)  relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).

 

(f)                                    Status of Lenders .  (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding.  In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 13.1(f)(ii)(A) , (ii)(B)  and (ii)(D)  below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

(ii)                                   Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person,

 

(A)                                any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. Federal backup withholding tax;

 

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(B)                                any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(1)                                  in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

 

(2)                                  executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;

 

(3)                                  in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit N-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN; or

 

(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit N-2 or Exhibit N-3 , IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit N-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

(C)                                any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a

 

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basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. Federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

 

(D)                                if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.  Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

(g)                                   Treatment of Certain Refunds .  If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 13.1 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 13.1 ), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 13.1 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes net of any Tax refunds) incurred by such indemnified party with respect to such indemnity payments and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund).  Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid.  This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make

 

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available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

 

(h)                                  Survival .  Each party’s obligations under this Section 13.1 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

 

(i)                                      Defined Terms .  For purposes of this Section 13.1 , the term “ Lender ” includes any Issuing Bank and the term “ applicable law ” includes FATCA.

 

13.2                         Increased Capital .  If any Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company (if any) to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company would have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), and (ii) the amount of such capital or liquidity is increased by or based upon (A) the making or maintenance by any Lender of its Loans, including any Alternative Currency Loans, any Lender’s participation in or obligation to participate in the Loans, including the Alternative Currency Loans, Letters of Credit or other advances made hereunder or the existence of any Lender’s obligation to make Loans or Alternative Currency Loans, or (B) the issuance or maintenance by any Lender of, or the existence of any Lender’s obligation to issue, Letters of Credit, then, in any such case, upon written demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent) from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.  The Borrower shall not be required to pay such additional amounts unless such amounts are the result of requirements imposed generally on lenders similar to such Lender or the Issuing Bank and not the result of some specific reserve or similar requirement imposed on such Lender or the Issuing Bank as a result of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s special circumstances.  Such demand shall be accompanied by a statement as to the amount of such compensation and include a brief summary of the basis for such demand.  Such statement shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.  The Borrower or any Qualified Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such statement within 10 days after receipt thereof.  Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.  This Section 13.2

 

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shall survive the termination of the Commitments and the repayment of the Obligations for a period of 180 days.

 

13.3                         Changes; Legal Restrictions .  If any Change in Law shall:

 

(a)                                  subject a Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office or Eurodollar Affiliate) or the Issuing Bank or the London interbank market to any condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) of any kind which such Lender reasonably determines to be applicable to the Revolving Credit Commitments of the Lenders to make Eurodollar Rate Loans or issue and/or participate in Letters of Credit; or

 

(b)                                  subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its Loans, Letters of Credit, Revolving Credit Commitments, or other Obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;

 

(c)                                   impose, modify, or hold applicable, in the determination of a Lender, any reserve (other than reserves taken into account in calculating the Eurodollar Rate), special deposit, liquidity, compulsory loan, FDIC insurance or similar requirement against assets held by, or deposits or other liabilities (including those pertaining to Letters of Credit) in or for the account of, advances or loans by, commitments made, or other credit extended by, or any other acquisition of funds by, a Lender or any Applicable Lending Office or Eurodollar Affiliate of that Lender or the Issuing Bank;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to that Lender of making, converting, continuing, renewing or maintaining the Loans or its Revolving Credit Commitment or issuing or participating in the Letters of Credit or to reduce any amount receivable thereunder; then, in any such case, upon written demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower shall immediately pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender, from time to time as specified by such Lender, such amount or amounts as may be necessary to compensate such Lender or its Eurodollar Affiliate for any such additional cost incurred or reduced amount received.  Such demand shall be accompanied by a statement as to the amount of such compensation and include a brief summary of the basis for such demand.  Such statement shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.  The Borrower or any Qualified Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.  Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.  This Section 13.3 shall survive the termination of the Commitments and the repayment of the Obligations for a period of 180 days.

 

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13.4                         Replacement of Certain Lenders .  In the event a Lender (a “ Designee Lender ”) shall have requested additional compensation from the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower under Section 13.2 or under Section 13.3 , or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 13.1 , or if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, or if any Lender becomes a Non-Consenting Lender, the Borrower may, at its sole election, (a) make written demand on such Designee Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) for the Designee Lender to assign, and such Designee Lender shall assign pursuant to one or more duly executed Assignment and Acceptances to one or more Eligible Assignees which the Borrower or the Administrative Agent shall have identified for such purpose, all of such Designee Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the Notes (including, without limitation, its Revolving Credit Commitment, all Loans owing to it, and all of its participation interests in Letters of Credit but excluding its existing rights to payment under Sections 13.2 or 13.3 and any outstanding Money Market Loans held by it) in accordance with Section 14.1 (with the Borrower paying any applicable fees associated with such assignment) (provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, which consents shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 13.1 , such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments, (iii) in the case of an assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent, and (iv) a Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply), or (b) repay all Loans owing to the Designee Lender together with interest accrued with respect thereto to the date of such repayment and all fees and other charges accrued or payable and all other Obligations owing to such Designee Lender under the terms of this Agreement for the benefit of the Designee Lender to the date of such repayment and remit to the Administrative Agent to be held as cash collateral an amount equal to the participation interest of the Designee Lender in Letters of Credit. Any such repayment and remittance shall be for the sole credit of the Designee Lender and not for any other Lender. Upon delivery of such repayment and remittance in immediately available funds as aforesaid, the Designee Lender shall cease to be a Lender under this Agreement. All expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing shall be for the sole account of the Borrower and shall constitute Obligations hereunder. In no event shall Borrower’s election under the provisions of this Section 13.4 affect its obligation to pay the additional compensation required under either Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 .

 

13.5                         No Duplication .  For the avoidance of doubt, no amount payable by the Borrower or a Qualified Borrower to a Recipient pursuant to one of Section 13.1 , Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 shall also be payable to the same Recipient pursuant to another of such Sections.

 

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ARTICLE XIV

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

14.1                         Assignments and Participations .

 

(a)                                  Assignments .  No assignments or participations of any Lender’s rights or obligations under this Agreement shall be made except in accordance with this Section 14.1 .  Each Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all of its rights and obligations with respect to the Loans and the Letters of Credit) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 14.1 .

 

(b)                                  Limitations on Assignments .

 

(i)                                      Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) and (b)(iii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Credit Commitment, unused Term Commitment, participations in Letters of Credit, and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:

 

(A)                                the Borrower, provided that, the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to an assignment unless it shall have objected thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof; provided further that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee or;

 

(B)                                the Administrative Agent; provided that (1) no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for the assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund and (2) no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of any Revolving Credit Commitment to an assignee that is a Lender (other than a Lender that is a Defaulting Lender) with a Revolving Credit Commitment immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment; and

 

(C)                                the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender; provided that no consent of the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan.

 

(ii)                                   Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(A)                                except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $15,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

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(B)                                each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement; provided that this clause shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a proportionate part of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of only one Facility;

 

(C)                                the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, together with the fee described in Section 14.1(d)  below; and

 

(D)                                the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Company, the Borrower and their related parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.

 

(iii)                                Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance (in accordance with Section 14.1(d) ) and recording in the Register, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance and agreed to by the Administrative Agent, (A) the assignee thereunder shall, in addition to any rights and obligations hereunder held by it immediately prior to such effective date, if any, have the rights and obligations hereunder that have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have the same rights and benefits hereunder as if it were an original Lender hereunder, (B) the assigning Lender shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of such assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, the assigning Lender shall cease to be a party hereto except that its rights under Section 14.3 shall survive) and (C) the Borrower and any Qualified Borrower shall execute and deliver to the assignee thereunder a Note evidencing its obligations to such assignee with respect to the Loans.

 

(c)                                   The Register .  The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at its address referred to in Section 14.8 a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to and accepted by it and a register (the “ Register ”) for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, the Revolving Credit Commitment of, and the principal amount of the Loans under the Revolving Credit Commitments owing to, each Lender from time to time and whether such Lender is an original Lender or the assignee of another Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance.  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes

 

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of this Agreement.  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(d)                                  Fee .  Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed by the assigning Lender and an Eligible Assignee and a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (payable by the assignee to the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent shall, if such Assignment and Acceptance has been completed and is in compliance with this Agreement and in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) record the information contained therein in the Register and (iii) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower and the other Lenders.

 

(e)                                   Participations .  Each Lender may sell participations to one or more other entities (a “Participant”) other than an Ineligible Institution in or to all or a portion of its rights and obligations under and in respect of any and all facilities under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a portion of any or all of its Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder and the Committed Loans owing to it and its undivided interest in the Letters of Credit); provided , however , that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, its Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder) shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, (iv) each participation shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 (except that there shall be no minimum amount with respect to participations in Alternative Currency Loans), and (v) such participant’s rights to agree or to restrict such Lender’s ability to agree to the modification, waiver or release of any of the terms of the Loan Documents, to consent to any action or failure to act by any party to any of the Loan Documents or any of their respective Affiliates, or to exercise or refrain from exercising any powers or rights which any Lender may have under or in respect of the Loan Documents, shall be limited to the right to consent to (A) increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment of the Lender from whom such participant purchased a participation, but only if such increase shall affect such participant, (B) reduction of the principal of, or rate or amount of interest on the Loans subject to such participation (other than by the payment or prepayment thereof), (C) postponement of any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, the Loan(s) subject to such participation and (D) release of any guarantor of the Obligations.  Participations by a Person in a Money Market Loan of any Lender shall not be deemed “participations” for purposes of this Section 14.1(e)  and shall not be subject to the restrictions on “participations” contained herein.

 

Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “ Participant Register ”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Revolving Credit Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Revolving Credit Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  The entries

 

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in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

(f)                                    Any Lender (each, a “ Designating Lender ”) may at any time designate one Designated Bank to fund Money Market Loans on behalf of such Designating Lender subject to the terms of this Section 14.1(f)  and the provisions in Section 14.1 (b)  and (e)  shall not apply to such designation.  No Lender may designate more than one (1) Designated Bank.  The parties to each such designation shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent for its acceptance a Designation Agreement.  Upon such receipt of an appropriately completed Designation Agreement executed by a Designating Lender and a designee representing that it is a Designated Bank, the Administrative Agent will accept such Designation Agreement and will give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower, whereupon, (i) the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Designating Bank a Designated Bank Note payable to the order of the Designated Bank, (ii) from and after the effective date specified in the Designation Agreement, the Designated Bank shall become a party to this Agreement with a right to make Money Market Loans on behalf of its Designating Lender pursuant to Section 2.2 after the Borrower has accepted a Money Market Loan (or portion thereof) of the Designating Lender, and (iii) the Designated Bank shall not be required to make payments with respect to any obligations in this Agreement except to the extent of excess cash flow of such Designated Bank which is not otherwise required to repay obligations of such Designated Bank which are then due and payable; provided, however, that regardless of such designation and assumption by the Designated Bank, the Designating Lender shall be and remain obligated to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Co-Agents and the other Lenders for each and every of the obligations of the Designating Lender and its related Designated Bank with respect to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any indemnification obligations under Section 12.5 hereof and any sums otherwise payable to the Borrower by the Designated Bank.  Each Designating Lender shall serve as the administrative agent of the Designated Bank and shall on behalf of, and to the exclusion of, the Designated Bank: (i) receive any and all payments made for the benefit of the Designated Bank and (ii) give and receive all communications and notices and take all actions hereunder, including, without limitation, votes, approvals, waivers, consents and amendments under or relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Any such notice, communication, vote, approval, waiver, consent or amendment shall be signed by the Designating Lender as administrative agent for the Designated Bank and shall not be signed by the Designated Bank on its own behalf but shall be binding on the Designated Bank to the same extent as if actually signed by the Designated Bank.  The Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, Co-Agents and Lenders may rely thereon without any requirement that the Designated Bank sign or acknowledge the same.  No Designated Bank may assign or transfer all or any portion of its interest hereunder or under any other Loan Document, other than assignments to the Designating Lender which originally designated such Designated Bank or otherwise in accordance with the provisions of Section 14.1 (b)  and (e) .

 

(g)                                   Information Regarding the Borrower .  Any Lender may, in connection with any assignment or participation or proposed assignment or participation pursuant to this Section 14.1 , disclose to the assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant, any

 

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information relating to the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, or its Subsidiaries furnished to such Lender by the Administrative Agent or by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower; provided that, prior to any such disclosure, such assignee or participant, or proposed assignee or participant, shall agree, in writing, to preserve in accordance with Section 14.20 the confidentiality of any confidential information described therein.

 

(h)                                  SPC Assignment .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “ Granting Lender ”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (a “ SPC ”), identified in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent, the option to purchase from the Granting Lender all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make as provided herein, provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment to purchase any Loan by any SPC, and (ii) if a SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to fund all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to fund such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof. The funding of a Loan by a SPC hereunder shall utilize the Revolving Credit Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were funded by such Granting Lender. Each party hereby agrees that no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or payment under this Agreement for which a Lender would otherwise be liable, for so long as, and to the extent, the Granting Lender provides such indemnity or makes such payment. In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding Loans of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings or similar proceedings under the laws of the United States. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Granting Lender may disclose to a SPC and any SPC may disclose to any Rating Agency or provider of any surety or guarantee to such SPC any information relating to the SPC’s funding of Loans, all on a confidential basis. This clause (h) may not be amended without the prior written consent of each Granting Lender, all or any part of whose Loans are being funded by a SPC at the time of such amendment.

 

(i)                                      Payment to Participants .  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the case of any participation, all amounts payable by the Borrower under the Loan Documents shall be calculated and made in the manner and to the parties required hereby as if no such participation had been sold.

 

(j)                                     Lenders’ Creation of Security Interests .  Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this Agreement, any Lender may at any time create a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including, without limitation, Obligations owing to it and any Note held by it) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or security interest in favor of any Federal Reserve bank in accordance with Regulation A of the Federal Reserve Board or any other central bank.

 

14.2                         Expenses .

 

(a)                                  Generally .  The Borrower agrees upon demand to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all of their respective reasonable external audit and investigation expenses, and for the fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent

 

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(but not of other legal counsel) and for all other out-of-pocket costs and expenses of every type and nature incurred by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank in connection with (i) the audit and investigation of the Consolidated Businesses, the Projects and other Properties of the Consolidated Businesses in connection with the preparation, negotiation, and execution of the Loan Documents; (ii) the preparation, negotiation, execution and interpretation of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the satisfaction or attempted satisfaction of any of the conditions set forth in Article VI ), the Loan Documents, and the making of the Loans hereunder; (iii) the ongoing administration of this Agreement and the Loans, including consultation with attorneys in connection therewith and with respect to the Administrative Agent’s rights and responsibilities under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (iv) the protection, collection or enforcement of any of the Obligations or the enforcement of any of the Loan Documents; (v) the commencement, defense or intervention in any court proceeding relating in any way to the Obligations, any Project, the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents; (vi) the response to, and preparation for, any subpoena or request for document production with which the Administrative Agent or any other Agents or any other Lender is served or deposition or other proceeding in which any Lender is called to testify, in each case, relating in any way to the Obligations, a Project, the Borrower, any of the Consolidated Businesses, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents; and (vii) any amendments, consents, waivers, assignments, restatements, or supplements to any of the Loan Documents and the preparation, negotiation, and execution of the same.

 

(b)                                  After Default .  The Borrower further agrees to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Co-Agents and each of the Lenders and their respective directors, officers, partners, employees, agents and advisors upon demand for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses (including allocated costs of internal counsel and costs of settlement) incurred by such entity after the occurrence of an Event of Default (i) in enforcing any Loan Document or Obligation or any security therefor or exercising or enforcing any other right or remedy available by reason of such Event of Default; (ii) in connection with any refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided under this Agreement in the nature of a “work-out” or in any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding; (iii) in commencing, defending or intervening in any litigation or in filing a petition, complaint, answer, motion or other pleadings in any legal proceeding relating to the Obligations, a Project, any of the Consolidated Businesses and related to or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby or by any of the other Loan Documents; and (iv) in taking any other action in or with respect to any suit or proceeding (bankruptcy or otherwise) described in clauses (i) through (iii) above.

 

14.3                         Indemnity .  The Borrower and each Qualified Borrower further agrees, jointly and severally, (a) to defend, protect, indemnify, and hold harmless the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Co-Agents, the Issuing Bank and each and all of the other Lenders and each of their respective Related Parties (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the satisfaction or attempted satisfaction of any of the conditions set forth in Article VI ) (collectively, the “ Indemnitees ”) from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses (other than loss of profits), damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims, costs, reasonable expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (excluding any Taxes and including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for such Indemnitees in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding, whether

 

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or not such Indemnitees shall be designated a party thereto), imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against such Indemnitees in any manner relating to or arising out of (i) this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or any act, event or transaction related or attendant thereto, the making of the Loans and the issuance of and participation in Letters of Credit hereunder, the management of such Loans or Letters of Credit, the use or intended use of the proceeds of the Loans or Letters of Credit hereunder, or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, or (ii) any Liabilities and Costs relating to violation of any Environmental, Health or Safety Requirements of Law, the past, present or future operations of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective predecessors in interest, or, the past, present or future environmental, health or safety condition of any respective Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the presence of asbestos-containing materials at any respective Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or the Release or threatened Release of any Contaminant into the environment (collectively, the “ Indemnified Matters ”); provided , however , neither the Borrower nor any Qualified Borrower shall have any obligation to an Indemnitee hereunder with respect to Indemnified Matters caused by or resulting from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnitee, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a non-appealable final judgment; and (b) not to assert any claim against any of the Indemnitees, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect consequential or punitive damages arising out of, or in any way in connection with, the Revolving Credit Commitments, the Revolving Credit Obligations, or the other matters governed by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  To the extent that the undertaking to indemnify, pay and hold harmless set forth in the preceding sentence may be unenforceable because it is violative of any law or public policy, the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower shall contribute the maximum portion which it is permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable law, to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Matters incurred by the Indemnitees.  No Indemnitee referred to in this Section 14.3 shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, unless the receipt of such information or materials by the unintended recipient resulted from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnitee, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a non-appealable final judgment.

 

14.4                         Change in Accounting Principles .  If any change in the accounting principles used in the preparation of the most recent financial statements referred to in Sections 8.1 or 8.2 are hereafter required or permitted by the rules, regulations, pronouncements and opinions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or successors thereto or agencies with similar functions) and are adopted by any General Partner or the Borrower, as applicable, with the agreement of its independent certified public accountants and such changes result in a change in the method of calculation of any of the covenants, standards or terms found in Article X , the parties hereto agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such provisions so as to equitably reflect such changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating compliance with such covenants, standards and terms by the Borrower shall be the same after such changes as if such changes had not been made; provided , however , no change in GAAP that would affect the method of calculation of any of the covenants, standards or terms shall be given effect in such calculations until such provisions are amended, in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to so reflect such change in accounting principles.

 

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14.5                         Setoff .  In addition to any Liens granted under the Loan Documents and any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Lender and any Affiliate of any Lender is hereby authorized by the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower at any time or from time to time, without notice to any Person (any such notice being hereby expressly waived) to set off and to appropriate and to apply any and all deposits (general or special, including, but not limited to, indebtedness evidenced by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured (but not including trust accounts)) and any other Indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Lender or any of its Affiliates to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower against and on account of the Obligations of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower to such Lender or any of its Affiliates, including, but not limited to, all Loans and Letters of Credit and all claims of any nature or description arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, irrespective of whether or not (i) such Lender shall have made any demand hereunder or (ii) the Administrative Agent, at the request or with the consent of the Requisite Lenders, shall have declared the principal of and interest on the Loans and other amounts due hereunder to be due and payable as permitted by Article XI and even though such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured.  Each Lender agrees that it shall not, without the express consent of the Requisite Lenders, and that it shall, to the extent it is lawfully entitled to do so, upon the request of the Requisite Lenders, exercise its setoff rights hereunder against any accounts of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower now or hereafter maintained with such Lender or any Affiliate.

 

14.6                         Ratable Sharing .  The Lenders agree among themselves that (i) with respect to all amounts received by them which are applicable to the payment of the Obligations (excluding the repayment of Money Market Loans to a particular Money Market Lender and the fees described in Sections 3.1(g) , 5.2(f) , and 5.3 and Article XIII ) equitable adjustment will be made so that, in effect, all such amounts will be shared among them ratably in accordance with their applicable Pro Rata Shares, whether received by voluntary payment, by the exercise of the right of setoff or banker’s lien, by counterclaim or cross-action or by the enforcement of any or all of the Obligations (excluding the repayment of Money Market Loans to a particular Money Market Lender and the fees described in Sections 3.1(g) , 5.2(f) , and 5.3 and Article XIII ), (ii) if any of them shall by voluntary payment or by the exercise of any right of counterclaim, setoff, banker’s lien or otherwise, receive payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of the Obligations held by it, which is greater than the amount which such Lender is entitled to receive hereunder, the Lender receiving such excess payment shall purchase, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation (which it shall be deemed to have done simultaneously upon the receipt of such payment) in such Obligations owed to the others so that all such recoveries with respect to such Obligations shall be applied ratably in accordance with their applicable Pro Rata Shares; provided , however , that if all or part of such excess payment received by the purchasing party is thereafter recovered from it, those purchases shall be rescinded and the purchase prices paid for such participations shall be returned to such party to the extent necessary to adjust for such recovery, but without interest except to the extent the purchasing party is required to pay interest in connection with such recovery.  The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to this Section 14.6 may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment (including, subject to Section 14.5 , the right of setoff) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

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14.7                         Amendments and Waivers .

 

(a)                                  General Provisions .  Unless otherwise provided for or required in this Agreement, no amendment or modification of any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents shall be effective without the written agreement of the Requisite Lenders (which the Requisite Lenders shall have the right to grant or withhold in their sole discretion) and the Borrower and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent; provided , however , that the Borrower’s agreement shall not be required for any amendment or modification of Sections 12.1 through 12.8 . No termination or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall be effective without the written concurrence of the Requisite Lenders, which the Requisite Lenders shall have the right to grant or withhold in their sole discretion.  All amendments, waivers and consents not specifically reserved to the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the other Co-Agents or the other Lenders in Section 14.7(b) , 14.7(c) , and in other provisions of this Agreement shall require only the approval of the Requisite Lenders. Any waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. No notice to or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Designating Lender on behalf of its Designated Bank affected thereby, (a) subject such Designated Bank to any additional obligations, (b) reduce the principal of, interest on, or other amounts due with respect to, the Designated Bank Note made payable to such Designated Bank, or (c) postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, or other amounts due with respect to the Designated Bank Note made payable to the Designated Bank.

 

(b)                                  Amendments, Consents and Waivers by Affected Lenders . Any amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent with respect to any of the following provisions of this Agreement shall be effective only by a written agreement, signed by each Lender affected thereby as described below:

 

(i)                                      waiver of any of the conditions specified in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 (except with respect to a condition based upon another provision of this Agreement, the waiver of which requires only the concurrence of the Requisite Lenders),

 

(ii)                                   increase or non-pro rata reduction in the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment or Term Commitment,

 

(iii)                                reduction of the principal of, rate or amount of interest on the Loans, the Reimbursement Obligations, or any fees or other amounts payable to such Lender (other than by the payment or prepayment thereof),

 

(iv)                               except as provided in Section 2.5 , postponement or extension of any date (including the Revolving Credit Termination Date or the Term Maturity Date) fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, the Loans, the Reimbursement Obligations or any fees or other amounts payable to such Lender (except with respect to any modifications of the application provisions relating to prepayments of Loans and other Obligations which are governed by Section 4.2(b) ),

 

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(v)                                  amend Section 14.25 without the consent of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank(s),

 

(vi)                               change the definition of “Requisite Facility Lender” with respect to a Facility without the consent of all Lenders in such Facility, and

 

(vii)                            amend, modify or waive any provision that adversely affects the rights of any Facility in a manner different than such amendment, modification or waiver affects the other Facility without the consent of the Requisite Facility Lenders under such adversely affected Facility.

 

(c)                                   Amendments, Consents and Waivers by All Lenders .  Any amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent with respect to any of the following provisions of this Agreement shall be effective only by a written agreement, signed by each Lender:

 

(i)                                      increase in the sum of Maximum Revolving Credit Amount plus the principal amount of the Term Loans made hereunder to any amount in excess of $1,800,000,000,

 

(ii)                                   change in the definition of Requisite Lenders or in the aggregate percentage of the Lenders which shall be required for the Lenders or any of them to take action hereunder or under the other Loan Documents,

 

(iii)                                amendment of Section 14.6 or this Section 14.7 , or amendment of Section 4.2(b)  in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby;

 

(iv)                               assignment of any right or interest in or under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents by the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower,

 

(v)                                  release or termination of any Qualified Borrower Guaranty, and

 

(vi)                               waiver of any Event of Default described in Sections 11.1(a) , (f) , (g) , (i) , ( m ), and (n) .

 

(d)                                  Administrative Agent Authority .  The Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, with the written concurrence of any Lender, execute amendments, modifications, waivers or consents on behalf of that Lender.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 14.7 , no amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, unless made in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above to take such action. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that the Borrower shall have requested, in writing, that any Lender agree to an amendment, modification, waiver or consent with respect to any particular provision or provisions of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and such Lender shall have failed to state, in writing, that it either agrees or disagrees (in full or in part) with all such requests (in the case of its statement of agreement, subject to satisfactory documentation and such other conditions it may specify) within twenty (20) days after such Lender receives such request, then,

 

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the Administrative Agent shall deliver a second request, in writing, to any such Lender(s), which second request shall include a legend, in capital letters, stating “FAILURE TO RESPOND, IN WRITING, TO THIS REQUEST WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS AFTER RECEIPT MAY RESULT IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT CONSENTING OR DENYING CONSENT TO SUCH REQUEST ON YOUR BEHALF”. If such Lender shall have failed to state, in writing, that it either agrees or disagrees (in full or in part) with all such requests (in the case of its statement of agreement, subject to satisfactory documentation and such other conditions it may specify) within ten (10) days after such Lender receives such request, then, such Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to agree or disagree, in full or in part, and in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, to such requests on behalf of such Lender as such Lenders’ attorney-in-fact and to execute and deliver any writing approved by the Administrative Agent which evidences such agreement as such Lender’s duly authorized agent for such purposes.

 

14.8                         Notices .

 

(a)                                  Generally .  Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

 

(i)                                      if to the Borrower, to it at 225 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Attention of                                (Telecopy No. [  ]);

 

(ii)                                   if to the Administrative Agent, to Bank of America, N.A., Mail Code: NC1-001-05-46, 101 North Tryon St.,  Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Attention of Wayne A. Richard, Telecopy No. (704) 288-3075, E-mail: wayne.a.richard@baml.com; with a copy to Bank of America, N.A.,Mail Code: CA5-701-05-19, 1455 Market Street, 5 th  Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, Attention of Liliana Claar, Telecopy No. (415) 503-5003, Email: liliana.claar@baml.com;

 

(iii)                                if to the Issuing Bank, to it at Bank of America, N.A., Trade Operations, 1 Fleet Way, Mail Code: PA6-580-02-30, Scranton, PA 18507, Attention: John P. Yzeik, Fax: (800) 755-8743, Email: john.p.yzeik@baml.com;

 

(iv)                               if to the Swingline Lender, to it at Bank of America, N.A., Mail Code: NC1-001-05-46, 101 North Tryon St.,  Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Attention of Wayne A. Richard, Telecopy No. (704) 288-3075, E-mail: wayne.a.richard@baml.com; with a copy to Bank of America, N.A.,Mail Code: CA5-701-05-19, 1455 Market Street, 5 th  Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, Attention of Liliana Claar, Telecopy No. (415) 503-5003, Email: liliana.claar@baml.com; and

 

(v)                                  if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have

 

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been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient).  Notices delivered through Electronic Systems, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).

 

(b)                                  Electronic Notices .  Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereunder may be delivered or furnished by using Electronic Systems pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II or Article IV unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender.  The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.  The Administrative Agent hereby agrees to accept delivery of the Debt Rating Pricing Election Notice by email.

 

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

 

(c)                                   Changes in Addresses .  Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

 

(d)                                  Electronic Systems .

 

(i)                                      The Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make Communications (as defined below) available to the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders by posting the Communications on Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar Electronic System.

 

(ii)                                   Any Electronic System used by the Administrative Agent is provided “as is” and “as available.”  The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of such Electronic Systems and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications.  No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including, without limitation, any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Communications or any Electronic System.  In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “ Agent Parties ”) have any liability to the Borrower, any

 

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Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including, without limitation, direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of communications through an Electronic System.  “ Communications ” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Electronic System.

 

14.9                         Survival of Warranties and Agreements .  All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the certificates or other instruments  delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Revolving Credit Commitments have not expired or terminated.  The provisions of Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 5.2(f) , 14.2 , and 14.3 and Article XII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Revolving Credit Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

14.10                  Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative .  No failure or delay on the part of the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any other Agent in the exercise of any power, right or privilege under any of the Loan Documents shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege.  All rights and remedies existing under the Loan Documents are cumulative to and not exclusive of any rights or remedies otherwise available.

 

14.11                  Marshalling; Payments Set Aside .  None of the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any other Co-Agent shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower or any other party or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations.  To the extent that the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower makes a payment or payments to the Administrative Agent, any Agent or any other Lender or any such Person exercises its rights of setoff, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or setoff or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, then to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and

 

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all Liens, right and remedies therefor, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

 

14.12                  Severability .  In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

14.13                  Headings .  Section headings in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement or be given any substantive effect.

 

14.14                  Governing Law .  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE INTERPRETED, AND THE RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO DETERMINED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

 

14.15                  Limitation of Liability .  No claim may be made by any Lender, any Co-Agent, any Arranger, the Administrative Agent, Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any other Person against any Lender (acting in any capacity hereunder) or the Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, attorneys or agents of any of them for any consequential or punitive damages in respect of any claim for breach of contract or any other theory of liability arising out of or related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or any act, omission or event occurring in connection therewith; and each Lender, each Co-Agent, each Arranger, the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue upon any such claim for any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor.

 

14.16                  Successors and Assigns .  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the successors and permitted assigns of the Lenders.  The rights hereunder of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower, or any interest therein, may not be assigned without the prior written consent of all Lenders (and any attempted assignment by the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower without such consent shall be null and void).  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in Section 14.1(e) ) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

14.17                  Certain Consents and Waivers of the Borrower .

 

(a)                                  Personal Jurisdiction .  (i)  EACH OF THE LENDERS AND THE BORROWER AND EACH QUALIFIED BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE

 

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NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY NEW YORK STATE COURT OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK, AND ANY COURT HAVING JURISDICTION OVER APPEALS OF MATTERS HEARD IN SUCH COURTS, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED TO OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED AMONG THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY OR OTHERWISE, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH STATE COURT OR, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.  THE BORROWER AND EACH QUALIFIED BORROWER IRREVOCABLY DESIGNATES AND APPOINTS CT CORPORATION SYSTEM, 1633 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019, AS ITS AGENT (THE “PROCESS AGENT”) FOR SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, SUCH SERVICE BEING HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGED TO BE EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT.  EACH OF THE LENDERS AND THE BORROWER AND EACH QUALIFIED BORROWER AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.  THE BORROWER AND EACH QUALIFIED BORROWER WAIVES IN ALL DISPUTES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY HAVE TO THE LOCATION OF THE COURT CONSIDERING THE DISPUTE.

 

(ii)                                   THE BORROWER AND EACH QUALIFIED BORROWER AGREES THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROCEED AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ITS PROPERTY IN A COURT IN ANY LOCATION NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE TO ENABLE THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE OTHER LENDERS TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER ENTERED IN FAVOR OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OTHER LENDER.  THE BORROWER AND EACH QUALIFIED BORROWER AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT ANY PERMISSIVE COUNTERCLAIMS IN ANY PROCEEDING BROUGHT BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY OTHER AGENT TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER IN FAVOR OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY SUCH OTHER AGENT.  THE BORROWER AND EACH QUALIFIED BORROWER WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY HAVE TO THE LOCATION OF THE COURT IN WHICH THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY OTHER AGENT OR ANY LENDER MAY COMMENCE A PROCEEDING DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION.

 

(b)                                  Service of Process .  THE BORROWER AND EACH QUALIFIED BORROWER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE PROCESS AGENT OR THE BORROWER’S NOTICE ADDRESS SPECIFIED BELOW, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON RECEIPT.  THE

 

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BORROWER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION OF THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS ) WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY JURISDICTION SET FORTH ABOVE.  NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR THE OTHER LENDERS TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE BORROWER IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

(c)                                   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .  EACH PARTY HERETO AND EACH QUALIFIED BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

14.18                  Counterparts; Effectiveness; Inconsistencies; Electronic Execution .

 

(a)                                  This Agreement and any amendments, waivers, consents, or supplements hereto may be executed in counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.  This Agreement shall become effective against the Borrower and each Lender on the Closing Date.  This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents shall be construed to the extent reasonable to be consistent one with the other, but to the extent that the terms and conditions of this Agreement are actually inconsistent with the terms and conditions of any other Loan Document, this Agreement shall govern. In the event the Lenders enter into any co-lender agreement with the Arrangers pertaining to the Lenders’ respective rights with respect to voting on any matter referenced in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents on which the Lenders have a right to vote under the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, such co-lender agreement shall be construed to the extent reasonable to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, but to the extent that the terms and conditions of such co-lender agreement are actually inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and/or the other Loan Documents, such co-lender agreement shall govern. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any rights reserved to the Administrative Agent or the Arrangers or the Co-Agents under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be varied or in any way affected by such co-lender agreement and the rights and obligation of the Borrower under the Loan Documents will not be varied.

 

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(b)                                  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.  The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any  document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

14.19                  Limitation on Agreements .  All agreements between the Borrower, each Qualified Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Arranger, each Co-Agent and each Lender in the Loan Documents are hereby expressly limited so that in no event shall any of the Loans or other amounts payable by the Borrower or a Qualified Borrower under any of the Loan Documents be directly or indirectly secured (within the meaning of Regulation U) by Margin Stock.

 

14.20                  Confidentiality .  Subject to Section 14.1(g) , the Lenders shall hold all nonpublic information obtained pursuant to the requirements of this Agreement, and identified as such by the Borrower, in accordance with such Lender’s customary procedures for handling confidential information of this nature and in accordance with safe and sound banking practices (provided that such Lender may disclose such information (i) to its Affiliates, its partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (ii) to any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, or to any credit insurance provider relating to the Borrower or its obligation, (iii) to any other party hereto, and (iv) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder), (v) with the prior written consent of the Borrower or (vi) to the extent such information (A) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (B) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower, and in any event the Lenders may make disclosure reasonably required by a bona fide or potential offeree, transferee or participant in connection with the contemplated transfer or participation or as required or requested by any Governmental Authority, self-regulatory body or representative thereof or pursuant to legal process and shall require any such offeree, transferee or participant to agree (and require any of its offerees, transferees or participants to agree) to comply with this Section 14.20 .  In no event shall any Lender be obligated or required to return any materials furnished by the Borrower; provided , however , each offeree shall be required to agree that if it does not become a transferee or participant it shall return or destroy all materials furnished to it by the Borrower in connection with this Agreement.  Unless specifically

 

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prohibited by applicable law or court order, each Lender and each Co-Agent shall make reasonable efforts to the extent practicable to notify Borrower of any request by any governmental agency or representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with any examination of the financial condition or other routine examination of such Lender by such governmental agency) for disclosure of any such nonpublic information prior to disclosure of such information.  Lenders also may make disclosure to any rating agency when required by it, provided that, prior to any disclosure, such rating agency shall undertake in writing to preserve the confidentiality of any confidential information relating to Borrower received by it from any Co-Agent or any Lender, and disclosures in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Credit Document.  In addition, each Co-Agent and each Lender may disclose the existence of this Agreement and the information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar services providers to the lending industry, and service providers to the Co-Agents and the Lenders in connection with the administration and management of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

14.21                  Disclaimers .  The Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the other Co-Agents and the other Lenders shall not be liable to any contractor, subcontractor, supplier, laborer, architect, engineer, tenant or other party for services performed or materials supplied in connection with any work performed on the Projects, including any TI Work.  The Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the other Co-Agents and the other Lenders shall not be liable for any debts or claims accruing in favor of any such parties against the Borrower or others or against any of the Projects.  The Borrower is not and shall not be an agent of any of the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the other Co-Agents or the other Lenders for any purposes and none of the Lenders, the Co-Agents, the Arrangers, or the Administrative Agent shall be deemed partners or joint venturers with Borrower or any of its Affiliates.  None of the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the other Co-Agents or the other Lenders shall be deemed to be in privity of contract with any contractor or provider of services to any Project, nor shall any payment of funds directly to a contractor or subcontractor or provider of services be deemed to create any third party beneficiary status or recognition of same by any of the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the other Co-Agents or the other Lenders and the Borrower agrees to hold the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Co-Arrangers, the other Co-Agents and the other Lenders harmless from any of the damages and expenses resulting from such a construction of the relationship of the parties or any assertion thereof.

 

14.22                  No Bankruptcy Proceedings .  Each of the Borrower, all Qualified Borrowers, the Arrangers, the Co-Agents and the other Lenders hereby agrees that it will not institute against any Designated Bank or join any other Person in instituting against any Designated Bank any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding under any federal or state bankruptcy or similar law, until the later to occur of (i) one year and one day after the payment in full of the latest maturing commercial paper note issued by such Designated Bank and (ii) the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

 

14.23                  Interest Rate Limitation.   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “ Charges ”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “ Maximum Rate ”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in

 

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accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

 

14.24                  USA Patriot Act .  Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “ Act ”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.

 

14.25                  Defaulting Lenders .  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

 

(a)                                  fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitments of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 5.3 ;

 

(b)                                  the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders or the Requisite Lenders or the Requisite Facility Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section 14.7 , except that the Defaulting Lender’s consent shall be required in connection with any increase or extension in such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment or Term Commitments pursuant to Section 14.7(b)(ii) , any amendment pursuant to Section 14.7(b)(iii)  or (iv)  affecting its Loans or pursuant to Section 14.7(b)(iv)  with respect to postponing the Revolving Credit Termination Date or the Term Maturity Date only), provided that any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender which affects such Defaulting Lender differently than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender;

 

(c)                                   if any Swingline Loans or Letters of Credit exist at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

 

(i)                                      all or any part of such liability with respect to Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Share for the Revolving Credit Facility but only to the extent (x) the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Credit Obligations plus such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments (it being understood that under no circumstance shall any Lender at any time be liable for any amounts in excess of its Revolving Credit Commitment), and (y) the conditions set forth in Section 6.2(a)  and Section 6.2(b)  are satisfied at such time; and

 

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(ii)                                   if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within five (5) Business Days following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Swingline Loans and (y) second, cash collateralize such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of Letters of Credit (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.4 for so long as such Letters of Credit are outstanding;

 

(iii)                                if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 14.25(c) , the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender  with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Letters of Credit during the period such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Letters of Credit is cash collateralized;

 

(iv)                               if the Pro Rata Share of the non-Defaulting Lenders with respect to Letters of Credit is reallocated pursuant to Section 14.25(c) , then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Pro Rata Shares; or

 

(v)                                  if any Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of Letters of Credit is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to Section 14.25(c) , then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any Lender hereunder, all Facility Fees that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Lender (solely with respect to the portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment that was utilized by such Pro Rata Share of Letters of Credit) and shall be payable to the Issuing Bank until such Pro Rata Share of Letters of Credit is cash collateralized and/or reallocated; and

 

(d)                                  so long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure will be 100% covered by the Revolving Credit Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 14.25(c) , and participating interests in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit or newly made Swingline Loan shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 14.25(c)(i)  (and Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein).

 

If (i) a Bankruptcy Event with respect to a Parent of any Lender shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (ii) the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, shall have entered into arrangements with the Borrower or such Lender, satisfactory to the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.

 

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In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Pro Rata Shares of the Revolving Credit Lenders with respect to Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swingline Loans) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Pro Rata Share.

 

14.26                  Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs .  If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.9 , Article III, 2.1(c), 4.2 or 14.3, then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion and notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, unless subject to a good faith dispute, (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid, and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under such Sections; in the case of each of (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

 

14.27                  Judgment Currency .  (a) If for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in one currency into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so under applicable law, that the rate of exchange used shall be the spot rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the first currency could be purchased in New York City with such other currency by the person obtaining such judgment on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given.

 

(b)                                  The parties agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so under applicable law, that the obligations of the Borrower and Qualified Borrower to make payments in any currency of the principal of and interest on the Loans of Borrower or any Qualified Borrower and any other amounts due from Borrower or any Qualified Borrower hereunder to the Administrative Agent as provided herein (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with Section 14.27(a) ), in any currency other than the relevant currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt by the Administrative Agent at its relevant office on behalf of the Lenders of the full amount of the relevant currency expressed to be payable in respect of the principal of and interest on the Loans and all other amounts due hereunder (it being assumed for purposes of this clause (i) that the Administrative Agent will convert any amount tendered or recovered into the relevant currency on the date of such tender or recovery), (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the relevant currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the relevant currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by an unrelated judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Agreement.

 

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14.28                  Guarantors .  The Borrower may designate as guarantors one or more parties (“ Guarantors ”) who are to receive distributions of the proceeds of Loans hereunder in connection with a future merger, acquisition or similar transaction between the Borrower and its Affiliates on the one hand and such parties and their Affiliates on the other hand, with respect to such Loans, subject to the consummation of such merger, acquisition or similar transaction and provided that there shall be no Event of Default outstanding both before and immediately after giving effect to such merger, acquisition or similar transaction; provided that the Administrative Agent shall have reasonably satisfied itself with respect to “know your customer” and applicable Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions in respect of any such proposed Guarantor.  The guarantees executed by the Guarantors pursuant to this Section 14.28 (“ Guarantees ”) shall not exceed $250,000,000 in the aggregate.  The Guarantees shall be guarantees of collection and not guarantees of payment, shall otherwise be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit M or otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and shall be acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, effective upon their execution by the Guarantors.

 

14.29                  Entire Agreement .  This Agreement, taken together with all of the other Loan Documents, embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, written and oral, relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

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Exhibit 10.10

 

FORM OF INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

 

THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) dated as of                       , 2014, by and between Washington Prime Group Inc., an Indiana corporation (the “Corporation”) and [                      ] (“Indemnitee”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS , the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “Articles”) and the Amended and Restated By-laws of the Corporation (the “By-laws”) provide for indemnification by the Corporation of its directors and officers as provided therein, and the Indemnitee has agreed to serve as a director and/or officer of the Corporation or has agreed to continue to serve as a director and/or officer of the Corporation;

 

WHEREAS , to provide the Indemnitee with additional contractual assurance of protection against personal liability in connection with certain proceedings described below, the Corporation desires to enter into this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS , the Indiana Business Corporation Law (the “IBCA”) expressly recognizes that the indemnification provisions of the IBCA are not exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification may be entitled under the Articles or By-laws, a resolution of stockholders or directors, an agreement or otherwise, and this Agreement is being entered into pursuant to and in furtherance of the Articles and By-laws, as permitted by the IBCA and as authorized by the Articles and the Board of Directors of the Corporation;

 

WHEREAS , in order to induce the Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve as a director and/or officer of the Corporation and in consideration of the Indemnitee so serving, the Corporation desires to indemnify the Indemnitee and to make arrangements pursuant to which the Indemnitee may be advanced or reimbursed expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in certain proceedings described below, according to the terms and conditions set forth below;

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the Indemnitee’s agreement to serve or continue to serve as a director and/or officer of the Corporation and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Corporation has agreed to the covenants set forth herein for the purpose of further securing to the Indemnitee the indemnification provided by the Articles and the By-laws:

 



 

1.             Indemnification .

 

(a)            In accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 1 and in accordance with Article VIII of the By-laws, the Corporation shall hold harmless and indemnify the Indemnitee against any and all expenses, liabilities and losses (including, without limitation, investigation expenses and expert witnesses and attorneys’ fees and expenses, judgments, penalties, fines, ERISA excise taxes and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) actually incurred by the Indemnitee (net of any related insurance proceeds or other amounts received by the Indemnitee or paid by or on behalf of the Corporation on the Indemnitee’s behalf, in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration or proceeding or any inquiry or investigation, whether brought by or in the right of the Corporation or otherwise, that the Indemnitee in good faith believes might lead to the institution of any such action, suit, arbitration or proceeding), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, or any appeal therefrom, in which the Indemnitee is or becomes a party or a witness or other participant, or is threatened to be made a party or witness or other participant, (a “Proceeding”) based upon, arising from, relating to, or by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is, was, shall be, or shall have been a director and/or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving, shall serve, or shall have served at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent (“Affiliate Indemnitee”) of another foreign or domestic corporation or non-profit corporation, cooperative, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other incorporated or unincorporated enterprise (each, a “Corporation Affiliate”).

 

(b)            In providing the foregoing indemnification, the Corporation shall, with respect to a Proceeding, hold harmless and indemnify the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by the IBCA.

 

(c)            Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 1 for any expenses actually incurred in any Proceeding initiated by or in the right of the Corporation unless the Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation.

 

(d)            If the Indemnitee is entitled under this Agreement to indemnification by the Corporation for some or a portion of the Indemnified Amounts but not, however, for all of the total amount thereof, the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify the Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which the Indemnitee is entitled.

 

2.             Other Indemnification Arrangements . The IBCA and the Articles and By-laws permit the Corporation to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements, including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund or surety bond (“Indemnification Arrangements”) on behalf of the Indemnitee against any liability asserted against him

 

2



 

or her or incurred by or on behalf of him or her in such capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation or an Affiliated Indemnitee, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement or under the IBCA, as it may then be in effect. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any such Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Corporation or of the Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Corporation and the Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Corporation or the other party or parties thereto under any such Indemnification Arrangement. All amounts payable by the Corporation pursuant to this Section 2 and Section 1 hereof are herein referred to as “Indemnified Amounts.”

 

3.          Advance Payment of Indemnified Amounts .

 

(a)            The Indemnitee hereby is granted the right to receive in advance of a final, non-appealable judgment or other final adjudication of a Proceeding (a “Final Determination”) the amount of any and all expenses, including, without limitation, investigation expenses, expert witness’ and attorney’s fees and other expenses expended or incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding or otherwise expended or incurred by the Indemnitee (such amounts so expended or incurred being referred to as “Advanced Amounts”).

 

(b)            In making any written request for Advanced Amounts, the Indemnitee shall submit to the Corporation a schedule setting forth in reasonable detail the dollar amount expended or incurred and expected to be expended. Each such listing shall be supported by the bill, agreement, or other documentation relating thereto, each of which shall be appended to the schedule as an exhibit. In addition, before the Indemnitee may receive Advanced Amounts from the Corporation, the Indemnitee shall provide to the Corporation (i) a written affirmation of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the applicable standard of conduct required for indemnification by the Corporation has been satisfied by the Indemnitee, and (ii) a written undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay the Advanced Amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee has not satisfied any applicable standard of conduct and is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation. The written undertaking required from the Indemnitee shall be an unlimited general obligation of the Indemnitee but need not be secured. The Corporation shall pay to the Indemnitee all Advanced Amounts within twenty (20) days after receipt by the Corporation of all information and documentation required to be provided by the Indemnitee pursuant to this paragraph.

 

4.              Procedure for Payment of Indemnified Amounts .

 

(a)            To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnitee shall submit to

 

3



 

the Corporation a written request for payment of the appropriate Indemnified Amounts, including with requests documentation and information as is reasonably available to the Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The Secretary of the Corporation shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that the Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

 

(b)            The Corporation shall pay the Indemnitee the appropriate Indemnified Amounts unless it is established that the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct of the Express Permitted Indemnification Provisions.  For purposes of determining whether the Indemnitee is entitled to Indemnified Amounts, in order to deny indemnification to the Indemnitee the Corporation has the burden of proof in establishing that the Indemnitee did not meet the applicable standard of conduct. In this regard, a termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order or settlement does not create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct; provided, however, that the termination of any criminal proceeding by, or a pleading of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or an entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, creates a rebuttable presumption that the Indemnitee did not meet the applicable standard of conduct.

 

(c)            Any determination that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct required to qualify for indemnification shall be made (i) either by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties of such action, suit or proceeding; or (ii) by independent legal counsel (who may be the outside counsel regularly employed by the Corporation); provided that the manner in which (and, if applicable, the counsel by which) the right to indemnification is to be determined shall be approved in advance in writing by both the highest ranking executive officer of the Corporation who is not party to such action (sometimes hereinafter referred to as “Senior Officer”) and by the Indemnitee. In the event that such parties are unable to agree on the manner in which any such determination is to be made, such determination shall be made by independent legal counsel retained by the Corporation especially for such purpose, provided that such counsel be approved in advance in writing by both the said Senior Officer and the Indemnitee and provided further, that such counsel shall not be outside counsel regularly employed by the Corporation. The fees and expenses of counsel in connection with making said determination contemplated hereunder shall be paid by the Corporation, and, if requested by such counsel, the Corporation shall give such counsel an appropriate written agreement with respect to the payment of their fees and expenses and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by counsel.

 

(d)            The Corporation will use its reasonable best efforts to conclude as soon as practicable any required determination pursuant to subparagraph (c) above and promptly will advise the Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that the Indemnitee is or is not

 

4



 

entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. Payment of any applicable Indemnified Amounts will be made to the Indemnitee within ten (10) days after any determination of the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification.

 

(e)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnitee may, at any time after sixty (60) days after a claim for Indemnified Amounts has been filed with the Corporation (or upon receipt of written notice that a claim for Indemnified Amounts has been rejected, if earlier) and before three (3) years after a claim for Indemnified Amounts has been filed, petition a court of competent jurisdiction to determine whether the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under the provisions of this Agreement, and such court shall thereupon have the exclusive authority to make such determination unless and until such court dismisses or otherwise terminates such action without having made such determination.  The court shall, as petitioned, make an independent determination of whether the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification as provided under this Agreement, irrespective of any prior determination made by the Board of Directors or independent counsel. If the court shall determine that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification as to any claim, issue or matter involved in the Proceeding with respect to which there has been no prior determination pursuant to this Agreement or with respect to which there has been a prior determination that the Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification hereunder, the Corporation shall pay all expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) actually incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such judicial determination.

 

(f)             Excluded Coverage . The Corporation shall have no obligation to indemnify the Indemnitee for and hold him harmless from any loss or expense which has been determined, by final adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction, to constitute an Excluded Claim. For purposes of this Agreement, an Excluded Claim shall mean any payment for losses or expenses in connection with any claim:

 

(i)                                      Based upon or attributable to the Indemnitee gaining in fact any personal profit or advantage to which the Indemnitee is not entitled;

 

(ii)                                   For the return by the Indemnitee of any remuneration Indemnitee received or which was paid to or for the benefit of Indemnitee without the previous approval of the Corporation which is illegal;

 

(iii)                                For an accounting of profits in fact made from the purchase or sale by the Indemnitee of securities of the Corporation within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or similar provisions of any state law;

 

5



 

(iv)                               Resulting from the Indemnitee’s knowingly fraudulent, dishonest or willful misconduct; or

 

(v)                                  The payment of which by the Corporation under this Agreement is not permitted by applicable law.

 

5 .                                       Agreement Not Exclusive: Subrogation etc .

 

(a)            This Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of and shall not diminish any other rights the Indemnitee may have to be indemnified or insured or otherwise protected against any liability, loss, or expense by the Corporation, any subsidiary of the Corporation, or any other person or entity under any articles, by-laws, law, agreement, policy of insurance or similar protection, vote of stockholders or directors, disinterested or not, or otherwise, whether or not now in effect, both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s official capacity, and as to actions in another capacity while holding such office.  The Corporation’s obligations to make payments of Indemnified Amounts hereunder shall be satisfied to the extent that payments with respect to the same Proceeding (or part thereof) have been made to or for the benefit of the Indemnitee by reason of the indemnification of the Indemnitee pursuant to any other arrangement made by the Corporation for the benefit of the Indemnitee; provided, however, that in no event shall the Indemnitee be required to maintain any other such arrangement or request payment pursuant to any other such arrangement before seeking to be indemnified hereunder.

 

(b)            In the event the Indemnitee shall receive payment from any insurance carrier or from the plaintiff in any Proceeding against such Indemnitee in respect of Indemnified Amounts after payments on account of all or part of such Indemnified Amounts have been made by the Corporation pursuant hereto, such Indemnitee shall promptly reimburse to the Corporation the amount, if any, by which the sum of such payment by such insurance carrier or such plaintiff and payments by the Corporation or pursuant to arrangements made by the Corporation to the Indemnitee exceeds such Indemnified Amounts; provided, however, that such portions, if any, of such insurance proceeds that are required to be reimbursed to the insurance carrier under the terms of its insurance policy, such as deductible or co-insurance payments, shall not be deemed to be payments to the Indemnitee hereunder. In addition, upon payment of Indemnified Amounts hereunder, the Corporation shall be subrogated to the rights of the Indemnitee receiving such payments to the extent thereof against any insurance carrier (to the extent permitted under such insurance policies) or in respect of such Indemnified Amounts and the Indemnitee shall execute and deliver any and all instruments and documents and perform any and all other acts or deeds which the Corporation deems necessary or advisable to secure such rights.  Such right of subrogation shall be terminated upon receipt by the Corporation of the amount to be reimbursed by the Indemnitee pursuant to the first sentence of this paragraph (b).

 

6



 

6.              Insurance Coverage . In the event that the Corporation maintains directors and officers liability insurance to protect itself and any director or officer of the Corporation against any expense, liability or loss, such insurance shall cover the Indemnitee to at least the same extent as any other director or officer of the Corporation.

 

7.             Establishment of Trust . In the event of a potential business combination or change in control of the Corporation of the type required to be reported under Item 1 of Form 8-K promulgated under the Exchange Act (collectively, a “Change in Control”), the Corporation shall, upon written request by the Indemnitee, create a trust (the “Trust”) for the benefit of the Indemnitee and from time to time upon written request of the Indemnitee shall fund the Trust in an amount sufficient to satisfy any and all Indemnified Amounts (including, Advanced Amounts) which are actually paid (but not as yet reimbursed) or which the Indemnitee reasonably determines from time to time may be payable by the Corporation under this Agreement. The amount or amounts to be deposited in the Trust pursuant to the foregoing funding obligation shall be determined by the independent legal counsel appointed under Section 4 hereof. The terms of the Trust shall provide that following its establishment: (i) the Trust shall not be revoked or the principal thereof invaded without the written consent of the Indemnitee; (ii) the trustee of the Trust shall advance, within twenty (20) days of a request by the Indemnitee, any and all Advanced Amounts to the Indemnitee (and the Indemnitee hereby agrees to reimburse the Trust under the circumstances under which the Indemnitee would be required to reimburse the Corporation under Section 3(b)(ii) hereof; (iii) the Corporation shall continue to fund the Trust from time to time in accordance with the funding obligations set forth above; (iv) the trustee of the Trust shall promptly pay to the Indemnitee all Indemnified Amounts for which the Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement; and (v) all unexpended funds in the Trust shall revert to the Corporation upon a final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final decision from which there is no further right of appeal that the Indemnitee has been fully Indemnified under the terms of this Agreement. The trustee of the Trust shall be chosen by the Indemnitee.

 

8.              Continuation of Indemnity . All agreements and obligations of the Corporation contained herein shall continue during the period the Indemnitee is a director or officer, as the case may be, of the Corporation (or is serving at the request of the Corporation as an Affiliate Indemnitee) and shall continue thereafter so long as the Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee was a director or officer of the Corporation or was serving in any other capacity referred to herein.

 

9.             Successors: Binding Agreement . This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Corporation’s successors and assigns and by the Indemnitee’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs,

 

7



 

distributees, devisees, and legatees. The Corporation shall require any successor or assignee (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Corporation, by written agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation and to the Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Corporation would be required to perform if no such succession or assignment had taken place.

 

10.           Enforcement . The Corporation has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on the Corporation hereby in order to induce the Indemnitee to act as a director or officer as the case may be, of the Corporation, and acknowledges that the Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in continuing in such capacity.

 

(a)            The Indemnitee’s right to indemnification shall be enforceable by the Indemnitee only in the state and federal courts of competent jurisdiction in the State of Indiana and shall be enforceable notwithstanding any adverse determination, other than a determination which has been made by a final adjudication of a court of competent jurisdiction. In any such action, if a prior adverse determination has been made, the burden of proving that indemnification is required under this Agreement shall be on the Indemnitee. The Corporation shall have the burden of proving that indemnification is not required under this Agreement if no prior adverse determination shall have been made.

 

(b)            In the event the Indemnitee is required to bring any action to enforce rights or to collect moneys due under this Agreement and is successful in such action, the Corporation shall reimburse the Indemnitee for all of the Indemnitee ‘s fees and expenses (including attorney’s fees and expenses) in bringing and pursuing such action. The Indemnitee shall be entitled to the advancement of Indemnified Amounts to the full extent contemplated by Section 3 hereof in connection with such proceeding.

 

11.           Severability . In the event that any provision of this Agreement is determined by a court to require the Corporation to do or to fail to do an act which is in violation of applicable law, such provision shall be limited or modified in its application to the minimum extent necessary to avoid a violation of law, and, as so limited or modified, such provision and the balance of this Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with their terms.

 

12.           Miscellaneous . No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived, or discharged unless such modification, waiver, or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by the Indemnitee and either the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or another officer of the Corporation specifically designated by the Board of Directors. No waiver by either party at any time of any breach by the other party of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a

 

8



 

waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same time or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement. The validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof. The Indemnitee may bring an action seeking resolution of disputes or controversies arising under or in any way related to this Agreement in the state or federal court jurisdiction in which the Indemnitee resides or in which his or her place of business is located, and in any related appellate courts, and the Corporation consents to the jurisdiction of such courts and to such venue.

 

13.           Notices . For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, as follows:

 

If to the Indemnitee:

 

[D&O Name]

[Address of D&O]

Facsimile:   (317)

 

If to the Corporation:

 

Washington Prime Group Inc.

7315 Wisconsin Avenue

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

Facsimile:

Attention:   General Counsel

 

or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

 

14.           Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

15 .                                Effectiveness . This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first above written.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

9



 

ATTEST:

 

WASHINGTON PRIME GROUP INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secretary

 

Mark Ordan

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

WITNESS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[D&O Name]

 

10




Exhibit 21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries of Washington Prime Group Inc.

 

The following is a list of subsidiaries of Washington Prime Group Inc. Washington Prime Group Inc. is not a subsidiary of any other corporation.

 

Name of Subsidiary

 

Jurisdiction

 

 

 

Arbor Walk Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Arboretum Mall, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Bloomingdale Court, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Bowie Mall Company, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Boynton Beach Mall, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Brunswick Square Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

C.C. Altamonte Joint Venture

 

Indiana

 

 

 

C.C. Ocala Joint Venture

 

Indiana

 

 

 

C.C. Westland Joint Venture

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Charlottesville Fashion Square, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Charlottesville Lease Tract, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Chautauqua Mall, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Chesapeake Center, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Chesapeake Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Chesapeake Theater, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Chesapeake-JCP Associates, Ltd.

 

Virginia

 

 

 

Clay Terrace Partners, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Coral Springs Joint Venture

 

Indiana

 

 

 

CT Partners, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Dare Center, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Downeast Associates Limited Partnership

 

Connecticut

 

 

 

Edison Mall, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Empire East, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Fairfax Court Limited Partnership

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Fairfield Town Center, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Forest Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Forest Plaza, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Gaitway Plaza, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Gateway Square, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Greenwood Plus Center, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Gulf View Square, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Highland Lakes Center, LLC

 

Delaware

 

1



 

Name of Subsidiary

 

Jurisdiction

 

 

 

Keystone Shoppes, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

KI-Henderson Square Associates, L.P.

 

Pennsylvania

 

 

 

KI-Henderson Square Associates, LLC

 

Pennsylvania

 

 

 

KI-Whitemak Associates, LLC

 

Pennsylvania

 

 

 

Knoxville Center, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Lakeline Plaza, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Lakeline Village, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Lakeview Plaza (Orland), LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Lima Center, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Lincoln Crossing, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Lincolnwood Town Center, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Lindale Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Mall at Cottonwood, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Mall at Great Lakes, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Mall at Irving, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Mall at Jefferson Valley, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Mall at Lake Plaza, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Mall at Lima, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Mall at Longview, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Mall at Valle Vista, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Maplewood Mall, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Marketplace at Concord Mills, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Markland Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Markland Plaza, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Martinsville Plaza, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Masterventure Limited Partnership

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Matteson Plaza, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Melbourne Square, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

MOG Crossing, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

MSA/PSI Altamonte Limited Partnership

 

Indiana

 

 

 

MSA/PSI Ocala Limited Partnership

 

Indiana

 

 

 

MSA/PSI Westland Limited Partnership

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Muncie Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Muncie Plaza, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

North Ridge Shopping Center, LLC

 

Delaware

 

2



 

Name of Subsidiary

 

Jurisdiction

 

 

 

Northlake Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Northwoods Ravine, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Northwoods Shopping Center, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Oak Court Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Orange Park Mall, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Paddock Mall, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Palms Crossing II, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Palms Crossing Town Center, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Plaza at Buckland Hills, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Plaza at Countryside, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Plaza at New Castle, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Plaza at Northwood, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Plaza at Tippecanoe, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Port Charlotte Land LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Port Charlotte Mall LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Port Charlotte-JCP Assocaites, Ltd.

 

Florida

 

 

 

Richardson Square, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Richmond Town Square Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

River Oaks Center, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Rockaway Town Court, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Rockaway Town Plaza, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Rolling Oaks Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Royal Eagle Limited Partnership

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Sanford Investors

 

Florida

 

 

 

Seminole Towne Center Limited Partnership

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Seminole-TRS Mall Limited Partnership

 

Indiana

 

 

 

SEM-TRS Peripheral Limited Partnership

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Shops at Northeast Mall, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Simon MV, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

SM Mesa Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

SM Rushmore Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

SM Southern Hills Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Southern Park Mall, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

SPG Anderson Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

SPG Seminole, LLC

 

Delaware

 

3



 

Name of Subsidiary

 

Jurisdiction

 

 

 

St. Charles Towne Plaza, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

St. Charles TP Finance, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Sunland Park Mall, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

The Square at Charles Towne, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Topeka Mall Associates, L.P.

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Town Center at Aurora, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Town West Square, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

University Park Mall CC, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

University Town Plaza, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Village Developers Limited Partnership

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Village Park Plaza, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Villages at MacGregor, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Virginia Center Commons, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Washington Plaza, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Washington Prime Group, L.P.

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Washington Prime Management Associates, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

Waterford Lakes Town Center, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

West Ridge Mall, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

West Town Corners, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Westminster Mall LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

White Oaks Plaza, LLC

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Whitemak Associates

 

Pennsylvania

 

 

 

WPG Management Associates, Inc.

 

Indiana

 

 

 

WPG Rockaway Commons, LLC

 

Indiana

 

 

 

WPG Wolf Ranch, LLC

 

Indiana

 

4


 



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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Exhibit 99.1

GRAPHIC

                        , 2014

Dear Simon Property Group, Inc. shareholder:

            We are pleased to inform you that on                        , 2014, the board of directors of Simon Property Group, Inc. ("SPG") declared the distribution of common shares of Washington Prime Group Inc. ("WPG"), a wholly owned subsidiary of SPG, to SPG shareholders. WPG holds, directly or indirectly, SPG's interests in 44 smaller enclosed malls and 54 strip centers.

            This is a significant transaction which we believe will unlock the potential of the strip centers and malls to be owned by WPG. We believe we are creating a new company that has both a strong SPG heritage and all of the requisite tools and financial strength needed to grow its business and succeed. At the same time, this transaction allows SPG to focus on its global portfolio of larger malls, Mills® and Premium Outlets® while maintaining its strong balance sheet and conservative leverage profile.

            The distribution of WPG common shares will occur on                        , 2014 by way of a pro rata special dividend to SPG shareholders. Each SPG shareholder will be entitled to receive one WPG common share for every two shares of SPG common stock held by such shareholder as of the close of business on                        , 2014, which is the record date for the distribution. The WPG common shares will be issued in book-entry form only, which means that no physical share certificates will be issued. We expect that the separation and distribution will be tax-free to SPG shareholders.

            SPG shareholder approval of the distribution is not required, and you are not required to take any action to receive your WPG common shares. Following the distribution, you will own shares in both SPG and WPG. The number of shares of SPG stock that you own will not change as a result of this distribution. SPG's common stock will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SPG." WPG has been approved to list its common shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "WPG."

            The information statement, which is being mailed to all holders of SPG common stock as of the record date for the distribution, describes the distribution in detail and contains important information about WPG, its business, financial condition and operations. We urge you to read the information statement carefully.

            We want to thank you for your continued support of SPG, and we look forward to your future support of WPG.

    Sincerely,

 

 


GRAPHIC

 

 

David Simon
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A Registration Statement on Form 10 relating to these securities has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 21, 2014

INFORMATION STATEMENT
Washington Prime Group Inc.

            This information statement is being furnished in connection with the distribution by Simon Property Group, Inc. ("SPG") to its shareholders of all of the outstanding common shares of Washington Prime Group Inc. ("WPG"), a wholly owned subsidiary of SPG that will hold directly or indirectly certain assets and liabilities associated with SPG's strip center business and smaller enclosed malls. To implement the distribution, SPG will distribute all of WPG common shares on a pro rata basis to the SPG shareholders in a transaction that is intended to qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

            For every two shares of SPG common stock held of record by you as of the close of business on                      , 2014, the record date for the distribution, you will receive one WPG common share. You will receive cash in lieu of any fractional WPG common shares that you would have received after application of the above ratio. As discussed under "The Separation — Trading Between the Record Date and Distribution Date," if you sell your shares of SPG common stock in the "regular-way" market after the record date and before the distribution, you also will be selling your right to receive WPG common shares in connection with the separation. We expect the WPG common shares to be distributed by SPG to you on                      , 2014. We refer to the date of the distribution of the WPG common shares as the "distribution date."

            No vote of SPG shareholders is required for the distribution. Therefore, you are not being asked for a proxy, and you are requested not to send SPG a proxy in connection with the distribution. You do not need to pay any consideration, exchange or surrender your existing shares of SPG common stock or take any other action to receive your WPG common shares.

            There is no current trading market for WPG common shares, although we expect that a limited market, commonly known as a "when-issued" trading market, will develop on or shortly before the record date for the distribution, and we expect "regular-way" trading of WPG common shares to begin on the first trading day following the completion of the distribution. WPG has applied to have its common shares authorized for listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WPG.

            WPG intends to elect and qualify to be taxed as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") for U.S. federal income tax purposes, from and after WPG's taxable year that includes the distribution. To assist WPG in qualifying as a REIT, among other purposes, WPG's amended and restated articles of incorporation will contain various restrictions on the ownership and transfer of its capital stock, including a provision pursuant to which shareholders will generally be restricted from owning more than 8% by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of its outstanding shares of capital stock. Please refer to "Description of Our Capital Stock — Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Our Capital Stock."

             In reviewing this information statement, you should carefully consider the matters described under the caption "Risk Factors" beginning on page 27.



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



             This information statement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

            The date of this information statement is                      , 2014.

            This information statement was first mailed to SPG shareholders on or about                      , 2014.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page  

INFORMATION STATEMENT SUMMARY

    1  

SUMMARY HISTORICAL COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA

    22  

RISK FACTORS

    27  

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    45  

DIVIDEND POLICY

    46  

CAPITALIZATION

    47  

SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA

    48  

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    50  

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    55  

BUSINESS

    66  

MANAGEMENT

    84  

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

    90  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

    100  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

    107  

THE SEPARATION

    109  

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL INDEBTEDNESS

    118  

DESCRIPTION OF WPG'S CAPITAL STOCK

    122  

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

    129  

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

    145  

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

    146  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

    149  

INDEX TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    F-1  


Presentation of Information

            Except as otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, the information included in this information statement about WPG assumes the completion of all of the transactions referred to in this information statement in connection with the separation. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this information statement to "WPG," "our company," "the company," "us," "our," and "we" refer to Washington Prime Group Inc., an Indiana corporation, and its combined subsidiaries. References to WPG's historical business and operations refer to the business and operations of SPG's strip center and smaller enclosed mall businesses that will be transferred to WPG in connection with the separation. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this information statement to "SPG," "Simon," "Simon Property" and "Simon Property Group" refer to Simon Property Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries. Except as otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, all references to WPG per share data assume a distribution ratio of one WPG share for every two shares of SPG.

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INFORMATION STATEMENT SUMMARY

             The following is a summary of material information discussed in this information statement. This summary may not contain all of the details concerning the separation or other information that may be important to you. To better understand the separation and WPG's business and financial position, you should carefully review this entire information statement. Except as otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, the information included in this information statement assumes the completion of all of the transactions referred to in this information statement in connection with the separation. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this information statement to "WPG," "our company," "the company," "us," "our," and "we" refer to Washington Prime Group Inc., an Indiana corporation, and its combined subsidiaries. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this information statement to "SPG," "Simon," "Simon Property" and "Simon Property Group" refer to Simon Property Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

            This information statement discusses the businesses to be transferred to WPG by SPG in the separation as if the transferred businesses were WPG's businesses for all historical periods described. References in this information statement to WPG's historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities are generally intended to refer to the historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities of the transferred businesses as the businesses were conducted as part of SPG and its subsidiaries prior to the separation.


Our Company

            Our mission will be to own stable, quality strip centers and malls that effectively serve the communities in which they are located. Upon completion of the separation, WPG will operate a large, well-diversified portfolio which is anticipated to consist of interests in 54 strip centers and 44 smaller enclosed mall properties totaling approximately 53 million square feet. Our portfolio has proven to be stable, while producing steady cash flows across market cycles, and is occupied by some of the largest, most well-recognized names in the retail industry, such as Bed Bath & Beyond, Dick's Sporting Goods, Dillard's, Kohl's, Target and Macy's.

            WPG will be a retail real estate company positioned for growth. Our national portfolio, which is anticipated to consist of 98 properties in 23 states, will represent significant scale from inception. Our strong balance sheet, investment grade credit rating and status as a publicly traded company will provide us with access to multiple sources of capital. Our dedicated management team will focus on growth within our targeted asset classes. Combined, we believe these factors demonstrate that WPG will have a unique ability to act as a leading developer, re-developer and acquirer of both strip centers and malls, and will deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns to shareholders.

            WPG will be led by a dedicated, independent management team and a board consisting of a majority of independent directors. WPG will also benefit from continued relationships with SPG. Richard Sokolov, SPG's President and Chief Operating Officer and member of its board of directors, will also become Chairman of the board of directors of WPG, and David Simon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SPG, will also serve as a director of WPG. SPG's strip center team will become employees of WPG. This well-seasoned team has extensive experience working together in this business, and the top four executives have an average tenure of approximately 24 years at SPG.

            WPG's malls will continue to receive property management services from SPG for an initial term of two years, with automatic one year renewals unless terminated by either party as of the end of the initial term or during any renewal term by either party upon 180 days prior notice to the other party. In addition, certain of WPG's support functions will be provided by SPG on a transitional basis for up to two years. We believe that the properties will be seamlessly integrated into our company due to the continuity of on-site operations, the institutional knowledge of our property management teams and our deep familiarity with the markets in which our assets are located.

            We derive our revenues primarily from retail tenant leases, including fixed minimum rent leases, percentage rent leases based on tenants' sales volumes and reimbursements from tenants for certain expenses. We seek to re-lease our spaces at higher rents and increase our occupancy rates, and to enhance the performance of our properties and increase our revenues by, among other things, adding anchors or big-box tenants, re-developing or renovating existing properties to increase the leasable square footage, and increasing the productivity of occupied locations through aesthetic upgrades, re-merchandising and/or changes to the retail use of the space. In addition, we believe that there are opportunities for us to acquire additional strip center and mall assets that match our investment criteria and pursue selective, ground up development projects.

            For the year ended December 31, 2013, we generated consolidated revenue of $626 million and net income of $187 million. Our share of net operating income ("NOI") for that twelve month period was $418 million. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, we generated consolidated revenue of $624 million and net income of

 

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$156 million. Our share of NOI for that twelve month period was $411 million. Please refer to "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a reconciliation of net income to NOI.

            The major credit rating agencies have indicated they expect to assign us an investment grade credit rating of BBB or Baa2. Upon completion of the separation, we expect to have approximately $2 billion of total debt outstanding, including approximately $1 billion of our share of existing mortgage debt and at least $1 billion of new debt which we expect to consist of a mix of secured and unsecured indebtedness.

            We plan to elect to be treated as a REIT in connection with the filing of our federal income tax return for the taxable year that includes the distribution, subject to our ability to meet the requirements of a REIT at the time of election, and we intend to maintain this status in future periods. Based on the amount of WPG's REIT taxable income for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 as reflected in the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements, the Company's annual dividend for that period would have been greater than $1.00 per share, assuming a distribution ratio of one WPG share for every two shares of SPG. For more information, please refer to "Dividend Policy," and for information regarding risk factors that could materially and adversely affect our ability to make distributions, please refer to "Risk Factors."


Competitive Strengths

            Track record of stable operating performance provides a strong foundation from which to grow cash flow.     Our portfolio has had relatively stable operating metrics. Between December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2013, ending occupancy in the mall portfolio rose from 89.4% to 90.8%. During that same period, ending occupancy in the strip center portfolio rose from 93.6% to 94.9%. As a result of the improvement in our operating metrics, comparable property NOI for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2013 rose by 2.9% for the combined portfolio relative to the twelve month period ended December 31, 2012, while net income for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2013 rose by 19.8% relative to the twelve month period ended December 31, 2012. Please refer to "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a reconciliation of net income to NOI.

            Our portfolio of properties has been well-maintained while owned by SPG. SPG's operational capital expenditures (excluding tenant allowances and leasing commissions) for WPG's assets between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2013 were approximately $57 million. We believe that this level of investment is indicative of SPG's historic commitment to maintaining the value and operating performance of the properties to be held by us, and that our properties will accordingly be well positioned to pursue growth opportunities in the future.

            The diversification of WPG's portfolio further contributes to WPG's stable operating performance. Our properties are located in 23 states and are leased to a variety of tenants across the retail spectrum, including anchor stores, big-box tenants, national inline tenants, sit-down restaurants, movie theatres and regional and local retailers. No single tenant was responsible for more than 2.5%, and no single property accounted for more than 3%, of our total gross annual base minimum rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013. Further, as of December 31, 2013 no more than 14% of our total gross annual base minimum rental revenues is derived from leases that expire in any single calendar year. We believe that the diversity of our portfolio by geographic market, asset type and retail tenants helps to insulate us from adverse economic factors that may disproportionately affect a particular geographic region or particular consumer shopping patterns.

            Dual asset class strategy enables efficient, flexible allocation of capital between two complementary categories of retail real estate.     Our company invests across two complementary retail asset classes — strip centers and malls — which share similar small shop, anchor and big-box sizes, tenant bases and market area focuses. This enables us to employ a broad array of leasing, management and development strategies tailored to make each property, whether a mall or a strip center, as productive as possible. This flexibility was highlighted in 2013 at our University Town Plaza property when our strip center team invested $33 million to demolish existing enclosed mall space and convert the property into a strip center. In the process, we maintained the operation of existing anchors while expanding the tenant base to include traditional strip center tenants, such as Burlington Coat Factory, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Toys "R" Us, Inc./Babies "R" Us, Inc. and smaller tenants. This business strategy supports a flexible, opportunistic investment profile in which we seek to optimize capital deployment into each respective retail sector throughout market cycles.

            Low-leveraged balance sheet positioned to access growth capital.     After accounting for our expected new indebtedness, the aggregate amount of our share of debt will be approximately 4.8 times our share of NOI for the fiscal

 

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year ended December 31, 2013. We believe that this is a low leverage ratio relative to our peers and is indicative of the strength of our balance sheet.

            To provide additional liquidity following the separation, we are arranging a revolving credit facility under which, upon completion of the separation and subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, we expect to have significant undrawn borrowing capacity. We expect to have access to multiple sources of capital, including offerings of our common equity, unsecured corporate debt, preferred equity and additional credit facilities, which we believe will provide us with a competitive advantage over smaller, more highly-leveraged or privately held retail companies. We may also seek to issue limited partnership interests in a limited partnership that is a direct subsidiary, named Washington Prime Group, L.P. ("WPG L.P."), in exchange for properties that we may acquire in the future.

            The major credit rating agencies have indicated they expect to assign us an investment grade credit rating of BBB or Baa2.

            Unique ability to act as an acquirer, developer and redeveloper of both classes of assets, driven by significant "day one" scale.     We believe that our considerable size, combined with our strong balance sheet, allows us to execute larger internal and external growth strategies than our smaller and/or more highly-leveraged competitors have the capacity to undertake.

            For example, our properties have benefited from development and re-development capital spending and commitments of approximately $180 million from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2013; this spending consists primarily of initiatives to attract or expand anchor or big-box tenants. We regularly review and seek to identify development and re-development opportunities. Furthermore, our management team has substantial experience in the underwriting, structuring, due diligence and integration of real estate acquisition transactions, including experience gained while employed by SPG. We believe that our management team's experience, as well as their ability to exclusively focus on WPG's growth strategy following the separation, means that we will be well positioned to add value to underperforming assets that we seek to acquire, as well as existing assets that we seek to redevelop and new assets we decide to develop.

            Well-diversified national portfolio that effectively serves tenants.     WPG's portfolio is anticipated to consist of interests in 98 properties located in 23 states. Retailers will benefit from this national platform for leasing, which will provide them with the efficiency of negotiating leases at multiple locations for spaces of different sizes and within different real estate types, with just one landlord. In addition, the breadth of our footprint and the tendency of our properties to be well-located within their respective markets will help position our properties as attractive destinations for retailers.

             Property Portfolio (as of December 31, 2013)

GRAPHIC

 

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            Dedicated executive management team focused exclusively on pursuing a growth oriented business strategy.     Our company will be led by a dedicated executive management team that we expect will consist of a combination of individuals who were previously employed by SPG as well as externally recruited executives. This combination will provide continuity as well as new perspectives on driving growth in our business. Following the separation, WPG's executive management team will be entirely independent of SPG and each member will be exclusively focused on WPG's businesses.

            Benefits of continued relationships with SPG, including board representation.     We believe that our company is uniquely positioned as a result of our historical and future relationships with SPG, an S&P 100 company and a global leader in the retail real estate industry. Each of our assets was owned and managed by SPG for a number of years prior to the separation and accordingly benefited from SPG's stable operating processes, deep relationships with leading retailers, strong relations with the communities in which our properties are located and highly regarded capital allocation expertise.

            The personnel responsible for the day-to-day management of WPG's portfolio will be largely unchanged following the separation. SPG's current strip center team will become employees of WPG, such that our strip centers will be managed by us under the direction of substantially the same management team that was managing these assets under SPG's ownership. We expect to enter into certain property management agreements with Simon Management Associates III, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Simon Property Group, L.P., which is in turn a majority owned subsidiary of SPG, regarding management of our mall assets. We anticipate the management, leasing and development teams at SPG initially responsible for our malls will be substantially the same as the personnel currently devoted to our mall assets. At the asset level, we do not expect that there will be any material changes in the composition of the on-site personnel at either the malls or the strip centers in connection with the separation.

            In addition, following the separation, Richard Sokolov, SPG's President and Chief Operating Officer and member of its board of directors, will also serve as Chairman of the board of directors of WPG, and David Simon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SPG, will also serve as a director of WPG. Both Messrs. Sokolov and Simon provide a wealth of experience in the retail real estate industry and will also hold a substantial investment in WPG.

            Drive internal growth through rigorous asset management and capital allocation.     We will seek to identify and pursue internal growth opportunities to enhance the performance of our properties through activities such as re-leasing our spaces at higher rents, increasing our occupancy rates, adding anchors or big-boxes, increasing the productivity of occupied locations through aesthetic upgrades, re-merchandising and changes to the retail use of the space. We believe that capital dedicated to anchor and big-box leasing can provide attractive risk-adjusted returns to our company, as such invested capital can be instrumental in enhancing the stability and appeal of our properties, increasing consumer shopping traffic and promoting inline or small-shop leasing, all of which should positively impact the growth in net operating income of a retail asset.

            Execute on targeted, value-add development and re-development projects to enhance portfolio performance.     While our properties have been well-maintained and have benefited from significant capital investment under SPG's ownership, we believe that after the separation, our properties will benefit from greater executive management focus and capital allocation priorities that are tailored to unlocking and growing their value. Under SPG's prior ownership, our properties benefited from management's efforts to maintain their market position, but incremental efforts to maximize the market position of these properties were often not pursued given large-scale opportunities that were alternatively available to SPG in its larger malls, Mills® and Premium Outlets® that better matched SPG's business strategy.

            Our management team will seek to identify investment strategies that will create value for our shareholders, are consistent with our strategic objectives and have attractive risk-return profiles. WPG will have a smaller asset base as compared to SPG, and therefore some strategic initiatives may have a more meaningful impact on WPG than they would otherwise have on SPG. In short, we expect that WPG will devote substantial executive management attention to value creating investment opportunities that did not fit within SPG's business strategy, and these dedicated efforts may position us to generate attractive growth in tenant sales, revenues and NOI from our properties and thus enhance the performance of our portfolio.

            We have identified a pipeline of potential new development and re-development projects, within WPG's initial portfolio of properties, totaling approximately $300 million. These projects generally consist of expansions and

 

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renovations of existing space and leasing of anchor and big-box tenants, and also include ground-up development projects.

            Pursue acquisition opportunities as part of a growth oriented strategy.     We believe the following factors, among others, may facilitate acquisition and consolidation opportunities in the national real estate market:

            WPG does not currently have plans to target specific geographic regions for future acquisitions and instead expects to consider acquisition opportunities in any geographic regions in which those opportunities arise.

            Selectively develop new, high quality strip centers.     Our strip center team has substantial experience in the re-development and ground-up development of retail real estate. This well-seasoned team has extensive experience working together in this business, and the top four executives have an average tenure of approximately 24 years at SPG. The properties that are expected to be transferred to us in connection with the separation include 35 assets that were developed by SPG or its predecessor, including Waterford Lakes Town Center, Clay Terrace, The Shops at Arbor Walk, Palms Crossing, and Wolf Ranch. In addition, we will own the land for a new strip center of approximately 400,000 square feet in the Houston metropolitan area, to be named Fairfield Town Center, which is an example of a new ground-up development opportunity that we have identified. Given the relatively low levels of new supply in the strip center and smaller enclosed mall sectors, we expect that our existing and prospective tenants will seek opportunities to lease space in our new development projects in order to open new stores and test new store formats.

            Maintain a disciplined, flexible balance sheet with access to multiple sources of capital.     We expect to maintain a conservative capital structure that provides the resources and flexibility to support the growth of our business. In addition, we expect to maintain a mix of secured indebtedness related to certain of our properties and unsecured indebtedness which, together with our anticipated ability to complete future equity financings, we believe will fund the growth of our operations.

            Our portfolio of properties is anticipated to consist of 54 strip centers totaling approximately 16.6 million square feet, and 44 malls totaling approximately 36.5 million square feet. WPG will also own parcels of land which can be used for either the development of new strip centers or the expansion of existing properties. While most of these properties are wholly owned by us, several are owned in joint ventures with third parties, which is common in the real estate industry. As of December 31, 2013, our mall properties had an ending occupancy rate of 90.8% and our strip center properties had an ending occupancy rate of 94.9%.

            Our properties are leased to a variety of tenants across the retail spectrum including anchor stores, big-box tenants, national inline tenants, sit-down restaurants, movie theatres and regional and local retailers. As of December 31, 2013, selected anchors and tenants include Macy's, Inc., Dillard's, Inc., J.C. Penney Co., Inc., Sears Holdings Corporation, Target Corporation, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., Kohl's Corporation, Best Buy Co., Inc., Bed

 

5


 

Bath & Beyond Inc. and TJX Companies, Inc. No single tenant was responsible for more than 2.5%, and no single property accounted for more than 3%, of our total gross annual base minimum rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013. Further, as of December 31, 2013 no more than 14% of our total gross annual base minimum rental revenues is derived from leases that expire in any single calendar year.


Our Tenants and Anchors

            As of December 31, 2013, our top fifteen inline tenants and top fifteen anchors and majors were as follows:


Top Inline Store Tenants (based on percentage of total base minimum rent)

Tenant
  Number of
Stores
  Square Feet   Percent of
Total Sq. Ft. in
Portfolio
  Percent of
Total Base
Minimum
Rent(1)
 

L Brands, Inc.

    99     473,806     0.9 %   2.5 %

Foot Locker, Inc.

    106     431,010     0.8 %   2.4 %

Ascena Retail Group Inc

    89     454,484     0.9 %   1.7 %

Sterling Jewelers, Inc.

    56     95,021     0.2 %   1.7 %

Zale Corporation

    80     72,582     0.1 %   1.5 %

Luxottica Group SPA

    78     210,465     0.4 %   1.4 %

Genesco Inc.

    93     133,919     0.3 %   1.2 %

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

    40     221,283     0.4 %   1.2 %

The Finish Line, Inc.

    38     215,142     0.4 %   1.1 %

Regal Entertainment Group

    7     417,505     0.8 %   1.0 %

The Gap, Inc

    27     359,450     0.7 %   1.0 %

Express Inc.

    27     206,916     0.4 %   0.9 %

Aeropostale, Inc.

    47     165,207     0.3 %   0.9 %

Ulta Salon Cosmetics and Frag

    17     188,188     0.4 %   0.9 %

Claires Stores Inc

    69     80,487     0.2 %   0.8 %



Top Anchors and Majors (sorted by percentage of total square footage)(2)

Anchors and Majors
  Number of Stores   Square Feet   Percent of
Total Sq. Ft. in
Portfolio
  Percent of
Total Base
Minimum
Rent(1)
 

Sears Holdings Corporation

    43     6,221,097     11.8 %   0.7 %

Macy's Inc.

    29     4,808,590     9.1 %   0.6 %

J.C. Penney Co., Inc.

    37     4,751,916     9.0 %   1.3 %

Dillard's, Inc.

    26     3,609,498     6.8 %   0.2 %

Target Corporation

    13     1,726,898     3.3 %   0.0 %

Kohl's Corporation

    14     1,215,691     2.3 %   1.3 %

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.

    10     860,433     1.6 %   0.8 %

Burlington Stores, Inc.

    9     721,281     1.4 %   0.7 %

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    16     702,394     1.3 %   1.6 %

Belk, Inc.

    7     654,454     1.2 %   0.1 %

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

    4     618,061     1.2 %   0.0 %

TJX Companies, Inc.

    15     478,512     0.9 %   1.0 %

Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc.

    8     406,330     0.8 %   0.8 %

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

    12     368,014     0.7 %   0.9 %

Toys R Us Inc

    7     299,990     0.6 %   0.5 %

(1)
Total base minimum rent represents 2013 combined base rental revenues.

(2)
Includes space leased and owned by anchors in the mall properties.

 

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Lease Expirations(1)

            Set forth below is information about lease expirations for our portfolio:

Combined Inline Stores and Freestanding
  Number of
Leases
Expiring
  Square Feet   Avg. Base
Minimum Rent
PSF at 12/31/13
  Percentage of
Gross Annual
Rental
Revenues(2)
 

Year

                         

Month To Month Leases

    121     329,074     24.94     1.4 %

2014

    601     1,746,446     22.87     8.0 %

2015

    782     2,455,755     23.64     11.5 %

2016

    700     2,322,322     23.40     10.9 %

2017

    497     1,759,054     24.43     8.5 %

2018

    422     1,267,744     26.81     6.9 %

2019

    237     932,476     25.08     4.9 %

2020

    124     555,524     23.28     2.6 %

2021

    129     593,439     20.50     2.5 %

2022

    156     694,860     22.42     3.2 %

2023

    197     1,024,536     21.44     4.4 %

2024 and Thereafter

    100     439,430     20.27     1.9 %

Specialty Leasing Agreements w/ terms in excess of 12 months

    565     1,244,423     11.30     3.0 %

Combined Anchors and Majors

                         

Year

                         

Month To Month Leases

    1     26,964     4.50     0.0 %

2014

    16     949,772     5.70     1.1 %

2015

    38     1,844,892     6.77     2.6 %

2016

    40     2,222,676     6.22     2.9 %

2017

    26     1,668,233     5.52     1.9 %

2018

    36     1,898,680     7.72     3.1 %

2019

    21     1,247,846     6.60     1.7 %

2020

    17     909,634     7.50     1.4 %

2021

    13     835,611     6.55     1.2 %

2022

    10     406,426     9.07     0.8 %

2023

    17     741,102     9.18     1.4 %

2024 and Thereafter

    15     821,270     8.22     1.4 %

(1)
Does not consider the impact of renewal options that may be contained in leases.

(2)
Gross annual rental revenues represents 2013 consolidated and joint venture combined base rental revenue for the portfolio.

 

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The Separation

            On December 13, 2013, SPG announced that it intended to separate its strip center business and its smaller enclosed malls from SPG's other businesses. The separation will be effectuated by means of a pro rata distribution of all of the common shares of WPG, which was formed to hold the assets and liabilities associated with these strip center and mall businesses.

            On                        , 2014, the SPG board of directors approved the distribution of all of the issued and outstanding WPG common shares on the basis of one WPG common share for every two shares of SPG common stock held as of the close of business on the record date of                        , 2014. Following the distribution, SPG and WPG will be two independent, publicly held companies.

            Prior to or concurrently with the separation and distribution, SPG will engage in certain restructuring transactions that are designed to consolidate the ownership of a portfolio of interests in the strip centers and smaller enclosed malls currently owned directly or indirectly by Simon Property Group, L.P. ("SPG L.P.") into our operating partnership, facilitate the separation and distribution and provide us with our initial capital.

            In connection with the separation and distribution, the following transactions have occurred or are expected to occur concurrently with or prior to completion of the separation and distribution:

 

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            As a result, at the effective time of the distribution:

            Upon completion of the separation and distribution, we expect to have approximately $2 billion of total debt outstanding, comprised of approximately $1.4 billion of secured debt and $600 million of unsecured debt. In general, we intend to own our properties and conduct substantially all of our business through our operating partnership and its subsidiaries.

            The common units in WPG L.P. will be convertible by their holders for cash or, at our option, for unregistered WPG common shares on a one-for-one basis, subject to the terms and conditions of the amended and restated partnership agreement of WPG L.P.

            The following diagram depicts our expected organizational structure upon completion of the separation and distribution. The stockholders of SPG will, at the time of the separation and distribution, hold the same pro rata percentage interest in WPG as they held in SPG as of the record date.

GRAPHIC

            WPG will enter into a separation agreement with SPG (the "separation agreement"). In addition, WPG will enter into various other agreements to effect the separation and provide a framework for its relationship with SPG after the separation, such as property management agreements, a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement and an employee matters agreement. In addition, WPG may enter into one or more property development agreements with SPG following the separation and distribution. These agreements will provide for the allocation between WPG and SPG of SPG's assets, liabilities and obligations (including its investments, property, employee and tax-related assets and liabilities) attributable to periods prior to, at and after WPG's separation from SPG and will govern certain relationships between WPG and SPG after the separation.

 

9


 

            Except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement or in any ancillary agreement, WPG will be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred prior to the distribution date in connection with the separation, including costs and expenses relating to legal and tax counsel, financial advisors and accounting advisory work related to the separation. Except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement or in any ancillary agreement, or as otherwise agreed in writing by SPG and WPG, all such costs and expenses incurred in connection with the separation from and after the distribution date will be paid by the party incurring such cost and expense.

            Pursuant to the property management agreements, we expect that SPG employees with significant expertise and in-depth knowledge of our mall properties will continue to provide certain management services under the direction of our executive management team. In exchange for such services, for its wholly owned mall properties WPG will pay annual fixed rate property management fees to SPG ranging from 2.5% to 4.0% of base minimum and percentage rents and additional amounts, as needed, for leasing and development fees. We will also reimburse SPG for certain costs and expenses, including the cost of on-site employees. For mall properties owned in joint ventures between WPG and third parties, existing management agreements between SPG and those joint ventures will remain in place and may require the payment of annual fixed rate property management fees greater than those required by WPG's agreements with SPG for WPG's wholly owned malls due to, among other things, the additional service requirements of third party partners relative to the service requirements of WPG (including, among others, third party reporting and compliance services).

            WPG and SPG will enter into a transition services agreement prior to the distribution pursuant to which SPG and its respective subsidiaries will provide various corporate support services to WPG, on an interim, transitional basis. The services to be provided include treasury management, human resources, information systems, tax, financial reporting audit services, legal services and financial planning. The anticipated charges for such services are generally intended to allow the servicing party to recover all out-of-pocket costs and expenses. The costs of these services are estimated to be approximately $2.5 million annually.

            For additional information regarding the separation agreement and other transaction agreements, please refer to the sections entitled "Risk Factors — Risks Related to the Separation" and "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions."


Reasons for the Separation

            The SPG board of directors believes that separating the WPG business and assets from the remainder of SPG's business and assets is in the best interests of SPG and its shareholders for a number of reasons, including the following:

 

10


 

            SPG's board of directors also considered a number of potentially negative factors in evaluating the separation SPG's board of directors concluded that the potential benefits of the separation outweighed these factors. For more information, please refer to the sections entitled "The Separation — Reasons for the Separation" and "Risk Factors" included elsewhere in this information statement.


Corporate Information

            Washington Prime Group Inc. was incorporated in Indiana on December 13, 2013 for the purpose of holding the strip center business and smaller enclosed malls of SPG. Prior to the contribution of this business to WPG, which will occur prior to the distribution, WPG will have no operations. WPG was initially named SPG SpinCo Subsidiary Inc. and was renamed to be Washington Prime Group Inc. on February 25, 2014. The address of WPG's principal executive office is 7315 Wisconsin Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20814. WPG's telephone number is (317) 636-1600.

            Commencing shortly prior to the separation, WPG will also maintain an Internet website at www.washingtonprime.com. WPG's website and the information contained therein or connected thereto will not be deemed to be incorporated herein, and you should not rely on any such information in making an investment decision.


Reason for Furnishing this Information Statement

            This information statement is being furnished solely to provide information to shareholders of SPG who will receive WPG common shares in the distribution. It is not and is not to be construed as an inducement or encouragement to buy or sell any of WPG's securities. The information contained in this information statement is believed by WPG to be accurate as of the date set forth on its cover. Changes may occur after that date and neither SPG nor WPG will update the information except in the normal course of their respective disclosure obligations and practices.


Risks Associated with WPG's Business and the Separation

            An investment in WPG common shares is subject to a number of risks, including risks relating to the separation. The following list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Please read the information in the section captioned "Risk Factors" for a more thorough description of these and other risks.

 

11


 

 

12


       


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SEPARATION

What is WPG and why is SPG separating WPG's business and distributing WPG's shares?

  Washington Prime Group Inc., which is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of SPG, was formed to hold the strip center business and smaller enclosed malls of SPG (which we refer to as the "WPG portfolio"). The separation of WPG from SPG and the distribution of WPG common shares will enable each of WPG and SPG to focus on its own operations and respond more effectively to the different needs of its businesses. WPG and SPG expect that the separation will result in enhanced long-term performance of each business for the reasons discussed in the sections entitled "The Separation — Background" and "The Separation — Reasons for the Separation."

What is a REIT?

 

Following the separation, WPG intends to qualify and elect to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 859 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), from and after WPG's taxable year that includes the distribution. As a REIT, WPG generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its REIT taxable income that it distributes to its shareholders. A company's qualification as a REIT depends on its ability to meet, on a continuing basis, through actual investment and operating results, various complex requirements under the Code relating to, among other things, the sources of its gross income, the composition and values of its assets, its distribution levels and the diversity of ownership of its shares. WPG believes that, immediately after the separation, it will be organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and that its intended manner of operation enables it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. WPG anticipates that distributions it makes to its shareholders generally will be taxable to its shareholders as ordinary income, although a portion of the distributions may be designated by WPG as qualified dividend income or capital gain or may constitute a return of capital. For a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income taxation of REITs and the tax treatment of distributions to shareholders of WPG, please refer to "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences."

Why am I receiving this document?

 

SPG is delivering this document to you because you are a holder of SPG common stock. If you are a holder of SPG common stock as of the close of business on                        , 2014, you are entitled to receive one WPG common share for every two shares of SPG common stock that you held at the close of business on such date. This document will help you understand how the separation will affect your investment in SPG and your investment in WPG after the separation.

 

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How will the separation of WPG from SPG work?

 

To accomplish the separation, SPG will distribute all of the outstanding WPG common shares to SPG shareholders on a pro rata basis.

What is the record date for the distribution?

 

The record date for the distribution will be                        , 2014.

When will the distribution occur?

 

It is expected that all of the WPG common shares will be distributed by SPG on                        , 2014, to holders of record of SPG common stock at the close of business on                        , 2014, the record date.

What do shareholders need to do to participate in the distribution?

 

Shareholders of SPG as of the record date will not be required to take any action to receive WPG common shares in the distribution, but you are urged to read this entire information statement carefully . No shareholder approval of the distribution is required. You are not being asked for a proxy. You do not need to pay any consideration, exchange or surrender your existing SPG common stock or take any other action to receive your WPG common shares. Please do not send in your SPG stock certificates. The distribution will not affect the number of outstanding shares of SPG common stock or any rights of SPG shareholders, although it will affect the market value of each outstanding share of SPG common stock.

 

You can request a certificate for all or a portion of your shares of WPG common shares by contacting Computershare, Inc. (WPG's transfer agent and registrar) by telephone at 866-239-2277, on the Internet at www.computershare.com/investor or by sending a written request to Computershare, Inc., P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170.

How will WPG common shares be issued?

 

You will receive WPG common shares through the same channels that you currently use to hold or trade shares of SPG common stock, whether through a brokerage account, 401(k) plan or other channel. Receipt of WPG shares will be documented for you in the same manner that you typically receive shareholder updates, such as monthly broker statements and 401(k) statements.

 

14


 

 

If you own shares of SPG common stock as of the close of business on the record date, including shares owned in certificate form, SPG, with the assistance of Computershare, Inc., the settlement and distribution agent, will electronically distribute WPG common shares to you or to your brokerage firm on your behalf in book-entry form. Computershare, Inc. will mail you a book-entry account statement that reflects your WPG common shares, or your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the shares. If you own shares of SPG common stock through the SPG dividend reinvestment plan, the WPG common shares you receive will be distributed to a new WPG dividend reinvestment plan account that will be created for you. Following the distribution, shareholders whose shares are held in book-entry form may request the delivery of physical share certificates for their shares or that their WPG common shares held in book-entry form be transferred to a brokerage or other account at any time, without charge.

If I was enrolled in the SPG dividend reinvestment plan, will I automatically be enrolled in the WPG dividend reinvestment plan?

 

Yes. If you elected to have your SPG cash dividends applied toward the purchase of additional SPG stock, the WPG shares you receive in the distribution will be automatically enrolled in the WPG dividend reinvestment plan sponsored by Computershare, Inc., unless you notify Computershare, Inc. that you do not want to reinvest any WPG cash dividends in additional WPG shares. For contact information for Computershare, Inc., please refer to "Description of WPG's Capital Stock — Transfer Agent and Registrar."

How many WPG common shares will I receive in the distribution?

 

SPG will distribute to you one WPG common share for every two shares of common stock of SPG held by you as of the record date. Based on 310,658,536 shares of SPG common stock outstanding as of March 14, 2014, a total of 155,329,268 common shares of WPG will be distributed. For additional information on the distribution, please refer to "The Separation."

Will WPG issue fractional shares of its common shares in the distribution?

 

No. WPG will not issue fractional shares of its common shares in the distribution. Fractional shares that SPG shareholders would otherwise have been entitled to receive will be aggregated and sold in the public market by the distribution agent. The aggregate net cash proceeds of these sales will be distributed pro rata (based on the fractional share such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive) to those shareholders who would otherwise have been entitled to receive fractional shares. Recipients of cash in lieu of fractional shares will not be entitled to any interest on the amounts of payment made in lieu of fractional shares.

What are the conditions to the distribution?

 

The distribution is subject to a number of conditions, including, among others:

 

15


 

 

The incurrence of at least $1 billion of new indebtedness by WPG L.P. and its subsidiaries (or subsidiaries of Simon Property Group, L.P., which subsidiaries are expected to be contributed to WPG L.P. as part of the separation) and the determination by SPG at its sole discretion that following the separation it will have no liability or obligation whatsoever with respect to such new indebtedness;

 

The receipt of the opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the SPG board of directors, to the effect that the manner in which WPG is organized and its proposed method of operation will enable it to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 859 of the Code;

 

The receipt of the opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the SPG board of directors, to the effect that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code;

 

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (which we refer to as the "SEC") declaring effective the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part, and the mailing of the information statement to SPG shareholders;

 

No order, injunction, or decree issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the separation, distribution or any of the related transactions shall be in effect;

 

The WPG common shares to be distributed shall have been accepted for listing on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), subject to official notice of distribution;

 

The transfer of assets and liabilities between SPG and WPG contemplated by the separation agreement shall have been completed, other than the transfer of those assets which are to be transferred immediately after the completion of the distribution;

 

Each of the various agreements contemplated by the separation agreement shall have been executed;

 

All required actions or filings with governmental authorities shall have been taken or made;

 

The Information Statement shall have been mailed to WPG shareholders; and

 

No other event or development existing or having occurred that, in the judgment of SPG's Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, makes it inadvisable to effect the separation, distribution and other related transactions.

 

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SPG and WPG cannot assure you that any or all of these conditions will be met. In addition, SPG can decide at any time not to go forward with the separation. For a complete discussion of all of the conditions to the distribution, please refer to "The Separation — Conditions to the Distribution."

What is the expected date of completion of the separation?

 

The completion and timing of the separation are dependent upon a number of conditions. It is expected that the WPG common shares will be distributed by SPG on                        , 2014 to the holders of record of SPG common stock at the close of business on the record date. However, no assurance can be provided as to the timing of the separation or that all conditions to the separation will be met.

Can SPG decide to cancel the distribution of WPG common shares, even if all the conditions have been met?

 

Yes. The distribution is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. Please refer to "The Separation — Conditions to the Distribution." Until the distribution has occurred, SPG has the right to terminate the distribution, even if all of the conditions are satisfied.

What if I want to sell my SPG common stock or my WPG common shares?

 

You should consult with your financial advisors, such as your stockbroker, bank or tax advisor.

What is "regular-way" and "ex-distribution" trading of SPG stock?

 

Beginning on or shortly before the record date and continuing up to and through the distribution date, it is expected that there will be two markets in SPG common stock: a "regular-way" market and an "ex-distribution" market. SPG common stock that trade in the "regular-way" market will trade with an entitlement to WPG common shares distributed pursuant to the distribution. Shares that trade in the "ex-distribution" market will trade without an entitlement to WPG common shares distributed pursuant to the distribution.

 

If you decide to sell any SPG common stock before the distribution date, you should make sure your stockbroker, bank or other nominee understands whether you want to sell your SPG common stock with or without your entitlement to WPG common shares pursuant to the distribution.

 

17


 

Where will I be able to trade WPG common shares?

 

WPG has applied to list its common shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "WPG." WPG anticipates that trading in shares of its common shares will begin on a "when-issued" basis on or shortly before the record date and will continue up to and through the distribution date and that "regular-way" trading in WPG common shares will begin on the first trading day following the completion of the separation. If trading begins on a "when-issued" basis, you may purchase or sell WPG common shares up to and through the distribution date, but your transaction will not settle until after the distribution date. WPG cannot predict the trading prices for its common shares before, on or after the distribution date.

What will happen to the listing of SPG common stock?

 

SPG common stock will continue to trade on the NYSE after the distribution.

Will the number of shares of SPG common stock that I own change as a result of the distribution?

 

No. The number of shares of SPG common stock that you own will not change as a result of the distribution.

Will the distribution affect the market price of my SPG stock?

 

Yes. As a result of the distribution, SPG expects the trading price of SPG common stock immediately following the distribution to be lower than the "regular-way" trading price of such shares immediately prior to the distribution because the trading price will no longer reflect the value of the WPG portfolio held by WPG. SPG believes that, over time following the separation, assuming the same market conditions and the realization of the expected benefits of the separation, the SPG common stock and the WPG common shares should have a higher aggregate market value as compared to what the market value of SPG common stock would be if the separation did not occur. There can be no assurance, however, that such a higher aggregate market value will be achieved. This means, for example, that the combined trading prices of the shares of SPG and WPG that you will hold immediately after the distribution may be equal to, greater than or less than the trading price of one share of SPG common stock before the distribution.

What are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the separation and the distribution?

 

It is a condition to the completion of the separation that SPG obtain an opinion from its tax advisors to the effect that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will qualify as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. Assuming that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, so qualifies, you will not recognize any gain or loss, and no amount will be included in your income, upon your receipt of WPG common shares pursuant to the distribution.

 

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You should consult your own tax advisor as to the particular consequences of the distribution to you, including the applicability and effect of any U.S. federal, state and local tax laws, as well as foreign tax laws, which may result in the distribution being taxable to you. For more information regarding the tax opinion and certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the separation, please refer to the discussion under "The Separation — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution."

What will WPG's relationship be with SPG following the separation?

 

WPG will enter into a separation agreement with SPG. In addition, WPG will enter into various other agreements to effect the separation and provide a framework for its relationship with SPG after the separation, such as property management agreements, a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement and an employee matters agreement. In addition, WPG may enter into one or more property development agreements with SPG following the separation and distribution. These agreements will provide for the allocation between WPG and SPG of SPG's assets, liabilities and obligations (including its investments, property, employee and tax-related assets and liabilities) attributable to periods prior to, at and after WPG's separation from SPG and will govern certain relationships between WPG and SPG after the separation. Pursuant to the property management agreements, SPG employees with significant expertise and in-depth knowledge of our mall properties will continue to provide certain management services under the direction of our executive management team.

 

For additional information regarding the separation agreement and other transaction agreements, please refer to the sections entitled "Risk Factors — Risks Related to the Separation" and "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions."

Who will manage WPG after the separation?

 

WPG's management team will include experienced members of SPG's former operational management team who have a detailed understanding of our properties. Mark Ordan will be WPG's Chief Executive Officer after the separation. In addition, following the separation, employees of SPG will continue to provide certain day-to-day management services for our mall properties. For more information regarding WPG's management please refer to "Management."

 

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Are there risks associated with owning WPG common shares?

 

Yes. Ownership of WPG common shares is subject to both general and specific risks relating to WPG's business, the industry in which it operates, its ongoing contractual relationships with SPG and its status as a separate, publicly traded company. Ownership of WPG common shares is also subject to risks relating to the separation. These risks are described in the "Risk Factors" section of this information statement beginning on page 27. You are encouraged to read that section carefully.

Does WPG plan to pay dividends?

 

We intend to make regular quarterly distributions whereby we expect to distribute at least 100% of our REIT taxable income to our shareholders out of assets legally available thereof. Based on the amount of WPG's REIT taxable income for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 as reflected in the summary historical combined financial data, the Company's annual dividend for that period would have been greater than $1.00 per share, assuming a distribution ratio of one WPG share for every two shares of SPG.

 

To qualify as a REIT, we must distribute to our shareholders an amount at least equal to:

 


                  (i)  90% of our REIT taxable income, determined before the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain (which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP); plus

 


                 (ii)  90% of the excess of our net income from foreclosure property over the tax imposed on such income by the Code; less

 


                (iii)  Any excess non-cash income (as determined under the Code).

 

Please refer to "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences."

 

Although WPG currently expects that it will pay a regular cash dividend, the declaration and payment of any dividends in the future by WPG will be subject to the sole discretion of its board of directors and will depend upon many factors. Please refer to "Dividend Policy."

Who will be the distribution agent, transfer agent and registrar for the WPG common shares?

 

The distribution agent, transfer agent and registrar for the WPG common shares will be Computershare, Inc. For questions relating to the transfer or mechanics of the share distribution, you should contact:

 

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Computershare, Inc.
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170
866-239-2277
www.computershare.com/investor

Where can I find more information about SPG and WPG?

 

Before the distribution, if you have any questions relating to SPG's business performance, you should contact:

 

Simon Property Group
225 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Attention: Investor Relations
(317) 685-7330
investors.simon.com

 

After the distribution, WPG shareholders who have any questions relating to WPG's business performance should contact WPG at:

 

Washington Prime Group Inc.
7315 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Attention: Investor Relations

 

The WPG investor website will be operational as of April 29, 2014.

 

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SUMMARY HISTORICAL COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA

            The following table sets forth the selected historical combined financial and other data of our business, which was carved-out from the financial information of SPG, as described below. We were formed for the purpose of holding certain assets and assuming certain liabilities of SPG. Prior to the effective date of the Form 10 registration statement, of which this information statement forms a part, and the completion of the distribution, we did not conduct any business and did not have any material assets or liabilities. The selected historical financial data set forth below as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 has been derived from our audited combined financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this information statement.

            Our combined financial statements were carved-out from the financial information of SPG at a carrying value reflective of such historical cost in such SPG records. Our historical financial results reflect charges for certain corporate expenses which include, but are not limited to, costs related to property management, human resources, security, payroll and benefits, legal, corporate communications, information services and restructuring and reorganization. Costs of the services that were allocated or charged to us were based on either actual costs incurred or a proportion of costs estimated to be applicable to us based on a number of factors, most significantly our percentage of SPG's adjusted revenue and assets and the number of properties. We believe these allocations are reasonable; however, these results may not reflect what our expenses would have been had we been operating as a separate stand-alone public company. The corporate cost charges for the years ended 2013, 2012, and 2011 were $18.1 million, $18.2 million, and $16.6 million, respectively. Effective with the separation, we will enter into agreements with SPG to secure the appropriate support services that we deem necessary to operate as a separate company. The historical combined financial information presented may not be indicative of the results of operations, financial position or cash flows that would have been obtained if we had been an independent, stand-alone entity during the periods shown. Please refer to "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Overview — Basis of Presentation."

 

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            The historical results set forth below do not indicate results expected for any future periods. The selected financial data set forth below are qualified in their entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our combined financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this information statement.

 
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2013   2012   2011  

Operating Data:

                   

Total revenue

 
$

626,289
 
$

623,927
 
$

577,978
 

Depreciation and amortization

    (182,828 )   (189,187 )   (155,514 )

Other operating expenses

    (216,441 )   (220,369 )   (206,978 )
               

Operating income

    227,020     214,371     215,486  

Interest expense

    (55,058 )   (58,844 )   (55,326 )

Income and other taxes

    (196 )   (165 )   (157 )

Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities

    1,416     1,028     (143 )

Gain on sale of interests in properties

    14,152          
               

Net income

    187,334     156,390     159,860  

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (213 )   (259 )   (344 )
               

Net income attributable to Simon Property Group

  $ 187,121   $ 156,131   $ 159,516  
               

Cash Flow Data:

                   

Operating activities

  $ 336,434   $ 350,703   $ 298,853  

Investing activities

    (92,608 )   (71,551 )   (82,448 )

Financing activities

    (248,955 )   (270,777 )   (213,492 )

Other Financial Data:

                   

Total NOI from continuing operations(1)

    452,913     443,628     411,718  

Our Share of NOI

    418,121     410,908     376,635  

FFO(2)

    359,107     348,327     317,820  

 
  As of December 31,  
 
  2013   2012  

Balance Sheet Data:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 25,857   $ 30,986  

Total assets

    3,002,658     3,093,961  

Mortgages

    918,614     926,159  

Total equity

    1,884,525     1,954,856  

(1)
NOI does not represent income from operations as defined by GAAP. We use NOI as a supplemental measure of our operating performance. For our definition of NOI, as well as an important discussion of uses and inherent limitations, please refer to "Net Operating Income" below.

(2)
Funds from operations ("FFO") does not represent cash flow from operations as defined by GAAP and may not be reflective of WPG's operating performance due to changes in WPG's capital structure in connection with the separation and distribution. We use FFO as a supplemental measure of our operating performance. For a definition of FFO as well as a discussion of its uses and inherent limitations, please refer to "Funds from Operations" below.

 

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Net Operating Income

            We present NOI, as defined below, in this information statement as a supplemental measure of our performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). We believe that NOI is a useful supplemental measure of our operating performance. We define NOI as operating revenues (rental income, tenant recoveries and other income) less property and related expenses (real estate taxes, operating costs, repairs and maintenance, marketing and other property expenses). We exclude from NOI lease termination fees, land sale gains and interest income. Other real estate companies may use different methodologies for calculating NOI, and accordingly, our NOI may not be comparable to other real estate companies.

            We believe that NOI provides a performance measure that, when compared year over year, reflects the revenues and expenses directly associated with owning and operating shopping malls and strip centers and the impact on operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs. These measures thereby provide an operating perspective not immediately apparent from GAAP operating or net income. We use NOI to evaluate our operating performance on a property-by-property basis because NOI allows us to evaluate the impact that factors such as lease structure, lease rates and tenant base, which vary by property, have on our operating results, gross margins and investment returns.

            In addition, management believes that NOI provides useful information to the investment community about our operating performance. However, due to the exclusions noted above, NOI should only be used as a supplemental measure of our financial performance and not as an alternative to GAAP operating income (loss) or net income (loss).

 

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For reference, and as an aid in understanding management's computation of NOI, a reconciliation of NOI to combined operating income as computed in accordance with GAAP has been presented below.

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands)
  2013   2012   2011  

Reconciliation of NOI of consolidated properties:

                   

Net Income

  $ 187,334   $ 156,390   $ 159,860  

Income and other taxes

    196     165     157  

Interest expense

    55,058     58,844     55,326  

Gain on sale of interests in properties

    (14,152 )        

Income from unconsolidated entities

    (1,416 )   (1,028 )   143  
               

Operating Income

    227,020     214,371     215,486  

Depreciation and amortization

    182,828     189,187     155,514  
               

NOI of consolidated properties

  $ 409,848   $ 403,558   $ 371,000  
               

Reconciliation of NOI of unconsolidated entities:

                   

Net Income

  $ 14,154   $ 16,430   $ 17,254  

Interest expense

    14,322     13,786     13,653  

Gain from operations of discontinued joint venture interests

    (488 )   (4,124 )   (3,911 )
               

Operating Income

    27,988     26,092     26,996  

Depreciation and amortization

    15,077     13,978     13,722  
               

NOI of unconsolidated entities

  $ 43,065   $ 40,070   $ 40,718  
               

Total NOI from continuing operations

  $ 452,913   $ 443,628   $ 411,718  
               

Adjustments to NOI:

                   

NOI of discontinued unconsolidated properties

    1,287     7,627     7,241  
               

Total NOI of our portfolio

  $ 454,200   $ 451,255   $ 418,959  
               

Change in NOI from prior period

    0.7 %   7.7 %      

Less: Joint venture partners' share of NOI

    (36,079 )   (40,347 )   (42,324 )
               

Our Share of NOI

  $ 418,121   $ 410,908   $ 376,635  
               

Increase in our share of NOI from prior period

    1.8 %   9.1 %      

Total NOI of our portfolio

  $ 454,200   $ 451,255        

NOI from non comparable properties(1)

    5,469     15,223        
                 

Total NOI of comparable properties(2)

  $ 448,731   $ 436,032        
                 

Increase in NOI of comparable properties

    2.9 %            
                   

(1)
NOI excluded from comparable property NOI relates to properties not owned and operated in both periods under comparison and excludes income noted in footnote 2 below.

(2)
Comparable properties are malls and strip centers that were owned in both of the periods under comparison. Five properties were considered non comparable for the periods under comparison. Excludes lease termination income, interest income, land sale gains and the impact of siginificant redevelopment activities.

 

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Funds from Operations

            Consistent with real estate industry and investment community practices, we use FFO, as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"), as a supplemental measure of our operating performance. NAREIT defines FFO as net income (loss) (computed in accordance with current GAAP), excluding gains or losses from cumulative effects of accounting changes, extraordinary items and sales of depreciable properties, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization.

            We consider FFO a useful supplemental measure and a complement to GAAP measures because it facilitates an understanding of the operating performance of our properties. FFO does not include real estate depreciation and amortization required by GAAP because these amounts are computed to allocate the cost of a property over its useful life. Since values for well-maintained real estate assets have historically increased or decreased based upon prevailing market conditions, we believe that FFO provides investors with a clearer view of our operating performance, particularly with respect to our rental properties. FFO is not a measurement of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to revenues, operating income, net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity.

            FFO does not represent cash flow from operating activities as defined by GAAP, should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP net income and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash requirements. For reference, and as an aid in understanding management's computation of FFO, a reconciliation of net income to FFO has been presented below:

 
  For the Twelve Months
Ended December 31,
 
 
  2013   2012   2011  

Net Income

  $ 187,334   $ 156,390   $ 159,860  

Adjustments to Arrive at FFO:

                   

Depreciation and amortization from consolidated properties

   
182,828
   
189,187
   
155,514
 

Our share of depreciation and amortization from unconsolidated entities

    3,475     3,162     2,982  

Gain on sale of interests in properties

    (14,152 )        

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest holders in properties

    (213 )   (259 )   (344 )

Noncontrolling interests portion of depreciation and amortization

    (165 )   (153 )   (192 )
               

FFO

  $ 359,107   $ 348,327   $ 317,820  
               

 

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RISK FACTORS

             You should carefully consider the following risks and other information in this information statement in evaluating our company and our common shares. Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. These risks have been separated into four groups: Risks Related to Our Business and Operations, Risks Related to the Separation, Risks Related to Our Status as a REIT, and Risks Related to Our Common Shares.


Risks Related to Our Business and Operations

We may not be able to renew leases or relet space at existing properties, or lease newly developed properties.

            When leases for our existing properties expire, the premises may not be relet or the terms of reletting, including the cost of allowances and concessions to tenants, may be less favorable than the current lease terms. Also, we may not be able to lease new properties to an appropriate mix of tenants or for rents that are consistent with our projections. To the extent that our leasing plans are not achieved, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Our lease agreements with our tenants typically provide a fixed rate for certain cost reimbursement charges; if our operating expenses increase or we are otherwise unable to collect sufficient cost reimbursement payments from our tenants, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

            Energy costs, repairs, maintenance and capital improvements to common areas of our properties, janitorial services, administrative, property and liability insurance costs and security costs are typically allocable to our properties' tenants. Our lease agreements typically provide that the tenant is liable for a portion of such common area maintenance changes (which we refer to as "CAM") and other operating expenses. The majority of our current leases require an equal periodic tenant reimbursement amount for our cost recoveries, which serves to fix our tenants' CAM contributions to us. In these cases, a tenant will pay a single specified rent amount, or a set expense reimbursement amount, subject to annual increases, regardless of the actual amount of operating expenses. As a result, tenant payments remain the same regardless of whether operating expenses increase or decrease, causing us to be responsible for any excess amounts. In the event that our operating expenses increase, CAM and tenant reimbursements that we receive may not allow us to recover a substantial portion of these operating costs.

            In addition, the computation of cost reimbursements from tenants for CAM, insurance and real estate taxes is complex and involves numerous judgments, including interpretation of lease terms and other tenant lease provisions. Unforeseen or underestimated expenses may cause us to collect less than our actual expenses. The amounts we calculate and bill may also be disputed by tenants or become the subject of a tenant audit or even litigation.

            In the event that our properties are not fully occupied, we may be required to pay the portion of the CAM expenses allocable to the vacant space(s) that would otherwise typically be paid by the residing tenant(s). For the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, our cost recovery ratio was 82.3%.

Some of our properties depend on anchor stores or major tenants to attract shoppers and could be materially adversely affected by the loss of, or a store closure by, one or more of these anchor stores or major tenants.

            Our strip centers and malls are typically anchored by department stores and other large nationally recognized tenants. The value of some of our properties could be materially adversely affected if these department stores or major tenants fail to comply with their contractual obligations, seek concessions in order to continue operations, or cease their operations.

            For example, among department stores and other large stores — often referred to as "big box" stores — corporate merger activity typically results in the closure of duplicate or geographically overlapping store locations. Further sustained adverse pressure on the results of our department stores and major tenants may have a similarly sustained adverse impact upon our own results. Certain department stores and other national retailers have experienced, and may continue to experience for the foreseeable future given current macroeconomic uncertainty and less-than-desirable levels of consumer confidence, considerable decreases in customer traffic in their retail stores, increased competition from alternative retail options such as those accessible via the Internet and other forms of pressure on their business models. As pressure on these department stores and national retailers increases, their ability to maintain their stores, meet their obligations both to us and to their external lenders and suppliers, withstand takeover attempts by investors or rivals or avoid bankruptcy and/or liquidation may be impaired and result in closures of their stores. Other tenants may be entitled to modify the economic or other terms of their existing leases in the

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event of such closures. The modification could be unfavorable to us as the lessor, and could decrease rents or expense recovery charges.

            Additionally, department store or major tenant closures may result in decreased customer traffic, which could lead to decreased sales at our properties. If the sales of stores operating in our properties were to decline significantly due to the closing of anchor stores or other national retailers, adverse economic conditions, or other reasons, tenants may be unable to pay their minimum rents or expense recovery charges. In the event of any default by a tenant, whether a department store, national retailer or otherwise, we may not be able to fully recover, and/or may experience delays and costs in enforcing our rights as landlord to recover, amounts due to us under the terms of our agreements with such parties.

We face risks associated with the acquisition, development, re-development and expansion of properties, including risks of higher than projected costs, inability to obtain financing, inability to obtain required consents or approvals and inability to attract tenants at anticipated rates.

            We may seek to acquire and develop new properties and expand and redevelop existing properties, and these activities are subject to various risks. We may not be successful in pursuing acquisition, development or re-development/expansion opportunities. In addition, newly acquired, developed or re-developed/expanded properties may not perform as well as expected. Other risks we face include, without limitation, the following:

            If a development or re-development/expansion project is unsuccessful, either because it is not meeting our expectations when operational or was not completed according to the project planning, we could lose our investment in the project. Furthermore, if we guarantee the property's financing, our loss could exceed our investment in the project.

Real estate investments are relatively illiquid.

            Our properties represent a substantial portion of our total consolidated assets, and these investments are relatively illiquid. As a result, our ability to sell one or more of our properties or investments in real estate in response to any changes in economic or other conditions may be limited. If we want to sell a property, we cannot assure you that we will be able to dispose of it in the desired time period or that the sale price of a property will exceed the cost of our investment in that property.

We face a wide range of competition that could affect our ability to operate profitably.

            Our properties compete with other retail properties and other forms of retailing, such as catalogs and e-commerce websites. Competition may also come from strip centers, outlet centers, lifestyle centers, and malls, and both existing and future development projects. The presence of competitive alternatives affects our ability to lease space and the level of rents we can obtain. New construction, renovations and expansions at competing sites could also negatively affect our properties. We also compete with other retail property developers to acquire prime development sites. In addition, we compete with other retail property companies for tenants and qualified management. If we are unable to successfully compete, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

            The increase in digital and mobile technology usage has increased the speed of the transition from shopping at physical locations to web-based purchases. We may not be able to properly adapt to changing consumer spending habits and if we are unsuccessful in adapting our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

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If we lose our key management personnel, we may not be able to successfully manage our business and achieve our objectives.

            WPG's management team will include experienced members of SPG's former strip center management team who have a detailed understanding of our strip center properties. A large part of our success will depend on the leadership and performance of our executive management team. If we lose the services of these individuals, we may not be able to successfully manage our business or achieve our business objectives.

We have limited control with respect to some properties that are partially owned or managed by third parties, which may adversely affect our ability to sell or refinance them or otherwise take actions concerning these properties that would be in the best interests of our shareholders.

            We may continue to co-invest with third parties through partnerships, joint ventures, or other entities, acquiring controlling or non-controlling interests in, or sharing responsibility for, managing the affairs of a property, partnership, joint venture or other entity. We do not have sole decision-making authority regarding the 11 properties that we currently hold through joint ventures with other parties.

            Additionally, we may not be in a position to exercise sole decision-making authority regarding any future properties that we may hold in a partnership or joint venture. Investments in partnerships, joint ventures or other entities may, under certain circumstances, involve risks that would not be present were a third party not involved, including the possibility that partners or co-venturers might become bankrupt, suffer a deterioration in their financial condition, or fail to fund their share of required capital contributions. Partners or co-venturers may have economic or other business interests or goals that are inconsistent with our own business interests or goals, and may be in a position to take actions contrary to our policies or objectives.

            Such investments may also have the potential risk of creating impasses on decisions, such as a sale or financing, because neither we nor the partner or co-venturer would have full control over the partnership or joint venture. Disputes between us and partners or co-venturers may result in litigation or arbitration that may increase our expenses and prevent our officers and/or directors from focusing their time and efforts on our business. Consequently, actions by, or disputes with, partners or co-venturers might result in subjecting properties owned by the partnership or joint venture to additional risk. In addition, we may, in certain circumstances, be liable for the actions of our third-party partners or co-venturers.

Our revenues are dependent on the level of revenues realized by our tenants, and a decline in their revenues could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

            We are subject to various risks that affect the retail environment generally, including levels of consumer spending, seasonality, changes in economic conditions, unemployment rates, an increase in the use of the Internet by retailers and consumers, and natural disasters. In addition, levels of consumer spending may be adversely affected by, for example, increases in consumer savings rates, increases in tax rates, reduced levels of income growth and other declines in consumer net worth and a strengthening of the U.S. dollar as compared to non-U.S. currencies.

            Our tenants may be unable to pay their existing minimum rents or expense recovery charges due to these and other economic and market-based factors. Because substantially all of our income is derived from rentals of real property, our income and cash flow would be adversely affected if a significant number of tenants are unable to meet their obligations or their revenues decline. In addition, a decrease in retail demand could make it difficult for us to renew or re-lease our properties at lease rates equal to or above historical rates.

            Store closures and/or bankruptcy filings by tenants may occur during the course of our operations. We continually seek to re-lease vacant spaces resulting from tenant terminations. Large scale store closings or the bankruptcy of a tenant, particularly an anchor tenant, may make it more difficult to lease the remainder of a particular property or properties. Future tenant bankruptcies could adversely affect our properties or impact our ability to successfully execute our re-leasing strategy.

Economic and market conditions could negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

            The market in which we operate is affected by a number of factors that are largely beyond our control but may nevertheless have a significant negative impact on us. These factors include, but are not limited to:

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            In addition, increased inflation may have a pronounced negative impact on the interest expense we pay in connection with our outstanding indebtedness and our general and administrative expenses, as these costs could increase at a rate higher than our rents. Also, inflation may adversely affect tenant leases with stated rent increases, which could be lower than the increase in inflation at any given time. Inflation could also have an adverse effect on consumer spending which could impact our tenants' sales and, in turn, our own results of operations.

            Deflation may result in a decline in general price levels, often caused by a decrease in the supply of money or credit. The predominant effects of deflation are high unemployment, credit contraction and weakened consumer demand. Restricted lending practices may impact our ability to obtain financing for our properties and may also negatively impact our tenants' ability to obtain credit. Decreases in consumer demand can have a direct impact on our tenants and the rents we receive.

            A slow growing economy hinders consumer spending, which may lead to less discretionary income available for shopping at our properties. Weak income growth could weigh down consumer spending, which could be further affected if the overall economy suffers a setback during the current recovery.

An increase in market interest rates could increase our interest costs on existing and future debt and could adversely affect our share price.

            An environment of rising interest rates could lead holders of our common shares to seek higher yields through other investments, which could adversely affect the market price of our common shares. One of the factors that may influence the price of our common shares in public markets is the annual distribution rate we pay as compared with the yields on alternative investments. In addition, increases in market interest rates could result in increased borrowing costs for us, which may adversely affect our cash flow and the amounts available for distributions to our shareholders.

We will have a debt burden that is initially expected to be approximately $2 billion, which could materially adversely affect our future operations, and we may incur additional indebtedness in the future.

            Upon completion of the separation, we expect to have approximately $2 billion of total debt outstanding, including approximately $1 billion of our share of existing mortgage debt and at least $1 billion of new debt which we expect to consist of a mix of secured and unsecured indebtedness. We are subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing, including the risk that our cash flow from operations will be insufficient to service our debt obligations. In addition, we may incur additional indebtedness in the future in connection with acquisitions, re-development projects or other strategic opportunities, or to fund capital expenditure requirements. Increased leverage may make it more difficult for us to withstand adverse economic conditions and reduce our flexibility in responding to changing business, regulatory and economic conditions.

            In addition, a substantial portion of our cash flow could be required for debt service and, as a result, might not be available for our operations or other purposes. Our debt service costs generally will not be reduced if developments at our properties, such as the entry of new competitors or the loss of major tenants, result in decreased income from our properties. Should such events occur, our operations may be materially adversely affected. In addition, if a property is mortgaged to secure payment of indebtedness and income from such property is insufficient to pay that indebtedness, the property may be foreclosed upon by the mortgagee, resulting in a loss of income and a decline in our total asset value.

Covenants in our debt agreements may limit our operational flexibility, and a covenant breach or default could materially adversely affect our business, financial position, or results of operations.

            At or prior to separation, we intend to enter into one or more unsecured credit facilities; we will also have secured property-level debt. We may also incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. Our indebtedness may impose various restrictions and covenants on us that could have material adverse consequences. Failure to comply with the restrictions and covenants in any of our indebtedness would result in a default under the applicable agreements governing such indebtedness and, absent a waiver or an amendment from our lenders, would permit the

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acceleration thereof. No assurance can be given that we will be successful in obtaining such waiver or amendment. Furthermore, any such default could result in the cross-default of our other indebtedness.

If we cannot obtain additional capital, our growth may be limited.

            In order to qualify and maintain our qualification as a REIT each year, we will be required to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, excluding net capital gains, to our shareholders. As a result, our retained earnings available to fund acquisitions, development, or other capital expenditures are nominal, and we will rely upon the availability of additional debt or equity capital to fund these activities. Our long-term ability to grow through acquisitions or development, which is an important component of our strategy, will be limited if we cannot obtain additional debt financing or equity capital. Market conditions may make it difficult to obtain debt financing or raise equity capital, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain additional debt or equity financing or that we will be able to obtain such capital on favorable terms.

Adverse changes in any credit rating we may subsequently obtain may affect our borrowing capacity and borrowing terms.

            We expect that our outstanding debt will be periodically rated by nationally recognized credit rating agencies. The credit ratings are based upon our operating performance, liquidity and leverage ratios, overall financial position, and other factors viewed by the credit rating agencies as relevant to both our industry and the economic outlook. Our credit rating may affect the amount of capital we can access, as well as the terms of any financing we obtain. Since we depend primarily on debt financing to fund our growth, adverse changes in any credit rating we may subsequently obtain may have a negative effect on our future growth.

We may enter into hedging interest rate protection arrangements that may not effectively limit our interest rate risk.

            We may seek to selectively manage any exposure that we may have to interest rate risk through interest rate protection agreements geared toward effectively fixing or capping a portion of our variable-rate debt. In addition, we may refinance fixed-rate debt at times when we believe rates and terms are appropriate. Any such efforts to manage these exposures may not be successful.

            Our potential use of interest rate hedging arrangements to manage risk associated with interest rate volatility may expose us to additional risks, including the risk that a counterparty to a hedging arrangement may fail to honor its obligations. Developing an effective interest rate risk strategy is complex and no strategy can completely insulate us from risks associated with interest rate fluctuations. There can be no assurance that hedging activities will have the desired beneficial impact on our results of operations or financial condition. Termination of these hedging agreements typically involves costs, such as transaction fees or breakage costs.

We are subject to various regulatory requirements, and any changes in such requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

            The laws, regulations and policies governing our business, or the regulatory or enforcement environment at the national level or in any of the states in which we operate, may change at any time and may have a material adverse effect on our business. For example, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as it is phased-in over time, may significantly impact our cost of providing employees with health care insurance. We are unable to predict how this, or any other future legislative or regulatory proposals or programs, will be administered or implemented, or whether any additional or similar changes to statutes or regulations, including the interpretation or implementation thereof, will occur in the future. In addition, changes in tax laws may have a significant impact on our operating results. For more information regarding this, please refer to "Risks Related to Our Status as a REIT."

            Our inability to remain in compliance with regulatory requirements could have a material adverse effect on our operations and on our reputation generally. We are unable to give any assurances that applicable laws or regulations will not be amended or construed differently, or that new laws and regulations will not be adopted, either of which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our efforts to identify environmental liabilities may not be successful.

            We believe that our portfolio is in substantial compliance with federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations regarding hazardous or toxic substances, but this belief is based on limited testing. Nearly all of our properties have been subjected to Phase I or similar environmental audits. These environmental audits have

31


not revealed, nor are we aware of, any environmental liability that we believe will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. However, we cannot assure you that:

We could incur significant costs related to government regulation and litigation over environmental matters, and changes in various other federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

            Under various federal, state or local laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real estate may be required to investigate and clean up hazardous or toxic substances released at a property, and may be held liable to third parties for bodily injury or property damage incurred by the parties in connection with the contamination. These laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or otherwise caused, the release of the hazardous or toxic substances. The presence of contamination at any of our properties, or the failure to remediate contamination discovered at such properties, could result in significant costs to us and may materially adversely affect our ability to sell or lease such properties or to borrow using such properties as collateral.

            For example, federal, state and local laws require abatement or removal of asbestos-containing materials in the event of demolition or certain renovations or remodeling, the cost of which may be substantial for certain re-developments. These regulations also govern emissions of, and exposure to, asbestos fibers in the air, which may necessitate implementation of site-specific maintenance practices. Certain laws also impose liability for the release of asbestos-containing materials into the air, and third parties may seek recovery from owners or operators of real property for personal injury or property damage associated with asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos-containing building materials are present at some of our properties and may be present at others. To minimize the risk of on-site asbestos being improperly disturbed, we have developed and implemented asbestos operations and maintenance programs to manage asbestos-containing materials and suspected asbestos-containing materials in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Some of our potential losses may not be covered by insurance.

            SPG maintains insurance coverage with third-party carriers who provide a portion of the coverage for specific layers of potential losses, including commercial general liability, fire, flood, extended coverage and rental loss insurance on all of our properties. We will remain under SPG's insurance coverage during 2014 and will pay SPG our respective share of insurance premiums to cover our properties.

            The initial portion of coverage not provided by third-party carriers will either be insured through a wholly owned captive insurance companies or other financial arrangements controlled by SPG. A third-party carrier has, in turn, agreed to provide evidence of coverage for this layer of losses under the terms and conditions of the carrier's policy. A similar policy written through SPG's captive insurance entities also provides initial coverage for property insurance and certain windstorm risks at the properties located in coastal windstorm locations.

            There are some types of losses, including lease and other contract claims and certain catastrophic perils, that generally are not insured or are subject to large insurance deductibles. If an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occurs, or a loss for which there is a large deductible occurs, we could lose all or a portion of the capital we have invested in a property, as well as the anticipated future revenue it could generate. SPG's insurance policies include coverage for acts of terrorism by foreign or domestic agents. The United States government provides reinsurance coverage to insurance companies following a declared terrorism event under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, which extended the effectiveness of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension Act (which we refer to as the "TRIA") of 2005. The TRIA is designed to reinsure the insurance industry from declared terrorism events that cause or create in excess of $100 million in damages or losses. The U.S. government could terminate its reinsurance of terrorism, thus increasing the risk of uninsured losses for such acts. If the TRIA is not extended beyond

32


its current expiration date of December 31, 2014, we may incur higher insurance costs and greater difficulty in obtaining insurance that covers terrorism-related damages. Our tenants may also experience similar difficulties.

            After 2014, we may enter into new insurance arrangements with third party insurance providers or, subject to agreement with SPG, may continue to be under SPG's insurance.

Our due diligence review of acquisition opportunities or other transactions may not identify all pertinent risks, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

            Although we intend to conduct due diligence with respect to each acquisition opportunity or other transaction that we pursue, it is possible that our due diligence processes will not uncover all relevant facts, particularly with respect to any assets we acquire from third parties. In some cases, we may be given limited access to information about the investment and will rely on information provided by the target of the investment. In addition, if opportunities are scarce, the process for selecting bidders is competitive, or the time frame in which we are required to complete diligence is short, our ability to conduct a due diligence investigation may be limited, and we would be required to make investment decisions based upon a less thorough diligence process than would otherwise be the case. Accordingly, investments and other transactions that initially appear to be viable may prove to not be so over time, due to the limitations of the due diligence process or other factors.

We are dependent on SPG to provide services to us pursuant to the property management agreements and transition services agreement; it may be difficult to replace the services provided under such agreements, and employees of SPG will face competing demands on their time in discharging their duties to WPG under these agreements.

            Following the separation and distribution, we will depend on SPG to provide certain services to us in operating our malls. Prior to the separation and distribution, employees of SPG managed these malls by, among other things, negotiating leases with tenants, promoting the leasing property through advertisements, billing tenants for rent and all other charges, paying the salaries of all employees of SPG responsible for management of the properties, making such repairs as approved in the budgets, maintenance and payment of any taxes or fees. Following the separation and distribution, these employees will continue to be employed by SPG and will not become employees of WPG. As a result, we will initially rely on these employees of SPG to continue providing management and other services to us pursuant to the property management agreements. The loss of such services could adversely affect our operations. Furthermore, these employees will face competing demands on their time in discharging their duties to WPG under these agreements, the compensation of these employees will be entirely determined by SPG and may not be linked to the operating performance of our malls, and the continued service of these employees pursuant to the property management agreements is not guaranteed.

            It may be difficult for us to replace our property management agreements with SPG. The property management agreements may be terminated by either party as of the end of the initial term or during any renewal term upon 180 days' prior notice to the other party. If the property management agreements are terminated we will need to replace the services provided by SPG and the terms of such replacement agreements may be less favorable to us.

SPG, as manager of certain of our enclosed mall properties under the property management agreements, will not be required to present investments to us that satisfy our investment guidelines before pursuing such opportunities on SPG's behalf.

            Our property management agreements will not require SPG to present investment opportunities that satisfy our investment guidelines to us before pursuing such opportunities on SPG's behalf. As a result, SPG may be able to direct investment opportunities away from WPG, and we may be unable to compete with SPG in pursuing such opportunities.

            In addition, our Governance Principles will provide that if any WPG director who is also a director, officer or employee of SPG acquires knowledge of a corporate opportunity or is otherwise offered a corporate opportunity (provided that this knowledge was not acquired solely in such person's capacity as a director of our company), then to the fullest extent permitted by law, such person is deemed to have fully satisfied such person's fiduciary duties owed to us and is not liable to us if SPG, or their affiliates, pursues or acquires the corporate opportunity, or if such person did not present the corporate opportunity to us.

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Risks Related to the Separation

We have no history operating as an independent company, and our historical and pro forma financial information is not necessarily representative of the results that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.

            The historical information about us in this information statement refers to our business as operated by and integrated with SPG. Our historical and pro forma financial information included in this information statement is derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of SPG. Accordingly, the historical and pro forma financial information included in this information statement does not necessarily reflect the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company during the periods presented or those that we will achieve in the future. Factors which could cause our results to differ from those reflected in such historical and pro forma financial information and which may adversely impact our ability to receive similar results in the future may include, but are not limited to, the following:

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            Other significant changes may occur in our cost structure, management, financing and business operations as a result of operating as an independent company. For additional information about the past financial performance of our business and the basis of presentation of the historical combined financial statements and the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements of our business, please refer to "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements," "Selected Historical Combined Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the historical financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this information statement.

If the distribution, together with certain related transactions, does not qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, SPG, WPG and SPG shareholders could be subject to significant tax liabilities and, in certain circumstances, WPG could be required to indemnify SPG for material taxes and related amounts pursuant to indemnification obligations under the tax matters agreement.

            It is a condition to the distribution that SPG receive an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the SPG board of directors, to the effect that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. The opinion of counsel will be based and rely on, among other things, certain facts and assumptions, as well as certain representations, statements and undertakings of SPG and WPG, including those relating to the past and future conduct of SPG and WPG. If any of these representations, statements or undertakings are, or become, inaccurate or incomplete, or if SPG or WPG breach any of their respective covenants in the separation documents, the opinion of counsel may be invalid and the conclusions reached therein could be jeopardized.

            Notwithstanding the opinion of counsel, the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") could determine that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, should be treated as a taxable transaction if it determines that any of the representations, assumptions or undertakings upon which the opinion of counsel was based are false or have been violated, or if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinion of counsel. The opinion of counsel is not binding on the IRS and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a contrary position.

            If the distribution, together with certain related transactions, fails to qualify for tax-free treatment, in general, SPG would recognize taxable gain as if it had sold the WPG common stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value (unless SPG and WPG jointly make an election under Section 336(e) of the Code with respect to the distribution, in which case, in general, WPG would (i) recognize taxable gain as if it had sold all of its assets in a taxable sale in exchange for an amount equal to the fair market value of the WPG common stock and the assumption of all WPG's liabilities and (ii) obtain a related step up in the basis of its assets) and SPG shareholders who receive WPG common shares in the distribution would be subject to tax as if they had received a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of such shares. For more information, please refer to "The Separation — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution."

            Under the tax matters agreement that WPG will enter into with SPG, WPG may be required to indemnify SPG against any additional taxes and related amounts resulting from (i) an acquisition of all or a portion of the equity securities or assets of WPG, whether by merger or otherwise, (ii) other actions or failures to act by WPG, or (iii) any of WPG's representations or undertakings being incorrect or violated. For a more detailed discussion, please refer to "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions — The Tax Matters Agreement."

Proposed legislation, if enacted, would prevent the distribution from qualifying for tax-free treatment.

            On February 26, 2014, the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives released draft proposed legislation titled the Tax Reform Act of 2014, which includes a proposal that would prevent a spin-off involving a REIT (such as the proposed distribution of WPG common shares) from qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code. The proposed legislation provides that this provision would apply to distributions occurring on or after February 26, 2014. Accordingly, if this proposal or legislation containing a similar provision, with such effective date (or another effective date that precedes the date of the distribution), were to become law, the distribution would be a taxable transaction and the SPG shareholders who receive WPG common shares in the distribution would be subject to tax as if they had received a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of such shares. For more information regarding the material U.S. federal income tax consequences if the distribution fails to qualify for tax-free treatment see "The Separation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution."

WPG may not be able to engage in desirable strategic or capital-raising transactions following the separation. In addition, WPG could be liable for adverse tax consequences resulting from engaging in significant strategic or capital-raising transactions.

            To preserve the tax-free treatment of the separation, for the two-year period following the separation, WPG may be prohibited, except in specific circumstances, from: (i) entering into any transaction pursuant to which all or a portion of WPG's shares would be acquired, whether by merger or otherwise, (ii) issuing equity securities beyond certain thresholds, (iii) repurchasing WPG common shares, (iv) ceasing to actively conduct certain of its businesses, or (v) taking or failing to take any other action that prevents the distribution and related transactions from being tax-free.

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            These restrictions may limit WPG's ability to pursue strategic transactions or engage in new business or other transactions that may maximize the value of WPG's business. For more information, please refer to "The Separation — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution" and "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions — The Tax Matters Agreement."

Potential indemnification liabilities to SPG pursuant to the separation agreement could materially adversely affect our operations.

            The separation agreement with SPG provides for, among other things, the principal corporate transactions required to effect the separation, certain conditions to the separation and distribution and provisions governing our relationship with SPG with respect to and following the separation and distribution. Among other things, the separation agreement provides for indemnification obligations designed to make us financially responsible for substantially all liabilities that may exist relating to our business activities, whether incurred prior to or after the separation and distribution, as well as those obligations of SPG that we will assume pursuant to the separation agreement. If we are required to indemnify SPG under the circumstances set forth in this agreement, we may be subject to substantial liabilities. For a description of this agreement, please refer to "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions — The Separation Agreement."

After the separation, certain of our directors and executive officers and directors may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their previous or continuing equity interest in, or positions at, SPG.

            We expect that some of our directors or executive officers will be persons who are or have been employees of SPG. Because of their current or former positions with SPG, certain of our expected directors and executive officers may own SPG common stock or other equity awards. Following the separation, even though our board of directors will consist of a majority of directors who are independent, we expect that some of our executive officers and some of our directors will continue to have a financial interest in SPG common stock. In addition, certain of our directors will continue serving on the board of directors of SPG and as executive officers of SPG. Continued ownership of SPG common stock, or service as a director at both companies, could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest.

We may not achieve some or all of the expected benefits of the separation, and the separation may adversely affect our business.

            We may not be able to achieve the full strategic and financial benefits expected to result from the separation, or such benefits may be delayed due to a variety of circumstances, not all of which may be under our control. The separation is expected to provide the following benefits, among others: (i) a distinct investment identity allowing investors to evaluate our merits, performance and future prospects as an independent company; (ii) more efficient allocation of capital for both SPG and for us; and (iii) direct access by us to the capital markets.

            We may not achieve these and other anticipated benefits for a variety of reasons, including, among others: (i) the separation will require significant amounts of management's time and effort, which may divert management's attention from operating and growing our business; (ii) following the separation, we may be more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events than if we were still a part of SPG; (iii) following the separation, our business will be less diversified than SPG's business prior to the separation; and (iv) the other actions required to separate our business from that of SPG could disrupt our operations. If we fail to achieve some or all of the benefits expected to result from the separation, or if such benefits are delayed, our business, financial conditions and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Our agreements with SPG in connection with the separation and distribution, including our property management agreements, involve potential conflicts of interest, and may not reflect terms that would have resulted from negotiations between unaffiliated third parties.

            Because the separation and distribution involves the division of certain of SPG's existing businesses into two independent companies, we expect to enter into certain agreements with SPG to provide a framework for our relationship with SPG following the separation and distribution, including the separation agreement, the property management agreements, a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement and an employee matters agreement. The terms of these agreements between SPG and us will be determined while we are still a wholly owned subsidiary of SPG and will be determined by persons who are at the time employees, officers or directors of SPG or its subsidiaries and, accordingly, have a conflict of interest. For example, during the period in which the terms of those

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agreements will be prepared, we will not have a board of directors that will be independent of SPG. As a result, the terms of those agreements may not reflect terms that would have resulted from arm's-length negotiations between unaffiliated third parties. Arm's-length negotiations between SPG and an unaffiliated third party in another form of transaction, such as a buyer in a sale of a business transaction, may have resulted in more favorable terms to the unaffiliated third party. See "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions."

No vote of the SPG shareholders is required in connection with the separation and distribution.

            No vote of the SPG shareholders is required in connection with the separation and distribution. Accordingly, if this transaction occurs and you do not want to receive our common shares in the distribution, your only recourse will be to divest yourself of your SPG common stock prior to the record date for the distribution.

SPG's board of directors has reserved the right, in its sole discretion, to amend, modify or abandon the separation and distribution and the related transactions at any time prior to the distribution date. In addition, the separation and distribution and related transactions are subject to the satisfaction or waiver by SPG's board of directors in its sole discretion of a number of conditions. We cannot assure you that any or all of these conditions will be met.

            The SPG board of directors has reserved the right, in its sole discretion, to amend, modify or abandon the separation and distribution and the related transactions at any time prior to the distribution date. This means that SPG may cancel or delay the planned separation and distribution of our common shares if at any time the board of directors of SPG determines that it is not in the best interests of SPG and its shareholders. If SPG's board of directors makes a decision to cancel the separation, shareholders of SPG will not receive any distribution of our common shares and SPG will be under no obligation whatsoever to its shareholders to distribute such common shares. In addition, the separation and distribution and related transactions are subject to the satisfaction or waiver by SPG's board of directors in its sole discretion of a number of conditions. We cannot assure you that any or all of these conditions will be met.

In connection with our separation from SPG, SPG will indemnify us for certain pre-distribution liabilities and liabilities related to SPG assets. However, there can be no assurance that these indemnities will be sufficient to insure us against the full amount of such liabilities, or that SPG's ability to satisfy its indemnification obligation will not be impaired in the future.

            Pursuant to the separation agreement, SPG will agree to indemnify us for certain liabilities. However, third parties could seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that SPG agrees to retain, and there can be no assurance that SPG will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from SPG any amounts for which we are held liable, such indemnification may be insufficient to fully offset the financial impact of such liabilities and/or we may be temporarily required to bear these losses while seeking recovery from SPG.

Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on our business and share price.

            As a public company, we will become subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act and will be required to prepare our financial statements according to the rules and regulations required by the SEC. In addition, the Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports. Our failure to prepare and disclose this information in a timely manner or to otherwise comply with applicable law could subject us to penalties under federal securities laws, expose us to lawsuits and restrict our ability to access financing.

            In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we, among other things, establish and maintain effective internal controls and procedures for financial reporting and disclosure purposes. Internal control over financial reporting is complex and may be revised over time to adapt to changes in our business, or changes in applicable accounting rules. We cannot assure you that our internal control over financial reporting will be effective in the future or that a material weakness will not be discovered with respect to a prior period for which we had previously believed that internal controls were effective. If we are not able to maintain or document effective internal control over financial reporting, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be able to certify as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

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            Matters impacting our internal controls may cause us to be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis, or may cause our company to restate previously issued financial information, and thereby subject us to adverse regulatory consequences, including sanctions or investigations by the SEC, or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules. There could also be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in our company and the reliability of our financial statements. Confidence in the reliability of our financial statements is also likely to suffer if we or our independent registered public accounting firm report a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. This could materially adversely affect our company by, for example, leading to a decline in our share price and impairing our ability to raise additional capital.

Substantial sales of our common shares may occur in connection with the distribution, which could cause our share price to decline.

            The shares that SPG intends to distribute to its shareholders generally may be sold immediately in the public market. Upon completion of the distribution, we expect that we will have an aggregate of 155,329,268 common shares issued and outstanding, based on the number of outstanding shares of SPG as of March 14, 2014. These shares will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "Securities Act") unless the shares are owned by one of our "affiliates," as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

            Although we have no actual knowledge of any plan or intention on the part of any 5% or greater shareholder to sell our shares following the distribution, it is possible that some SPG shareholders, including possibly some of our large shareholders, will sell our common shares that they receive in the distribution. For example, SPG shareholders may sell our common shares because our business profile or market capitalization as an independent company does not fit their investment objectives or because our common shares are not included in certain indices after the distribution. A portion of SPG's shares is held by index funds tied to the Standard & Poor's 500 Index or other indices, and if we are not included in these indices at the time of the distribution, these index funds may be required to sell our shares. The sales of significant amounts of our common shares, or the perception in the market that this will occur, may result in the lowering of the market price of our shares.


Risks Related to Our Status as a REIT

If we do not qualify to be taxed as a REIT, or if we fail to remain qualified as a REIT, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as a regular corporation and could face substantial tax liability, which would substantially reduce funds available for distribution to our shareholders.

            We expect to receive an opinion of our special REIT tax advisors, Faegre Baker Daniels LLP (the "Special Tax Advisor"), with respect to our qualification as a REIT in connection with the separation. Investors should be aware, however, that opinions of advisors are not binding on the IRS or any court. The opinions of the Special Tax Advisor represent only the view of the Special Tax Advisor based on its review and analysis of existing law and on certain representations as to factual matters and covenants made by us, including representations relating to the value of our assets and the sources of our income. The opinion is expressed as of the date issued. The Special Tax Advisor will have no obligation to advise us, or the holders of our common shares, of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed or of any subsequent change in applicable law.

            Furthermore, both the validity of the opinion of the Special Tax Advisor and our qualification as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, shareholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis, the results of which will not be monitored by the Special Tax Advisor. Our ability to satisfy the asset tests depends upon our analysis of the characterization and fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination, and for which we will not obtain independent appraisals. Our compliance with the REIT income and quarterly asset requirements also depends upon our ability to successfully manage the composition of our income and assets on an ongoing basis. Moreover, the proper classification of one or more of our investments may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT qualification requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our investments violate the REIT requirements.

            If we were to fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates, and distributions to our shareholders would not be deductible by us in computing our taxable income. Any such corporate tax liability

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could be substantial and would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our shareholders, which in turn could have an adverse effect on the value of, and trading prices for, our common shares. Unless we are deemed to be entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Code, we would also be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we initially ceased to qualify as a REIT.

Our failure to qualify as a REIT could cause our shares to be delisted from the NYSE.

            The NYSE requires, as a condition to the listing of our common shares, that we maintain our REIT status. Consequently, if we fail to maintain our REIT status, our common shares could promptly be delisted from the NYSE, which would decrease the trading activity of such common shares, making the sale of such common shares difficult.

            If we were delisted as a result of losing our REIT status and wished to relist our shares on the NYSE, we would be required to reapply to the NYSE to be listed as a non-REIT corporation. As the NYSE's listing standards for REITs are less burdensome than its standards for non-REIT corporations, it would be more difficult for us to become a listed company under these heightened standards. We may not be able to satisfy the NYSE's listing standards for non-REIT corporations. As a result, if we were delisted from the NYSE, we may not be able to relist as a non-REIT corporation, in which case our shares could not trade on the NYSE.

Dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates available for some dividends.

            Dividends payable by non-REIT corporations to non-REIT shareholders that are individuals, trusts and estates are generally taxed at reduced tax rates. Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the reduced rates. The more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts and estates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the shares of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the shares of REITs, including our common shares.

Qualifying as a REIT involves highly technical and complex provisions of the Code.

            Qualifying as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex provisions of the Code for which only limited judicial and administrative authorities exist. Even a technical or inadvertent violation could jeopardize our REIT qualification. Our qualification as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, shareholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis. Compliance with these requirements must be carefully monitored on a continuing basis, and there can be no assurance that our Manager's personnel responsible for doing so will be able to successfully monitor our compliance, despite clauses in the property management agreements requiring such monitoring. In addition, our ability to satisfy the requirements to qualify to be taxed as a REIT may depend, in part, on the actions of third parties over which we have either no control or only limited influence.

Legislative, administrative, regulatory or other actions affecting REITs, including positions taken by the IRS, could have a negative effect on us.

            The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process, and by the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the "Treasury"). In particular, in June 2013, several companies pursuing REIT conversions disclosed that they had been informed by the IRS that it had formed a new internal working group to study the current legal standards the IRS uses to define "real estate" for purposes of the REIT provisions of the Code. Changes to the tax laws or interpretations thereof by the IRS and the Treasury, with or without retroactive application, could materially and adversely affect our investors or our company. We cannot predict how changes in the tax laws might affect our investors or us. New legislation, Treasury regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions could significantly and negatively affect our ability to qualify to be taxed as a REIT and/or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to our investors and our company of such qualification.

REIT distribution requirements could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to execute our business plan.

            In order for us to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, and assuming that certain other requirements are also satisfied, we generally must distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains, to our shareholders each year, so that U.S. federal corporate

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income tax does not apply to earnings that we distribute. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement and qualify for taxation as a REIT, but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and including any net capital gains, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed net taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we distribute to our shareholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws. We intend to make distributions to our shareholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Code.

            From time to time, we may generate taxable income greater than our cash flow as a result of differences in timing between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash or the effect of nondeductible capital expenditures, the creation of reserves, or required debt or amortization payments. If we do not have other funds available in these situations, we could be required to borrow funds on unfavorable terms, sell assets at disadvantageous prices, distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions, capital expenditures or repayment of debt, or make taxable distributions of our capital stock or debt securities to make distributions sufficient to enable us to pay out enough of our taxable income to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement and avoid corporate income tax and the 4% excise tax in a particular year. These alternatives could increase our costs or reduce our equity. Further, amounts distributed will not be available to fund investment activities. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to grow, which could adversely affect the value of our shares. Any restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness or make certain distributions could preclude us from meeting the 90% distribution requirement. Decreases in funds from operations due to unfinanced expenditures for acquisitions of properties or increases in the number of shares outstanding without commensurate increases in funds from operations each would adversely affect our ability to maintain distributions to our shareholders. Consequently, there can be no assurance that we will be able to make distributions at the anticipated distribution rate or any other rate. Please refer to "Dividend Policy."

Even if we remain qualified as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flows.

            Even if we remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income and state or local income, property and transfer taxes. Please refer to "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences." For example, in order to meet the REIT qualification requirements, we may hold some of our assets or conduct certain of our activities through one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs") or other subsidiary corporations that will be subject to federal, state and local corporate-level income taxes as regular C corporations. In addition, we may incur a 100% excise tax on transactions with a TRS if they are not conducted on an arm's-length basis. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distribution to our shareholders.

Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive acquisition opportunities or liquidate otherwise attractive investments.

            To qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must ensure that, at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consist of cash, cash items, government securities and "real estate assets" (as defined in the Code), including certain mortgage loans and securities. The remainder of our investments (other than government securities, qualified real estate assets and securities issued by a TRS) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer.

            Additionally, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our total assets (other than government securities, qualified real estate assets and securities issued by a TRS) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of our total assets can be represented by securities of one or more TRSs. Please refer to "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences." If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences. As a result, we may be required to liquidate or forego otherwise attractive investments. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our shareholders.

            In addition to the asset tests set forth above, to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the amounts we distribute to our shareholders and the ownership of our shares. We may be unable to pursue investments that would be otherwise advantageous to us in order

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to satisfy the source-of-income or asset-diversification requirements for qualifying as a REIT. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to make certain attractive investments.

Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.

            The REIT provisions of the Code substantially limit our ability to hedge our assets and liabilities. Income from certain potential hedging transactions that we may enter into to manage risk of interest rate changes with respect to borrowings made or to be made to acquire or carry real estate assets or from transactions to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that satisfy the REIT gross income tests (including gain from the termination of such a transaction) does not constitute "gross income" for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests that apply to REITs, provided that certain identification requirements are met. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions or fail to properly identify such transaction as a hedge, the income is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both of the gross income tests. Please refer to "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences."

            As a result of these rules, we may be required to limit our use of advantageous hedging techniques or implement those hedges through a total return swap. This could increase the cost of our hedging activities because the total return swap may be subject to tax on gains or expose us to greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to bear. In addition, losses in the total return swap will generally not provide any tax benefit, except that such losses could theoretically be carried back or forward against past or future taxable income in the total return swap.

We may be unable to generate sufficient revenue from operations to pay our operating expenses and to pay distributions to our shareholders.

            As a REIT, we are generally required to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gain) each year to our shareholders. To qualify for the tax benefits accorded to REITs, we intend to make distributions to our shareholders in amounts such that we distribute all or substantially all of our net taxable income each year, subject to certain adjustments. However, our ability to make distributions may be adversely affected by the risk factors described herein.

The share ownership limit imposed by the Code for REITs, and our amended and restated articles of incorporation, may inhibit market activity in our shares and restrict our business combination opportunities.

            In order for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) at any time during the last half of each taxable year after our first taxable year. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation, with certain exceptions, authorize our board of directors to take the actions that are necessary and desirable to preserve our qualification as a REIT. Unless exempted by our board of directors, no person may own more than 8%, or 18% in the case of members of the Simon family and related persons, of any class of capital stock or any combination thereof, determined by the number of shares outstanding, voting power or value (as determined by our board of directors), whichever produces the smallest holding of capital stock under the three methods, computed with regard to all outstanding shares of capital stock and, to the extent provided by the Code, all shares of capital stock issuable under outstanding options and exchange rights that have not been exercised. Our board of directors may grant an exemption in its sole discretion, subject to such conditions, representations and undertakings as it may determine in its sole discretion. These ownership limits could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in our control that might involve a premium price for our common shares or otherwise be in the best interest of our shareholders.


Risks Related to Our Common Shares

No market currently exists for the WPG common shares and we cannot be certain that an active trading market for our common shares will develop or be sustained after the separation, and, following the separation, our share price may fluctuate significantly.

            A public market for our common shares does not currently exist. We anticipate that on or prior to the record date for the distribution, trading of our common shares will begin on a "when-issued" basis and will continue through the distribution date. However, we cannot guarantee that an active trading market will develop or be sustained for our common shares after the separation. Nor can we predict the prices at which our common shares may trade after the

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separation. Similarly, we cannot predict the effect of the separation on the trading prices of our common shares or whether the combined market value of our common shares and SPG's common shares will be less than, equal to, or greater than the market value of SPG's common shares prior to the separation. The market price of our common shares may fluctuate significantly due to a number of factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including:

            In addition, when the market price of a company's common shares drops significantly, shareholders often institute securities class action lawsuits against the company. A lawsuit against us could cause us to incur substantial costs and could divert the time and attention of our management and other resources.

We cannot guarantee the timing, amount, or payment of dividends on our common shares.

            Although we expect to pay regular cash dividends following the separation, the timing, declaration, amount and payment of future dividends to shareholders will fall within the discretion of our board of directors. Our board of directors' decisions regarding the payment of dividends will depend on many factors, such as our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements, debt service obligations, limitations under our financing arrangements, industry practice, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, and other factors that it deems relevant. Our ability to pay dividends will depend on our ongoing ability to generate cash from operations and access capital markets. We cannot guarantee that we will pay a dividend in the future or continue to pay any dividend if we commence paying dividends. For more information, Please refer to "Dividend Policy."

Our cash available for distribution to shareholders may be insufficient to pay distributions at any particular levels or in amounts sufficient to maintain our REIT qualification, which may require us to borrow funds in order to make such distributions.

            As a REIT, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income each year, excluding net capital gains, to our shareholders. We intend to make regular quarterly distributions whereby we expect to distribute at least 100% of our REIT taxable income to our shareholders out of assets legally available thereof. Based on the amount of WPG's REIT taxable income for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 as reflected in the summary historical combined financial data, the Company's annual dividend for that period would have been greater than $1.00 per share, assuming a distribution ratio of one WPG share for every two shares of SPG. However, our ability to make distributions may be adversely affected by various factors, many of which are not within our control. For example, in the event of downturns in our financial condition or operating results, economic conditions or otherwise, we may be unable to declare or pay distributions to our shareholders to the extent required to maintain our REIT qualification. We may be required either to fund distributions from borrowings under our anticipated revolving credit facility or to reduce our distributions. If we borrow to fund distributions, our interest costs may increase, thereby reducing our earnings and cash available for distribution from what they otherwise would have been.

            In addition, some of our distributions may include a return of capital. To the extent that we make distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), such distributions would generally be considered a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of the holder's adjusted tax basis in its shares. A return of capital is not taxable, but it has the effect of reducing the holder's adjusted tax basis in its investment. To the extent that distributions exceed the adjusted tax basis of a holder's shares, the distributions will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares.

Your percentage of ownership in our company may be diluted in the future.

            In the future, your percentage ownership in us may be diluted because of equity issuances for acquisitions, capital market transactions or otherwise. We also anticipate granting compensatory equity awards to directors, officers, employees, advisors and consultants who will provide services to us after the distribution. Such awards will have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share, which could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.

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            In addition, our amended and restated articles of incorporation will authorize us to issue, without the approval of our shareholders, one or more classes or series of preferred shares having such designation, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, including preferences over our common shares respecting dividends and distributions, as our board of directors generally may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred shares could dilute the voting power or reduce the value of our common shares. For example, we could grant the holders of preferred shares the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or on the occurrence of specified events, or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we could assign to holders of preferred shares could affect the residual value of the common shares. Please refer to "Description of WPG's Capital Stock."

Certain provisions in our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws, and provisions of Indiana law, may prevent or delay an acquisition of our company, which could decrease the trading price of our common shares.

            Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws will contain, and Indiana law contains, provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids unacceptably expensive to the bidder and to encourage prospective acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions include, among others:

            We believe these provisions will protect our shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors and by providing our board of directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make the company immune from takeovers. However, these provisions will apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some shareholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our board of directors determines is not in the best interests of us and our shareholders. These provisions may also prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors.

            Several of the agreements that we expect to enter into in connection with the separation with SPG may require SPG's consent to any assignment by us of our rights and obligations under the agreements. These agreements will generally expire within two years of our separation from SPG, except for certain agreements that will continue for longer terms. The consent and termination rights set forth in these agreements might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control that you may consider favorable.

            In addition, an acquisition or further issuance of our common shares could trigger the application of Section 355(e) of the Code. For a discussion of Section 355(e), please refer to "The Separation — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution." Under the tax matters agreement, we would be required to indemnify SPG for any resulting taxes and related amounts, and this indemnity obligation might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control that you may consider favorable. Please refer to "Certain Relationships and Related

43


Person Transactions" and "Description of WPG's Capital Stock" for a more detailed description of these agreements and provisions.

Our substantial shareholders may exert influence over our company that may be adverse to our best interests and those of our other shareholders.

            Following the separation and distribution, we expect that a substantial portion of our outstanding common shares will be held by a relatively small group of shareholders. This concentration of ownership may make some transactions more difficult or impossible without the support of some or all of these shareholders. For example, the concentration of ownership held by the substantial shareholders, even if they are not acting in a coordinated manner, could allow them to influence our policies and strategy and could delay, defer or prevent a change of control or impede a merger, takeover or other business combination that may otherwise be favorable to us and our other shareholders. In addition, the interests of any of our substantial shareholders, or any of their respective affiliates, could conflict with or differ from the interests of our other shareholders or the other substantial shareholders. A substantial shareholder or affiliate thereof may also pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us.

44



CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

            This information statement and other materials SPG and WPG have filed or will file with the SEC contain, or will contain, certain forward-looking statements regarding business strategies, market potential, future financial performance and other matters. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify "forward-looking statements," which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

            Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained, and it is possible that our actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Such factors include, but are not limited to: our ability to meet debt service requirements, the availability of financing, changes in any credit rating we may subsequently obtain, changes in market rates of interest and foreign exchange rates for foreign currencies, the ability to hedge interest rate risk, risks associated with the acquisition, development and expansion of properties, general risks related to retail real estate, the liquidity of real estate investments, environmental liabilities, international, national, regional and local economic climates, changes in market rental rates, trends in the retail industry, relationships with anchor tenants, the inability to collect rent due to the bankruptcy or insolvency of tenants or otherwise, risks relating to joint venture properties, intensely competitive market environment in the retail industry, costs of CAM, insurance costs and coverage, terrorist activities, changes in economic and market conditions and maintenance of our status as a real estate investment trust. Other factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include the matters described under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." In particular, information included under "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Business," and "The Separation" contain forward-looking statements.

45



DIVIDEND POLICY

            Washington Prime Group Inc. is a newly-formed company that has not commenced operations, and as a result, it has not paid any distributions as of the date of this information statement. We expect to distribute at least 100% of our REIT taxable income to our shareholders out of assets legally available thereof. Based on the amount of WPG's REIT taxable income for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 as reflected in the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements, its annual dividend for that period would have been greater than $1.00 per share, assuming a distribution ratio of one WPG share for every two shares of SPG. Our REIT taxable income for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 was based upon the historical operating results of the properties and does not take into account any additional investments and their associated cash flows, unanticipated expenditures we may have to make or any additional debt we may incur. Accordingly, the methodology upon which we determined WPG's distributions for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013, based on REIT taxable income for that period, is not necessarily intended to be a basis for determining future distributions.

            To qualify as a REIT, we must distribute to our shareholders an amount at least equal to:

            We cannot assure you that our distribution policy will remain the same in the future, or that any estimated distributions will be made or sustained. Distributions made by us will be authorized and determined by our board of directors, in its sole discretion, out of legally available funds, and will be dependent upon a number of factors, including restrictions under applicable law, actual and projected financial condition, liquidity, funds from operations and results of operations, the revenue we actually receive from our properties, our operating expenses, our debt service requirements, our capital expenditures, prohibitions and other limitations under our financing arrangements, the annual REIT distribution requirements and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant. For more information regarding risk factors that could materially and adversely affect our ability to make distributions, please refer to "Risk Factors."

            Our distributions may be funded from a variety of sources. In particular, we expect that, at least initially, our distributions may exceed our net income under GAAP because of non-cash expenses included in net income. To the extent that our cash available for distribution is less than 90% of our taxable income, we may consider various means to cover any such shortfall, including borrowing under our anticipated revolving credit facility or other loans, selling certain of our assets or using a portion of the net proceeds we receive from future offerings of equity, equity-related or debt securities or declaring taxable share dividends. In addition, our amended and restated articles of incorporation allow us to issue shares of preferred equity that could have a preference on distributions, and if we do, the distribution preference on the preferred equity could limit our ability to make distributions to the holders of our common shares.

            For a discussion of the tax treatment of distributions to holders of our common shares, please refer to "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences."

46



CAPITALIZATION

            The following table sets forth WPG's capitalization as of December 31, 2013 on a historical basis and on a pro forma basis to give effect to the pro forma adjustments included in WPG's unaudited pro forma financial information. The information below is not necessarily indicative of what WPG's capitalization would have been had the separation, distribution and related financing transactions been completed as of December 31, 2013. In addition, it is not indicative of WPG's future capitalization. This table should be read in conjunction with "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements," "Selected Historical Combined Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and WPG's unaudited combined financial statements and notes included elsewhere in this information statement.

 
  As of December 31, 2013  
(in thousands)
  Actual   Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma  

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 25,857   $   $ 25,857  

Existing mortgages(1)

    918,614     (10,100 )   908,514  

New secured mortgage loans

        425,000     425,000  

New unsecured loans(2)

        602,540     602,540  
               

Total debt

    918,614     1,017,440     1,936,054  

SPG equity

    1,883,680     (1,883,680 )    

Stockholders' equity(3)

        718,714     718,714  

Noncontrolling interests(3)

    845     119,926     120,771  
               

Total Capitalization

  $ 2,803,139   $ (27,600 ) $ 2,775,539  
               

(1)
Adjustment to existing mortgages reflects a paydown made upon the 2014 refinancing of the loans as part of the capitalization plan of WPG.

(2)
New unsecured loans include a $500 million term loan and an initial draw on our unsecured revolving credit facility of $102,540. See "Description of Material Indebtedness" for additional information. See footnote (B) on page 53 for terms of this indebtedness.

(3)
Reflects the allocation of common share ownership and limited partner interests which are to be formed and capitalized as part of the separation in WPG L.P. For purposes of this capitalization table and the pro forma financial information on pages 51-54, we have applied the historical common and limited partner interest ownership percentages of 85.7% for common shares and 14.3% for the limited partners and noncontrolling interests.

47



SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA

            The following table sets forth the selected historical combined financial and other data of our business, which was carved-out from the financial information of SPG, as described below. We were formed for the purpose of holding certain assets and assuming certain liabilities of SPG. Prior to the effective date of the Form 10 registration statement, of which this information statement forms a part, and the completion of the distribution, we did not conduct any business and did not have any material assets or liabilities. The selected historical financial data set forth below as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 has been derived from our audited combined financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this information statement. The selected historical combined financial data as of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 has been derived from our unaudited combined financial statements, which are not included in this information statement.

            Our combined financial statements were carved-out from the financial information of SPG at a carrying value reflective of such historical cost in such SPG records. Our historical financial results reflect charges for certain corporate expenses which include, but are not limited to, costs related to property management, human resources, security, payroll and benefits, legal, corporate communications, information services and restructuring and reorganization. Costs of the services that were allocated or charged to us were based on either actual costs incurred or a proportion of costs estimated to be applicable to us based on a number of factors, most significantly our percentage of SPG's adjusted revenue and assets and the number of properties. We believe these charges are reasonable; however, these results may not reflect what our expenses would have been had we been operating as a separate stand-alone public company. The corporate cost charges for the years ended 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $18.1 million, $18.2 million, $16.6 million, $16.5 million and $17.1 million, respectively. Effective with the separation, we will enter into agreements with SPG to secure the appropriate support services that we deem necessary to operate as a separate company. The historical combined financial information presented may not be indicative of the results of operations, financial position or cash flows that would have been obtained if we had been an independent, stand-alone entity during the periods shown. Please refer to "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Overview — Basis of Presentation."

            The combined historical results set forth below do not indicate results expected for any future periods. The selected financial data set forth below are qualified in their entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our combined financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this information statement.

 
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2013   2012   2011   2010   2009  

Operating Data:

                               

Total revenue

  $ 626,289   $ 623,927   $ 577,978   $ 579,006   $ 597,838  

Depreciation and amortization

    (182,828 )   (189,187 )   (155,514 )   (154,922 )   (172,232 )

Other operating expenses

    (216,441 )   (220,369 )   (206,978 )   (206,091 )   (213,651 )
                       

Operating income

    227,020     214,371     215,486     217,993     211,955  

Interest expense

    (55,058 )   (58,844 )   (55,326 )   (63,601 )   (65,038 )

Income and other taxes

    (196 )   (165 )   (157 )   (119 )   (183 )

Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities

    1,416     1,028     (143 )   (525 )   621  

Gain on sale of interests in properties

    14,152                  
                       

Net income

    187,334     156,390     159,860     153,748     147,355  

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (213 )   (259 )   (344 )   (387 )   (424 )
                       

Net income attributable to SPG

  $ 187,121   $ 156,131   $ 159,516   $ 153,361   $ 146,931  
                       

Cash Flow Data:

                               

Operating activities

  $ 336,434   $ 350,703   $ 298,853   $ 301,082   $ 303,899  

Investing activities

    (92,608 )   (71,551 )   (82,448 )   (29,226 )   (28,043 )

Financing activities

    (248,955 )   (270,777 )   (213,492 )   (270,395 )   (273,762 )

48



 
  As of December 31,  
 
  2013   2012   2011   2010   2009  

Balance Sheet Data:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 25,857   $ 30,986   $ 22,611   $ 19,698   $ 18,237  

Total assets

    3,002,658     3,093,961     3,150,339     2,785,447     2,893,704  

Mortgages

    918,614     926,159     1,014,852     1,008,075     1,023,890  

Total equity

    1,884,525     1,954,856     1,952,567     1,619,940     1,720,551  

49



UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

            The following unaudited pro forma combined financial data has been developed by applying pro forma adjustments to the historical combined financial information which reflect the separation of WPG from SPG as described in this information statement. The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet gives effect to the transactions described below as if they had occurred on December 31, 2013. The unaudited pro forma statements of operations gives effect to the transactions described below as if they had occurred on January 1, 2013. All significant pro forma adjustments and their underlying assumptions are described more fully in the notes to the unaudited pro forma combined financial data which should be read in conjunction with such unaudited pro forma combined financial information.

            The unaudited pro forma combined financial data gives effect to the following:

            The unaudited pro forma combined financial data is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations or financial position that would have actually been reported had the transactions reflected in the pro forma adjustments occurred on January 1, 2013 or as of December 31, 2013, as applicable, nor is it indicative of our future results of operations or financial position.

            Our combined financial statements were carved-out from the financial information of SPG. Our historical financial results reflect charges for certain corporate expenses which include, but are not limited to, costs related to property management, human resources, security, payroll and benefits, legal, corporate communications, information services and restructuring and reorganization. Costs of the services that were allocated or charged to us were based on either actual costs incurred or a proportion of costs estimated to be applicable to us based on a number of factors, most significantly, our percentage of SPG's adjusted revenue and assets and the number of properties. We believe these charges are reasonable; however, these results may not reflect what our expenses would have been had we been operating as a separate stand-alone public company. Effective with the separation, we will assume responsibility for all of these functions and related costs and anticipate our costs as a stand-alone entity will be higher than those charged to us from SPG. No pro forma adjustments have been made to our financial statements to reflect the additional costs and expenses described in this paragraph because they are projected amounts based on judgmental estimates and, as such, are not includable as pro forma adjustments in accordance with the requirements of Rule 11-02 of Regulation S-X. We estimate that our corporate general and administrative expenses will be approximately $5 million to $8 million higher than that reflected in the pro forma combined financial statements as a result of additional costs required to function as an independent publicly traded company. These costs include, but are not limited to, additional compensation costs with respect to new and existing positions, board of directors' fees and expenses, directors' and officers' insurance, incremental audit and tax fees, and depreciation and amortization related to information technology infrastructure investments.

            The unaudited pro forma combined financial data should be read in conjunction with the information contained in "Summary Historical Combined Financial Data" and the combined financial statements and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this information statement.

50



Washington Prime Group Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations
(Dollars in thousands)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013

 
  Historical   Adjustments   Footnotes   Total  

REVENUE:

                       

Minimum rent

  $ 426,039   $       $ 426,039  

Overage rent

    8,715             8,715  

Tenant reimbursements

    184,742             184,742  

Other income

    6,793             6,793  
                   

Total revenue

    626,289             626,289  
                   

EXPENSES:

                       

Property operating

    104,089     2,500   (A)     106,589  

Depreciation and amortization

    182,828             182,828  

Real estate taxes

    76,216             76,216  

Repairs and maintenance

    22,584             22,584  

Advertising and promotion

    8,316             8,316  

Provision for credit losses

    572             572  

General and Administrative and Other

    4,664     3,900   (A)     8,564  
                   

Total operating expenses

    399,269     6,400         405,669  
                   

OPERATING INCOME

    227,020     (6,400 )       220,620  

Interest expense

    (55,058 )   (30,990 ) (B)     (86,048 )

Income and other taxes

    (196 )           (196 )

Income from unconsolidated entities

    1,416             1,416  

Gain on sale of interests in properties

    14,152             14,152  
                   

CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME

    187,334     (37,390 )       149,944  

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

    213     21,412   (F)     21,625  
                   

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

  $ 187,121   $ (58,802 )     $ 128,319  
                   

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding—
Basic and Diluted

              (C)     155,127,500  
                       

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

                  $ 0.83  
                       

See accompanying notes.

51



Washington Prime Group Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2013

 
  Historical   Adjustments   Footnotes   Totals  

ASSETS:

                       

Investment properties at cost

  $ 4,789,705   $       $ 4,789,705  

Less — accumulated depreciation

    1,974,949             1,974,949  
                   

    2,814,756             2,814,756  

Cash and cash equivalents

    25,857       (D)     25,857  

Tenant receivables and accrued revenue, net

    61,121             61,121  

Investment in unconsolidated entities, at equity

    3,554             3,554  

Deferred costs and other assets

    97,370     17,400   (D)     114,770  
                   

Total assets

  $ 3,002,658   $ 17,400       $ 3,020,058  
                   

LIABILITIES:

                       

Existing mortgage loans

  $ 918,614   $ (10,100 ) (D)   $ 908,514  

New secured mortgage loans

    0     425,000   (D)     425,000  

Unsecured term loan

    0     500,000   (D)     500,000  

Unsecured revolving credit facility

    0     102,540   (D)     102,540  

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, intangibles, and deferred revenues

    151,011     45,000   (E)     196,011  

Cash distributions and losses in partnerships and joint ventures, at equity

    41,313             41,313  

Other liabilities

    7,195             7,195  
                   

Total liabilities

    1,118,133     1,062,440         2,180,573  
                   

EQUITY:

                       

SPG equity

    1,883,680     (1,883,680 ) (F)      

Stockholders' equity

        718,714   (F)     718,714  

Noncontrolling interests

    845     119,926   (F)     120,771  
                   

Total equity

    1,884,525     (1,045,040 )       839,485  
                   

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 3,002,658   $ 17,400       $ 3,020,058  
                   

See accompanying notes.

52


A. Property operating and general and administrative costs:

            Reflects adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2013 related to fees pursuant to agreements between WPG and SPG and the leasing of office space within SPG's headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. The agreements with SPG provide various services to be provided to us by SPG, including accounting, asset management, development, human resources, information technology, leasing, legal, marketing, public reporting and tax. The incremental charges for the services are estimated based on an hourly or per transaction fee arrangement and pass-through of out-of-pocket costs.

(in thousands)
  For the Year Ended
December 31, 2013
 

Transition service agreement with SPG

  $ 2,500  

Property management and other costs(1)

     
       

  $ 2,500  
       

(1)
Such amounts are included within the existing historical financial statement allocations and as a result, no additional pro forma adjustments are required.

            The general and administrative costs include an adjustment to reflect the employment agreement with our Chief Executive Officer, Mark Ordan. A summary of the estimated expense of $3,900 related to this agreement follows. See also the Compensation and Discussion Analysis section and related exhibit for the applicable employment agreement included within this registration statement.

 
  Estimated Total
Compensation
Expense
 

Annual base salary

  $ 750  

Estimated bonus at two times salary subject to attainment of related goals and objectives. Maximum bonus is three times annual base salary

   
1,500
 

Inducement LTIP at $3,000 in grant date value. One-fourth of the award vest annually over four years

   
750
 

Performance based LTIPs including one, two and three year performance periods. Total grant date fair value estimated at $2,700 using a Monte Carlo simulation applying total shareholder return and market performance criteria. Vesting over a three year period

   
900
 
       

 
$

3,900
 
       

B. Interest expense:

            Reflects an adjustment of $31.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 related to an increase in interest expense due to an additional $1,017.4 million in net new debt we contemplate assuming in conjunction with the formation of WPG as discussed in Note D below. We have entered into 7 new secured mortgage loans with rates ranging from 4.19% to 4.82% and terms ranging from 5 to 10 years. Additionally, we have obtained a new unsecured term loan that will have an interest rate of one-month LIBOR plus 1.15% and we have also obtained an unsecured revolving credit facility that will be available at an interest rate of one-month LIBOR plus 1.05%. One-month LIBOR was 0.17% at December 31, 2013. Such pricing assumes a credit rating of BBB/Baa2 for Washington Prime Group, L.P.

53


B. Interest expense: (Continued)

as further discussed in "Description of Material Indebtedness." Details of the calculation of the adjustment to pro forma interest expense is provided below.

 
  Principal
Amount
  Interest
Rate
  Loan
Interest
Expense
  Mortgage
Cost
Amortization
  Total
Interest
Expense
 

New fixed rate secured mortgages

  $ 425,000     4.57 % $ 19,421   $ 1,175   $ 20,596  

New unsecured term loan(1)

    500,000     1.32 %   6,589     1,195     7,784  

New unsecured revolving credit facility(1)

    102,540     1.22 %   1,249     3,304     4,552  

Refinancing paydowns on existing fixed rate mortgage loans

    (10,100 )   (2)     (2 )   (2 )   (1,942 )
                             

Total net new debt and interest expense

  $ 1,017,440                     $ 30,990  
                             

(1)
As the unsecured term loan and unsecured credit facility are the only variable rate loans, a 1 / 8 percent change in the applicable interest rate would increase or decrease interest expense by approximately $0.8 million.

(2)
Existing fixed rate mortgage loans were $141,100 at an average fixed rate of approximately 5.75%. New loans amounting to $131,000 at an average fixed rate of 4.85% have been secured as well as an adjustment for deferred financing cost amortization expense.

C. Pro Forma Earnings and Earnings Per Share:

            Reflects the historical number of SPG weighted average basic and diluted common shares outstanding of 155,127,500 for the year ended December 31, 2013 assuming a distribution ratio of one WPG share for every two shares of SPG equity. SPG's diluted weighted average shares outstanding and weighted average limited partner units outstanding were 310,255,000 and 52,101,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013, respectively.

D. Capital Structure:

            Reflects an adjustment of $1,017.4 million as of December 31, 2013 related to anticipated new loan issuances, proceeds of which are to be retained by SPG in the formation of WPG. The loans are being established to provide an appropriate amount of leverage on our portfolio of properties. See detail of new loans by type in footnote B above. Adjustment also reflects the capitalization of debt issue costs of $17.4 million. These debt issue costs are for the mortgage loans, term loan and credit facility in amounts of $8,700, $2,716 and $6,014, respectively. Please refer to "Description of Material Indebtedness."

E. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses:

            As a result of the Separation Agreement with SPG, reflects an adjustment of $45 million as of December 31, 2013 related to our agreement to reimburse SPG for the costs incurred by SPG in connection with the spin-off and to reimburse SPG for the working capital as of the date of the separation. The spin-off reimbursement includes costs for the preparation and negotiation of the Separation Agreement and related agreements, SEC filings and organizational documents, professional fees, loan assumption and consent fees and transfer taxes. Working capital conveyed to us by SPG includes cash and escrow balances, accounts receivable, accounts payable and operating expense accruals.

F. Limited Partnership Interest:

            Reflects an allocation of net income and equity to WPG and the limited partners based on their weighted average ownership interests in Washington Prime Group, L.P at the date of the separation and distribution. SPG's weighted average ownership interest in its Operating Partnership was 85.7% as of December 31, 2013. We anticipate having a materially consistent proportion of ownership by our limited partners once the separation and distribution has been completed as substantially all outstanding SPG shares will participate in the distribution. 

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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

             You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the audited combined financial statements and the corresponding notes and the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements and the corresponding notes included elsewhere in this information statement. This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risk, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those made, projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.


Separation from SPG

            On December 13, 2013, Simon Property Group, Inc. ("SPG") announced its plan to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies, SPG and Washington Prime Group Inc. ("WPG"). Our mission will be to own stable, quality strip centers and malls that effectively serve the communities in which they are located. Upon completion of the separation, WPG will operate a large, well-diversified portfolio which is anticipated to consist of interests in 54 strip centers and 44 smaller enclosed mall properties totaling approximately 53 million square feet. Our portfolio has proven to be stable, while producing steady cash flows across market cycles, and is occupied by some of the largest, most well-recognized names in the retail industry, such as Bed Bath & Beyond, Dick's Sporting Goods, Dillard's, Kohl's Corporation, Target and Macy's Inc.

            Our assets are expected to consist of interests in 44 malls with approximately 36.5 million square feet of gross leasable space and 54 strip centers with approximately 16.6 million square feet of gross leasable space. One of these strip centers was under development at December 31, 2012 and subsequently opened during the third quarter of 2013. In addition to the above properties, the combined historical financial statements include our interests in three strip centers held within a joint venture portfolio of properties which were sold by that same joint venture during the first quarter of 2013 as well as one additional strip center which was sold on February 28, 2014. Our ownership interests in these properties are combined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").


Overview — Basis of Presentation

            The combined financial statements include the allocation of certain assets and liabilities that have historically been held at the SPG corporate level but which are specifically identifiable or allocable to SPG Businesses. Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted funds held by SPG were not allocated to SPG Businesses unless the cash or investments were held by an entity that is expected to be transferred to WPG. Long-term unsecured debt and short-term borrowings were not allocated to SPG Businesses as none of the debt recorded by SPG is directly attributable to or guaranteed by SPG Businesses. All intra-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated. The total net effect of the settlement of these intercompany transactions is reflected in the combined statements of cash flow as a financing activity and in the combined balance sheets as SPG equity in SPG Businesses.

            The combined historical financial statements do not necessarily include all of the expenses that would have been incurred had we been operating as a separate, stand-alone entity and may not necessarily reflect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows had we been a stand-alone company during the periods presented. Our combined historical financial statements include charges related to certain SPG corporate functions, including senior management, property management, legal, leasing, development, marketing, human resources, finance, public reporting, tax and information technology. These expenses have been charged based on direct usage or benefit where identifiable, with the remainder charged on a pro rata basis of revenues, headcount, square footage, number of transactions or other measures. We consider the expense allocation methodology and results to be reasonable for all periods presented. However, the charges may not be indicative of the actual expenses that would have been incurred had WPG operated as an independent, publicly-traded company for the periods presented.

            WPG expects to incur additional costs associated with being an independent, publicly-traded company, primarily from newly established or expanded corporate functions and from higher charges than in the past from SPG for various services that will continue to be provided on a transition basis. We believe that cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund these additional corporate expenses.

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Overview and Outlook

            We derive our revenues primarily from retail tenant leases, including fixed minimum rent leases, percentage rent leases based on tenants' sales volumes and reimbursements from tenants for certain expenses. We seek to re-lease our spaces at higher rents and increase our occupancy rates, and to enhance the performance of our properties and increase our revenues by, among other things, adding anchors or big-boxes, re-developing or renovating existing properties to increase the leasable square footage, and increasing the productivity of occupied locations through aesthetic upgrades, re-merchandising and/or changes to the retail use of the space. In addition, we believe that there are opportunities for us to acquire additional strip center and mall assets that match our investment criteria.

            We invest in real estate properties to maximize total financial return which includes both operating cash flows and capital appreciation. We seek growth in earnings, funds from operations, or FFO, and cash flows by enhancing the profitability and operation of our properties and investments.

            We consider FFO, net operating income, or NOI, and comparable property NOI (NOI for properties owned and operating in both periods under comparison) to be key measures of operating performance that are not specifically defined by GAAP. We use these measures internally to evaluate the operating performance of our portfolio and provide a basis for comparison with other real estate companies. Reconciliations of these measures to the most comparable GAAP measure are included elsewhere in this information statement.


Portfolio Data

            The portfolio data discussed in this overview includes key operating statistics including ending occupancy and average base minimum rent per square foot. Statistics include the impact of acquired properties for all periods presented.

            Core business fundamentals in the mall portfolio during 2013 were relatively stable as compared to 2012. In the strip center portfolio, core fundamentals improved on the strength of an increase in average base minimum rent psf of 0.6%. Ending occupancy for the malls was 90.8% as of December 31, 2013, as compared to 89.7% as of December 31, 2012, an increase of 110 basis points. Ending occupancy for the strip centers was 94.9% as of December 31, 2013, as compared to 94.3% as of December 31, 2012, an increase of 60 basis points.

            Our share of portfolio NOI grew by 1.8% in 2013 as compared to 2012, whereas comparable property NOI grew 2.9% for the portfolio.

            The following table sets forth key operating statistics for the combined portfolio of properties or interests in properties to be distributed to us:

 
  December 31,
2013
  %/Basis
Points
Change(1)
  December 31,
2012
  %/Basis
Points
Change(1)
  December 31,
2011
   
   
 

Malls:

                                           

Ending Occupancy

    90.8 %   +110 bps     89.7 %   +30 bps     89.4 %            

Average Base Minimum Rent per Square Foot

  $ 24.41     -0.3 % $ 24.33       $ 24.34              

Strip Centers:

                                           

Ending Occupancy

    94.9 %   +60 bps     94.3 %   +70 bps     93.6 %            

Average Base Minimum Rent per Square Foot

  $ 13.46     0.6 % $ 13.38     2.3 % $ 13.08              

(1)
Percentages may not recalculate due to rounding. Percentage and basis point changes are representative of the change from the comparable prior period.

            Ending Occupancy Levels and Average Base Minimum Rent per Square Foot.     Ending occupancy is the percentage of gross leasable area, or GLA, which is leased as of the last day of the reporting period. We include all company owned space except for mall anchors, mall majors, mall freestanding and mall outlets in the calculation of ending occupancy. Strip center GLA included in the calculation relates to all company owned space. Average base minimum rent per square foot is the average base minimum rent charge in effect for the reporting period for all tenants that would qualify to be included in ending occupancy.

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            During the year ended December 31, 2013, we signed 263 new leases and 404 renewal leases with a fixed minimum rent (excluding mall anchors and majors, new development, redevelopment, expansion, downsizing, and relocation) across the portfolio, comprising approximately 1.91 million square feet of which 1.74 million square feet related to consolidated properties. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we signed 279 new leases and 539 renewal leases, comprising approximately 2.75 million square feet of which 2.53 million square feet related to consolidated properties. The average annual initial base minimum rent for new leases was $19.41 psf for the 2013 period and $17.79 psf in 2012 with an average tenant allowance on new leases of $21.06 psf and $27.64 psf, respectively.

            For the year ended December 31, 2013, releasing spreads across the portfolio were positive as we were able to lease available square feet at higher rents than the expiring rental rates on the same space (based on total tenant payments — base minimum rent plus common area maintenance), resulting in a releasing spread of $0.44 psf, representing a 1.5% increase over expiring payments.


Critical Accounting Policies

            The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. These judgments affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. If our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied resulting in a different presentation of our financial statements. From time to time, we reevaluate our estimates and assumptions. In the event estimates or assumptions prove to be different from actual results, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information. Below is a discussion of accounting policies that we consider critical in that they may require complex judgment in their application or require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. For a summary of our significant accounting policies, please refer to Note 3 of the Notes to the combined financial statements.

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Results of Operations

            The following acquisitions and openings affected our combined results in the comparative periods:

            In addition to the activities discussed above, the following dispositions of interests in joint venture properties affected our income from unconsolidated entities in the comparative periods:

            For the purposes of the following comparisons, the above transactions are referred to as the "property transactions." In the following discussions of our results of operations, "comparable" refers to properties open and operating throughout both years in the year-to-year comparisons.

Year Ended December 31, 2013 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2012

            Minimum rents increased $4.1 million and tenant reimbursements increased $1.8 million during 2013, of which the property transactions accounted for the majority of both of the increases. Other income decreased $4.1 million primarily as a result of decreased land sales in 2013 versus 2012.

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            Total operating expenses decreased $10.3 million. The reduction was primarily the result of lower property operating costs of $2.2 million as a result of our continued cost savings efforts. In addition, depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $6.4 million due to amortization related to the property transactions and higher tenant allowance write offs in 2012 versus 2013. Our provision for credit losses decreased $1.3 million from the prior year period reflecting the overall strong economic health of our tenants.

            Interest expense decreased $3.8 million primarily due to a reduction in mortgage debt outstanding as a result of our net financing activity during the comparative periods including unencumbering seven properties through repayment of $114.2 million of mortgage loans in 2012.

            On February 21, 2013, SPG increased its economic interest in three unconsolidated strip centers and subsequently disposed its interests in those properties. These properties were part of a portfolio of interests in properties, the remainder of which is included within those properties expected to be distributed by SPG to WPG. The aggregate gain recognized on this transaction was $14.2 million.

Year Ended December 31, 2012 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2011

            Minimum rents increased $32.7 million during 2012, of which the property transactions accounted for the entirety of the increase. The $2.2 million increase in overage rents was a result of an increase from the property transactions of $1.4 million. The remainder of the increase was a result of higher tenant sales in 2012 compared to 2011 at the comparable properties. Tenant reimbursements increased $9.4 million primarily due to the property transactions. Other income increased $1.7 million primarily as a result of an increase in land sales of $2.7 million partially offset by lower lease settlements of $1.3 million.

            Property operating expense increased $7.6 million primarily related to a $9.0 million increase attributable to the property transactions partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease in comparable property activity due primarily to our continued cost savings efforts.

            Depreciation and amortization expense increased $33.7 million primarily due to the additional depreciable assets related to the property transactions.

            Real estate tax expense increased $5.2 million due to a $5.4 million increase related to the property transactions.

            Repairs and maintenance decreased $653,000 due to a decrease at the comparable properties of $2.4 million which was partially offset by an increase of $1.8 million related to the property transactions.

            During 2012, we recorded a provision for credit losses of $1.9 million whereas in the prior year the provision was $901,000. Both amounts reflect the overall strong economic health of our tenants.

            Interest expense increased $3.5 million. The property transactions resulted in additional interest expense of $16.6 million which was partially offset by a reduction in interest expense at the comparable properties of $13.1 million as a result of our net financing activity during the comparative periods including unencumbering seven properties through repayment of $114.2 million of mortgage loans in 2012 and five properties through repayment of $251.4 million of mortgage loans in 2011.

            Income from unconsolidated entities increased $1.2 million as a result of improved operating performance in the joint venture portfolio.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

            Our primary uses of cash are expected to include payment of operating expenses, working capital, debt repayment, including principal and interest, reinvestment in properties, development and redevelopment of properties, tenant allowance and dividends. Following the distribution date, our primary sources of cash are expected to be operating cash flow and borrowings under our debt arrangements.

            Because we own primarily long-lived income-producing assets, our financing strategy relies primarily on long-term fixed rate debt. We minimize the use of floating rate debt and may enter into floating rate to fixed rate interest rate swaps. At December 31, 2013, our total debt is comprised solely of fixed rate debt. We derive most of our liquidity from leases that generate positive net cash flow from operations and distributions of capital from unconsolidated entities that totaled $340.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2013.

            Our balance of cash and cash equivalents decreased $5.1 million during 2013 to $25.9 million as of December 31, 2013 as further discussed in "Cash Flows" below.

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            Our business model and expected status as a REIT may require WPG to regularly access the debt markets to raise funds for acquisition, development and redevelopment activity, and to refinance maturing debt. WPG may also, from time to time, access the equity capital markets to accomplish our business objectives. We believe we have sufficient cash on hand and will generate sufficient cash flow from operations and from debt refinancings to address our debt maturities and capital needs through 2014.

            The successful execution of our business strategy will require the availability of substantial amounts of operating and development capital both initially and over time. Sources of such capital could include bank borrowings, public and private offerings of debt or equity, including rights offerings, sale of certain assets and joint ventures. We cannot assure you that this or any other financing will be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. For a discussion of factors that could have an impact on our ability to realize these goals, please refer to "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements."

            Upon completion of the separation, we expect to assume our share of approximately $962 million of existing secured property-level indebtedness related to certain of the SPG Businesses, based on principal balances at December 31, 2013, and to incur at least $1.0 billion of new indebtedness. Also, to provide additional liquidity following the separation, we anticipate arranging a revolving credit facility as further discussed in "Description of Material Indebtedness."

            Our net cash flow from operating activities and distributions of capital from unconsolidated entities totaled $340.1 million during 2013. During 2013 we also:

            In general, we anticipate that cash generated from operations will be sufficient to meet operating expenses, monthly debt service, recurring capital expenditures, and dividends to shareholders necessary to maintain WPG's expected status as a REIT on a long-term basis. In addition, we expect to be able to generate or obtain capital for nonrecurring capital expenditures, such as acquisitions, major building renovations and expansions, as well as for scheduled principal maturities on outstanding indebtedness, from:

            We expect to generate positive cash flow from operations in 2014, and we consider these projected cash flows in our sources and uses of cash. These cash flows are principally derived from rents paid by our retail tenants. A significant deterioration in projected cash flows from operations could cause us to increase our reliance on available funds from our debt arrangements, curtail planned capital expenditures, or seek other additional sources of financing as discussed above.

            Total consolidated mortgage indebtedness was $918.6 million and $926.2 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In October 2013, Concord Mills Marketplace refinanced its $12.2 million, 5.76% fixed rate mortgage maturing February 1, 2014 with a $16.0 million, 4.82% fixed rate mortgage that matures November 1, 2023.

            At December 31, 2013, the weighted average years to maturity of our indebtedness was 4.0 years as compared to 4.8 years at December 31, 2012. Our effective overall borrowing rate at December 31, 2013 decreased two basis points to 5.87% as compared to 5.89% at December 31, 2012.

            On February 11, 2014, Brunswick Square refinanced its $76.5 million, 5.65% fixed rate mortgage maturing August 11, 2014 with a $77.0 million, 4.796% fixed rate mortgage that matures March 1, 2024.

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            On February 20, 2014, West Ridge Mall refinanced its $64.6 million, 5.89% fixed rate mortgage maturing July 1, 2014 with a $54.0 million, 4.84% fixed rate mortgage that matures March 6, 2024. The new debt encumbers both West Ridge Mall and West Ridge Plaza.

            On March 14, 2014, Muncie Mall entered into a $37.0 million, 4.19% fixed rate mortgage that matures April 1, 2021.

            On March 18, 2014, Oak Court Mall entered into a $40.0 million, 4.76% fixed rate mortgage that matures April 1, 2021. Also, on March 18, 2014, Lincolnwood Town Center entered into a $53.0 million, 4.26% fixed rate mortgage that matures on April 1, 2021.

            On March 25, 2014, Cottonwood Mall entered into a $105.0 million, 4.82% fixed rate mortgage that matures April 6, 2024.

            On March 26, 2014, Westminster Mall entered into a $85.0 million, 4.65% fixed rate mortgage that matures April 1, 2024.

            On March 27, 2014, Charlottesville Fashion Square entered into a $50.0 million, 4.54% fixed rate mortgage that matures April 1, 2024.

            On April 4, 2014, Town Center at Aurora entered into a $55.0 million, 4.19% fixed rate mortgage that initially matures April 1, 2019, with two 1-year extension options subject to certain requirements.

            At December 31, 2013, certain of our consolidated subsidiaries were the borrowers under 20 non-recourse mortgage loans secured by mortgages encumbering 24 properties, including two separate pools of cross-defaulted and cross-collateralized mortgages encumbering a total of six properties. Under these cross-default provisions, a default under any mortgage included in the cross-defaulted pool may constitute a default under all mortgages within that pool and may lead to acceleration of the indebtedness due on each property within the pool. Certain of our secured debt instruments contain financial and other non-financial covenants which are specific to the properties which serve as collateral for that debt. Our existing non-recourse mortgage loans generally prohibit our subsidiaries that are borrowers thereunder from incurring additional indebtedness, subject to certain customary and limited exceptions. In addition, certain of these instruments limit the ability of the applicable borrower's parent entity from incurring mezzanine indebtedness unless certain conditions are satisfied, including compliance with maximum loan to value ratio and minimum debt service coverage ratio tests. Further, under certain of these existing agreements, if certain cash flow levels in respect of the applicable mortgaged property (as described in the applicable agreement) are not maintained for at least two consecutive quarters, the lender could accelerate the debt and enforce its right against its collateral. We currently anticipate that our new secured indebtedness will contain similar financial and non-financial covenants as our existing secured indebtedness. If the borrower fails to comply with these covenants, the lender could accelerate the debt and enforce its right against their collateral. At December 31, 2013, the applicable borrowers under these non-recourse mortgage loans were in compliance with all covenants where non-compliance could individually, or giving effect to applicable cross-default provisions in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

    Summary of Financing

            Our consolidated debt and the effective weighted average interest rates as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

Debt Subject to
  December 31, 2013   Effective Weighted
Average Interest
Rate
  December 31,
2012
  Effective Weighted
Average Interest
Rate
 

Fixed Rate

  $ 918,614     5.87 % $ 926,159     5.89 %

Variable Rate

                 
                   

  $ 918,614     5.87 % $ 926,159     5.89 %
                       

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    Contractual Obligations

            In regards to long-term debt arrangements, the following table summarizes the material aspects of these future obligations on our indebtedness as of December 31, 2013, and subsequent years thereafter (dollars in thousands) assuming the obligations remain outstanding through initial maturities (in thousands):

 
  2014   2015 - 2016   2017 - 2018   After 2018   Total  

Long Term Debt(1)

  $ 229,211   $ 336,301   $ 55,789   $ 296,231   $ 917,532  

Interest Payments

  $ 48,902   $ 67,677   $ 36,239   $ 41,606   $ 194,424  

(1)
Represents principal maturities only and therefore, excludes net premiums of $1,082.

    Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

            Off-balance sheet arrangements consist primarily of investments in joint ventures which are common in the real estate industry. Joint ventures typically fund their cash needs through secured debt financings obtained by and in the name of the joint venture entity. The joint venture debt is secured by a first mortgage, is without recourse to the joint venture partners, and does not represent a liability of the partners, except to the extent the partners or their affiliates expressly guarantee the joint venture debt. As of December 31, 2013, there were no guarantees of joint venture related mortgage indebtedness. WPG may elect to fund cash needs of a joint venture through equity contributions (generally on a basis proportionate to our ownership interests), advances or partner loans, although such fundings are not required contractually or otherwise.

    Acquisitions and Dispositions

            Buy-sell, marketing rights, and other exit mechanisms are common in real estate partnership agreements. Most of our partners are institutional investors who have a history of direct investment in retail real estate. We and our partners in our joint venture properties may initiate these provisions (subject to any applicable lock up or similar restrictions). If we determine it is in our shareholders' best interests for us to purchase the joint venture interest and we believe we have adequate liquidity to execute the purchase without hindering our cash flows, then we may initiate these provisions or elect to buy. If we decide to sell any of our joint venture interests, we expect to use the net proceeds to reduce outstanding indebtedness or to reinvest in development, redevelopment, or expansion opportunities.

            Acquisitions.     On March 22, 2012, SPG acquired a controlling interest in Concord Mills Marketplace, a 230,000 square foot strip center, previously unconsolidated property which will be distributed to WPG. Results of operations of this property have been included in the combined financial results from the date of SPG's acquisition.

            On January 10, 2014, SPG acquired one of its partner's remaining interests in three properties that will be contributed to WPG. The consideration paid for the partner's remaining interests in these three properties was approximately $4.6 million. Two of these properties were previously consolidated and are now wholly owned. The remaining property is accounted for under the equity method.

            Dispositions.     We will pursue the disposition of properties that no longer meet our strategic criteria.

            On February 21, 2013, SPG increased its economic interest in three unconsolidated strip centers and subsequently disposed of its interests in those properties. These properties were part of a portfolio of interests in properties, the remainder of which is included within those properties expected to be distributed by SPG to WPG.

    Development Activity

            New Domestic Development, Expansions and Redevelopments.     We routinely incur costs related to construction for significant redevelopment and expansion projects at our properties. We expect our share of development costs for 2014 related to these activities to be approximately $75.0 million. Our estimated stabilized return on invested capital typically ranges between 8% and 12%.

            In addition, we own land for the development of a new 400,000 square foot strip center in the Houston metropolitan area, to be named Fairfield Town Center. The projected cost of this development is expected to be approximately $75.0 million. The carrying value of this project is $9.8 million at December 31, 2013 which primarily

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relates to the cost of the underlying land and site improvements for infrastructure. The development is expected to be completed in the later part of 2015.

            As of December 31, 2013, a pipeline of approximately $300 million of future development and redevelopment projects has been identified, including the Fairfield Town Center Development. These projects generally consist of expansions and redevelopment of existing centers and leasing of anchor and big- box tenants.

            During the third quarter of 2013, we opened University Town Plaza, a former enclosed mall which we have redeveloped into a 580,000 square foot open-air strip center located in Pensacola, Florida. The total cost of this project was approximately $31.7 million.

            WPG is not expected to hold material land for development. Land currently held for future development is substantially limited to the land parcels held for the development of Fairfield Town Center as discussed above, and other additional parcels at our current centers which we may utilize for expansion of the existing center or sales of outlots.

    Capital Expenditures.

            The following table summarizes total capital expenditures on a cash basis (in thousands):

 
  Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
  2013   2012   2011  

New developments(1)

  $ 2,686   $ 926   $ 462  

Redevelopments and expansions(2)

    44,602     22,186     42,893  

Tenant allowances

    29,638     26,378     17,217  

Operational capital expenditures

    16,366     18,351     22,535  
               

Total

  $ 93,292   $ 67,841   $ 83,107  
               

(1)
Primarily relates to land held for development of Fairfield Town Center.

(2)
Includes project costs for the redevelopment of University Town Plaza of $10.5 million, $13.7 million and $3.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.


Market Risk

            We are subject to market risk associated with changes in interest rates both in terms of any variable-rate debt in the portfolio and the price of new fixed-rate debt upon maturity of existing debt. As of December 31, 2013, we had fixed-rate debt of $918.6 million and no variable rate debt outstanding.

            We are further subject to interest rate risk with respect to our fixed-rate financing in that changes in interest rates will impact the fair value of our fixed-rate financing. For additional information concerning our debt, and management's estimation process to arrive at a fair value of our debt as required by GAAP, reference is made to the notes to combined financial statements included within this information statement.

            We have not entered into any transactions using derivative instruments.


Transition from SPG and Cost to Operate as an Independent Company

            The combined financial statements reflect the operating results and financial position of SPG Businesses as it was operated by SPG, rather than as an independent company. WPG will incur additional ongoing operating expenses to operate as an independent company. These costs will include the cost of various corporate headquarters functions and incremental costs to operate a stand-alone back office infrastructure.

            SPG will enter into a transition services agreement with WPG to provide certain back office services. The term of the services under the transition services agreement is expected to vary by activity but will generally not exceed 24 months. The transition services agreement will cover certain corporate support services that the WPG Businesses have historically received from SPG. The support services provided will include corporate support services. This transition

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services agreement will allow WPG to operate independently prior to establishing a stand-alone support services infrastructure. During the transition from SPG, WPG will incur non-recurring expenses to expand its infrastructure.

            It is not practicable to estimate the costs that would have been incurred in each of the periods presented in the historical financial statements for the functions described above. Actual costs that would have been incurred if WPG operated as a stand-alone company during these periods would have depended on various factors, including organizational design, outsourcing and other strategic decisions related to corporate functions and back office infrastructure.


Non-GAAP Financial Measures

            Industry practice is to evaluate real estate properties in part based on FFO, NOI and comparable property NOI. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are helpful to investors because they are widely recognized measures of the performance of REITs and provide a relevant basis for our comparison among REITs. We also use these measures internally to measure the operating performance of our portfolio.

            We determine FFO based on the definition set forth by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, or NAREIT, as net income computed in accordance with GAAP:

    excluding real estate related depreciation and amortization,

    excluding gains and losses from extraordinary items and cumulative effects of accounting changes,

    excluding gains and losses from the sales or disposals of previously depreciated retail operating properties,

    excluding impairment charges of depreciable real estate,

    plus the allocable portion of FFO of unconsolidated entities accounted for under the equity method of accounting based upon economic ownership interest, and

    all determined on a consistent basis in accordance with GAAP.

            We have adopted NAREIT's clarification of the definition of FFO that requires us to include the effects of nonrecurring items not classified as extraordinary, cumulative effect of accounting changes, or a gain or loss resulting from the sale or disposal of, or any impairment charges related to, previously depreciated operating properties.

            We include in FFO gains and losses realized from the sale of land, outlot buildings, marketable and non-marketable securities, and investment holdings of non-retail real estate.

            You should understand that our computation of these non-GAAP measures might not be comparable to similar measures reported by other REITs and that these non-GAAP measures:

    do not represent cash flow from operations as defined by GAAP,

    should not be considered as alternatives to net income determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of operating performance,

    are not alternatives to cash flows as a measure of liquidity, and

    may not be reflective of WPG's operating performance due to changes in WPG's capital structure in connection with the separation and distribution.

            The following schedules reconcile total FFO to net income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

 
  For the Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
 
  2013   2012   2011  

Net Income

  $ 187,334   $ 156,390   $ 159,860  

Adjustments to Arrive at FFO:

                   

Depreciation and amortization from consolidated properties

   
182,828
   
189,187
   
155,514
 

Our share of depreciation and amortization from unconsolidated entities

    3,475     3,162     2,982  

Gain on sale of interests in properties

    (14,152 )        

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest holders in properties

    (213 )   (259 )   (344 )

Noncontrolling interests portion of depreciation and amortization

    (165 )   (153 )   (192 )
               

FFO

  $ 359,107   $ 348,327   $ 317,820  
               

64


            The following schedules reconcile NOI to net income and set forth the computations of comparable property NOI for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands)
  2013   2012   2011  

Reconciliation of NOI of consolidated properties:

                   

Net Income

  $ 187,334   $ 156,390   $ 159,860  

Income and other taxes

    196     165     157  

Interest expense

    55,058     58,844     55,326  

Gain on sale of interests in properties

    (14,152 )        

Income from unconsolidated entities

    (1,416 )   (1,028 )   143  
               

Operating Income

    227,020     214,371     215,486  

Depreciation and amortization

    182,828     189,187     155,514  
               

NOI of consolidated properties

  $ 409,848   $ 403,558   $ 371,000  
               

Reconciliation of NOI of unconsolidated entities:

                   

Net Income

  $ 14,154   $ 16,430   $ 17,254  

Interest expense

    14,322     13,786     13,653  

Gain from operations of discontinued joint venture interests

    (488 )   (4,124 )   (3,911 )
               

Operating Income

    27,988     26,092     26,996  

Depreciation and amortization

    15,077     13,978     13,722  
               

NOI of unconsolidated entities

  $ 43,065   $ 40,070   $ 40,718  
               

Total consolidated and unconsolidated NOI from continuing operations

  $ 452,913   $ 443,628   $ 411,718  
               

Adjustments to NOI:

                   

NOI of discontinued unconsolidated properties

    1,287     7,627     7,241  
               

Total NOI of our portfolio

  $ 454,200   $ 451,255   $ 418,959  
               

Change in NOI from prior period

    0.7 %   7.7 %      

Less: Joint venture partners' share of NOI

    (36,079 )   (40,347 )   (42,324 )
               

Our Share of NOI

  $ 418,121   $ 410,908   $ 376,635  
               

Increase in our share of NOI from prior period

    1.8 %   9.1 %      

Total NOI of our portfolio

  $ 454,200   $ 451,255        

NOI from non comparable properties(1)

    5,469     15,223        
                 

Total NOI of comparable properties(2)

  $ 448,731   $ 436,032        
                 

Increase in NOI of comparable properties

    2.9 %            
                   

(1)
NOI excluded from comparable property NOI relates to properties not owned and operated in both periods under comparison and excluded income noted in footnote 2 below.

(2)
Comparable properties are malls and strip centers that were owned in both of the periods under comparison. Five properties were considered non comparable for the periods under comparison. Excludes lease termination income, interest income, land sale gains and the impact of significant redevelopment activities.

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BUSINESS

Our Company

            Our mission will be to own stable, quality strip centers and malls that effectively serve the communities in which they are located. Upon completion of the separation, WPG will operate a large, well-diversified portfolio which is anticipated to consist of interests in 54 strip centers and 44 smaller enclosed mall properties totaling approximately 53 million square feet. Our portfolio has proven to be stable, while producing steady cash flows across market cycles, and is occupied by some of the largest, most well-recognized names in the retail industry, such as Bed Bath & Beyond, Dick's Sporting Goods, Dillard's, Kohl's Corporation, Target and Macy's Inc.

            WPG will be a retail real estate company positioned for growth. Our national portfolio, which is anticipated to consist of 98 properties in 23 states, will represent significant scale from inception. Our strong balance sheet, anticipated investment grade credit rating and status as a publicly traded company will provide us with access to multiple sources of capital. Our dedicated management team will focus on growth within our targeted asset classes. Combined, we believe these factors demonstrate that WPG will have a unique ability to act as a leading developer, re-developer and acquirer of both strip centers and malls, and will deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns to shareholders.

            WPG will be led by a dedicated, independent management team and a board consisting of a majority of independent directors. WPG will also benefit from continued relationships with SPG. Richard Sokolov, SPG's President and Chief Operating Officer and member of its board of directors, will also become Chairman of the board of directors of WPG, and David Simon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SPG, will also serve as a director of WPG. SPG's strip center team will become employees of WPG. This well-seasoned team has extensive experience working together in this business, and the top four executives have an average tenure of approximately 24 years at SPG.

            WPG's malls will continue to receive property management services from SPG for an initial term of two years, with automatic one year renewals unless terminated by either party as of the end of the initial term or during any renewal term upon 180 days prior notice to the other party. In addition, certain of WPG's support functions will be provided by SPG on a transitional basis for up to two years. We believe that the properties will be seamlessly integrated into our company due to the continuity of on-site operations, the institutional knowledge of our property management teams and our deep familiarity with the markets in which our assets are located.

            We derive our revenues primarily from retail tenant leases, including fixed minimum rent leases, percentage rent leases based on tenants' sales volumes and reimbursements from tenants for certain expenses. We seek to re-lease our spaces at higher rents and increase our occupancy rates, and to enhance the performance of our properties and increase our revenues by, among other things, adding anchors or big-box tenants, re-developing or renovating existing properties to increase the leasable square footage, and increasing the productivity of occupied locations through aesthetic upgrades, re-merchandising and/or changes to the retail use of the space. In addition, we believe that there are opportunities for us to acquire additional strip center and mall assets that match our investment criteria.

            For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we generated consolidated revenue of $626 million and $624 million, respectively, and net income of $187 million and $156 million, respectively. Our share of NOI was $418 million and $411 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Please refer to "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a reconciliation of net income to NOI.

            The major credit rating agencies have indicated they expect to assign us an investment grade credit rating of BBB or Baa2. Upon completion of the separation, we expect to have approximately $2 billion of total debt outstanding, including approximately $1 billion of our share of existing mortgage debt and at least $1 billion of new debt which we expect to consist of a mix of secured and unsecured indebtedness.

            We plan to elect to be treated as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") in connection with the filing of our federal income tax return for the taxable year that includes the distribution, subject to our ability to meet the requirements of a REIT at the time of election, and we intend to maintain this status in future periods. Based on the amount of WPG's REIT taxable income for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 as reflected in the summary historical combined financial data, the Company's annual dividend for that period would have been greater than $1.00 per share, assuming a distribution ratio of one WPG share for every two shares of SPG. For more

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information, please refer to "Dividend Policy," and for information regarding risk factors that could materially and adversely affect our ability to make distributions, please refer to "Risk Factors."


Competitive Strengths

            Track record of stable operating performance provides a strong foundation from which to grow cash flow.     Our portfolio has had relatively stable operating metrics. Between December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2013, ending occupancy in the mall portfolio rose from 89.4% to 90.8%. During that same period, ending occupancy in the strip center portfolio rose from 93.6% to 94.9%. As a result of the improvement in our operating metrics, comparable property NOI, for both classes of assets, for the year ended December 31, 2013, rose by 2.9% relative to the year ended December 31, 2012, while net income for the year ended December 31, 2013, rose by 19.8% relative to the year ended December 31, 2012. Please refer to "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a reconciliation of net income to NOI.

            Our portfolio of properties has been well-maintained while owned by SPG. SPG's operational capital expenditures (excluding tenant allowances and leasing commissions) for WPG assets between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2013, were approximately $57 million. We believe that this level of investment is indicative of SPG's historic commitment to maintaining the value and operating performance of the properties to be held by us, and that our properties will accordingly be well positioned to pursue growth opportunities in the future.

            The diversification of WPG's portfolio further contributes to WPG's stable operating performance. Our properties are located in 23 states and are leased to a variety of tenants across the retail spectrum, including anchor stores, big-box tenants, national inline tenants, sit-down restaurants, movie theatres and regional and local retailers. No single tenant was responsible for more than 2.5%, and no single property accounted for more than 3%, of our total gross annual base minimum rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013. Further, as of December 31, 2013, no more than 14% of our total gross annual base minimum rental revenues was derived from leases that expire in any single calendar year. We believe that the diversity of our portfolio by geographic market, asset type and retail tenants helps to insulate us from adverse economic factors that may disproportionately affect a particular geographic region or particular consumer shopping patterns.

            Dual asset class strategy enables efficient, flexible allocation of capital between two complementary categories of retail real estate.     Our company invests across two complementary retail asset classes — strip centers and malls — which share similar small shop, anchor and big-box sizes, tenant bases and market area focuses. This enables us to employ a broad array of leasing, management and development strategies tailored to make each property, whether a mall or a strip center, as productive as possible. This flexibility was highlighted in 2013 at our University Town Plaza property when our strip center team invested $33 million to demolish existing enclosed mall space and convert the property into a community strip center. In the process, we maintained the operation of existing anchors while expanding the tenant base to include traditional strip center tenants, such as Burlington Coat Factory, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Toys "R" Us, Inc./Babies "R" Us, Inc. and smaller tenants. This business strategy supports a flexible, opportunistic investment profile in which we seek to optimize capital deployment into each respective retail sector throughout market cycles.

            Low-leveraged balance sheet positioned to access growth capital.     After accounting for our expected new indebtedness, the aggregate amount of our share of debt will be approximately 4.8 times our share of NOI for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. We believe that this is a low leverage ratio relative to our peers and is indicative of the strength of our balance sheet.

            To provide additional liquidity following the separation, we anticipate arranging a revolving credit facility under which, upon completion of the separation and subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, we expect to have significant undrawn borrowing capacity. We expect to have access to multiple sources of capital, including offerings of our common equity, unsecured corporate debt, preferred equity and additional credit facilities, which we believe will provide us with a competitive advantage over smaller, more highly-leveraged or privately held retail companies. We may also seek to issue limited partnership interests in a limited partnership that is a direct subsidiary of WPG, named WPG L.P., in exchange for properties that we may acquire in the future.

            The major credit rating agencies have indicated they expect to assign us an investment grade credit rating of BBB or Baa2.

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            Unique ability to act as an acquirer, developer and redeveloper of both classes of assets, driven by significant "day one" scale.     We believe that our considerable size, combined with our strong balance sheet, allows us to execute larger organic and external growth projects than our smaller and/or more highly-leveraged competitors have the capacity to undertake.

            Furthermore, our management team has substantial experience in the underwriting, structuring, due diligence and integration of real estate transactions, including experience gained while employed by SPG. For example, our properties have benefited from development and re-development capital spending and commitments of approximately $180 million from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2013; this spending consists primarily of initiatives to attract or expand anchor or big-box tenants. We regularly review and seek to identify development and re-development opportunities. We believe that our management team's experience, as well as their ability to exclusively focus on WPG's growth strategy following the separation, means that we will be well positioned to add value to underperforming assets that we seek to acquire, as well as existing assets that we seek to redevelop and new assets we decide to develop.

            Well-diversified national portfolio that effectively serves tenants.     WPG's portfolio is anticipated to consist of interests in 98 properties located in 23 states. Retailers will benefit from this national platform for leasing, which will provide them with the efficiency of negotiating leases at multiple locations for spaces of different sizes and within different real estate types, with just one landlord. In addition, the breadth of our footprint and the tendency of our properties to be well-located within their respective markets will help position our properties as attractive destinations for retailers.

    Property Portfolio (as of December 31, 2013)

    GRAPHIC

            Dedicated executive management team focused exclusively on pursuing a growth oriented business strategy.     Our company will be led by a dedicated executive management team that we expect will consist of individuals who were previously employed by SPG as well as externally recruited executives. This combination will provide continuity as well as new perspectives on driving growth in our business. Following the separation, WPG's executive management team will be entirely independent of SPG and each member will be exclusively focused on WPG's businesses.

            Benefits of continued relationships with SPG, including board representation.     We believe that our company is uniquely positioned as a result of our historical and future relationships with SPG, an S&P 100 company and a global leader in the retail real estate industry. Each of our assets was owned and managed by SPG for a number of years prior to the separation and accordingly benefited from SPG's stable operating processes, deep relationships with leading

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retailers, strong relations with the communities in which our properties are located and highly regarded capital allocation expertise.

    Company Strategies

            Drive internal growth through rigorous asset management and capital allocation.     We will seek to identify and pursue internal growth opportunities to enhance the performance of our properties through activities such as re-leasing our spaces at higher rents, increasing our occupancy rates, adding anchors or big-boxes, increasing the productivity of occupied locations through aesthetic upgrades, re-merchandising and changes to the retail use of the space. We believe that capital dedicated to anchor and big-box leasing can provide attractive risk-adjusted returns to our company, as such invested capital can be instrumental in enhancing the stability and appeal of our properties, increasing consumer shopping traffic and promoting inline or small-shop leasing, all of which should positively impact the growth in net operating income of a retail asset.

            Execute on targeted, value-add development and re-development projects to enhance portfolio performance.     While our properties have been well-maintained and have benefited from significant capital investment under SPG's ownership, we believe that after the separation, our properties will benefit from greater executive management focus and capital allocation priorities that are tailored to unlocking and growing their value. Under SPG's prior ownership, our properties benefited from management's efforts to maintain their market position, but incremental efforts to maximize the market position of these properties were often not pursued given large-scale opportunities that were alternatively available to SPG in its larger malls, Mills and Premium Outlets that better matched SPG's business strategy.

            Our management team will seek to identify investment strategies that will create value for our shareholders, are consistent with our strategic objectives and have attractive risk-return profiles. WPG will have a smaller asset base as compared to SPG, and therefore some strategic initiatives may have a more meaningful impact on WPG than they would otherwise have on SPG. In short, we expect that WPG will devote substantial executive management attention to value creating investment opportunities that did not fit within SPG's business strategy, and these dedicated efforts may position us to generate attractive growth in tenant sales, revenues and NOI from our properties and thus enhance the performance of our portfolio.

            We have identified a pipeline of potential new development and re-development projects, within WPG's initial portfolio of properties, totaling approximately $300 million. These projects generally consist of expansions and renovations of existing centers and leasing of anchor and big-box tenants, and also include ground-up development projects.

            Pursue acquisition opportunities in both classes of assets as part of a growth oriented strategy.     We believe the following factors, among others, may facilitate acquisition and consolidation opportunities in the national real estate market:

    Prior to the separation, SPG regularly received solicitations of interest from potential sellers of retail assets that might be attractive acquisition candidates for our company but were unsuitable for SPG given its strategic focus on larger malls, Mills and Premium Outlets.

    Publicly traded REITs continue to announce and execute plans to rationalize their portfolios and sell their respective non-core assets, which may lead to opportunities for us to acquire assets that match our investment criteria.

    We believe that ownership of strip centers located in the United States is generally very fragmented.

    Ownership and management of large retail centers, such as the strip centers and malls in our portfolio, are very capital intensive. In instances where properties are owned by local and/or undercapitalized private owners, some owners may seek to dispose of properties to alleviate concerns about capital burdens.

    In many communities, strip centers and malls serve as important economic drivers, sources of tax revenue, community gathering places and/or generators of employment. SPG has a strong reputation within the communities in which it currently owns and operates the WPG properties, and we expect that this legacy, combined with our financial resources and management capabilities, will attract support from local communities and governments in situations where we are considering potential acquisitions of assets that require extensive re-development or repositioning.

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            WPG does not currently have plans to target specific geographic regions for future acquisitions and instead expects to consider acquisition opportunities in any geographic regions in which those opportunities arise.

            Selectively develop new, high quality strip centers.     Our strip center team has substantial experience in the re-development and ground-up development of retail real estate. This well-seasoned team has extensive experience working together in this business, and the top four executives have an average tenure of approximately 24 years at SPG. The properties that are expected to be transferred to us in connection with the separation include 35 assets that were developed by SPG or its predecessor, including Waterford Lakes Town Center, Clay Terrace, The Shops at Arbor Walk, Palms Crossing, and Wolf Ranch. In addition, we will own the land for a new strip center of approximately 400,000 square feet in the Houston metropolitan area, to be named Fairfield Town Center, which is an example of a new ground-up development opportunity that we have identified. Given the relatively low levels of new supply in the strip center and smaller enclosed mall sectors, we expect that our existing and prospective tenants will seek opportunities to lease space in our new development projects in order to open new stores and test new store formats.

            Maintain a disciplined, flexible balance sheet with access to multiple sources of capital.     We expect to maintain a conservative capital structure that provides the resources and flexibility to support the growth of our business. In addition, we expect to maintain a mix of secured indebtedness related to certain of our properties and unsecured indebtedness which, together with our anticipated ability to complete future equity financings, we believe will fund the growth of our operations.

    Our Properties

            Our portfolio of properties is anticipated to consist of 54 strip centers totaling approximately 16.6 million square feet, and 44 malls totaling approximately 36.5 million square feet. WPG will also own parcels of land which can be used for either the development of new strip centers or the expansion of existing properties. While most of these properties are wholly owned by us, several are owned in joint ventures with third parties, which is common in the real estate industry. As of December 31, 2013, our mall properties had an ending occupancy rate of 90.8% and our strip center properties had an ending occupancy rate of 94.9%.

            Our properties are leased to a variety of tenants across the retail spectrum including anchor stores, big-box tenants, national inline tenants, sit-down restaurants, movie theatres and regional and local retailers. As of December 31, 2013, selected anchors and tenants include Macy's, Inc., Dillard's, Inc., J.C. Penney Co., Inc., Sears Holdings Corporation, Target Corporation, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., Kohl's Corporation, Best Buy Co., Inc., Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and TJX Companies, Inc. No single tenant was responsible for more than 2.5%, and no single property accounted for more than 3%, of our total gross annual base minimum rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013. Further, as of December 31, 2013 no more than 14% of our total gross annual base minimum rental revenues was derived from leases that expire in any single calendar year.

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            Additional information on our portfolio of properties is provided in the tables below:

WPG Property Information
(as of December 31, 2013)

 
  Property Name   State   City (CBSA)   Ownership
Interest
(Expiration if
Lease)(10)
  Legal
Ownership
  Year Acquired
or Built
  Occupancy(2)   Total
Square Feet
  Retail Anchors and Selected Major Tenants
 
  Malls
1.   Anderson Mall   SC   Anderson   Fee     100.0 % Built 1972     86.7 %   671,312   Belk, JCPenney, Sears, Dillard's, Books-A-Million
2.   Bowie Town Center   MD   Bowie (Washington, D.C.)   Fee     100.0 % Built 2001     97.1 %   578,372   Macy's, Sears, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Safeway, L.A. Fitness, Off Broadway Shoes
3.   Boynton Beach Mall   FL   Boynton Beach (Miami)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1985     92.0 %   1,094,007   Macy's, Dillard's, JCPenney, Sears, Cinemark Theatres, You Fit Health Clubs
4.   Brunswick Square   NJ   East Brunswick (New York)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1973     100.0 %   760,311   Macy's, JCPenney, Barnes & Noble, Starplex Luxury Cinema
5.   Charlottesville Fashion Square   VA   Charlottesville   Ground Lease (2076)     100.0 % Acquired 1997     95.3 %   576,748   Belk(11), JCPenney, Sears
6.   Chautauqua Mall   NY   Lakewood   Fee     100.0 % Built 1971     91.2 %   427,568   Sears, JCPenney, Bon Ton, Office Max, Dipson Cinema
7.   Chesapeake Square   VA   Chesapeake (Virginia Beach)   Fee and Ground Lease (2062)     75.0 %(3) Built 1989     85.3 %   759,897   Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, Target, Burlington Coat Factory, Cinemark Theatres
8.   Cottonwood Mall   NM   Albuquerque   Fee     100.0 % Built 1996     98.0 %   1,034,461   Macy's, Dillard's, JCPenney, Sears, Regal Cinema, Conn's Electronic & Appliance(8),(9)
9.   Edison Mall   FL   Fort Myers   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1997     94.2 %   1,053,577   Dillard's, Macy's(11), JCPenney, Sears, Books-A-Million
10.   Forest Mall   WI   Fond Du Lac   Fee     100.0 % Built 1973     86.7 %   500,273   JCPenney(12), Kohl's, Younkers, Sears, Cinema I & II
11.   Great Lakes Mall   OH   Mentor (Cleveland)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1961     91.5 %   1,232,358   Dillard's(11), Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, Atlas Cinema Stadium 16, Barnes & Noble, Dick's Sporting Goods(8)
12.   Gulf View Square   FL   Port Richey (Tampa)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1980     90.1 %   754,818   Macy's, Dillard's, JCPenney(12), Sears, Best Buy, T.J. Maxx
13.   Irving Mall   TX   Irving (Dallas)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1971     89.9 %   1,052,527   Macy's, Dillard's, Sears, Burlington Coat Factory, La Vida Fashion and Home Décor, AMC Theatres, Fitness Connection, Shoppers World
14.   Jefferson Valley Mall   NY   Yorktown Heights (New York)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1983     89.2 %   555,950   Macy's, Sears
15.   Knoxville Center   TN   Knoxville   Fee     100.0 % Built 1984     76.4 %   961,007   JCPenney, Belk, Sears, The Rush Fitness Center, Regal Cinema
16.   Lima Mall   OH   Lima   Fee     100.0 % Built 1965     95.5 %   743,356   Macy's, JCPenney, Elder-Beerman, Sears, MC Sporting Goods
17.   Lincolnwood Town Center   IL   Lincolnwood (Chicago)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1990     94.0 %   421,773   Kohl's, Carson's
18.   Lindale Mall   IA   Cedar Rapids   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1998     97.0 %   712,682   Von Maur, Sears, Younkers
19.   Longview Mall   TX   Longview   Fee     100.0 % Built 1978     95.9 %   638,520   Dillard's, JCPenney, Sears, Bealls, La Patricia
20.   Maplewood Mall   MN   St. Paul (Minneapolis)   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 2002     93.6 %   926,291   Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, Kohl's, Barnes & Noble
21.   Markland Mall   IN   Kokomo   Ground Lease (2041)     100.0 % Built 1968     99.0 %   418,193   Sears, Target, MC Sporting Goods, Carson's
22.   Melbourne Square   FL   Melbourne   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 2007     89.7 %   702,105   Macy's, Dillard's(11), JCPenney, Dick's Sporting Goods, L.A. Fitness(8)
23.   Mesa Mall   CO   Grand Junction   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1998     95.8 %   880,469   Sears, Herberger's, JCPenney, Target, Cabela's, Sports Authority, Jo-Ann Fabrics
24.   Muncie Mall   IN   Muncie   Fee     100.0 % Built 1970     99.5 %   635,840   Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, Carson's
25.   Northlake Mall   GA   Atlanta   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1998     91.3 %   963,134   Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, Kohl's
26.   Northwoods Mall   IL   Peoria   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1983     96.7 %   693,369   Macy's, JCPenney, Sears
27.   Oak Court Mall   TN   Memphis   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1997     93.2 %   849,785   Dillard's(11), Macy's
28.   Orange Park Mall   FL   Orange Park (Jacksonville)   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1994     99.0 %   959,331   Dillard's, JCPenney, Sears, Belk, Dick's Sporting Goods, AMC Theatres
29.   Paddock Mall   FL   Ocala   Fee     100.0 % Built 1980     91.9 %   552,603   Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, Belk
30.   Port Charlotte Town Center   FL   Port Charlotte   Fee     80.0 %(3) Built 1989     88.7 %   764,717   Dillard's, Macy's, JCPenney, Bealls, Sears, DSW, Regal Cinema
31.   Richmond Town Square   OH   Richmond Heights (Cleveland)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1966     94.5 %   1,011,688   Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, Regal Cinema
32.   River Oaks Center   IL   Calumet City (Chicago)   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1997     98.8 %   1,192,836   Macy's, JCPenney,(7)
33.   Rolling Oaks Mall   TX   San Antonio   Fee     100.0 % Built 1988     89.4 %   882,349   Dillard's, Macy's, JCPenney, Sears

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WPG Property Information
(as of December 31, 2013)

 
  Property Name   State   City (CBSA)   Ownership
Interest
(Expiration if
Lease)(10)
  Legal
Ownership
  Year Acquired
or Built
  Occupancy(2)   Total
Square Feet
  Retail Anchors and Selected Major Tenants
34.   Rushmore Mall   SD   Rapid City   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1998     78.3 %   829,292   JCPenney, Herberger's, Sears, Carmike Cinemas, Hobby Lobby, Toys 'R Us
35.   Seminole Towne Center   FL   Sanford (Orlando)   Fee     45.0 %(1),(6) Built 1995     84.7 %   1,104,631   Macy's, Dillard's, JCPenney, Sears, United Artists Theatre, Dick's Sporting Goods, Burlington Coat Factory
36.   Southern Hills Mall   IA   Sioux City   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1998     88.8 %   794,407   Younkers, JCPenney, Sears, Scheel's All Sports, Barnes & Noble, Carmike Cinemas, Hy-Vee
37.   Southern Park Mall   OH   Youngstown   Fee     100.0 % Built 1970     85.9 %   1,201,877   Macy's, Dillard's, JCPenney, Sears, Cinemark Theatres
38.   Sunland Park Mall   TX   El Paso   Fee     100.0 % Built 1988     96.4 %   922,209   Macy's, Dillard's(11), Sears, Forever 21, Cinemark
39.   Town Center at Aurora   CO   Aurora (Denver)   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1998     91.9 %   1,082,240   Macy's, Dillard's, JCPenney, Sears, Century Theatres
40.   Towne West Square   KS   Wichita   Fee     100.0 % Built 1980     82.9 %   941,344   Dillard's(11), JCPenney, Sears, Dick's Sporting Goods, The Movie Machine
41.   Valle Vista Mall   TX   Harlingen   Fee     100.0 % Built 1983     73.0 %   650,634   Dillard's, JCPenney, Sears, Big Lots, Forever 21
42.   Virginia Center Commons   VA   Glen Allen   Fee     100.0 % Built 1991     81.1 %   774,503   Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, Burlington Coat Factory, American Family Fitness(8)
43.   West Ridge Mall   KS   Topeka   Fee     100.0 % Built 1988     85.5 %   991,756   Dillard's, JCPenney, Sears, Burlington Coat Factory, Furniture Mall of Kansas
44.   Westminster Mall   CA   Westminster (Los Angeles)   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1998     90.8 %   1,198,549   Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, Target, DSW, Chuze Fitness
                                         
    Total Mall Square Footage               36,453,669    

 

 

Strip Centers
1.   Arboretum   TX   Austin   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1998     98.6 %   194,972   Barnes & Noble, Pottery Barn
2.   Bloomingdale Court   IL   Bloomingdale (Chicago)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1987     99.2 %   687,171   Best Buy, T.J. Maxx N More, Office Max, Walmart Supercenter, Dick's Sporting Goods, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Picture Show, Ross Dress for Less, hhgregg
3.   Bowie Town Center Strip   MD   Bowie (Washington, D.C.)   Fee     100.0 % Built 2001     90.0 %   106,591   Safeway
4.   Charles Towne Square   SC   Charleston   Fee     100.0 % Built 1976     100.0 %   71,794   Regal Cinema
5.   Chesapeake Center   VA   Chesapeake (Virginia Beach)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1989     96.1 %   305,935   Petsmart, Michaels, Value City Furniture
6.   Clay Terrace   IN   Carmel (Indianapolis)   Fee     50.0 %(6) Built 2004     97.8 %   576,787   Dick's Sporting Goods, Whole Foods, DSW, St. Vincent's Sports Performance, Party City
7.   Concord Mills Marketplace   NC   Concord (Charlotte)   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 2007     100.0 %   230,683   BJ's Wholesale Club, Garden Ridge, REC Warehouse
8.   Countryside Plaza   IL   Countryside (Chicago)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1977     100.0 %   403,756   Best Buy, The Home Depot, PetsMart, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Office Depot, Value City Furniture, The Tile Shop, Party City
9.   Dare Centre   NC   Kill Devil Hills   Ground Lease (2058)     100.0 % Acquired 2004     96.3 %   168,673   Belk, Food Lion
10.   DeKalb Plaza   PA   King of Prussia (Philadelphia)   Fee     84.0 %(13) Acquired 2003     96.6 %   101,948   ACME Grocery, Bob's Discount Furniture(8)
11.   Empire East   SD   Sioux Falls   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1998     100.0 %   287,503   Kohl's, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond
12.   Fairfax Court   VA   Fairfax (Washington, D.C.)   Fee     41.3 %(4),(6) Built 1992     100.0 %   249,488   Burlington Coat Factory, Offenbacher's, XSport Fitness
13.   Forest Plaza   IL   Rockford   Fee     100.0 % Built 1985     100.0 %   434,838   Kohl's, Marshalls, Michaels, Office Max, Bed Bath & Beyond, Petco, Babies 'R Us, Toys 'R Us, Big Lots, Kirkland's, Shoe Carnival
14.   Gaitway Plaza   FL   Ocala   Fee     32.2 %(4),(6) Built 1989     99.1 %   208,755   Office Depot, T.J. Maxx, Ross Dress for Less, Bed Bath & Beyond, Michael's(8)
15.   Gateway Centers   TX   Austin   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 2004     95.1 %   512,414   Best Buy, REI, Whole Foods, Crate & Barrel, The Container Store, Regal Cinema, Nordstrom Rack, The Tile Shop(8),(7)
16.   Greenwood Plus   IN   Greenwood (Indianapolis)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1979     100.0 %   155,319   Best Buy, Kohl's
17.   Henderson Square   PA   King of Prussia (Philadelphia)   Fee     75.9 %(13) Acquired 2003     96.5 %   107,371   Genuardi's Family Market, Avalon Carpet & Tile

72


WPG Property Information
(as of December 31, 2013)

 
  Property Name   State   City (CBSA)   Ownership
Interest
(Expiration if
Lease)(10)
  Legal
Ownership
  Year Acquired
or Built
  Occupancy(2)   Total
Square Feet
  Retail Anchors and Selected Major Tenants
18.   Highland Lakes Center   FL   Orlando   Fee     100.0 % Built 1991     65.5 %   488,863   Marshalls, American Signature Furniture, Ross Dress for Less, Burlington Coat Factory, Deal$,(7)
19.   Keystone Shoppes   IN   Indianapolis   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1997     78.1 %   29,080   First Watch
20.   Lake Plaza   IL   Waukegan (Chicago)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1986     97.5 %   215,568   Home Owners Bargain Outlet, Dollar Tree
21.   Lake View Plaza   IL   Orland Park (Chicago)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1986     92.7 %   367,605   Best Buy, Petco, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Golf Galaxy, Value City Furniture, Tuesday Morning, The Great Escape,(7)
22.   Lakeline Plaza   TX   Cedar Park (Austin)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1998     99.3 %   387,304   T.J. Maxx, Best Buy, Ross Dress for Less, Office Max, PetsMart, Party City, Hancock Fabrics, Rooms to Go, Rooms to Go Kids, Bed Bath & Beyond,(9)
23.   Lima Center   OH   Lima   Fee     100.0 % Built 1978     99.4 %   233,878   Kohl's, Hobby Lobby, T.J. Maxx, Jo-Ann Fabrics
24.   Lincoln Crossing   IL   O'Fallon (St. Louis)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1990     90.5 %   243,326   Walmart, PetsMart, The Home Depot
25.   MacGregor Village   NC   Cary   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 2004     63.4 %   144,201    
26.   Mall of Georgia Crossing   GA   Buford (Atlanta)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1999     100.0 %   440,670   Best Buy, American Signature Furniture, T.J. Maxx 'n More, Nordstrom Rack, Staples, Target, Party City
27.   Markland Plaza   IN   Kokomo   Fee     100.0 % Built 1974     86.8 %   90,527   Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond
28.   Martinsville Plaza   VA   Martinsville   Ground Lease (2046)     100.0 % Built 1967     96.4 %   102,105   Rose's, Food Lion
29.   Matteson Plaza   IL   Matteson (Chicago)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1988     100.0 %   270,892   Shoppers World
30.   Muncie Towne Plaza   IN   Muncie   Fee     100.0 % Built 1998     100.0 %   172,617   Kohl's, Target, Shoe Carnival, T.J. Maxx, MC Sporting Goods, Kerasotes Theatres,(7)
31.   New Castle Plaza   IN   New Castle   Fee     100.0 % Built 1966     100.0 %   91,648   Goody's, Ace Hardware, Aaron's Rents, Dollar Tree
32.   North Ridge Shopping Center   NC   Raleigh   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 2004     93.4 %   169,823   Ace Hardware, Kerr Drugs, Harris-Teeter Grocery
33.   Northwood Plaza   IN   Fort Wayne   Fee     100.0 % Built 1974     87.2 %   208,076   Target,(7)
34.   Palms Crossing   TX   McAllen   Fee     100.0 % Built 2007     98.6 %   392,314   Bealls, DSW, Barnes & Noble, Babies 'R Us, Sports Authority, Guitar Center, Cavendar's Boot City, Best Buy, Hobby Lobby
35.   Plaza at Buckland Hills, The   CT   Manchester   Fee     41.3 %(4),(6) Built 1993     96.3 %   329,885   Jo-Ann Fabrics, iParty, Toys 'R Us, Michaels, PetsMart, Big Lots, Eastern Mountain Sports, Dollar Tree
36.   Richardson Square   TX   Richardson (Dallas)   Fee     100.0 % Built 2008     100.0 %   517,265   Lowe's Home Improvement, Ross Dress for Less, Sears, Super Target, Anna's Linens
37.   Rockaway Commons   NJ   Rockaway (New York)   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1998     48.3 %   149,940   Best Buy,(7)
38.   Rockaway Town Plaza   NJ   Rockaway (New York)   Fee     100.0 % Acquired 1998     100.0 %   459,301   Target, PetsMart, Dick's Sporting Goods, AMC Theatres
39.   Royal Eagle Plaza   FL   Coral Springs (Miami)   Fee     42.0 %(4),(6) Built 1989     78.8 %   202,996   Sports Authority, Hobby Lobby(8),(7)
40.   Shops at Arbor Walk, The   TX   Austin   Ground Lease (2056)     100.0 % Built 2006     99.4 %   458,467   The Home Depot, Marshalls, DSW, Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocer, Spec's Wine, Spirits and Fine Foods, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Sam Moon Trading Co., Casual Male DXL
41.   Shops at North East Mall, The   TX   Hurst (Dallas)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1999     99.6 %   364,901   Michaels, PetsMart, T.J. Maxx, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, DSW
42.   St. Charles Towne Plaza   MD   Waldorf (Washington, D.C.)   Fee     100.0 % Built 1987     78.0 %   393,816   K & G Menswear, Shoppers Food Warehouse, Dollar Tree, Value City Furniture, Big Lots, Citi Trends,(7)
43.   Tippecanoe Plaza   IN   Lafayette   Fee     100.0 % Built 1974     100.0 %   90,522   Best Buy, Barnes & Noble
44.   Center   IN   Mishawaka   Fee     100.0 % Built 1980     89.4 %   150,406   Michaels, Best Buy, Ross Dress for Less
45.   University Town Plaza   FL   Pensacola   Fee     100.0 % Redeveloped 2013     97.4 %   579,843   JCPenney, Sears, Academy Sports, Toys 'R Us, Burlington Coat Factory
46.   Village Park Plaza   IN   Carmel (Indianapolis)   Fee     35.7 %(4),(6) Built 1990     100.0 %   575,576   Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl's, Walmart Supercenter, Marsh, Menards, Regal Cinema, Hobby Lobby

73


WPG Property Information
(as of December 31, 2013)

 
  Property Name   State   City (CBSA)   Ownership
Interest
(Expiration if
Lease)(10)
  Legal
Ownership
  Year Acquired
or Built
  Occupancy(2)   Total
Square Feet
  Retail Anchors and Selected Major Tenants
47.   Washington Plaza   IN   Indianapolis   Fee     100.0 % Built 1976     89.8 %   50,107   Jo-Ann Fabrics
48.   Waterford Lakes Town Center   FL   Orlando   Fee     100.0 % Built 1999     99.0 %   949,933   Ross Dress for Less, T.J. Maxx, Bed Bath & Beyond, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Office Max, PetsMart, Target, Ashley Furniture Home Store, L.A. Fitness, Regal Cinema, Party City
49.   West Ridge Plaza   KS   Topeka   Fee     100.0 % Built 1988     100.0 %   254,480   T.J. Maxx, Toys 'R Us/Babies 'R Us, Target, Dollar Tree
50.   West Town Corners   FL   Altamonte Springs (Orlando)   Fee     32.2 %(4),(6) Built 1989     95.3 %   385,366   Sports Authority, PetsMart, Winn-Dixie Marketplace, American Signature Furniture, Walmart, Lowe's Home Improvement
51.   Westland Park Plaza   FL   Orange Park (Jacksonville)   Fee     32.2 %(4),(6) Built 1989     96.8 %   163,254   Burlington Coat Factory, LA Fitness, USA Discounters, Guitar Center(8)
52.   White Oaks Plaza   IL   Springfield   Fee     100.0 % Built 1986     97.2 %   387,911   T.J. Maxx, Office Max, Kohl's, Toys 'R Us/Babies 'R Us, County Market, Petco
53.   Whitehall Mall   PA   Whitehall   Fee     38.0 %(6),(13) Acquired 2003     93.8 %   611,833   Sears, Kohl's, Bed Bath & Beyond, Gold's Gym, Buy Buy Baby, Raymour & Flanigan Furniture, Michaels
54.   Wolf Ranch   TX   Georgetown (Austin)   Fee     100.0 % Built 2005     99.3 %   627,804   Kohl's, Target, Michaels, Best Buy, Office Depot, PetsMart, T.J. Maxx, DSW, Ross Dress for Less, Gold's Gym, Spec's Wine & Spirits
                                         
    Total Strip Center Square Footage               16,556,101    
                                         
    Total WPG Portfolio Square Footage(5)               53,009,770    
                                         

FOOTNOTES:


(1)
Direct and indirect interests in some joint venture properties are subject to preferences on distributions and/or capital allocation in favor of other partners.

(2)
Malls — Executed leases for all company-owned GLA in mall stores, excluding majors and anchors. Strip centers — Executed leases for all company -owned GLA (or total center GLA).

(3)
WPG receives substantially all the economic benefit of the property due to a preference or advance.

(4)
Outside partner receives substantially all of the economic benefit and/or capital allocation due to a partner preference.

(5)
Includes office space of 243,379 square feet including the following centers with more than 20,000 square feet of office space:


Clay Terrace — 75,110 sq. ft.


Oak Court Mall — 126,775 sq. ft.


River Oaks — 41,494 sq. ft.

(6)
Denotes joint venture property.

(7)
Indicates vacant anchor space(s).

(8)
Indicates anchor or major that is currently under development.

(9)
Indicates vacant anchor owned by another company, but we still collect rent and/or fees under an agreement.

(10)
Date listed is the expiration date of the last renewal option available under the ground lease.

(11)
Tenant has multiple locations at this center.

(12)
Indicates anchor has announced its intent to close this location.

74



Debt Information
(as of December 31, 2013)

 
   
   
  Debt Information  
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Indebtedness
($ in thousands)
 
 
   
  Legal
Ownership
  Maturity
Date
  Interest
Rate
  Annual
Debt
Service
   
 
 
  Property Name   Type   Total   Our Share  

  Malls                                          

1.

  Anderson Mall     100.0 %   12/01/22     4.61 %   1,408   Fixed     20,398     20,398  

2.

  Brunswick Square     100.0 %   08/11/14     5.65 %   5,957   Fixed     76,672     76,672 (7)

3.

  Chesapeake Square     75.0 %   08/01/14     5.84 %   5,162   Fixed     65,242     48,931  

4.

  Mesa Mall     100.0 %   06/01/16     5.79 %   5,055   Fixed     87,250     87,250  

5.

  Port Charlotte Town Center     80.0 %   11/01/20     5.30 %   3,232   Fixed     46,353     37,083  

6.

  Rushmore Mall     100.0 %   06/01/16     5.79 %   5,446   Fixed     94,000     94,000  

7.

  Seminole Towne Center     45.0 %(5)   05/06/21     5.97 %   4,303   Fixed     58,152     7,560 (6)

8.

  Southern Hills Mall     100.0 %   06/01/16     5.79 %   5,881   Fixed     101,500     101,500  

9.

  Sunland Park Mall     100.0 %   01/01/26     8.63 %   3,773   Fixed     28,359     28,359  

10.

  Towne West Square     100.0 %   06/01/21     5.61 %   3,516   Fixed     49,360     49,360  

11.

  Valle Vista Mall     100.0 %   05/10/17     5.35 %   2,140   Fixed     40,000     40,000  

12.

  West Ridge Mall     100.0 %   07/01/14     5.89 %   4,885   Fixed     64,794     64,794 (7)

 

Strip Centers

                                         

1.

  Bloomingdale Court     100.0 %   11/01/15     8.15 %   2,495   Fixed     25,164     25,164  

2.

  Clay Terrace     50.0 %(5)   10/01/15     5.08 %   5,842   Fixed     115,000     57,500  

3.

  Concord Mills Marketplace     100.0 %   11/01/23     4.82 %   771   Fixed     16,000     16,000  

4.

  DeKalb Plaza     84.0 %(8)   01/01/15     5.28 %   284   Fixed     2,377     1,997  

5.

  Forest Plaza     100.0 %   10/10/19 (1)   7.50 %   1,685   Fixed     17,733     17,733  

6.

  Gaitway Plaza     32.2% (5)   07/01/15 (2)   4.60 %   640   Fixed     13,900     575 (6)

7.

  Henderson Square     75.9 %(8)   04/01/16     4.43 %   937   Fixed     13,301     10,098  

8.

  Lake View Plaza     100.0 %   12/31/14     8.00 %   1,409   Fixed     15,470     15,470  

9.

  Lakeline Plaza     100.0 %   10/10/19 (1)   7.50 %   1,578   Fixed     16,613     16,613  

10.

  Mall of Georgia Crossing     100.0 %   10/06/22     4.28 %   1,481   Fixed     24,527     24,527  

11.

  Muncie Towne Plaza     100.0 %   10/10/19 (1)   7.50 %   656   Fixed     6,907     6,907  

12.

  North Ridge Shopping Center     100.0 %   12/01/22     3.41 %   427   Fixed     12,500     12,500  

13.

  Palms Crossing     100.0 %   08/01/21 (3)   5.49 %   2,612   Fixed     37,179     37,179  

14.

  Plaza at Buckland Hills, The     41.3% (5)   07/01/15     4.60 %   1,142   Fixed     24,800     1,026 (6)

15.

  Shops at Arbor Walk, The     100.0 %   08/01/21 (3)   5.49 %   2,952   Fixed     42,020     42,020  

16.

  Village Park Plaza     35.7% (5)   07/01/15     4.60 %   1,374   Fixed     29,850     1,235 (6)

17.

  West Town Corners     32.2% (5)   07/01/15 (2)   4.60 %   865   Fixed     18,800     778 (6)

18.

  White Oaks Plaza     100.0 %   10/10/19 (1)   7.50 %   1,312   Fixed     13,813     13,813  

19.

  Whitehall Mall     38.0% (5)   11/01/18     7.00 %   1,149   Fixed     10,617     4,030  
                                           

  Total Secured Indebtedness   $ 1,188,651   $ 961,072 (4)
                                           

  Consolidated Indebtedness   $ 917,532        

  Premiums and (discounts), net     1,082        
                                             

  Consolidated Indebtedness, net (as reported in the combined financial statements)   $ 918,614        
                                             

75



Unencumbered Properties
(as of December 31, 2013)

The following listing represents unencumbed assets of our mall and strip center portfolio.

 
  Unencumbered Malls   Legal
Ownership
 

1.

 

Bowie Town Center

    100.0 %

2.

 

Boynton Beach Mall

    100.0 %

3.

 

Charlottesville Fashion Square

    100.0% (7)

4.

 

Chautauqua Mall

    100.0 %

5.

 

Cottonwood Mall

    100.0% (7)

6.

 

Edison Mall

    100.0 %

7.

 

Forest Mall

    100.0 %

8.

 

Great Lakes Mall

    100.0 %

9.

 

Gulf View Square

    100.0 %

10.

 

Irving Mall

    100.0 %

11.

 

Jefferson Valley Mall

    100.0 %

12.

 

Knoxville Center

    100.0 %

13.

 

Lima Mall

    100.0 %

14.

 

Lincolnwood Town Center

    100.0% (7)

15.

 

Lindale Mall

    100.0 %

16.

 

Longview Mall

    100.0 %

17.

 

Maplewood Mall

    100.0 %

18.

 

Markland Mall

    100.0 %

19.

 

Melbourne Square

    100.0 %

20.

 

Muncie Mall

    100.0% (7)

21.

 

Northlake Mall

    100.0 %

22.

 

Northwoods Mall

    100.0 %

23.

 

Oak Court Mall

    100.0% (7)

24.

 

Orange Park Mall

    100.0 %

25.

 

Paddock Mall

    100.0 %

26.

 

Richmond Town Square

    100.0 %

27.

 

River Oaks Center

    100.0 %

28.

 

Rolling Oaks Mall

    100.0 %

29.

 

Southern Park Mall

    100.0 %

30.

 

Town Center at Aurora

    100.0 %

31.

 

Virginia Center Commons

    100.0 %

32.

 

Westminster Mall

    100.0% (7)

 

 
  Unencumbered Strip Centers   Legal
Ownership
 

1.

 

Arboretum

    100.0 %

2.

 

Bowie Town Center Strip

    100.0 %

3.

 

Charles Towne Square

    100.0 %

4.

 

Chesapeake Center

    100.0 %

5.

 

Countryside Plaza

    100.0 %

6.

 

Dare Centre

    100.0 %

7.

 

Empire East

    100.0 %

8.

 

Fairfax Court

    41.3% (5)

9.

 

Gateway Centers

    100.0 %

10.

 

Greenwood Plus

    100.0 %

11.

 

Highland Lakes Center

    100.0 %

12.

 

Keystone Shoppes

    100.0 %

13.

 

Lake Plaza

    100.0 %

76



Unencumbered Properties
(as of December 31, 2013)

 
  Unencumbered Strip Centers   Legal
Ownership
 

14.

 

Lima Center

    100.0 %

15.

 

Lincoln Crossing

    100.0 %

16.

 

MacGregor Village

    100.0 %

17.

 

Markland Plaza

    100.0 %

18.

 

Martinsville Plaza

    100.0 %

19.

 

Matteson Plaza

    100.0 %

20.

 

New Castle Plaza

    100.0 %

21.

 

Northwood Plaza

    100.0 %

22.

 

Richardson Square

    100.0 %

23.

 

Rockaway Commons

    100.0 %

24.

 

Rockaway Town Plaza

    100.0 %

25.

 

Royal Eagle Plaza

    42.0% (5)

26.

 

Shops at North East Mall, The

    100.0 %

27.

 

St. Charles Towne Plaza

    100.0 %

28.

 

Tippecanoe Plaza

    100.0 %

29.

 

University Center

    100.0 %

30.

 

University Town Plaza

    100.0 %

31.

 

Washington Plaza

    100.0 %

32.

 

Waterford Lakes Town Center

    100.0 %

33.

 

West Ridge Plaza

    100.0% (7)

34.

 

Westland Park Plaza

    32.2% (5)

35.

 

Wolf Ranch

    100.0 %

FOOTNOTES:


(1)
These four properties are secured by cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted mortgages.

(2)
These two properties are secured by cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted mortgages.

(3)
These two properties are secured by cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted mortgages.

(4)
Our share of total indebtedness includes a pro rata share of the mortgage debt on joint venture properties.

(5)
Denotes unconsolidated joint venture property.

(6)
Our share of debt does not reflect the legal ownership percentage due to capital preferences.

(7)
Loan financed/refinanced after December 31, 2013.

(8)
SPG acquired additional interests on January 10, 2014. DeKalb Plaza and Henderson Square are now wholly owned. SPG's ownership interest in Whitehall Mall is now 50%.

77



Our Tenants and Anchors

            As of December 31, 2013, our top fifteen inline tenants and top fifteen anchors and majors were as follows:


Top Inline Store Tenants (based on percentage of total base minimum rent)

Tenant
  Number of
Stores
  Square Feet   Percent of
Total Sq. Ft. in
Portfolio
  Percent of
Total Base
Minimum Rent(1)
 

L Brands, Inc.

    99     473,806     0.9 %   2.5 %

Foot Locker, Inc.

    106     431,010     0.8 %   2.4 %

Ascena Retail Group Inc

    89     454,484     0.9 %   1.7 %

Sterling Jewelers, Inc.

    56     95,021     0.2 %   1.7 %

Zale Corporation

    80     72,582     0.1 %   1.5 %

Luxottica Group SPA

    78     210,465     0.4 %   1.4 %

Genesco Inc.

    93     133,919     0.3 %   1.2 %

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

    40     221,283     0.4 %   1.2 %

The Finish Line, Inc.

    38     215,142     0.4 %   1.1 %

Regal Entertainment Group

    7     417,505     0.8 %   1.0 %

The Gap, Inc

    27     359,450     0.7 %   1.0 %

Express Inc.

    27     206,916     0.4 %   0.9 %

Aeropostale, Inc.

    47     165,207     0.3 %   0.9 %

Ulta Salon Cosmetics and Frag

    17     188,188     0.4 %   0.9 %

Claires Stores Inc

    69     80,487     0.2 %   0.8 %



Top Anchors and Majors (sorted by percentage of total square footage)(2)

Anchors and Majors
  Number of
Stores
  Square Feet   Percent of
Total Sq. Ft. in
Portfolio
  Percent of
Total Base
Minimum Rent(1)
 

Sears Holdings Corporation

    43     6,221,097     11.8 %   0.7 %

Macy's Inc.

    29     4,808,590     9.1 %   0.6 %

J.C. Penney Co., Inc.

    37     4,751,916     9.0 %   1.3 %

Dillard's, Inc.

    26     3,609,498     6.8 %   0.2 %

Target Corporation

    13     1,726,898     3.3 %   0.0 %

Kohl's Corporation

    14     1,215,691     2.3 %   1.3 %

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.

    10     860,433     1.6 %   0.8 %

Burlington Stores, Inc.

    9     721,281     1.4 %   0.7 %

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    16     702,394     1.3 %   1.6 %

Belk, Inc.

    7     654,454     1.2 %   0.1 %

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

    4     618,061     1.2 %   0.0 %

TJX Companies, Inc.

    15     478,512     0.9 %   1.0 %

Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc.

    8     406,330     0.8 %   0.8 %

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

    12     368,014     0.7 %   0.9 %

Toys R Us Inc

    7     299,990     0.6 %   0.5 %

(1)
Total base minimum rent represents 2013 combined base rental revenues.

(2)
Includes space leased and owned by anchors in the mall properties.

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Lease Expirations(1)

            Set forth below is information about lease expirations for our portfolio:

Combined Inline Stores and Freestanding
  Number of
Leases Expiring
  Square Feet   Avg. Base
Minimum Rent
PSF at 12/31/13
  Percentage of
Gross Annual
Rental
Revenues(2)
 

Year

                         

Month To Month Leases

    121     329,074     24.94     1.4 %

2014

    601     1,746,446     22.87     8.0 %

2015

    782     2,455,755     23.64     11.5 %

2016

    700     2,322,322     23.40     10.9 %

2017

    497     1,759,054     24.43     8.5 %

2018

    422     1,267,744     26.81     6.9 %

2019

    237     932,476     25.08     4.9 %

2020

    124     555,524     23.28     2.6 %

2021

    129     593,439     20.50     2.5 %

2022

    156     694,860     22.42     3.2 %

2023

    197     1,024,536     21.44     4.4 %

2024 and Thereafter

    100     439,430     20.27     1.9 %

Specialty Leasing Agreements w/ terms in excess of 12 months

    565     1,244,423     11.30     3.0 %

Combined Anchors and Majors

                         

Year

                         

Month To Month Leases

    1     26,964     4.50     0.0 %

2014

    16     949,772     5.70     1.1 %

2015

    38     1,844,892     6.77     2.6 %

2016

    40     2,222,676     6.22     2.9 %

2017

    26     1,668,233     5.52     1.9 %

2018

    36     1,898,680     7.72     3.1 %

2019

    21     1,247,846     6.60     1.7 %

2020

    17     909,634     7.50     1.4 %

2021

    13     835,611     6.55     1.2 %

2022

    10     406,426     9.07     0.8 %

2023

    17     741,102     9.18     1.4 %

2024 and Thereafter

    15     821,270     8.22     1.4 %

(1)
Does not consider the impact of renewal options that may be contained in leases.

(2)
Gross annual rental revenues represents 2013 consolidated and joint venture combined base rental revenue for the portfolio.


Financing

            Upon completion of the separation, we expect to assume our share of approximately $962 million of existing secured property-level indebtedness related to certain of our properties, based on principal balances at December 31, 2013, and to incur at least $1.0 billion of new indebtedness. Also, to provide additional liquidity following the separation, we anticipate arranging a revolving credit facility as further discussed in "Description of Material Indebtedness."

            Our ownership interests in real property are materially important as a whole; however, as described above, we do not own any individual materially important property based on book value or gross revenue for 2013 and therefore do not present a description of our title to, or other interest in, our properties and the nature and amount of our mortgages in such properties.

            We look at several metrics to assess overall leverage levels, including debt to total asset value and total debt to NOI ratios. We expect that we may, from time to time, re-evaluate our strategy with respect to leverage in light of the current economic conditions; relative costs of debt and equity capital; market values of its properties; acquisition,

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development, and expansion opportunities; and other factors, including meeting the taxable income distribution requirement for REITs under the Code in the event we have taxable income without receipt of cash sufficient to enable us to meet such distribution requirements. Our preference is to obtain fixed rate, long-term debt for our properties.


Competition

            Our direct competitors include other publicly-traded retail and mall development and operating companies, retail real estate companies, commercial property developers and other owners of retail real estate that engage in similar businesses. Within our property portfolio, we compete for retail tenants and the nature and extent of the competition we face varies from property to property. With respect to specific alternative retail property types, we have faced increased competition over the last several years from both lifestyle malls and power centers, in addition to other strip centers and malls.

            We believe the principal factors that retailers consider in making their leasing decisions include:

    Consumer demographics;

    Quality, design and location of properties;

    Total number and geographic distribution of properties;

    Diversity of retailers and anchor tenants;

    Management and operational expertise; and

    Rental rates.

            In addition, because our revenue potential is linked to the success of our retailers, we indirectly share exposure to the same competitive factors that our retail tenants experience in their respective markets when trying to attract individual shoppers. These dynamics include general competition from other malls, including outlet malls and other discount shopping malls, as well as competition with discount shopping clubs, catalog companies, Internet sales and telemarketing.


Seasonality

            The strip center and smaller enclosed mall business is, to some extent, seasonal in nature with tenants typically achieving the highest levels of sales during the fourth quarter due to the holiday season, which generally results in higher percentage rent income in the fourth quarter. Additionally, shopping malls achieve a substantial portion of their specialty (temporary retailer) rents during the holiday season. Thus, occupancy levels and revenue production are generally the highest in the fourth quarter of each year. Results of operations realized in any one quarter may not be indicative of the results likely to be experienced over the course of our fiscal year.


Employees

            Following the separation, we expect to have approximately 40 employees.


Insurance

            SPG will maintain insurance coverage for WPG's properties for a period of time after the separation and distribution that will continue at least through 2014. This will include coverage with third party carriers who provide a portion of the coverage for specific layers of potential losses including commercial general liability, fire, flood, extended coverage and rental loss insurance on all of our properties. The initial portion of coverage not provided by third party carriers is either insured through SPG's wholly owned captive insurance companies or other financial arrangements controlled by SPG. A third party carrier has, in turn, agreed to provide evidence of coverage for this layer of losses under the terms and conditions of the carrier's policy. A similar policy written through SPG's captive insurance entities also provides initial coverage for property insurance and certain windstorm risks at the properties located in coastal windstorm locations. SPG also currently maintains insurance coverage against acts of terrorism on all of WPG's properties in the United States on an "all risk" basis. The current federal laws which provide this coverage are expected to operate through 2014. There are some types of losses, including lease and other contract claims, which

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generally are not insured. In the opinion of our management, our properties will be adequately insured upon completion of the separation and distribution.

            At such time as WPG ceases to be covered under the SPG insurance arrangements, WPG will obtain comprehensive replacement insurance coverage for matters for which it believes coverage is warranted, in each case with limits of liability that WPG deems adequate. WPG will select policy specifications and insured limits which it believes to be appropriate given the relative risk of loss, the cost of the coverage and industry practice.


Legal Proceedings

            We are involved from time to time in various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business, including, but not limited to commercial disputes, environmental matters, and litigation in connection with transactions including acquisitions and divestitures. We believe that such litigation, claims and administrative proceedings will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position or our results of operations. We record a liability when a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.


Environmental Matters

            Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, an owner of real estate is liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances on such real estate. These laws often impose such liability without regard to whether the owner knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. The costs of remediation or removal of such substances may be substantial and the presence of such substances, or the failure to promptly remediate such substances, may adversely affect the owner's ability to sell such real estate or to borrow using such real estate as collateral. In connection with our ownership and operation of our properties, we may be potentially liable for such costs. The operations of current and former tenants at our properties have involved, or may have involved, the use of hazardous materials or generated hazardous wastes. The release of such hazardous materials and wastes could result in our incurring liabilities to remediate any resulting contamination if the responsible party is unable or unwilling to do so. In addition, many of our properties are located in urban areas, and are therefore exposed to the risk of contamination originating from other sources. While a property owner generally is not responsible for remediating contamination that has migrated onsite from an offsite source, the contaminant's presence can have adverse effects on operations and re-development of our properties.

            Most of our properties have been subject, at some time, to environmental assessments that are intended to evaluate the environmental condition of our property and surrounding properties. These environmental assessments generally have included a historical review, a public records review, a visual inspection of the site and surrounding properties, a visual screening for the presence of asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls and underground storage tanks and the preparation and issuance of a written report. They have not, however, included any sampling or subsurface investigations. Soil and/or groundwater testing is conducted at our properties, when necessary, to further investigate any issues raised by the initial assessment that could reasonably be expected to pose a material concern to the property or result in us incurring material environmental liabilities. In each case where the environmental assessments have identified conditions requiring remedial actions required by law, former management has either taken or scheduled the recommended action.

            None of the environmental assessments conducted by us at the properties have revealed any environmental liability that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our overall business, financial condition or results of operations. Nevertheless, it is possible that these assessments do not reveal all environmental liabilities or that there are material environmental liabilities of which we are unaware.


Other Policies

            The following is a discussion of our Investment Policies and Financing Policies. One or more of these Policies may be amended or rescinded from time to time without a shareholder vote.

    Investment Policies

            We are in the business of owning and operating strip centers and malls across the United States and while we emphasize these real estate investments, we may also invest in equity or debt securities of other entities engaged in real estate activities or securities of other issuers. However, any of these investments would be subject to the percentage ownership limitations and gross income tests necessary for REIT qualification. These REIT limitations mean that we

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cannot make an investment that would cause our real estate assets to be less than 75% of our total assets. We must also derive at least 75% of our gross income directly or indirectly from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including "rents from real property," dividends from other REITs and, in certain circumstances, interest from certain types of temporary investments. In addition, we must also derive at least 95% of our gross income from such real property investments, and from dividends, interest and gains from the sale or dispositions of stock or securities or from other combinations of the foregoing.

            Subject to REIT limitations, we may invest in the securities of other issuers in connection with acquisitions of indirect interests in real estate. Such an investment would normally be in the form of general or limited partnership or membership interests in special purpose partnerships and limited liability companies that own one or more properties. We may, in the future, acquire all or substantially all of the securities or assets of other REITs, management companies or similar entities where such investments would be consistent with our investment policies.

    Financing Policies

            Because our REIT qualification requires us to distribute at least 90% of our taxable income, we expect to access the capital markets to raise the funds necessary to finance operations, acquisitions, development and redevelopment opportunities, and to refinance maturing debt. We expect that we will have to comply with customary covenants contained in any financing agreements that could limit our ratio of debt to total assets or market value. We expect to obtain an investment grade rating, but we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so.

            If our board of directors determines to seek additional capital, we may raise such capital by offering equity or debt securities, creating joint ventures with existing ownership interests in properties, entering into joint venture arrangements for new development projects, retaining cash flows or a combination of these methods. If the board of directors determines to raise equity capital, it may, without shareholder approval, issue additional shares of common stock or other capital stock. The board of directors may issue a number of shares up to the amount of our authorized capital in any manner and on such terms and for such consideration as it deems appropriate. Such securities may be senior to the outstanding classes of common stock. Such securities also may include additional classes of preferred stock, which may be convertible into common stock. Existing shareholders have no preemptive right to purchase shares in any subsequent offering of our securities. Any such offering could dilute a shareholder's investment in us.

            We expect most future borrowings would be made through WPG L.P. or its subsidiaries. We might, however, incur borrowings that would be reloaned to WPG L.P. Borrowings may be in the form of bank borrowings, publicly and privately placed debt instruments, or purchase money obligations to the sellers of properties. Any such indebtedness may be secured or unsecured. Any such indebtedness may also have full or limited recourse to the borrower or be cross-collateralized with other debt, or may be fully or partially guaranteed by WPG L.P. Although we may borrow to fund the payment of dividends, we currently have no expectation that we will regularly do so.

            We may also finance acquisitions through the issuance of common shares or preferred shares, the issuance of additional units of partnership interest in WPG L.P., the issuance of preferred units of WPG L.P., the issuance of other securities including unsecured notes and mortgage debt, draws on our credit facilities or sale or exchange of ownership interests in properties.

            WPG L.P. may also issue units to transferors of properties or other partnership interests which may permit the transferor to defer gain recognition for tax purposes.

            We do not have a policy limiting the number or amount of mortgages that may be placed on any particular property. Mortgage financing instruments, however, usually limit additional indebtedness on such properties. Additionally, unsecured credit facilities, unsecured note indentures and other contracts may limit our ability to borrow and contain limits on the amount of secured indebtedness we may incur.

            Typically, we will invest in or form special purpose entities to assist us in obtaining secured permanent financing at attractive terms. Permanent financing may be structured as a mortgage loan on a single property, or on a group of properties, and will generally require us to provide a mortgage lien on the property or properties in favor of an institutional third party, as a joint venture with a third party, or as a securitized financing. For securitized financings, we may create special purpose entities to own the properties. These special purpose entities, which are common in the real estate industry, are intended to be structured so that they would not be consolidated in a bankruptcy proceeding involving a parent company. We will decide upon the structure of the financing based upon the best terms then available to us and whether the proposed financing is consistent with our other business objectives. For accounting

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purposes, we will include the outstanding securitized debt of special purpose entities owning consolidated properties as part of our consolidated indebtedness.

    Conflicts of Interest Policies

            Following the distribution, we expect to have policies designed to reduce or eliminate potential conflicts of interest. We expect to adopt governance principles governing our affairs and those of the board of directors, as well as written charters for each of the standing committees of the board of directors.

            Our Governance Principles will provide that directors who hold a significant financial interest or a directorial, managerial, employment, consulting or other position with SPG, will not be required to recuse himself or herself from any WPG board discussion of, and/or refrain from voting on, any matter that may involve or affect the relationship between WPG and SPG unless the lead independent director of WPG shall determine, on a case-by-case basis, that such recusal and/or refrainment will be appropriate. If the lead independent director owns such a financial interest or holds such a position in SPG, such determination shall be made by a majority of the directors who do not own a significant financial interest in, or hold a directorial, managerial, employment, consulting or other position, in SPG. In addition, our Governance Principles will provide that if any of our directors who is also a director, officer or employee of SPG acquires knowledge of a corporate opportunity or is otherwise offered a corporate opportunity (provided that this knowledge was not acquired solely in such person's capacity as a director of our company and such person acts in good faith), then to the fullest extent permitted by law, such person is deemed to have fully satisfied such person's fiduciary duties owed to us and is not liable to us if SPG, or their affiliates, pursues or acquires the corporate opportunity, or if such person did not present the corporate opportunity to us.

            In addition, we expect to have a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which will apply to all of our officers, directors, and employees. At least a majority of the members of our board of directors, Governance and Nominating Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation Committee must qualify as independent under the listing standards for NYSE companies. Any transaction between us and any officer, director, or 5% shareholder must be approved pursuant to the related party transaction policy we expect to adopt.

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MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers Following the Separation

            The following table sets forth information with respect to individuals who are expected to serve as executive officers of WPG following the completion of the separation. We are in the process of identifying the remaining individuals who will serve as our executive officers following the separation.

Name
  Age   Title
Mark Ordan   54   Chief Executive Officer
Myles Minton   56   Chief Operating Officer
C. Marc Richards   43   Chief Financial Officer
Robert P. Demchak   43   Secretary/General Counsel
Michael Gaffney   49   Senior Vice President and Head of Capital Markets

            Mark S. Ordan.     Mr. Ordan will be the Chief Executive Officer of WPG effective as of the distribution. Mr. Ordan previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Sunrise Senior Living, LLC, from November 2008 to November 2013, and as its Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Investment Officer from March 2008 to November 2008. He served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of The Mills Limited Partnership from October 2006 to May 2007, and also as its Chief Operating Officer from February 2006 to October 2006, where he oversaw the eventual sale of The Mills L.P. to Simon Property Group and Farallon in May 2007. In addition, Mr. Ordan served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of High Noon Always, Inc. (formerly, Bethesda Retail Partners) from 1999 to 2003. He founded Chartwell Health Management Inc. in 1996 and served as its Chief Executive Officer from 1996 to 1999. He also founded and served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Fields Markets, Inc. from 1989 to 1996, eventually leading the merger of the company with Whole Foods Markets, Inc. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Balducci's, LLC from November 2003 to February 2006. Mr. Ordan was employed in the equities division of Goldman Sachs & Co. from 1983 to 1988. Mr. Ordan currently serves on the board of directors of Oakleaf Waste Management, LLC, and Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc., and previously served on the boards of Federal Realty Investment Trust, Fidelity & Trust Bank, and Sunrise Senior Living, LLC. He received his AB in Philosophy from Vassar College and his MBA from Harvard Business School.

            Myles Minton.     Mr. Minton will be Chief Operating Officer of the Company effective as of the distribution. Mr. Minton previously served as President of the Community/Lifestyle Centers Division of SPG since 2007. From 1996 until 2007 he served first as Vice President and then as Senior Vice President of Development for the Community/Lifestyle Centers Division of SPG. From 1991 to 1996 he worked for New Market Development, and from 1989 to 1991 he served as Director of Development for Melvin Simon & Associates. Prior to this, he worked as Development Vice President/Partner for The Cambridge Company Development Corporation. Mr. Minton is a member of Urban Land Institute and the International Council of Shopping Centers, and he holds the Certified Shopping Center Management and Certified Retail Property Executive credentials from that organization. Mr. Minton received his B.B.A. from Southern Methodist University, from which he also received the distinguished Edwin L. Cox School of Business Certificate in Real Estate.

            C. Marc Richards.     Mr. Richards will be Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective as of the distribution. He was formerly the chief financial officer for Sunrise Senior Living since March 2011 and served as its chief accounting officer since July 2009. Previously, Mr. Richards was a vice president with JE Robert Companies and functioned as the controller for JER Investors Trust, a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in real estate loans, commercial mortgage backed securities and other structured financial products. Before joining JER, Mr. Richards served as vice president and corporate controller of Republic Property Trust, a publicly traded owner, operator and redeveloper of commercial office buildings in the Metropolitan DC area. Prior to Republic Property Trust, Mr. Richards served in a variety of accounting positions with increasing responsibilities at The Mills Corporation, a publicly traded developer, owner and manager of a diversified portfolio of regional shopping malls and retail entertainment centers, which was acquired by Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital in May 2007. Mr. Richards holds a master's degree in Taxation from Old Dominion University, a master's of science degree in Accounting from Strayer University and a bachelor's degree from George Mason University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant and maintains professional affiliation with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants.

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            Robert P. Demchak.     Mr. Demchak will be General Counsel of the Company effective as of the distribution. Previously, Mr. Demchak was Senior Vice President, Capital Markets Group/Legal of SPG since 2014. Prior to that, Mr. Demchak was Vice President, Capital Markets Group of SPG from 2009 through 2013. Mr. Demchak also served as Real Estate Closing Attorney, Fixed Income Group at Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC from 2005 through 2008, Associate, Real Estate Department at Kaye Scholer LLP from 2004 through 2005 and Associate, Real Estate Department at Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP from 2000 through 2004.

            Michael Gaffney.     Mr. Gaffney will be Senior Vice President, Head of Capital Markets of the Company effective as of the distribution. Mr. Gaffney previously served as Senior Vice President, Capital Markets Group of SPG since 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Gaffney was Vice President, the Mills Corporation from 2002 through 2007, Vice President, Compass Bank from 2001 through 2002, served at Freddie Mac from 1993 through 1996, Analyst, Walker & Dunlop from 1989 through 1992 and Management Associate at Sovran Bank from 1987 through 1988.


Board of Directors Following the Separation

            Under Indiana law, the business and affairs of WPG will be managed under the direction of its board of directors. WPG's amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws will provide that the number of directors may be fixed by the board from time to time. We currently expect that, upon the consummation of the separation, our board of directors will consist of seven members, a substantial majority of whom we expect to satisfy the independence standards established by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the applicable rules of the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange.

            The following table sets forth information with respect to those persons who are expected to serve on WPG's board of directors following the completion of the separation. The nominees will be presented to WPG's sole shareholder, SPG, for election prior to the separation.

Name
  Age   Title
Richard S. Sokolov   64   Chairman of the Board
Louis G. Conforti   49   Director
Robert J. Laikin   50   Director
Mark Ordan   54   Director
David Simon   52   Director
Jacquelyn Soffer   48   Director
Marvin L. White   52   Director

            Set forth below is biographical information about the expected directors identified above, as well as a description of the specific skills and qualifications such candidates are expected to provide to WPG's board of directors.

            Richard S. Sokolov.     Mr. Sokolov has been a director of WPG since December 17, 2013. He has been a director of Simon Property Group, Inc. and has served as the Chief Operations Officer of Simon Property Group, Inc. since 1996, immediately after its acquisition of DeBartolo Realty Corporation. Mr. Sokolov had served as chief executive officer and president of DeBartolo Realty Corporation and senior vice president development and general counsel of its predecessor operations for a number of years. Mr. Sokolov serves as a trustee and a member of the Executive Committee of the International Council of Shopping Centers, the leading industry organization for retail real estate companies.

            Louis G. Conforti.     Mr. Conforti is Senior Managing Director of Balyasny Asset Management LP and a Principal of Colony Capital LLC. Previously, Mr. Conforti was Global Head of Real Estate for UBS O'Connor, the alternative investment management division of UBS AG. He also served as Senior Portfolio Manager of O'Connor Colony Property Strategies, a partnership with Colony Capital LLC. In addition, he was Managing Director and Head of Real Estate Investments at Stark Investments; his predecessor real estate hedge fund, The Greenwood Group, was acquired by Stark Investments. Mr. Conforti also served as President and Chief Financial Officer of Prime Group Realty Trust, a publicly traded real estate investment trust. Mr. Conforti has also worked at CIBC World Markets and Alex. Brown & Sons within their real estate investment banking and capital markets divisions.

            Robert J. Laikin.     Mr. Laikin founded BrightPoint, Inc. (then known as Wholesale Cellular USA,  Inc.) in 1989. He served as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of BrightPoint, Inc., which was listed on the NASDAQ exchange in April 1994 until its sale to Ingram Micro Inc. in October 2012. Mr. Laikin is currently an Executive Advisor to the CEO of Ingram Micro Inc., a position he has held since November 2012. From July 1986 to

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December 1987, Mr. Laikin was Vice President, and from January 1988 to February 1993, President, of Century Cellular Network, Inc.

            David Simon.     Mr. Simon has been a director of WPG since December 17, 2013. He has been a director of Simon Property Group, Inc. or its predecessor since 1993, and has served as its Chairman of the Board since 2007 and its Chief Executive Officer since 1995. Prior to that time, he was president of Simon Property Group, Inc.'s predecessor from 1993 to 1996. From 1988 to 1990, Mr. Simon was Vice President of Wasserstein Perella & Company, and from 1985 to 1988, he was an Associate at First Boston Corp. He serves as President of the Supervisory Board of Directors of Klépierre, S.A.

            Jacquelyn Soffer.     Ms. Soffer is a Principal for Turnberry Associates, which she joined in 1989, and where she oversees the company's retail, hospitality and office divisions including its landmark Aventura Mall, South Florida's largest super-regional shopping center and one of the top grossing centers in the United States. Turnberry Associates holds a two-thirds interest in Aventura Mall, with the remaining one-third interest being held by an SPG affiliate. Ms. Soffer's experience includes her instrumental roles in developing Destin Commons, an open-air lifestyle center in northwest Florida that is now undergoing a 190,000 square-foot expansion. In addition, Ms. Soffer helped lead the $150 million transformation of the Turnberry Isle Miami resort. She is a board member of Fontainebleau Miami Beach and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami, Florida. Ms. Soffer graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in Communications.

            Marvin L. White.     Mr. White serves as System Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at St. Vincent Health in Indianapolis. Prior to joining St. Vincent Health in 2008, Mr. White served as Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer at Eli Lilly & Company's Lilly USA, where he was a member of the Operations Committee. Mr. White also held leadership positions at Lilly in corporate finance and investment banking in the Corporate Strategy Group, and was the pharmaceutical company's Executive Director and Assistant Treasurer. Prior to his career in health care, Mr. White was with General Motors in Illinois and Hewlett Packard in Atlanta, undertaking various supervisory and financial assignments. In 1993, he joined Motorola's Cordless Operation as Operations Controller, and in 1995 he was named Senior Operations Controller for the Japan Cellular Division. Mr. White also served as the South Asia Divisional Controller for Motorola's Cellular Sector, and later became the Latin America Divisional Controller for that sector. Mr. White served as the chair of St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital Board of Directors from 2006 to 2008 and currently serves on the boards of Emergent Biosolution, HealthLease Properties REIT, Marian University and the Center for Leadership Development. Additionally, he is a past member of the Arts Council of Indianapolis and the Lynxx Capital Corporation Investment Committee. Mr. White received a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Wilberforce University in 1984 and a master's degree in Business Administration in finance from Indiana University in 1989.

            At the time of the separation, WPG expects that its board of directors will consist of the directors set forth above. Commencing with the first annual meeting of shareholders following the separation, directors will be elected at the annual meeting of shareholders and thereafter will serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders. At any meeting of shareholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present, the election will be determined by a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to vote in the election, with directors not receiving a majority of the votes cast required to tender their resignations for consideration by the board, except that in the case of a contested election, the election will be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to vote in the election.

    Director Compensation

            We have not yet determined the material elements of the compensation of the individuals who will be our directors, if any. We expect that any such arrangements will be determined after the separation and distribution.

    Director Independence

            A majority of WPG's board of directors will at all times be comprised of directors who are "independent" as defined by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange and our Governance Principles. Our board of directors is expected to establish categorical standards to assist it in making its determination of director independence. The Governance and Nominating Committee will annually review all commercial and charitable relationships between the company and the directors and present its findings and recommendations to the board of directors, which will make a final determination regarding the independence of the directors. For relationships not covered by the standards described above, the determination of whether a director would be independent or not shall be made by the directors

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who satisfy those standards. The Board has affirmatively determined that each of the following persons meets these standards and is independent: Louis G. Conforti, Robert J. Laikin, Jacquelyn Soffer and Marvin L. White.


Committees of the Board of Directors

            Effective upon the completion of the separation, WPG's board of directors will have the following three standing committees: a Governance and Nominating Committee, an Audit Committee, and a Compensation Committee.

            Governance and Nominating Committee.                 ,             and            are expected to the members of the board's Governance and Nominating Committee. Each of the members of the Governance and Nominating Committee will be independent, as defined by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, and in accordance with the company's Governance Principles. The Governance and Nominating Committee will be appointed by the board of directors of WPG to (i) develop and recommend a set of corporate governance guidelines or principles, (ii) periodically review compensation policies and practices for independent members of the board, (iii) assist the board of directors in identifying, screening and recommending directors for nomination by the board for election as members of the board, (iv) make recommendations to the board regarding the acceptance of resignations tendered by incumbent directors, (v) retain and terminate any search firm to be used to identify director candidates, and (vi) engage in any other activity permitted by the Governance and Nominating Committee Charter. The Governance and Nominating Committee will consist of no fewer than three members. In addition, this committee will meet at least two times annually, or more frequently as circumstances may dictate.

            Audit Committee.     Mr. White,             and            are expected to the members of the board's Audit Committee. Each of the members of the Audit Committee will be independent, as defined by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and in accordance with the company's Governance Principles. The Audit Committee shall be appointed by the board of directors to (i) monitor the integrity of the financial statements of the company, (ii) determine the independent auditor's qualifications and independence, (iii) review the performance of the company's internal audit function and independent auditors, (iv) oversee the compliance by the company with legal and regulatory requirements, and (v) engage in any other activity permitted by the Audit Committee Charter. The Audit Committee shall consist of no fewer than three members, and at least one member of the Audit Committee must qualify as a "financial expert" as defined by the SEC. In addition, this committee will meet as often as it determines, but not less frequently than quarterly.

            Compensation Committee.                 ,             and            are expected to the members of the board's Compensation Committee. Each of the members of the Compensation Committee will be independent, as defined by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, and in accordance with the company's Governance Principles. The Compensation Committee will be appointed by the board of directors of WPG to (i) periodically review, and make necessary changes to, WPG's compensation philosophy, (ii) review and approve the compensation structure for WPG's executive officers, (iii) make recommendations to the board of directors regarding all equity-based plans and other compensation arrangements which require approval by WPG's shareholders, (iv) approve and authorize WPG to enter into any employment agreements, severance arrangements, change in control agreements or provisions, or other compensation-related agreements, in each case as with officers of WPG, and (v) engage in any other activity permitted by the Compensation Committee Charter. The Compensation Committee shall consist of no fewer than three members. In addition, this committee will meet at least two times annually, or more frequently as circumstances may dictate.


Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

            During the company's fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, WPG was not an independent company, and did not have a Compensation Committee or any other committee serving a similar function. Decisions as to the compensation of those who currently serve as WPG's named executive officers were made by SPG, as described in the section of this information statement captioned "Compensation Discussion and Analysis." Following the distribution, none of our executive officers will serve on the Compensation Committee or board of directors of any other company of which any of the members of our compensation committee or any of our directors is an executive officer.


Corporate Governance

    Shareholder Recommendations for Director Nominees

            WPG's amended and restated bylaws will contain provisions that address the process by which a shareholder may nominate an individual to stand for election to the board of directors. WPG expects that the board of directors

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will adopt a policy concerning the evaluation of shareholder recommendations of board candidates by the Governance and Nominating Committee.

    Governance Principles

            The board of directors is expected to adopt a set of Governance Principles in connection with the separation to assist the board in guiding WPG's governance practices. These practices will be regularly re-evaluated by the Governance and Nominating Committee in light of changing circumstances in order to continue serving WPG's best interests and the best interests of its shareholders.

    Communicating with the Board of Directors

            WPG's Governance Principles will include procedures by which shareholders and other interested parties may communicate with WPG's board of directors, or one or more specific members thereof, by writing a letter to the board, c/o the Secretary. The Secretary will regularly forward to the addressee all letters other than mass mailings, advertisements, and other materials not relevant to WPG's business.

    Director Qualification Standards

            WPG's Governance Principles will provide that the Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for reviewing, with WPG's board of directors, the appropriate skills and characteristics required of board members in the context of the makeup of the board of directors and developing criteria for identifying and evaluating board candidates.

            The process that this committee will use to identify a nominee to serve as a member of the board of directors will depend on the qualities being sought. Board members, who will be expected to use reasonable efforts to attend the annual meeting of shareholders, should have backgrounds that, when combined provide a portfolio of experience and knowledge, will serve WPG's governance and strategic needs. In the process of identifying nominees to serve as a member of the board of directors, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider the board's diversity of ethnicity, gender, and geography and assess the effectiveness of the process in achieving that diversity. The company will strive to have a board of directors representing diverse experiences and backgrounds, as well as areas that are relevant to the company's business activities. The committee will also consider the individual's independence, judgment, integrity, and ability to commit sufficient time and attention to the activities of the board, as well as the absence of any potential conflicts with WPG's interests. Candidates should demonstrate experience and ability that is relevant to the board of directors' oversight role with respect to WPG's business and affairs. Candidates should also have a strong understanding of WPG's business and the competitive environment in which the Company operates, and also be committed to enhancing shareholder value on a long-term basis.

            In addition, the board has determined that the board as a whole should strive to have the right mix of characteristics and skills necessary to effectively perform its oversight responsibilities. The board believes that directors with one or more of the following skills, among others, can assist in meeting this goal: leadership of large and complex organizations, accounting and finance, e-commerce related internet based businesses, capital markets, retail marketing, strategic planning, relevant industries, real estate acquisitions, development and operations, banking, legal and corporate governance, government and governmental relationships, and international business.

            The Governance and Nominating Committee will consider the criteria described above in the context of an assessment of the perceived needs of the board of directors as a whole and seek to achieve diversity of occupational and personal backgrounds on the board. The board will be responsible for selecting candidates for election as directors based on the recommendation of the Governance and Nominating Committee.

    Board Leadership Structure

            The board believes that it is in the best interests of the company and its shareholders for the board to determine which director is best qualified to serve as chairman. Accordingly, the board will not have a policy as to whether the chairman should be independent or an individual who is not also a member of management. Instead, the board will select the chairman in the manner that it determines to be in the best interests of the company's shareholders, and the Governance and Nominating Committee will evaluate and make recommendations to the board concerning the board's leadership structure.

            When the chairman is not an independent director, the independent directors will also elect, annually, a lead independent director. The independent directors will reconsider the selection of the lead independent director from

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time-to-time and may, on the recommendation of the Governance and Nominating Committee, elect a different independent director to serve as lead independent director.

    Lead Independent Director

            The lead independent director will facilitate communication with the board of directors and will preside over regularly conducted executive sessions of the independent directors or sessions where the chairman of the board is not present. It will be the role of the lead independent director to review and approve matters, such as agenda items, schedule sufficiency, and, where appropriate, information provided to other board members. The lead independent director will be chosen by and from the independent members of the board of directors, and will serve as the liaison between the independent directors and the senior management team; however, all directors will be encouraged to consult with the chairman on each of the above topics as well.

                        is expected to be named WPG's lead independent director. The lead independent director, and each of the other directors, will be expected to communicate regularly with the chairman and chief executive officer regarding appropriate agenda topics and other board related matters. The lead independent director will preside at all meetings of the board of directors at which the chairman is not present, has the authority to call meetings of the independent directors and, if requested by major shareholders and subject to applicable legal restrictions, must ensure that he or she is available for consultation and direct communication.

    Board's Role in Oversight of Risk Management

            While risk management will primarily be the responsibility of management, our board of directors will nevertheless provide overall risk oversight with a focus on the most significant risks that the company faces. We intend to implement a company-wide enterprise risk management process to identify and assess the major risks we face and develop strategies for controlling, mitigating and monitoring risk. As part of this process, we will gather information throughout WPG to identify and prioritize these major risks. The identified risks and risk mitigation strategies will be validated with management and discussed with the Audit Committee on an ongoing basis.

            It will be the responsibility of the Audit Committee to review our risk management programs and report on these items to the full board of directors. The Audit Committee will periodically discuss our identified financial and operational risks with our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and receive regular reports from other members of senior management with regard to our identified risks.

            The Compensation Committee will be responsible for overseeing any risks relating to our compensation policies and practices. Specifically, the Compensation Committee will oversee the design of incentive compensation arrangements of our executive officers to implement our pay-for-performance philosophy without encouraging or rewarding excessive risk taking by our executive officers.

            Our management will regularly conduct additional reviews of risks, as needed, or as requested by the board of directors or the Audit Committee.

    Policies on Business Ethics

            In connection with the separation, WPG will adopt a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "code of conduct") that requires all its business activities to be conducted in compliance with laws, regulations, and ethical principles and values. All directors, officers, and employees of WPG will be required to read, understand, and abide by the requirements of the code of conduct.

            The code of conduct will be accessible on WPG's website on the investor relations page. Any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of the code of conduct may be granted only by an employee's immediate supervisor and only after advance notice to, and consultation with, the general counsel, or in those instances required by the code of conduct, the chief executive officer. Waivers involving any of the company's executive officers or directors may be made only by the Audit Committee of WPG's board of directors, and all waivers granted to executive officers and directors will be disclosed to WPG's shareholders. The general counsel of WPG, who will be responsible for oversees, administering, and monitoring the code of conduct, will report to the chief executive officer with respect to all matters relating to the code of conduct.

    Procedures for Treatment of Complaints Regarding Accounting, Internal Accounting Controls, and Auditing Matters

            In accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, WPG expects that its Audit Committee will adopt procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, and auditing matters and to allow for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees and others of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

            This section presents information concerning compensation arrangements for the persons who we expect will be our named executive officers as of the separation, to the extent that they have been identified. Mr. Ordan and Mr. Richards will become named executive officers of WPG in connection with the separation, but were not, prior to the separation, employees of SPG. Accordingly, no historical compensation information is presented with respect to Mr. Ordan or Mr. Richards. Mr. Demchak, Mr. Minton and Mr. Gaffney were, prior to the separation, employees of SPG and will become named executive officers of WPG in connection with the separation, but were not, prior to the separation, executive officers, or persons who performed policy making functions equivalent to those of an executive officer, of SPG or WPG. Accordingly, no historical compensation information is presented with respect to Mr. Demchak, Mr. Minton or Mr. Gaffney. With respect to the compensation of Messrs. Ordan, Richards, Gaffney, Minton and Demchak following the separation, we have presented information below under "WPG Compensation Programs Following the Separation." Included in that information is a description of Mr. Ordan's employment agreement with WPG, which will become effective upon the separation, under "—Employment Agreement."

            As noted above, WPG is currently part of SPG and not an independent company and the Compensation Committee has not yet been formed. This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes certain aspects of SPG's compensation philosophy for its named executive officers in 2013 and describes the future compensation philosophy and compensation arrangements that WPG expects to have in place following the separation. SPG's compensation philosophy may be relevant to WPG because it is anticipated that the elements of WPG's compensation program for its named executive officers will be similar to the elements of SPG's compensation program for its named executive officers. However, once the Compensation Committee is formed, compensation decisions for WPG's named executive officers following the separation will be made by the Compensation Committee, and it will review the impact of the separation and all aspects of compensation and make appropriate adjustments, if any.

            The individuals listed below are expected to serve as named executive officers of WPG following completion of the separation, with the titles shown below; however, such determination is subject to approval by our board of directors. We are in the process of identifying the remaining individual who will serve as a named executive officer following the separation. That remaining named executive officer is expected to be appointed prior to the separation and, if so, we will include information concerning him or her in an amendment to this information statement. The individuals listed below, along with the other individual who will be appointed our named executive officer, are collectively referred to as "our NEOs."

    Mark Ordan—Chief Executive Officer

    C. Marc Richards—Chief Financial Officer

    Myles Minton—Chief Operating Officer

    Robert P. Demchak—Secretary/General Counsel

    Michael Gaffney—Senior Vice President and Head of Capital Markets

            Additional information about our expected named executive officers following the separation is set forth in "Management—Executive Officers Following the Separation."

Principal Elements of SPG Compensation

            Although SPG does not target a specific mix of pay, the majority of compensation is delivered to SPG's named executive officers in the form of variable pay (annual and long-term incentives).

            Base Salary.     Base salary provides an appropriate level of fixed compensation that promotes executive recruitment and retention.

            Annual Cash Incentive Compensation.     Annual cash incentive compensation is paid subject to achievement of annual financial and operating goals and on an assessment of the executives' contributions to that performance.

            Performance-Based Long-Term Incentive Programs.     The Simon Property Group, L.P. Amended and Restated 1998 Incentive Stock Program (the "1998 SPG Stock Plan") authorizes a variety of awards, including stock options, restricted stock and LTIP units, which represent interests in SPG's operating partnership and are subject to performance conditions and/or time-based vesting requirements as described below.

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            Generally, LTIP units require achievement of objective performance measures over three years and vest annually in two annual installments, subject to continued employment. LTIP units can be earned, in whole or in part, if SPG's total shareholder return ("TSR") (representing the difference between a baseline value and valuation date based on price appreciation of SPG common stock plus cumulative dividends paid on SPG common stock without reinvestment or compounding), exceeds the relative and absolute performance targets set by the SPG Compensation Committee for the relevant performance period.

            The number of performance-based LTIP units earned is determined by the SPG Compensation Committee at the end of the performance period using payout matrices (with linear interpolation between the specified payout percentages).

            The LTIP units are designed to qualify as "profits interests" in the SPG operating partnership for federal income tax purposes. During the performance period, holders of LTIP units are allocated taxable profits and losses equal to one-tenth of the amounts allocated to a unit in the SPG operating partnership and receive distributions equal to one-tenth of the amount of regular quarterly distributions paid on a unit in the SPG operating partnership, but do not receive any special distributions. As a general matter, the profits interest characteristics of the LTIP units mean that initially they are not economically equivalent in value at the time of award to the economic value of a unit in the SPG operating partnership. The value of the LTIP units can increase over time until the value of the LTIP units is equivalent to the value of the SPG operating partnership units on a one-for-one basis.

            After the end of the performance period, holders of earned LTIP units, both vested and unvested, are entitled to receive distributions in an amount per LTIP unit equal to the distributions, both regular and special, payable on a unit in the SPG operating partnership. Vested LTIP units may be converted into SPG operating partnership units on a one-for-one basis. SPG operating partnership units are exchangeable for shares of the SPG's common stock on a one-for-one basis or cash, as selected by SPG.

            Retirement and Health and Welfare Benefits.     SPG has never had a traditional or defined benefit pension plan. SPG maintains a 401(k) retirement plan in which all salaried employees can participate on the same terms. During 2013, SPG's basic contribution to the 401(k) retirement plan was equal to 1.0% of the participant's base salary and annual cash bonus and vests 20% after the completion of two years and an additional 20% after each additional year of service until fully vested after six years. SPG matches 100% of the first 3% of the participant's contribution and 50% of the next 2% of the participant's contribution. SPG's matching contributions are vested when made. SPG's basic and matching contributions are subject to applicable IRS limits and regulations. Named executive officers also participate in health and welfare benefit plans on the same terms as other salaried employees.

            Deferred Compensation Plan.     SPG maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that permits senior executives, key employees and directors to defer all or part of their compensation, including awards under the 1998 SPG Stock Plan. There is an account for the executives and employees and a separate account for the non-employee directors. Although SPG has the discretion to contribute a matching amount or make additional incentive contributions, SPG has never done either. A participant's deferrals are fully vested, except for restricted stock awards that still have vesting requirements. Upon death or disability of the participant or our insolvency or a change in control affecting SPG, a participant becomes 100% vested in his account.

Deductibility of Executive Compensation at SPG

            Substantially all of the services rendered by SPG's named executive officers were performed on behalf of the SPG operating partnership. The Internal Revenue Service has issued a series of private letter rulings which indicate that compensation paid by an operating partnership to named executive officers of a REIT that serves as its general partner is not subject to limitation under Section 162(m) of the Code to the extent such compensation is attributable to services rendered to the operating partnership. Although SPG has not obtained a ruling on this issue, SPG believes the positions taken in the rulings would apply to its operating partnership as well. If SPG later determines that compensation paid by WPG L.P. to SPG's named executive officers is subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, then this could result in an increase to SPG's income subject to federal income tax and could require SPG to increase distributions to its stockholders in order for SPG to maintain its qualification as a REIT.


Treatment of SPG Equity-Based Incentive Awards Upon the Separation.

            Unvested SPG restricted stock awards held by SPG employees who will become WPG employees will become vested immediately prior to the separation and distribution. We do not expect any WPG employees to have unearned or unvested equity-based awards covering shares of SPG after the separation and distribution.

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WPG Compensation Programs Following the Separation

            In connection with the separation, we expect to adopt benefit plans and executive compensation plans and policies. We anticipate that, immediately after the separation, WPG's compensation philosophy and executive compensation plans and policies will be similar to SPG's, and will be comprised of base salaries, an annual performance-based bonus program, and long-term incentive awards. Following the separation, the Compensation Committee will consider and further develop WPG's compensation policies, practices and procedures, consistent with WPG's business needs and goals.

            WPG's compensation plans and policies are currently being determined and many have not been finalized. Information regarding WPG's compensation programs that have not been finalized will be included in subsequent amendments to this information statement if and as they are finalized prior to the separation.

            Substantially all of the services rendered by WPG's named executive officers are expected to be performed on behalf of WPG L.P. Accordingly, consistent with the discussion in "—Deductibility of Executive Compensation at SPG" above, we anticipate that the positions taken in the Internal Revenue Service private letter rulings, which indicate that compensation paid by an operating partnership to named executive officers of a REIT that services as its general partner is not subject to limitation under Section 162(m) of the Code to the extent such compensation is attributable to services rendered to the operating partnership, would apply to us. If we later determine that compensation paid by WPG L.P. to our named executive officers is subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, then this could result in an increase to our income subject to federal income tax and could require us to increase distributions to our stockholders to maintain our qualification as a REIT.

            The following summarizes the principal components of our compensation plans and policies that have been determined, and that we expect to apply to our NEOs.

Equity Plan

            It is expected that, prior to the completion of the separation, we will adopt the Washington Prime Group, L.P. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan with terms substantially as set forth below under "—Washington Prime Group, L.P. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan."

Employment Agreement

Employment Agreement with Mark Ordan

            On February 25, 2014, we entered into an employment agreement with Mark Ordan, which will become effective as of, and contingent upon, the consummation of the separation prior to the earliest of a determination by our board of directors that the separation will not occur, a withdrawal of this information statement and June 30, 2014 (the "Agreement Effective Date").

            The employment agreement provides that Mr. Ordan will serve as our Chief Executive Officer and will be appointed as a member of our board of directors. The term of the employment agreement is three years following its effective date, which term shall renew automatically for additional one-year renewal terms unless terminated by either party on no less than 120 days' written notice. The employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of $750,000 and a target annual bonus of 200% of annual base salary, with the actual annual bonus ranging from 0% to 300% of annual base salary, determined based upon achievement of applicable performance goals. For the fiscal year that includes the effective date of the employment agreement, Mr. Ordan's annual bonus will be pro-rated based on the number of days from March 15, 2014 to December 31, 2014. In addition to welfare benefits provided to our employees generally, Mr. Ordan is entitled, at our expense, to executive medical and dental coverage, providing supplemental first-dollar coverage for Mr. Ordan and his eligible dependents for items not covered by our general welfare plan. Mr. Ordan is entitled to first class travel and accommodations when traveling for WPG business.

            The employment agreement provides that Mr. Ordan will receive an annual grant of LTIP units under the Washington Prime Group, L.P. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2014 Stock Incentive Plan") with respect to each fiscal year during the term of the employment agreement, to be made no later than promptly following the completion of our audited financial statements for such fiscal year and on terms no less favorable than the annual LTIP unit awards made to our other senior executives (the "Annual LTIP Units"). The number of Annual LTIP Units granted in respect of a fiscal year will be determined by dividing a cash amount determined based on our achievement of total shareholder return ("TSR") goals with respect to such fiscal year by the average closing price of our common stock for

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the final 15 trading days of such fiscal year, with Annual LTIP Units awarded in respect of fiscal year 2014 pro-rated based on the number of days from March 15, 2014 to December 31, 2014. Annual LTIP Units vest at a rate of one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of the first day of the fiscal year following the fiscal year in respect of which such Annual LTIP Units were granted, subject to Mr. Ordan's continued employment on each such vesting date.

            The employment agreement provides that Mr. Ordan is entitled to a one-time grant of LTIP units under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, to be made immediately following the 20 consecutive trading days commencing on the Agreement Effective Date (the "Inducement LTIP Units"). The number of Inducement LTIP Units granted will equal $3,000,000 divided by the average closing price of our common stock for the 20 consecutive trading days commencing on the Agreement Effective Date. Inducement LTIP Units vest 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the Agreement Effective Date, subject to Mr. Ordan's continued employment on each such vesting date (other than as noted below in connection with certain terminations of employment). In the event that Mr. Ordan's employment terminates as a result of us giving notice of non-renewal at the end of the initial three-year term of the employment agreement, the remaining unvested Inducement LTIP Units will vest on the fourth anniversary of the effective date of the employment agreement.

            The employment agreement entitles Mr. Ordan to a recurring grant of LTIP units (the "Performance LTIP Units") in respect of each of the following performance periods: from the Agreement Effective Date to (i) December 31, 2015, (ii) December 31, 2016, and (iii) December 31, 2017, in each case, subject to Mr. Ordan's continued employment through each applicable grant date other than as noted below in connection with certain terminations of employment. The Performance LTIP Units are granted promptly (and in any event within 15 days) of the end of each applicable performance period. The number of Performance LTIP Units granted with respect to each performance period will be determined by dividing a cash amount determined based on our achievement of TSR goals with respect to each performance period by the average closing price of our common stock for the 20 consecutive trading days commencing on the Agreement Effective Date. Other than as noted below in connection with certain terminations of employment, Performance LTIP Units vest on the third anniversary of the Agreement Effective Date, subject to Mr. Ordan's continued employment through such date (such that Performance LTIP Units with respect to the final performance period are fully vested on the grant date).

            Upon a "change in control" of WPG (as defined the employment agreement), performance in respect of the Annual LTIP Units and the Performance LTIP Units, for any performance periods in effect as of the change in control, will be based on actual performance measured as of the change in control, and the awards will otherwise remain outstanding.

            In addition to any equity grant specifically provided for in the employment agreement, Mr. Ordan is also eligible to participate in other long-term cash and equity incentive arrangements applicable generally to other senior executives of WPG, with the amount and terms of such awards (if any) to be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, provided that Mr. Ordan is treated no less favorably than our other senior executives.

            In the event of a termination of Mr. Ordan's employment by us without "cause" or by Mr. Ordan for "good reason" (each as defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Ordan is entitled, in addition to any accrued obligations, to: (i) an amount equal to two times the sum of (a) Mr. Ordan's annual base salary and (b) his target annual bonus (the "Severance Payment"), (ii) the ability to purchase, on an after-tax basis, group health benefits otherwise offered to active employees of the company until Mr. Ordan attains (or, in the case of his death, would have attained) age 65 (to the extent permitted by our group health insurance carrier and as would not cause us to incur tax or other penalties) (the "Health Care Benefit"), (iii) full vesting of any outstanding Inducement LTIP Units, Annual LTIP Units and Performance LTIP Units, and waiver of any service-based vesting condition on any other outstanding equity-based or long-term performance awards (the "Full Vesting"), and (iv) Annual LTIP Unit and Performance LTIP Unit grants for any current performance period or completed performance periods (to the extent such grants were not previously made), based on actual performance through the date of termination (or the end of the applicable performance period, if earlier), which are fully vested at grant (the "Grant Benefit"). Mr. Ordan's receipt of the severance payments and benefits described above is contingent on his timely execution and non-revocation of a release of claims in favor of WPG and its affiliates.

            In the event of a termination of Mr. Ordan's employment due to Mr. Ordan's death, his legal representatives are entitled, in addition to any accrued obligations, to the Health Care Benefit, the Full Vesting and the Grant Benefit. In the event of a termination of Mr. Ordan's employment due to Mr. Ordan's disability (as defined in the employment

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agreement), Mr. Ordan is entitled to the Health Care Benefit and, contingent on Mr. Ordan timely executing and not revoking a release of claims in favor of WPG and its affiliates, the Full Vesting and the Grant Benefit.

            If Mr. Ordan's employment is terminated other than for cause or as a result of Mr. Ordan's death or disability, or by Mr. Ordan for good reason, in each case (i) before a change in control but after a definitive agreement is executed, the consummation of which would result in a change in control, and such termination arose in connection with or anticipation of such change in control or (ii) upon or within two years after a change in control, then, in lieu of any other severance benefits, Mr. Ordan is entitled, in addition to any accrued obligations, to: (i) an amount equal to two times the sum of Mr. Ordan's annual base salary and target bonus for the fiscal year of termination of employment or the year of the change in control (whichever is greater), (ii) the Health Care Benefit, (iii) the Full Vesting, and (iv) the Grant Benefit.

            Under his employment agreement, Mr. Ordan is subject to certain restrictive covenants, including perpetual confidentiality and non-disparagement covenants and one-year post-employment non-competition, non-solicitation of employees, customers, suppliers, licensees or other business relations of WPG, and non-hire covenants. Prior to the company's adoption of a clawback policy pursuant to the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Customer Protection Act of 2010 which applies to Mr. Ordan, Mr. Ordan's bonus and other equity or non-equity compensation is subject to recoupment during the employment period and for three years thereafter (unless a longer period is required by law) to the extent that there is a restatement of our consolidated financial statements, and if the payment, grant or vesting of such compensation is tied to the achievement of one or more specific performance targets such that the compensation would not have been paid, granted or vested in light of such restatement.

            In the event that payments or benefits owed to Mr. Ordan constitute "parachute payments" (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, such payments or benefits will be reduced to an amount that does not result in the imposition of such excise tax, but only if such reduction results in Mr. Ordan receiving a higher net-after-tax amount than he would have absent such reduction.

Washington Prime Group, L.P. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan

            It is expected that, prior to the completion of the separation, we will adopt the Washington Prime Group, L.P. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2014 Stock Incentive Plan") with terms substantially as set forth below.

Purpose.

            The primary purpose of the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan will be to attract and retain the best available officers, employees, directors and consultants for positions of substantial responsibilities with us and our affiliates and to provide an additional incentive to such officers, employees, directors, and consultants to exert their maximum efforts to maintain and enhance our, and WPG L.P.'s, performance and profitability. All of our officers, employees, and consultants and those of our affiliates, and all directors will be eligible to be granted awards under and participate in the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan. Prospective officers, employees directors and consultants who have accepted offers of employment or consultancy are also eligible to participate.

Administration.

            The 2014 Stock Incentive Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee, which consists entirely of two or more "outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code") and who are "non-employee directors" as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

            Under the terms of the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee can make rules and regulations and establish such procedures for the administration of the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan as it deems appropriate. Any determination made by the Compensation Committee under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan will be made in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee and such determinations will be final and binding on all persons.

Awards.

            Awards granted under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan may be in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units, LTIP units (which will be units in

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WPG L.P.), other stock-based awards or any combination of those awards. The 2014 Stock Incentive Plan provides that awards may be made under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan for ten years.

Shares Available.

            The 2014 Stock Incentive Plan provides that the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be subject to awards under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan cannot exceed 10,000,000 subject to adjustment in certain circumstances to prevent dilution or enlargement. No participant may be granted, in each case during any calendar year, (i) awards (other than stock options and SARs) covering in excess of 500,000 shares, less the number of shares covered by stock options and SARs granted to such participant in such calendar year or (ii) stock options and SARs covering in excess of 500,000 shares, less the number of shares covered by awards other than stock options or SARs granted to such participant in such calendar year. The maximum number of shares that may be granted pursuant to incentive stock options is 3,000,000.

            Shares underlying awards granted under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan that expire or are forfeited or terminated without being exercised or awards that are settled for cash, as well as any shares withheld by or delivered to us to satisfy the exercise price of stock options or tax withholding obligations with respect to any award granted under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, will again be available for the grant of additional awards within the limits provided by the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan. Shares withheld by or delivered to us to satisfy the exercise price of stock options or tax withholding obligations with respect to any award granted under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan will nonetheless be deemed to have been issued under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan.

Stock Options.

            Subject to the terms and provisions of the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, stock options to purchase shares of our common stock may be granted to eligible individuals at any time and from time to time as determined by the Compensation Committee. Stock options may be granted as incentive stock options, which are intended to qualify for favorable treatment to the recipient under Federal tax law, or as non-qualified stock options, which do not qualify for this favorable tax treatment. Subject to the limits provided in the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee determines the number of stock options granted to each recipient. Each stock option grant will be evidenced by a stock option agreement that specifies the stock option exercise price, whether the stock options are intended to be incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options, the duration of the options, the number of shares to which the stock options pertain and such additional limitations, terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may determine.

            The Compensation Committee determines the exercise price for each stock option granted, except that the stock option exercise price may not be less than 100 percent of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant. All stock options granted under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan will expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. The method of exercising a stock option granted under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan is set forth in the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, and the effect on the vesting and exercisability of incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options following certain terminations of employment will be set forth in the applicable award agreement or other document approved by the Compensation Committee. Stock options are nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or, in the case of non-qualified stock options, as otherwise expressly permitted by the Compensation Committee. The granting of a stock option does not accord the recipient the rights of a shareholder, and such rights accrue only after the exercise of a stock option and the registration of shares of our common stock in the recipient's name.

Stock Appreciation Rights.

            The Compensation Committee in its discretion may grant SARs under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan. SARs may be "tandem SARs," which are granted in conjunction with a stock option, or "free-standing SARs," which are not granted in conjunction with a stock option. A SAR entitles the holder to receive from us upon exercise an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the aggregate fair market value of a specified number of shares of our common stock to which such SAR pertains over the aggregate exercise price for the underlying shares. The exercise price of a Free-Standing SAR shall not be less than 100 percent of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant.

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            A tandem SAR may be granted at the grant date of the related stock option. A tandem SAR will be exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that the related stock option is exercisable and will have the same exercise price as the related stock option. A tandem SAR will terminate or be forfeited upon the exercise or forfeiture of the related stock option, and the related stock option will terminate or be forfeited upon the exercise or forfeiture of the tandem SAR.

            Each SAR will be evidenced by an award agreement that specifies the base price, the number of shares to which the SAR pertains and such additional limitations, terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may determine. Payment of the amount to which the participant exercising SARs is entitled may be made by delivering shares of our common stock, cash or a combination of stock and cash as set forth in the award agreement relating to the SARs. The method of exercising a SAR granted under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan is set forth in the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, and the effect on vesting and exercisability of SARs following certain terminations of employment will be set forth in the applicable award agreement or other document approved by the Compensation Committee. SARs are not transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, with respect to SARs that are not granted in "tandem" with a stock option, as expressly permitted by the Compensation Committee. Each SAR will be evidenced by an award agreement that specifies the date and terms of the award and such additional limitations, terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may determine.

Restricted Stock.

            The 2014 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the award of shares of our common stock that are subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transferability as set forth in the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan and as may be otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee. Except for these restrictions and any others imposed by the Compensation Committee, upon the grant of restricted stock, the recipient will have rights of a stockholder with respect to the restricted stock, including the right to vote the restricted stock and to receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect to the restricted stock on such terms as will be set forth in the applicable award agreement or other document approved by the Compensation Committee. During the restriction period set by the Compensation Committee, the recipient may not sell, transfer, pledge, exchange or otherwise encumber the restricted stock. The vesting of restricted stock, including the vesting following certain terminations of employment, will be set forth in the applicable award agreement or other document approved by the Compensation Committee.

Restricted Stock Units.

            The 2014 Stock Incentive Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee to grant restricted stock units and deferred share rights. Restricted stock units and deferred share rights are not shares of our common stock and do not entitle the recipients to the rights of a shareholder. The restricted stock unit will either (i) be adjusted to reflect dividend and distributions that are paid on actual shares or (ii) provide for dividend equivalents without regard to the vested status of the underlying restricted stock unit. Restricted stock units granted under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan may or may not be subject to performance conditions. The recipient may not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber restricted stock units granted under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan prior to their vesting. Restricted stock units will be settled in cash or shares of our common stock, in an amount based on the fair market value of our common stock on the settlement date. The vesting of restricted stock units following certain terminations of employment will be set forth in the applicable award agreement or other document approved by the Compensation Committee.

LTIP Units.

            The 2014 Stock Incentive Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee to grant LTIP units awards which are grants of units in WPG L.P. LTIP unit awards may be subject to performance- based conditions, continuing service requirements, and/or other conditions. After an LTIP unit award becomes fully earned and vested, the LTIP units may, subject to certain conditions, be converted into units of WPG L.P., and thereafter may be exchanged for shares of our common equity on a one-for-one basis, an equivalent amount of cash, or a combination thereof. The goals for any performance measures to which an award may be subject, and all of the terms and conditions of an award, will be determined by the Compensation Committee.

            The granting of an LTIP Unit award does not accord the recipient of the rights of a holder of units of WPG L.P. until the LTIP units are converted into units of WPG L.P. In addition, a participants rights to distributions in respect of LTIP units, if any, will be determined in accordance with the partnership agreement of our operating partnership and

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the applicable certificate of designation for such series of LTIP Unit. Each LTIP Unit award will be evidenced by an Award Agreement or other document approved by the Compensation Committee that specifies the date and the terms of the award, and such additional limitations, terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may determine.

Performance Units.

            The 2014 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the award of performance units that are valued by reference to a designated amount of cash or other property other than shares of our common stock. The payment of the value of a performance unit is conditioned upon the achievement of performance goals set by the Compensation Committee in granting the performance unit and may be paid in cash, shares of our common stock, other property or a combination thereof. The maximum value of the property that may be paid to a participant pursuant to a performance unit which was originally granted in any calendar year is $5,000,000. Each Performance Unit award will be evidenced by an Award Agreement or other document approved by the Compensation Committee that specifies the date and terms of the award, and such additional limitations, terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may determine.

Other Stock-Based Awards.

            The 2014 Stock Incentive Plan also provides for the award of shares of our common stock and other awards that are valued by reference to our common stock, including unrestricted stock, dividend equivalents and convertible debentures.

Performance Goals.

            The 2014 Stock Incentive Plan provides that performance goals may be established by the Compensation Committee in connection with the grant of any award under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan. In the case of an award intended to qualify for the performance-based compensation exception of Section 162(m) of the Code (and to the extent that we determine that Section 162(m) of the Code applies to us):

    such goals will be based on the attainment of specified levels of one or more of the following measures: earnings per share; return on equity; return on assets; market value per share; funds from operations; return to stockholders (including dividends); revenues; cash flow; cost reduction goals; implementation or completion of critical activities, including achieving goals set for development, leasing and marketing activities, return on capital deployed; debt, credit or other leverage measures or ratios; improvement in cash flow; and net operating income; in each case with respect to the Partnership, an affiliate or any one or more subsidiaries, divisions, business units or business segments thereof, either in absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more other companies (including an index covering multiple companies); and

    such performance goals will be set by the Compensation Committee within the time period and other requirements prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder (to the extent that we determine that Section 162(m) of the Code applies to us).

Change in Control.

            Unless provided otherwise in the applicable award agreement:

    in the event of a "change in control" of the Company (as defined in the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan), if equivalent replacement awards are substituted for awards granted and outstanding under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan at the time of such change in control, such replacement awards will vest and be deemed earned in full (with respect to performance goals, unless otherwise agreed in connection with the change in control, at the greater of the applicable target level and the level of achievement through the latest practicable date reasonably determinable) upon a termination of employment by the Company other than for cause within twenty-four months after such change in control ( i.e. , the awards "double-trigger" vest); and

    upon the termination of employment by the Company of a participant during the twenty-four-month period following a change in control for any reason other than for cause, any stock option or SAR held by the participant as of the date of the change in control that remains outstanding as of the date of such termination of employment may thereafter be exercised until the expiration of the term of the stock option or SAR.

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            An award qualifies as a "replacement award" under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan if the following conditions are met in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee: (i) it is of the same type as the award being replaced (the "replaced award"); (ii) it has a value equal to the value of the replaced award as of the date of the change in control; (iii) if the underlying replaced award was an equity-based award, it relates to publicly traded equity securities of the Company or the entity surviving the Company following the change in control; (iv) it contains terms relating to vesting (including with respect to a termination of employment) that are substantially identical to those of the replaced award; and (v) its other terms and conditions are not less favorable to the participant than the terms and conditions of the replaced award (including the provisions that would apply in the event of a subsequent change in control) as of the date of the change in control.

            If equivalent replacement awards are not substituted for awards granted and outstanding under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan at the time of such change in control, upon the occurrence of a change in control, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, (i) all then-outstanding awards (other than performance-based awards) will vest in full, be free of restrictions, and be deemed to be earned and payable in full, and (ii) any performance-based award will be deemed earned in full based on performance goal achievement at the greater of the applicable target level and the level of achievement as determined by the Compensation Committee not later than the date of the change in control based on actual performance.

Amendment.

            We may amend, alter, or discontinue the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, but no amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be made which would materially impair the rights of the participant with respect to a previously granted award without such participant's consent, except such an amendment made to comply with applicable law, including without limitation Section 409A of the Code, stock exchange rules or accounting rules. In addition, no such amendment shall be made without the approval of the Company's shareholders to the extent such approval is required by applicable law or the listing standards of the applicable stock exchange.

Plan Benefits.

            It cannot be determined at this time what benefits or amounts, if any, will be received by or allocated to any person or group of persons under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan. Future awards under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan are entirely within the discretion of the Compensation Committee, and cannot be determined.

Summary of Federal Income Tax Consequences of Awards.

            The following discussion is a brief summary of the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences of the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan under the provisions of the Code, as currently in effect. The Code and regulations are subject to change. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not describe, among other things, state, local, or foreign income and other tax consequences. The specific tax consequences to a participant will depend upon a participant's individual circumstances.

            Nonqualified Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.     A participant will not recognize any income at the time a nonqualified stock option or stock appreciation right is granted, nor will we be entitled to a deduction at that time. When a nonqualified stock option is exercised, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the ordinary shares received as of the date of exercise over the exercise price. When a stock appreciation right is exercised, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the cash received or, if the stock appreciation right is paid in ordinary shares, the fair market value of the ordinary shares received as of the date of exercise. Payroll taxes are required to be withheld from the participant on the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant. We generally will be entitled to a tax deduction with respect to a nonqualified stock option or stock appreciation right at the same time and in the same amount as the participant recognizes income. The participant's subsequent sale of the ordinary shares generally will give rise to capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the sale price and the sum of the exercise price the participant paid for the shares plus the ordinary income the participant recognized with respect to the shares, and these capital gains will be taxable as long-term capital gains if the participant held the shares for more than one year following exercise.

            Incentive Stock Options.     A participant will not recognize any income at the time an incentive stock option, within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, is granted. Nor will a participant recognize any income at the time an incentive stock option is exercised. However, the excess of the fair market value of the ordinary shares on the date of

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exercise over the exercise price paid will be a preference item that could create liability under the alternative minimum tax. If a participant disposes of ordinary shares acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option after the later of two years after the date of grant of the incentive stock option or one year after the date of exercise of the incentive stock option (the "holding period"), the gain, if any, will be long-term capital gain, eligible for favorable tax rates. If the participant disposes of such ordinary shares before the end of the holding period, the participant generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of the disposition equal to the excess of the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the ordinary shares on the date of exercise or (ii) the amount received for the ordinary shares, over the exercise price paid. The balance of the gain or loss, if any, will be short or long-term capital gain or loss, depending on how long the ordinary shares were held by the participant prior to disposition. We are not entitled to a deduction as a result of the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option unless a participant recognizes ordinary income as a result of a disposition, in which case we will be entitled to a deduction at the same time and in the same amount as the participant recognizes ordinary income.

            Restricted Stock.     A participant who receives a restricted stock award generally will not realize taxable income at the time of the grant, and we will not be entitled to a tax deduction at the time of the grant. When the restrictions lapse, the participant will recognize income, taxable at ordinary income tax rates, in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares at such time over the amount, if any, paid for such shares. We would then be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction. Any dividends paid to the participant during the restriction period will be compensation income to the participant and deductible as such by us. The holder of a restricted stock may elect to be taxed at the time of the award on the fair market value of the shares, in which case (1) we will be entitled to a deduction at the same time and in the same amount, (2) dividends paid to the participant during the restriction period will be taxable as dividends to him or her and not deductible by us and (3) there will be no further federal income tax consequences when the restrictions lapse.

            Restricted Stock Units.     A participant who receives a restricted stock unit award generally will not recognize taxable income at the time of grant, and we will not be entitled to a tax deduction at the time of grant. Upon settlement of the award on or after vesting, the participant will recognize income, taxable at ordinary income tax rates, in an amount equal to the value of the cash or the fair market value of the shares on the settlement date. We would then be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction.

            LTIP Units.     If a participant receives LTIP units that are subject to forfeiture, in whole or in part, if performance conditions or other vesting requirements are not met, and if the participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, the participant will not recognize income until the LTIP units have been converted into units of WPG L.P. and are exchanged for shares of our common shares or cash. A substantial portion of the participant's income at the time of exchange will be taxed at capital gains rates, and we will not be entitled to a tax deduction when the award is made or when the LTIP units are exchanged for shares of our common shares or cash.

            Performance Units.     A participant will not recognize taxable income at the time of grant of performance units, and we will not be entitled to a tax deduction at such time. A participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding in respect of an employee) at the time of settlement of the award equal to the fair market value of any shares or property delivered and the amount of cash paid by us, and we will be entitled to a corresponding deduction.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

Related Person Transactions

            On an annual basis, each director and executive officer will be obligated to complete a director and officer questionnaire which requires disclosure of any transactions with us in which the director or officer, or any member of his or her immediate family, has an interest. The Audit Committee must review and approve or ratify all related person transactions in which any executive officer, director, director nominee or more than 5% shareholder of the company, or any of their immediate family members, has a direct or indirect material interest. Pursuant to the Charter of the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee may not approve a related person transaction unless (i) it is consistent with our best interests and (ii) where applicable, the terms of such transaction are at least as favorable to us as could be obtained from an unrelated third party.

            This process will be included in the Audit Committee's written charter, which will be available on the corporate governance section of WPG's investor relations website: investors.washingtonprime.com. This website will be operational as of            , 2014.


Agreements with SPG

            Following the separation, WPG and SPG will operate separately, each as an independent public company. WPG and SPG will enter into a separation agreement and will enter into other agreements prior to the separation that will effectuate the separation, provide a framework for WPG's relationship with SPG after the separation and provide for the allocation between WPG and SPG of SPG's assets, liabilities and obligations (including its investments, property and employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities) attributable to periods prior to, at and after WPG's separation from SPG, such as property management agreements, a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement and an employee matters agreement. The forms of the agreements listed above have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement on Form 10 of which this information statement is a part.

            The summaries of each of the agreements listed above are qualified in their entireties by reference to the full text of the applicable agreements, which are incorporated by reference into this information statement. When used in this section, "distribution date" refers to the date on which SPG distributes WPG's common shares to the holders of SPG common stock.


The Separation Agreement

            The following discussion summarizes the material provisions of the separation agreement that will be entered into between WPG and SPG (which we refer to as the "separation agreement"). The separation agreement sets forth, among other things, WPG's agreements with SPG regarding the principal transactions necessary to separate WPG from SPG. It also sets forth other agreements that govern certain aspects of WPG's relationship with SPG after the distribution date.

    Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities

            The separation agreement identifies the assets to be transferred, the liabilities to be assumed and the contracts to be assigned to each of WPG and SPG as part of the separation of SPG into two companies, and it provides for when and how these transfers, assumptions and assignments will occur. In particular, the separation agreement provides, among other things, that subject to the terms and conditions contained therein:

    Certain assets related to the WPG business, referred to as the "WPG Assets," will be transferred to WPG or one of WPG's subsidiaries, including:

    Real property, including GLA and office space;

    Contracts (or portions thereof) that relate to the WPG business;

    Equity interests of certain SPG subsidiaries that hold assets and liabilities related to the WPG business;

    Information related to the WPG Assets, the WPG Liabilities, or the WPG business;

    Rights and assets expressly allocated to WPG or one of WPG's subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of the separation agreement or certain other agreements entered into in connection with the separation; and

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      Other assets that are included in the WPG pro forma balance sheet which appear in the section entitled "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements."

    Certain liabilities related to the WPG business or the WPG Assets, referred to as the "WPG Liabilities," will be retained by or transferred to WPG or one of WPG's subsidiaries, including:

    Liabilities arising out of actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts, or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the completion of the separation to the extent related to the WPG business or the WPG Assets;

    Liabilities for claims made by third parties, or directors, officers, employees, agents of SPG or WPG or their subsidiaries or affiliates against either SPG or WPG or any of their respective subsidiaries to the extent relating to, arising out of, or resulting from the WPG business or the WPG Assets;

    Liabilities and obligations expressly allocated to WPG or one of WPG's subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of the separation agreement or certain other agreements entered into in connection with the separation;

    Liabilities relating to the credit facility or other financing arrangements that WPG or its subsidiaries will enter into in connection with the separation;

    Liabilities relating to litigation that solely or primarily relates to the WPG business, the WPG Assets, or the WPG Liabilities; and

    Other liabilities that are included in the WPG pro forma balance sheet which appear in the section entitled "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements."

    All of the assets and liabilities (including whether accrued, contingent, or otherwise) other than the WPG Assets and WPG Liabilities (such assets and liabilities, other than the WPG Assets and the WPG Liabilities, referred to as the "SPG Assets" and "SPG Liabilities," respectively) will be retained by or transferred to SPG or its subsidiaries.

            Except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement or any ancillary agreement, neither WPG nor SPG will make any representation or warranty as to the assets, business or liabilities transferred or assumed as part of the separation, as to any approvals or notifications required in connection with the transfers, as to the value of or the freedom from any security interests of any of the assets transferred, as to the absence or presence of any defenses or right of setoff or freedom from counterclaim with respect to any claim or other asset of either WPG or SPG, or as to the legal sufficiency of any assignment, document or instrument delivered to convey title to any asset or thing of value to be transferred in connection with the separation. All assets will be transferred on an "as is," "where is" basis and the respective transferees will bear the economic and legal risks that any conveyance will prove to be insufficient to vest in the transferee good and marketable title, free and clear of all security interests, and that any necessary consents or governmental approvals are not obtained or that any requirements of laws, agreements, security interests, or judgments are not complied with.

            Information in this information statement with respect to the assets and liabilities of the parties following the distribution is presented based on the allocation of such assets and liabilities pursuant to the separation agreement, unless the context otherwise requires. The separation agreement provides that, in the event that the transfer or assignment of certain assets and liabilities to SPG or WPG, as applicable, does not occur prior to the separation, then until such assets or liabilities are able to be transferred or assigned, SPG or WPG, as applicable, will hold such assets on behalf of and for the benefit of the other party and will pay, perform, and discharge such liabilities, for which the other party will reimburse SPG or WPG, as applicable, for all commercially reasonable payments made in connection with the performance and discharge of such liabilities.

    Working Capital

            Prior to the distribution, SPG and WPG will jointly prepare an estimate of the net working capital balance of the WPG business as of the distribution date. If the estimated net working capital balance is a positive number, WPG shall pay such positive amount to SPG. If the estimated net working capital balance is a negative number, SPG shall pay such amount to WPG.

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    The Distribution

            The separation agreement also governs the rights and obligations of the parties regarding the distribution following the completion of the separation. On the distribution date, SPG will distribute to its shareholders that hold SPG common stock as of the record date all of the issued and outstanding shares of WPG's common shares on a pro rata basis. Shareholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares.

    Conditions to the Distribution

            The separation agreement provides that the distribution is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by SPG) of certain conditions. These conditions are described under "The Separation — Conditions to the Distribution." SPG has the sole and absolute discretion to determine (and change) the terms of, and to determine whether to proceed with, the distribution and, to the extent it determines to so proceed, to determine the record date, the distribution date and the distribution ratio.

    Claims

            In general, each party to the separation agreement will assume liability for all pending, threatened and unasserted legal matters related to its own business or its assumed or retained liabilities and will indemnify the other party for any liability to the extent arising out of or resulting from such assumed or retained legal matters.

    Releases

            The separation agreement provides that WPG and its affiliates will release and discharge SPG and its affiliates from all liabilities assumed by WPG as part of the separation, from all acts and events occurring or failing to occur, and all conditions existing, on or before the distribution date relating to WPG's business, and from all liabilities existing or arising in connection with the implementation of the separation, except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement. SPG and its affiliates will release and discharge WPG and its affiliates from all liabilities retained by SPG and its affiliates as part of the separation and from all liabilities existing or arising in connection with the implementation of the separation, except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement.

            These releases will not extend to obligations or liabilities under any agreements between the parties that remain in effect following the separation, which agreements include, but are not limited to, the separation agreement, property management agreements, transition services agreement, tax matters agreement, employee matters agreement, and certain other agreements executed in connection with the separation.

    Indemnification

            In the separation agreement, WPG LP and its subsidiaries agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless SPG and its subsidiaries, each of its affiliates and each of their respective directors, officers and employees, from and against all liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from:

    The WPG Liabilities;

    The failure of WPG or any of its subsidiaries to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any of the WPG Liabilities, in accordance with their respective terms, whether prior to, at or after the distribution;

    The conduct of any business, operation or activity by WPG or any of its affiliates from and after the distribution;

    Any breach by WPG or any of its subsidiaries of the separation agreement or any of the ancillary agreements; and

    Any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in the registration statement or this information statement.

            SPG LP and its subsidiaries agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless WPG and its subsidiaries, each of its affiliates and each of its respective directors, officers and employees from and against all liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from:

    The SPG Liabilities;

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    The failure of SPG or any of its subsidiaries, other than WPG, to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any of the SPG Liabilities, in accordance with their respective terms whether prior to, at, or after the distribution;

    The conduct of any business, operation or activity by SPG or any of its affiliates from and after the distribution (other than the conduct of business, operations or activities for the benefit of WPG pursuant to an ancillary agreement);

    Any breach by SPG or any of its subsidiaries, other than WPG, of the separation agreement or any of the ancillary agreements; and

    Any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact made explicitly in WPG's name in the registration statement or this information statement.

            The separation agreement also establishes procedures with respect to claims subject to indemnification and related matters. WPG and SPG each guarantee the indemnification obligations of WPG LP and SPG LP, respectively, only to the extent of each of their equity interests in WPG LP and SPG LP, respectively.

    Legal Matters

            Subject to certain specified exceptions, each party to the separation agreement will assume the liability for, and control of, all pending and threatened legal matters related to its own business, including liabilities for any claims or legal proceedings related to products that had been part of its business but were discontinued prior to the distribution, as well as assumed or retained liabilities and will indemnify the other party for any liability arising out of or resulting from such assumed legal matters.

    Insurance

            The separation agreement provides for the allocation between the parties of rights and obligations under existing insurance policies with respect to occurrences prior to the distribution and sets forth procedures for the administration of insured claims through January 1, 2015. In addition, the separation agreement allocates between the parties the right to proceeds and the obligation to incur certain deductibles under certain insurance policies.

    Further Assurances

            In addition to the actions specifically provided for in the separation agreement, except as otherwise set forth therein or in any ancillary agreement, both WPG and SPG agree in the separation agreement to use commercially reasonable efforts, prior to, on and after the distribution date, to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws, regulations and agreements to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by the separation agreement and the ancillary agreements.

    Transition Committee

            The separation agreement provides that prior to the completion of the separation, WPG and SPG will establish a transition committee that will consist of an equal number of members from WPG and SPG. The transition committee will be responsible for monitoring and managing all matters related to the separation and all other transactions contemplated by the separation agreement or any ancillary agreement. The transition committee will have the power to establish various subcommittees from time to time as it deems appropriate or as may be described in the ancillary agreements.

    Dispute Resolution

            The separation agreement contains provisions that govern, except as otherwise provided in any ancillary agreement, the resolution of disputes, controversies or claims that may arise between WPG and SPG related to the separation or distribution and that are unable to be resolved by the transition committee. These provisions contemplate that efforts will be made to resolve disputes, controversies and claims by escalation of the matter to senior management or other mutually agreed representatives of WPG and SPG. If such efforts are not successful, either

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WPG or SPG may submit the dispute, controversy or claim to binding alternative dispute resolution, subject to the provisions of the separation agreement.

    Expenses

            Except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement or in any ancillary agreement, WPG will be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred prior to the distribution date in connection with the separation, including costs and expenses relating to legal and tax counsel, financial advisors and accounting advisory work related to the separation. Except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement or in any ancillary agreement, or as otherwise agreed in writing by SPG and WPG, all such costs and expenses incurred in connection with the separation from and after the distribution date will be paid by the party incurring such cost and expense.

    Non-Solicit

            The separation agreements provides that for a period of two years, we will not solicit for hire, with customary exceptions, any SPG employees who have ben engaged in providing services to WPG pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement, any Property Management Agreements or any Property Development Agreements.

    Other Matters

            Other matters governed by the separation agreement include access to financial and other information, confidentiality, access to and provision of records and treatment of outstanding guarantees and similar credit support.

    Termination

            The separation agreement provides that it may be terminated and the separation may be modified or abandoned at any time prior to the distribution date in the sole discretion of SPG without the approval of any person, including WPG's shareholders or SPG's shareholders. In the event of a termination of the separation agreement, no party, nor any of its directors, officers, or employees, will have any liability of any kind to the other party or any other person. After the distribution date, the separation agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by both SPG and WPG.

    Amendments

            No provision of the separation agreement may be amended or modified except by a written instrument signed by both SPG and WPG.


Property Management Agreements

            In connection with the separation, WPG will enter into property management agreements with one or more subsidiaries of SPG, pursuant to which those subsidiaries will provide certain services to us under the direction of our executive management team. In addition, certain property management agreements that are currently in effect with respect to services provided by SPG in respect of certain mall properties will continue in effect after the separation. The property management agreements have an initial term of two years with automatic one year renewals, unless terminated by us for convenience or for cause, which includes fraud, bankruptcy, default or performance-related causes on the part of the manager.

            Pursuant to the terms of the property management agreements, SPG will manage, lease, maintain and operate our mall properties. SPG will be responsible for negotiating new and renewal leases with tenants, marketing these malls through advertisements and other promotional activities, billing and collecting rent and other charges from tenants, making repairs in accordance with budgets approved by the company, and maintenance and payment of any taxes or fees. In exchange, WPG will pay annual fixed rate property management fees to SPG in amounts ranging from 2.5% to 4% of base minimum and percentage rents. WPG will also reimburse SPG for certain costs and expenses, including the cost of on-site employees. In addition, SPG will also paid separate fees for its leasing, re-leasing and development services relating to our malls.

            Either party may terminate the property management agreements in the case of a material breach by, or a bankruptcy, dissolution, or liquidation of, the other party, a default under any mortgage loan documents encumbering the relevant mall property or the sale or disposition of the underlying mall property. In addition, either party may

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terminate each property management agreement without cause on or after the two-year anniversary of the execution of such agreement upon 180 days prior written notice.


Property Development Agreements

            If we develop or redevelop a new or existing property, we may enter into one or more property development agreements with one or more subsidiaries of SPG for specified periods, which will depend on the nature of the development services provided and estimated completion dates.

            Pursuant to the terms of any property development agreements we hereafter determine to enter into, SPG will plan, organize, coordinate and administer further development of one or more mall properties, redevelop portions thereof, make improvements and perform other development work. In exchange, WPG will pay fees to SPG to cover pre-development and development costs and expenses as determined on a project-by-project basis.

            Either party may terminate the property development agreements in the case of a material breach by, or a bankruptcy, dissolution, or liquidation of, the other party. In addition, either party may terminate each property development agreement without cause upon 30 days prior written notice.


Transition Services Agreement

            WPG and SPG will enter into a transition services agreement prior to the distribution pursuant to which SPG and its subsidiaries will provide to WPG, on an interim, transitional basis, various services. The services to be provided include information technology, accounts payable, payroll, and other financial functions, as well as engineering support for various facilities, quality assurance support, and other administrative services. The anticipated charges for such services are generally intended to allow the servicing party to recover all out-of-pocket costs and expenses.

            The transition services agreement will terminate on the expiration of the term of the last service provided under it, which will generally be up to 2 years following the distribution date. The recipient for a particular service generally can terminate that service prior to the scheduled expiration date, subject to a minimum notice period equal to the shorter of 180 days or half of the original service period. Services can only be terminated at a month-end. Due to interdependencies between services, certain services may be extended or terminated early only if other services are likewise extended or terminated. Either party may terminate the agreement upon a change-in-control of the other party. A termination of the transition services agreement or any particular services thereunder will not affect the property management agreements.

            WPG anticipates that it will generally be in a position to complete the transition away from those services (except for certain information technology-related and collections services) on or before two years following the distribution date.

            Subject to certain exceptions, the liability of each party under the transition services agreement for the services it provides will generally be limited to the aggregate profits it receives in connection with the provision of such services during the twelve-month period prior to a claim. The transition services agreements also provide that the provider of a service shall not be liable to the recipient of such service for any special, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages.


Tax Matters Agreement

            WPG and SPG will enter into a tax matters agreement prior to the distribution which will generally govern SPG's and WPG's respective rights, responsibilities and obligations after the distribution with respect to taxes (including taxes arising in the ordinary course of business and taxes, if any, incurred as a result of any failure of the distribution and certain related transactions to qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes), tax attributes, tax returns, tax elections, tax contests and certain other tax matters.

            In addition, the tax matters agreement will impose certain restrictions on WPG and its subsidiaries (including restrictions on share issuances, business combinations, sales of assets and similar transactions) that will be designed to preserve the tax-free status of the distribution and certain related transactions. The tax matters agreement will provide special rules that allocate tax liabilities in the event the distribution, together with certain related transactions, is not tax-free. In general, under the tax matters agreement, each party is expected to be responsible for any taxes imposed on, and certain related amounts payable by, SPG or WPG that arise from the failure of the distribution, together with certain related transactions, to qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes under

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Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) and certain other relevant provisions of the Code, to the extent that the failure to so qualify is attributable to actions, events or transactions relating to such party's respective stock, assets or business, or a breach of the relevant representations or covenants made by that party in the tax matters agreement.

            The tax matters agreement will also provide that, in the event that WPG LP disposes of (or takes or fails to take certain other actions with respect to) any of the properties contributed by The Real Property Trust, an indirect subsidiary of SPG ("RPT") to WPG LP following the distribution prior to the 5 th  anniversary of such contribution, WPG LP will indemnify RPT for any taxes imposed on the built-in gain in such properties attributable to such action, which built-in gain will be measured as of the date of such contribution (generally, the excess of the fair market value of the relevant property over its adjusted tax basis).


Employee Matters Agreement

            WPG and SPG will enter into an employee matters agreement in connection with the separation to allocate liabilities and responsibilities relating to employment matters, employee compensation and benefits plans and programs, and other related matters.

            The employee matters agreement will govern SPG's and WPG's compensation and employee benefit obligations relating to current and former employees of each company, and generally will allocate liabilities and responsibilities relating to employee compensation and benefit plans and programs. The employee matters agreement will provide that, following the distribution, WPG's active employees generally will no longer participate in benefit plans sponsored or maintained by SPG and will commence participation in WPG's benefit plans, which are expected to be similar to the existing SPG benefit plans. In addition, the employee matters agreement will provide that, unless otherwise specified, SPG will be responsible for liabilities associated with employees who will be employed by SPG following the separation and former SPG employees, and WPG will be responsible for liabilities associated with employees who will be employed by WPG following the separation.

            The employee matters agreement also may set forth the general principles relating to employee matters, including with respect to the assignment of employees, expense reimbursements, workers' compensation, leaves of absence, employee service credit, the sharing of employee information, and the duplication or acceleration of benefits. The employee matters agreement may also address certain special circumstances, including employees who will transfer to their eventual permanent employer on a delayed basis because they will continue to provide services to either SPG or WPG during a transition period following the distribution.


Indemnification Agreements.

            We will enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers providing for the indemnification by us for certain liabilities and advancement of expenses incurred as a result of actions brought, or threatened to be brought, against such parties. Each indemnification agreement will provide, among other things, for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law and our organizational documents against any and all expenses, liabilities and losses, including, without limitation, investigation expenses and expert witnesses and attorneys' fees and expenses, judgments, penalties, fines, ERISA excise taxes and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, actually incurred as a result of acting on our behalf, as a fiduciary or otherwise (net of any related insurance proceeds or other amounts received by an indemnified director or executive officer). We will not be obligated to indemnify a director or executive officer in connection with any claim where such director or executive officer was deemed to have violated applicable law, received illegal payments or profits or acted with fraud, or dishonest or willful misconduct.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

            Before the separation, all of the outstanding shares of WPG's common shares will be owned beneficially and of record by SPG. Following the distribution, WPG expects to have outstanding an aggregate of approximately 155 million shares of common equity based upon approximately 311 million SPG common shares outstanding on March 14, 2014, excluding treasury shares and assuming no exercise of SPG options, and applying the distribution ratio.


Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

            The following table reports the number of WPG common shares beneficially owned, immediately following the completion of the separation calculated as if the record date for the distribution was March 14, based upon the distribution of one WPG common share for every two shares of SPG stock, by the holders listed below (directly or indirectly through its subsidiaries), all of whom would beneficially own more than 5% of WPG's outstanding common equity. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes, shares are owned directly and the indicated person has sole voting and investment power.

 
  Shares(1)  
Name and Address
  Number of
Shares
  %  

The Vanguard Group(2)
100 Vanguard Boulevard
Malvern, PA 19355

    18,530,249     11.93% (3)

Melvin Simon & Associates, Inc., et al. (4)
225 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

   
13,350,881

(5)
 
7.95%

(6)

BlackRock Inc.(8)
40 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022

   
12,166,237
   
7.83%

(3)

Cohen & Steers, Inc., et al. (7)
280 Park Avenue, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10017

   
10,695,688
   
6.89%

(3)

(1)
The amounts in the table also include shares of common stock that may be issued upon the exchange of units of limited partnership interest, or units of WPG L.P. that are exchangeable either for shares of common stock (on a one-to-one basis) or for cash.

(2)
Based solely on information provided by The Vanguard Group and Vanguard Specialized Funds—Vanguard REIT Index Fund in two Schedule 13G/As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2014 and February 14, 2014, respectively. The Vanguard Group has the sole power to vote 446,147 shares of common stock and dispose of 18,156,722 shares, including 10,490,304 shares reported by Vanguard REIT Index Fund, and shared power to dispose of 373,527 shares.

(3)
Based on the assumption that the principal shareowner continued to own the number of shares reflected in the table above on March 14, 2014.

(4)
This group, or the MSA group, consists of Melvin Simon & Associates, Inc., or MSA, David Simon, Herbert Simon, two voting trusts, The Melvin Simon Family Enterprise Trust Agreement originally dated October 28, 1990, as amended and restated, or the Melvin Simon Trust, and other entities and trusts controlled by or for the benefit of MSA, David Simon or Herbert Simon. David Simon is one of our directors. MSA is owned 69.06% by the Melvin Simon Trust and 30.94% by a trust for the benefit of Herbert Simon. A total of 449,060 common shares included in the amount reported for the group are subject to the two voting trusts as to which David Simon and Herbert Simon are the voting trustees. The Melvin Simon Trust disclaims being party to any group.

(5)
Includes 787,860 common shares currently outstanding; 12,567,021 common shares issuable upon exchange of units. Includes 15,934 units held by the Melvin Simon Trust. Does not include 2,086,213 units that are held by or

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    for the benefit of Simon family members as to which MSA, David Simon or Herbert Simon do not have voting or dispositive power.

(6)
Assumes the exchange of units by the subject holder only.

(7)
Based solely on information provided by Cohen & Steers, Inc., Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Cohen & Steers UK Limited in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2014. Cohen & Steers, Inc., has the sole power to vote 5,898,378 shares of common stock and to dispose of 10,695,688 shares; Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. has the sole power to vote 5,846,930 shares of common stock and to dispose of 2110,590,180; and Cohen & Steers UK Limited, has the sole power to vote 51,448 shares of common stock and to dispose of 105,507 shares.

(8)
Based solely on information provided by BlackRock, Inc. in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 30, 2014.


Security Ownership of Directors

            The following table sets forth the number of WPG common shares beneficially owned, immediately following the completion of the separation calculated as if the record date for the distribution was March 14, 2014, based upon the distribution of one WPG common share for every two shares of SPG common stock, regarding (1) each expected director and officers of WPG and (2) all of WPG's expected directors and officers as a group. The number of units includes earned and fully vested performance-based LTIP units which are convertible at the option of the holder into units on a one-for-one basis. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the table, shares or units are owned directly and the indicated person has sole voting and investment power.

 
  Shares and Units
Beneficially Owned
  Units Beneficially
Owned
   
Name
  Number(1)   Percent(2)   Number   Percent(3)   Additional Information

Louis G. Conforti

                   

Robert P. Demchak

                   

Michael Gaffney

                   

Robert J. Laikin

                   

Myles Minton

                   

Mark Ordan

                   

David Simon

    13,250,881     7.95 %   12,563,021     6.91 % See note (A) immediately following this table.

Jacquelyn Soffer

                   

Richard S. Sokolov

    267,176       *   93,203       *  

Marvin L. White

                   

All directors and executive officers as a group (2 people)

   
   
   
   
   

*
Less than one percent

(1)
Includes the following common shares that may be issued upon exchange of units held by the following persons: David Simon 12,563,021; Richard S. Sokolov—93,203. Units are exchangeable either for common shares (on a one-for-one basis) or for cash, at the discretion of WPG.

(2)
Based on 155,129,760 shares of common stock outstanding

(3)
Washington Prime Group, L.P. has 185,981,773 units outstanding of which we owned, directly or indirectly, 155,129,760 or 83.5%. These percentages assume that no units held by limited partners are exchanged for common shares. The number of units shown does not include any unvested LTIP units awarded under a long-term incentive performance program as described in the "COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS" section of this Information Statement because the unvested LTIP units are subject to performance and/or time-based vesting requirements.

(A)
Includes common shares and units beneficially owned by the MSA group. See "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners".

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THE SEPARATION

Background

            On December 13, 2013, SPG announced that it intended to separate its strip centers and smaller enclosed malls from SPG's other businesses. The separation will be effectuated by means of a pro rata distribution of all of the common shares of WPG, which was formed to hold the assets and liabilities associated with the strip center and smaller enclosed mall business.

            On                    , 2014, the SPG board of directors approved the distribution of all of the issued and outstanding WPG common shares on the basis of one WPG common share for every two shares of SPG common stock held as of the close of business on the record date of                    , 2014. Following the distribution, SPG and WPG will be two independent, publicly held companies.

            On                    , 2014, the distribution date, each SPG shareholder will receive one WPG common share for every two shares of SPG common stock held at the close of business on the record date, as described below. SPG shareholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional WPG common shares which they would have received after application of this ratio. You will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange your SPG common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of WPG's common shares in the distribution. The distribution of WPG's common shares as described in this information statement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. For a more detailed description of these conditions, please refer to this section under "— Conditions to the Distribution."


Reasons for the Separation

            The SPG board of directors believes that separating the WPG business and assets from the remainder of SPG's business and assets is in the best interests of SPG and its shareholders for a number of reasons, including the following:

    Establish WPG as a separate company with a greater ability to focus on and grow its business.   WPG will have a different business strategy, asset base, equity currency and management focus compared to SPG. The separation will enable WPG to focus on its own operations and respond more effectively to the unique requirements of and opportunities within its business. WPG may pursue value creating investment opportunities that did not fit within SPG's differing business strategy. For example, WPG's physical assets will generally be smaller than those of SPG. As of December 31, 2013, the average asset size for WPG was 540,000 square feet compared to 880,000 square feet for SPG's domestic properties after the spin. In addition, WPG's asset base is generally located in smaller markets and trade areas serving a more localized customer base than SPG's market area reach, and includes community, or strip, shopping centers which will not be part of SPG's asset base. WPG will have the flexibility to implement strategic initiatives aligned with its business plan and prioritize investment spending and capital allocation accordingly. SPG believes that this will lead to operational efficiencies and has the potential to enhance the value and profitability of WPG's properties.

    Create a company with the balance sheet strength and equity currency to grow through development, re-development and acquisitions.   Under SPG's prior ownership, our properties benefited from management's efforts to maintain and enhance their market position, but incremental efforts, including significant capital allocation, to maximize the market position of these properties were often not pursued given large-scale opportunities that were alternatively available to SPG and which better matched its business strategy in its larger malls, Mills and Premium Outlets. As a result of the separation, WPG will have direct access to the capital markets and a strong capital structure tailored to its strategic goals and will be better positioned to respond to growth opportunities appropriate for our asset base. For example, the separation will provide WPG with its own equity currency to advance its business strategy through acquisitions, selective new developments and re-developments.

    Dedicated and experienced management team to implement and execute on WPG's growth strategy.   WPG will have a dedicated executive management team focused on the performance of WPG's assets and value-creation opportunities. Separating the WPG portfolio from the remainder of SPG's businesses, and providing an experienced executive management team and other key personnel to operate WPG's business, will result in WPG's assets receiving the executive management focus and attention required for these assets to realize their potential. SPG's business strategy is concentrated on larger retail centers which require significant amounts of financial capital and management attention due to their large-scale, complex nature. Accordingly, SPG management could not dedicate as much time and attention to our properties as we expect our properties to

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    receive from our dedicated executive management team, which will be entirely focused on our company and its assets.

    Enhance investor transparency and better highlight the attributes of both companies.   The separation will enable potential investors and the financial community to evaluate SPG and WPG separately and assess the merits, performance and future prospects of their respective businesses.

            SPG's board of directors also considered a number of potentially negative factors in evaluating the separation, including the following:

    Impact on operating synergies.   WPG may experience a loss of operating and/or other synergies, which may result in increased expenses and/or decreased revenues, due to its separation from SPG's larger portfolio.

    Increased significance of certain costs and liabilities.   Certain costs and liabilities that were less significant to SPG as a whole will be more significant for WPG as a stand-alone company.

    One-time costs of the separation.   WPG will incur costs in connection with the transition to being a stand-alone public company that may include accounting, tax, legal, and other professional services costs, recruiting and relocation costs associated with hiring key senior management personnel new to WPG, costs related to establishing a new brand identity in the marketplace, and costs to separate information systems.

    Inability to realize anticipated benefits of the separation.   WPG may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the separation for a variety of reasons, including, among others: (i) following the separation, WPG may be more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events than if it were still a part of SPG; and (ii) following the separation, WPG's business will be less diversified than SPG's business prior to the separation.

    Disruptions to the business as a result of the separation.   The energy and focus required to complete the separation could require substantial time and attention from the management teams of SPG and WPG, thereby distracting them from the management and operations of their respective businesses.

            SPG's board of directors concluded that the potential benefits of the separation outweighed these factors. For more information, please refer to the sections entitled "The Separation — Reasons for the Separation" and "Risk Factors" included elsewhere in this information statement.


Formation of a New Company Prior to WPG's Distribution

            Prior to or concurrently with the separation and distribution, SPG will engage in certain restructuring transactions that are designed to consolidate the ownership of a portfolio of interests in the strip centers and smaller enclosed malls currently owned directly or indirectly by Simon Property Group, L.P. into our operating partnership, facilitate the separation and distribution and provide us with our initial capital.

            In connection with the separation and distribution, the following transactions have occurred or are expected to occur concurrently with or prior to completion of the separation and distribution:

    WPG was formed as an Indiana corporation on December 13, 2013. This entity was initially named SPG SpinCo Subsidiary Inc. and was renamed Washington Prime Group Inc. on February 25, 2014.

    Our operating partnership, Washington Prime Group, L.P. ("WPG L.P."), was formed as an Indiana limited partnership on January 17, 2014. This entity was initially named SPG SpinCo Operating Partnership, L.P. and was renamed Washington Prime Group, L.P. on February 25, 2014.

    Pursuant to the terms of the separation agreement, the interests in our properties (including interests in entities holding properties) currently held directly or indirectly by SPG L.P. will be contributed or otherwise transferred to WPG L.P., except that five of SPG L.P.'s properties that are currently owned by an SPG subsidiary will be transferred to us immediately after the distribution.

    In connection with the contribution or other transfer of properties described above, it is expected that WPG L.P. or certain entities that will be our subsidiaries after the separation will assume approximately $962 million of existing secured property-level indebtedness related to certain of our properties. In addition, these entities will incur approximately $1.0 billion of new unsecured term and revolving indebtedness. WPG L.P. and certain of the entities that will be our subsidiaries after the separation will distribute or otherwise transfer approximately $1.0 billion of the proceeds from this new indebtedness to SPG L.P.

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    SPG L.P. will distribute the common units of WPG L.P. in a pro rata distribution (the "WPG L.P. distribution") to its general and limited partners (including SPG), except for limited partners who hold preferred limited partner units which by their terms are not entitled to participate in such distribution.

    SPG and certain of its subsidiaries will contribute or otherwise transfer to us all of its common units in WPG L.P. received from SPG L.P., as well as their interests in certain properties (including interests in entities holding such properties), in exchange for WPG common shares.


    Prior to the record date for the distribution, in order to comply with certain technical requirements relating to the tax-free treatment of the separation and distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes, certain subsidiaries of SPG will cease to hold SPG common stock and will therefore not receive WPG common shares in the distribution by SPG. Following the distribution, these SPG subsidiaries may acquire additional SPG common shares.

    Following these separation transactions, SPG will distribute 100% of the outstanding WPG common shares on a pro rata basis to the holders of SPG common shares who held such SPG common shares as of the record date.

    In addition to the separation agreement, we will enter into property management agreements, a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement and an employee matters agreement. Certain existing property management agreements between subsidiaries of SPG and entities that will be subsidiaries of WPG after the separation and distribution will remain in effect. We have also agreed on a form of property development agreement that we may enter into with SPG subsidiaries following the separation and distribution.

            As a result, at the effective time of the distribution:

    The holders of SPG common stock as of the record date will own the same pro rata percentage of WPG common shares that they held in SPG common stock as of such record date.

    WPG's percentage ownership of WPG L.P. common units will be approximately 83.5%, with the remainder being held by the persons who were partners (other than SPG) of SPG L.P. as of the record date for the WPG L.P. distribution.

    No preferred shares of Washington Prime Group Inc., or preferred units of WPG L.P., will be outstanding.


When and How You Will Receive the Distribution

            With the assistance of Computershare, Inc., WPG expects to distribute WPG common shares on                    , 2014, the distribution date, to all holders of outstanding SPG common stock as of the close of business on                    , 2014, the record date. Computershare, Inc., which currently serves as the transfer agent and registrar for SPG's common shares, will serve as the settlement and distribution agent in connection with the distribution and the transfer agent and registrar for WPG common shares.

            If you own SPG common stock as of the close of business on the record date, WPG's common shares that you are entitled to receive in the distribution will be issued electronically, as of the distribution date, to you in direct registration form or to your bank or brokerage firm on your behalf. If you are a registered holder, Computershare, Inc. will then mail you a direct registration account statement that reflects your WPG common shares. If you hold your shares through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the shares. If you own SPG common stock through the SPG dividend reinvestment plan, the WPG shares you receive will be distributed to a new WPG dividend reinvestment plan account that will be created for you. Direct registration form refers to a method of recording share ownership when no physical share certificates are issued to shareholders, as is the case in this distribution. Following the distribution, however, you may request the delivery of physical share certificates for your WPG shares. If you sell SPG common stock in the "regular-way" market up to and including the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive WPG common shares in the distribution.

            Commencing on or shortly after the distribution date, if you hold physical share certificates that represent your SPG common stock and you are the registered holder of the shares represented by those certificates, the distribution agent will mail to you an account statement that indicates the number of shares of WPG's common shares that have been registered in book-entry form in your name.

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            Most SPG shareholders hold their common shares through a bank or brokerage firm. In such cases, the bank or brokerage firm would be said to hold the shares in "street name" and ownership would be recorded on the bank or brokerage firm's books. If you hold your SPG common stock through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the WPG common shares that you are entitled to receive in the distribution. If you have any questions concerning the mechanics of having shares held in "street name," please contact your bank or brokerage firm.

            Following the distribution, you may request that physical share certificates be sent to you, at any time and without charge, by contacting Computershare, Inc. by telephone at 866-239-2277, on the Internet at www.computershare.com/investor or by sending a written request to Computershare, Inc. P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170.


Transferability of Shares You Receive

            WPG common shares distributed to holders in connection with the distribution will be transferable without registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, except for shares received by persons who may be deemed to be WPG affiliates. Persons who may be deemed to be WPG affiliates after the distribution generally include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by, or are under common control with WPG, which may include certain WPG executive officers, directors or principal shareholders. Securities held by WPG affiliates will be subject to resale restrictions under the Securities Act. WPG affiliates will be permitted to sell WPG common shares only pursuant to an effective registration statement or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, such as the exemption afforded by Rule 144 under the Securities Act.


The Number of WPG Common Shares You Will Receive

            For every two shares of SPG common stock that you own at the close of business on                    , 2014, the record date, you will receive one WPG common share(s) on the distribution date. SPG will not distribute any fractional WPG common shares to its shareholders. Instead, if you are a registered holder, Computershare, Inc. will aggregate fractional shares into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing market prices and distribute the aggregate cash proceeds (net of discounts and commissions) of the sales pro rata (based on the fractional share such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive) to each holder who otherwise would have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the distribution. The transfer agent, in its sole discretion, without any influence by SPG or WPG, will determine when, how, through which broker-dealer and at what price to sell the whole shares. Any broker-dealer used by the transfer agent will not be an affiliate of either SPG or WPG. Neither WPG nor SPG will be able to guarantee any minimum sale price in connection with the sale of these shares. Recipients of cash in lieu of fractional shares will not be entitled to any interest on the amounts of payment made in lieu of fractional shares.

            The aggregate net cash proceeds of these sales will be taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please refer to "The Separation — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution" for an explanation of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution. If you hold physical certificates for SPG common stock and are the registered holder, you will receive a check from the distribution agent in an amount equal to your pro rata share of the aggregate net cash proceeds of the sales. WPG estimates that it will take approximately two weeks from the distribution date for the distribution agent to complete the distributions of the aggregate net cash proceeds. If you hold your SPG common stock through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will receive, on your behalf, your pro rata share of the aggregate net cash proceeds of the sales and will electronically credit your account for your share of such proceeds.


Results of the Distribution

            After its separation from SPG, WPG will be an independent, publicly traded company. The actual number of shares to be distributed will be determined at the close of business on                    , 2014, the record date for the distribution, and will reflect any exercise of SPG options between the date the SPG board of directors declares the distribution and the record date for the distribution. The distribution will not affect the number of outstanding SPG common stock or any rights of SPG's shareholders. SPG will not distribute any fractional WPG common shares.

            WPG has entered into a separation agreement with SPG and will enter into other agreements with SPG before the distribution to effect the separation and provide a framework for WPG's relationship with SPG after the separation. These agreements will provide for the allocation between SPG and WPG of SPG's assets, liabilities and

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obligations (including intellectual property, and tax-related assets and liabilities) attributable to periods prior to WPG's separation from SPG and will govern the relationship between SPG and WPG after the separation. For a more detailed description of these agreements, please refer to "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions."


Market for WPG Common Shares

            There is currently no public trading market for WPG's common shares. WPG has applied to list its common shares on the NYSE under the symbol "WPG." WPG has not and will not set the initial price of its common shares. The initial price will be established by the public markets.

            WPG cannot predict the price at which its common shares will trade after the distribution. In fact, the combined trading prices, after the separation, of the WPG common shares that each SPG shareholder will receive in the distribution and the SPG common stock held at the record date may not equal the "regular-way" trading price of an SPG stock immediately prior to the separation. The price at which WPG common shares trades may fluctuate significantly, particularly until an orderly public market develops. Trading prices for WPG common shares will be determined in the public markets and may be influenced by many factors. Please refer to "Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Common Shares."


Trading Between the Record Date and Distribution Date

            Beginning on or shortly before the record date and continuing up to and including through the distribution date, SPG expects that there will be two markets in SPG common stock: a "regular-way" market and an "ex-distribution" market. SPG common stock that trade on the "regular-way" market will trade with an entitlement to WPG common shares distributed pursuant to the separation. SPG common stock that trade on the "ex-distribution" market will trade without an entitlement to WPG common shares distributed pursuant to the distribution. Therefore, if you sell SPG common stock in the "regular-way" market up to and including through the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive WPG common shares in the distribution. If you own SPG common stock at the close of business on the record date and sell those shares on the "ex-distribution" market up to and including through the distribution date, you will receive the WPG common shares that you are entitled to receive pursuant to your ownership as of the record date of the SPG common stock.

            Furthermore, beginning on or shortly before the record date and continuing up to and including the distribution date, WPG expects that there will be a "when-issued" market in its common shares. "When-issued" trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. The "when-issued" trading market will be a market for WPG common shares that will be distributed to holders of SPG common stock on the distribution date. If you owned SPG common stock at the close of business on the record date, you would be entitled to WPG common shares distributed pursuant to the distribution. You may trade this entitlement to WPG common shares, without the SPG common stock you own, on the "when-issued" market. On the first trading day following the distribution date, "when-issued" trading with respect to WPG common shares will end, and "regular-way" trading will begin.


Conditions to the Distribution

            WPG has announced that the distribution will be effective at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time, on                    , 2014, which is the distribution date, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied (or waived by SPG in its sole discretion):

    The incurrence of at least $1 billion of new indebtedness by WPG L.P. and its subsidiaries (or subsidiaries of Simon Property Group, L.P., which subsidiaries are expected to be contributed to WPG L.P. as part of the separation) and the determination by SPG at its sole discretion that following the separation it will have no liability or obligation whatsoever with respect to such new indebtedness;

    The receipt of the opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the SPG board of directors, to the effect that the manner in which WPG is organized and its proposed method of operation will enable it to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 859 of the Code;

    The receipt of the opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the SPG board of directors, to the effect that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will qualify as a transaction that is generally tax free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code;

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    The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (which we refer to as the "SEC") declaring effective the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part, and the mailing of the information statement to SPG shareholders;

    No order, injunction, or decree issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the separation, distribution or any of the related transactions shall be in effect;

    The WPG common shares to be distributed shall have been accepted for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of distribution;

    The transfer of assets and liabilities between SPG and WPG contemplated by the separation agreement shall have been completed other than the transfer of those assets which are to be transferred immediately after the completion of the distribution;

    Each of the various agreements contemplated by the separation agreement shall have been executed;

    All required actions or filings with governmental authorities shall have been taken or made;

    The Information Statement shall have been mailed to WPG shareholders; and

    No other event or development existing or having occurred that, in the judgment of SPG's board of directors, in its sole discretion, makes it inadvisable to effect the separation, distribution and other related transactions.

            SPG will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine (and change) the terms of, and whether to proceed with, the distribution and, to the extent it determines to so proceed, to determine the record date and the distribution date and the distribution ratio. SPG does not intend to notify its shareholders of any modifications to the terms of the separation that, in the judgment of its board of directors, are not material. For example, the SPG board of directors might consider material such matters as significant changes to the distribution ratio, the assets to be contributed or the liabilities to be assumed in the separation. To the extent that the SPG board of directors determines that any modifications by SPG materially change the material terms of the distribution, SPG will notify SPG shareholders in a manner reasonably calculated to inform them about the modification as may be required by law, by, for example, publishing a press release, filing a current report on Form 8-K, or circulating a supplement to this information statement.


Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution

            The following is a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution of our common shares to "U.S. Holders" (as defined below) of SPG common shares. This summary is based on the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, rulings and other administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date of this information statement, and is subject to changes in these or other governing authorities, any of which may have a retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position to the contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. This discussion is based upon the assumption that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will be consummated in accordance with the separation documents and as described in this information statement. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. It does not discuss any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences, and it does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular holder in light of its particular investment or tax circumstances or to holders subject to special rules under the Code (including, but not limited to, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, broker-dealers, partners in partnerships that hold our common shares, pass-through entities, traders in securities who elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting, shareholders who hold their our common shares as part of a "hedge," "straddle," "conversion," "synthetic security," "integrated investment" or "constructive sale transaction," individuals who receive our common shares upon the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation, holders who are subject to alternative minimum tax or any holders who actually or constructively own more than 5% of SPG common stock). This discussion does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to investors who do not hold their SPG common stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment).

            If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds SPG common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the

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status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An investor that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution.

            For purposes of this discussion a "U.S. Holder" is any holder of SPG common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

    An individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

    A corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

    An estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or

    A trust if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. fiduciaries have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

             THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS A SUMMARY OF MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION UNDER CURRENT LAW AND IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION TO THEM, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS.

            SPG has not and does not intend to seek a ruling from the IRS with respect to the treatment of the distribution and certain related transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert that the distribution and/or certain related transactions are taxable. It is a condition to the distribution that SPG receive an opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, satisfactory to the SPG board of directors, to the effect that the distribution, together with certain related transaction, will qualify as a transaction that is generally tax free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. The opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz will be based and rely on, among other things, certain facts and assumptions, as well as certain representations, statements and undertakings of SPG and WPG (including those relating to the past and future conduct of SPG and WPG). If any of these representations, statements or undertakings are, or become, inaccurate or incomplete, or if SPG or WPG breach any of their respective covenants in the separation documents, the opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz may be invalid and the conclusions reached therein could be jeopardized. The opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz will not be binding on the IRS or the courts.

            Notwithstanding receipt by SPG of the opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, the IRS could assert that the distribution and/or certain related transactions do not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the IRS were successful in taking this position, SPG, WPG and SPG shareholders could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability. Please refer to "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences if the Distribution is Taxable" below.

    Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences if the Distribution Qualifies as a Transaction That is Generally Tax Free under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code.

            Assuming that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, qualifies as a transaction that is generally tax free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution are as follows: (i) the distribution will generally not result in any taxable income, gain or loss to SPG; (ii) no gain or loss will generally be recognized by (and no amount will be included in the income of) U.S. Holders of SPG common stock upon their receipt of WPG common stock in the distribution, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares of WPG common stock (as described below); (iii) the aggregate tax basis of the SPG common stock and the WPG common stock received in the distribution (including any fractional share interest in WPG common stock for which cash is received) in the hands of each U.S. Holder of SPG common stock after the distribution will equal the aggregate basis of SPG common stock held by the U.S. Holder immediately before the distribution, allocated between the SPG common stock and the WPG common stock (including any fractional share interest in WPG common stock for which cash is received) in proportion to the relative fair market value of each on the date of the distribution; and (iv) the holding period of the WPG common stock received by each U.S. Holder of SPG common stock in the distribution (including any fractional share interest in WPG common stock for which cash is received) will generally include the holding period at the time of the distribution

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for the SPG common stock with respect to which the distribution is made, provided that SPG common stock is held as a capital asset on the date of the distribution. A U.S. Holder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of WPG common stock in the distribution will be treated as having sold such fractional share for cash, and will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in such fractional share. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss in the U.S. Holder's holding period for its SPG common stock exceeds one year at the time of the distribution.

            U.S. Treasury regulations also generally provide that if a U.S. Holder of SPG common stock holds different blocks of SPG common stock (generally shares of SPG common stock purchased or acquired on different dates or at different prices), the aggregate basis for each block of SPG common stock purchased or acquired on the same date and at the same price will be allocated, to the greatest extent possible, between the WPG common stock received in the distribution in respect of such block of SPG common stock and such block of SPG common stock, in proportion to their respective fair market values, and the holding period of the WPG common stock received in the distribution in respect of such block of SPG common stock will generally include the holding period of such block of SPG common stock, provided that such block of SPG common stock was held as a capital asset on the date of the distribution. If a U.S. Holder of SPG common stock is not able to identify which particular shares of WPG common stock are received in the distribution with respect to a particular block of SPG common stock, for purposes of applying the rules described above, the U.S. Holder may designate which shares of WPG common stock are received in the distribution in respect of a particular block of SPG common stock, provided that such designation is consistent with the terms of the distribution. Holders of SPG common stock are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of these rules to their particular circumstances.

    Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences if the Distribution is Taxable.

            As discussed above, SPG has not and does not intend to seek a ruling from the IRS with respect to the treatment of the distribution and certain related transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Notwithstanding receipt by SPG of the opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz described above, the IRS could assert that the distribution does not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the IRS were successful in taking this position, the consequences described above would not apply and SPG, WPG and SPG shareholders could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability. In addition, certain events that may or may not be within the control of SPG or WPG, could cause the distribution and certain related transactions to not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Depending on the circumstances, WPG may recognize taxable gain or may be required to indemnify SPG for taxes (and certain related losses) resulting from the distribution not qualifying as tax-free.

            If the distribution fails to qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in general, SPG would recognize taxable gain as if it had sold the WPG common stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value (unless SPG and WPG jointly make an election under Section 336(e) of the Code with respect to the distribution, in which case, in general, WPG would (i) recognize taxable gain as if it had sold all of its assets in a taxable sale in exchange for an amount equal to the fair market value of the WPG common stock and the assumption of all WPG's liabilities and (ii) obtain a related step up in the basis of its assets) and SPG shareholders who receive WPG common stock in the distribution would be subject to tax as if they had received a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of such shares. In addition, even if the distribution were to otherwise qualify as tax-free under Section 355 of the Code, it may result in taxable gain at the entity level under Section 355(e) of the Code, if the distribution were later deemed to be part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, shares representing a 50% or greater interest (by vote or value) in SPG or WPG. For this purpose, any acquisitions of SPG stock or of WPG shares within the period beginning two years before the separation and ending two years after the separation are presumed to be part of such a plan, although SPG or WPG may be able to rebut that presumption.

            In connection with the distribution, SPG and WPG will enter into a tax matters agreement pursuant to which WPG will agree to be responsible for certain liabilities and obligations following the distribution. In general, under the terms of the tax matters agreement, if the distribution, together with certain related transactions, were to fail to qualify as a tax-free transaction under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code (including as a result of Section 355(e) of the Code) and if such failure were the result of actions taken after the distribution by SPG or WPG, the party responsible for such failure will be responsible for all taxes imposed on, and certain related amounts payable by, SPG or WPG to the extent such taxes or related amounts result from such actions. However, if such failure was the result of any acquisition of WPG shares or assets or any of WPG's representations, statements or undertakings being incorrect,

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incomplete or breached, WPG will be responsible for all entity-level taxes and certain related amounts resulting from such acquisition or breach. For a discussion of the tax matters agreement, please refer to "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions — The Tax Matters Agreement." WPG's indemnification obligations to SPG under the tax matters agreement will not be limited in amount or subject to any cap. If WPG is required to pay any entity-level taxes or make additional distributions or indemnify SPG and its subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors under the circumstances set forth in the tax matters agreement, WPG may be subject to substantial liabilities.

    Backup Withholding and Information Reporting.

            Payments of cash to U.S. Holders of SPG common stock in lieu of fractional shares of WPG common stock may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28%), unless such U.S. Holder delivers a properly completed IRS Form W-9, providing such U.S. Holder's correct taxpayer identification number and certain other information, or otherwise establishing a basis for exemption from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against a U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

            U.S. Treasury regulations require certain U.S. Holders who receive shares of WPG common stock in the distribution to attach to such U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax return for the year in which the distribution occurs a detailed statement setting forth certain information relating to the tax-free nature of the distribution.

             THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION IS A SUMMARY OF MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION UNDER CURRENT LAW AND IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION DOES NOT PURPORT TO ADDRESS ALL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION OR TAX CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY ARISE UNDER THE TAX LAWS OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS OR THAT MAY APPLY TO PARTICULAR CATEGORIES OF SHAREHOLDERS. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION TO THEM, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS, AND THE EFFECT OF POSSIBLE CHANGES IN TAX LAWS THAT MAY AFFECT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES DESCRIBED ABOVE.

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DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL INDEBTEDNESS

Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility and Senior Unsecured Term Loan Facility

            Washington Prime Group, L.P. (the "Borrower") intends to enter into a senior unsecured revolving credit facility and a senior unsecured term loan facility with a syndicate of banks, as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Incorporated or its affiliates and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and other banks as joint bookrunners and joint lead arrangers. The revolving credit facility will provide borrowings on a revolving basis up to $900 million (the "Revolver") and the senior unsecured term loan facility (the "Term Loan" and together with the Revolver, the "Facility") will provide borrowings in an aggregate principal amount up to $500 million. Loans under the Facility will be denominated in U.S. Dollars; provided that we anticipate that up to 25% of the amount available for borrowing under the Revolver will be available for loans denominated in Canadian Dollars. The Facility will close no later than the consummation of the distribution.

            We anticipate that the Revolver will mature on May 30, 2018, subject to two, 6-month extension options available at the Borrower's election subject to compliance with the terms of the Facility and payment of a customary extension fee. We anticipate that the Term Loan will mature on May 30, 2016, subject to three, 12-month extension options available at the Borrower's election subject to compliance with the terms of the Facility and payment of a customary extension fee. We expect to draw under the Revolver on or prior to the distribution date.

            Set forth below is a summary of the anticipated terms of the Facility. As the final terms of the Facility have not yet been finalized, the final terms may differ from those set forth herein.

            We anticipate that obligations under the Facility will be senior unsecured obligations of the Borrower and will not be guaranteed by Washington Prime Group Inc. or any other entity. The proceeds of the borrowings under the Facility will be used for, among other things, general corporate, partnership and working capital needs of the Borrower or its subsidiaries, inclusive of repayment of indebtedness for borrowed money.

            We anticipate that the Facility will have affirmative and negative covenants that are customary for an unsecured loan of this nature, including, without limitation, customary reporting obligations; limitations on WPG's or the Borrower's ability to enter into transactions relating to mergers or consolidations; limitations on the Borrower's ability to enter into transaction relating to sales of assets; limitations on distributions and investments; limitations on the incurrence of indebtedness subject to a maximum total adjusted outstanding indebtedness to capitalization value ratio, maximum total outstanding unsecured indebtedness to unencumbered capitalization value ratio and maximum secured indebtedness to capitalization value ratio (each to be described specifically in the definitive documentation for the Facility); and notification of the bankruptcy or cessation of operations of any tenant to which greater than 5% of the Borrower's consolidated minimum rent is attributable. In addition, we anticipate that we will be required to comply with the following financial maintenance covenants: (1) minimum combined equity value, (2) minimum combined debt service ratio and (3) minimum unsecured interest expense ratio, each to be described specifically in the definitive documentation for the Facility.

            We anticipate that Borrowings under the Revolver will bear interest at the LIBOR screen rate (with respect to U.S. Dollar denominated loans) or CDOR screen rate (with respect to Canadian Dollar denominated loans) (each, to be defined in the definitive documentation for the Facility) or the base rate (to be defined in the definitive documentation for the Facility) plus, in each case, an applicable margin. Provided that the Borrower has achieved an investment grade rating from at least two of Standard & Poor's Ratings Service, Moody's Investor Services, Inc. and Fitch, Inc., we anticipate that the applicable margin with respect to borrowings under the Revolver and Term Loan will, at the Borrower's election, be governed by either a leverage based or ratings based pricing grid as set forth below. The major credit rating agencies have indicated they expect to assign us an investment grade credit rating of BBB or Baa2.

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Leverage based pricing grid for borrowings under the Revolver

Ratio Level
  Total
Leverage Ratio
  Applicable Margin for
LIBOR Screen Rate or
CDOR Screen Rate Loan
(% per annum)
  Applicable Margin for
Base Rate Loans
(% per annum)
 

Level I

  < 40%     1.25 %   0.25 %

Level II

  ³ 40% and < 45%     1.30 %   0.30 %

Level III

  ³ 45% and < 50%     1.40 %   0.40 %

Level IV

  ³ 50% and < 55%     1.55 %   0.55 %

Level V

  ³ 55%     1.65 %   0.65 %

Leverage based pricing grid for borrowings under the Term Loan

Ratio Level
  Total
Leverage Ratio
  Applicable Margin for
LIBOR Screen Rate or
CDOR Screen Rate Loan
(% per annum)
  Applicable Margin for
Base Rate Loans
(% per annum)
 

Level I

  < 40%     1.40 %   0.40 %

Level II

  ³ 40% and < 45%     1.50 %   0.50 %

Level III

  ³ 45% and < 50%     1.65 %   0.65 %

Level IV

  ³ 50% and < 55%     1.80 %   0.80 %

Level V

  ³ 55%     1.95 %   0.95 %

Ratings based pricing grid for borrowings under the Revolver

Range of Borrower's
Credit Rating
(S&P/Moody's/Fitch Ratings)
  Applicable Margin for
LIBOR Screen Rate or
CDOR Screen Rate
Loans
(% per annum)
  Applicable Margin for
Base Rate Loans
(% per annum)
 

A-/A3 or higher

    0.875 %   0.000 %

BBB+/Baa1

    1.000 %   0.000 %

BBB/Baa2

    1.050 %   0.050 %

BBB-/Baa3

    1.250 %   0.250 %

below BBB-/Baa3 or unrated

    1.650 %   0.650 %

Ratings based pricing grid for borrowings under the Term Loan

Range of Borrower's
Credit Rating
(S&P/Moody's/Fitch Ratings)
  Applicable Margin for
LIBOR Screen Rate or
CDOR Screen Rate
Loans
(% per annum)
  Applicable Margin for
Base Rate Loans
(% per annum)
 

A-/A3 or higher

    0.900 %   0.000 %

BBB+/Baa1

    1.050 %   0.050 %

BBB/Baa2

    1.150 %   0.150 %

BBB-/Baa3

    1.450 %   0.450 %

below BBB-/Baa3 or unrated

    1.900 %   0.900 %

            We anticipate that the default interest rate following the occurrence and continuation of an event of default under the Facility will be equal to the base rate plus 2.00% and that interest will be payable monthly. The definitive documentation for the Facility is anticipated to include a competitive bid option for amounts drawn under the Revolver, not to be exercised more than six times in any 30-day period, in an amount not to exceed 65% of the total amount of commitments under the Revolver.

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            Provided that the Borrower has achieved an investment grade rating from at least two of Standard & Poor's Ratings Service, Moody's Investor Services, Inc. and Fitch, Inc., we anticipate that the commitments under the Revolver will be subject to a facility fee governed, at the Borrower's election, by either a leverage based or ratings based grid as set forth below. The major credit rating agencies have indicated they expect to assign us an investment grade credit rating of BBB or Baa2.

Leverage based grid

Ratio Level
  Total
Leverage Ratio
  Facility Fee Percentage
(% per annum)
 

Level I

  < 40%     0.20 %

Level II

  ³ 40% and < 45%     0.25 %

Level III

  ³ 45% and < 50%     0.30 %

Level IV

  ³ 50% and < 55%     0.30 %

Level V

  ³ 55%     0.35 %

Ratings based grid

Range of Borrower's
Credit Rating
(S&P/Moody's/Fitch Ratings)
  Facility Fee Percentage
(% per annum)
 

A-/A3 or higher

    0.125 %

BBB+/Baa1

    0.150 %

BBB/Baa2

    0.200 %

BBB-/Baa3

    0.250 %

below BBB-/Baa3 or unrated

    0.300 %

            The funding of the Facility is subject to closing conditions that are customary for unsecured loans of this nature. We anticipate that the Borrower will be permitted to voluntarily prepay the loans under the Facility without any penalty, other than breakage fees, at any time.

            We anticipate that the Facility will contain customary events of default, including, without limitation, payment defaults, performance defaults, bankruptcy defaults, judgment defaults, defaults under certain other indebtedness, changes in control, the failure of Washington Prime Group Inc. to remain a publicly listed company and to maintain its status as a REIT for federal income tax purposes and the failure of the Borrower, or its subsidiaries or affiliates, or Simon Property Group, L.P., or its subsidiaries or affiliates, to provide, collectively, property management and leasing services for at least 33% of the total number of shopping centers in which the Borrower will have an ownership interest.


Property-Level Debt

            At December 31, 2013, certain of our consolidated subsidiaries were the borrowers under 20 non-recourse mortgage loans secured by mortgages encumbering 24 properties, including two separate pools of cross-defaulted and cross-collateralized mortgages encumbering a total of 6 properties. Under these cross-default provisions, a default under any mortgage included in the cross-defaulted pool may constitute a default under all mortgages within that pool and may lead to acceleration of the indebtedness due on each property within the pool. In addition, certain of our unconsolidated joint ventures were the borrowers under 7 non-recourse mortgage loans secured by mortgages on 7 properties, including 2 mortgage loans that are cross-defaulted and cross-collateralized.

            Upon completion of the separation, we expect to assume our share of approximately $962 million of existing secured property-level indebtedness related to these properties, based on principal balances at December 31, 2013 (the "Assumed Debt"), and to assume approximately $425.0 million of new secured property-level indebtedness ("New Secured Debt").

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            Typically, and without lender consent, our property-level mortgage debt may restrict or limit the ability of the borrower thereunder to:

    incur additional indebtedness secured by that property;

    create liens on that property;

    transfer the property or the direct or indirect equity interests in the borrowing entity that owns the property;

    manage cash flows generated from the property;

    make material alterations to the property; and

    enter into, modify or terminate material leases with respect to the property.

            In addition, these instruments generally limit the ability of the applicable borrower's parent entity from incurring mezzanine indebtedness with respect to its interest in the applicable borrower unless certain conditions are satisfied, including compliance with maximum loan to value ratio and minimum debt service coverage ratio tests.

            As of December 31, 2013, the Assumed Debt had an effective weighted average interest rate of 5.87% and a weighted average years to maturity of 4.0 years. We anticipate that the New Secured Debt will have an effective weighted average interest rate of 4.58% and a weighted average years to maturity of 8.7 years.

            The Assumed Debt is recourse only to the property securing the applicable portion of the Assumed Debt, with the exception of customary and contingent guaranties/indemnities that Simon Property Group, L.P. or its subsidiaries may have provided, such as non-recourse carve-out guaranties and environmental indemnities. We expect to assume the guaranty obligations as described in the preceding sentence, as of the distribution date.

            We do not believe any individual mortgage or property-level debt instrument to be material.

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DESCRIPTION OF WPG'S CAPITAL STOCK

             WPG's articles of incorporation and bylaws will be amended and restated prior to the separation. The following is a summary of the material terms of WPG's capital stock that will be contained in the amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws. The summaries and descriptions below do not purport to be complete statements of the relevant provisions of the amended and restated articles of incorporation or of the bylaws to be in effect at the time of the distribution. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to these documents, which you must read (along with the applicable provisions of Indiana law) for complete information on WPG's capital stock as of the time of the distribution. The amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws to be in effect at the time of the distribution will be included as exhibits to WPG's registration statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part.


General

            WPG's authorized capital stock consists of 300 million common shares, par value $.0001 per share, 75 million preferred shares, par value $.0001 per share, of which all of the preferred shares are undesignated, and 125 million shares of Excess Common Stock. WPG's board of directors may establish the rights and preferences of the preferred shares from time to time. Immediately following the distribution, WPG expects that approximately 155 million of its common shares will be issued and outstanding, based on the number of outstanding shares of Simon Property Group, Inc. common stock as of March 14, 2014 and the distribution ratio of one WPG share for every two shares of SPG common stock, and that no preferred shares will be issued and outstanding.


Common Shares

            Each holder of WPG common shares will be entitled to one vote for each share on all matters to be voted upon by the common shareholders, and there will be no cumulative voting rights. Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding preferred shares, holders of WPG common shares will be entitled to receive ratably the dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by its board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. If there is a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of WPG, holders of its common shares would be entitled to ratable distribution of its assets remaining after the payment in full of liabilities and any preferential rights of any then outstanding preferred shares.

            Holders of WPG common shares will have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common shares. After the distribution, all outstanding WPG common shares will be fully paid and non-assessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of WPG common shares are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred equity that WPG may designate and issue in the future.


Preferred Shares

            Under the terms of WPG's amended and restated articles of incorporation, its board of directors will be authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by the Indiana Business Corporation Law, or the "IBCL," and by its amended and restated articles of incorporation, to issue up to 75 million shares of preferred equity in one or more series without further action by the holders of its common shares. WPG's board of directors will have the discretion, subject to limitations prescribed by the IBCL and by WPG's amended and restated of incorporation, to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred shares.

            We believe that the power of our board of directors, without shareholder approval, to amend our articles to increase the aggregate number of shares of our preferred equity and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of our preferred shares and thereafter to issue such classified or reclassified shares of preferred equity provides us with flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise. The additional classes or series will be available for issuance without further action by our shareholders, unless shareholder consent is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. Although our board of directors does not currently intend to do so, it could authorize us to issue an additional class or series of preferred equity that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company, even if such transaction or change of control involves a premium price for our shareholders or shareholders believe that such transaction or change of control may be in their best interests.

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Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

            Our amended and restated articles of incorporation contain certain restrictions on the number of shares of capital stock that individual shareholders may own. Certain requirements must be met for us to maintain our status as a REIT, including the following:

    Not more than 50% in value of our outstanding capital stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals, as defined in the Code to include certain entities, during the last half of a taxable year other than the first year; and

    Our capital stock also must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year.

            In part because we currently believe it is essential for us to maintain our status as a REIT, the provisions of our articles with respect to authorized but unissued WPG shares ("Excess Shares") contain restrictions on the acquisition of our capital stock intended to ensure compliance with these requirements.

            Our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide that, subject to certain specified exceptions, no shareholder may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution rules of the Code, more than the ownership limit. The ownership limit is equal to 8%, or 18% in the case of members of the Simon family and related persons, of any class of capital stock or any combination thereof, determined by number of shares outstanding, voting power or value (as determined by WPG's board of directors), whichever produces the smallest holding of capital stock under the three methods, computed wth regard to all outstanding shares of capital stock and, to the extent provided by the Code, all shares of capital stock issuable under outstanding options and exchange rights that have not been exercised. The board of directors may exempt a person from the ownership limit if the board of directors receives a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of tax counsel that such ownership will not jeopardize our status as a REIT.

            Anyone acquiring shares in excess of the ownership limit will lose control over the power to dispose of the shares, will not receive dividends declared and will not be able to vote the shares. In the event of a purported transfer or other event that would, if effective, result in the ownership of shares in violation of the ownership limit, the transfer or other event will be deemed void with respect to that number of shares that would be owned by the transferee in excess of the ownership limit. The intended transferee of the excess shares will acquire no rights in those shares. Those shares will automatically be converted into Excess Shares according to rules set forth in the amended and restated articles of incorporation.

            Upon a purported transfer or other event that results in Excess Shares, the Excess Shares will be deemed to have been transferred to a trustee to be held in trust for the exclusive benefit of a qualifying charitable organization designated by us. The Excess Shares will be issued and outstanding equity entitled to dividends equal to any dividends which are declared and paid on the shares from which they were converted. Any dividend or distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares have been converted into Excess Shares is to be repaid upon demand. The recipient of the dividend will be personally liable to the trust. Any dividend or distribution declared but unpaid will be rescinded as void with respect to the shares in question, and will automatically be deemed to have been declared and paid with respect to the Excess Shares into which the shares were converted. The Excess Shares will also be entitled to the same voting rights granted to the shares from which they were converted. Any voting rights exercised prior to our discovery that shares were converted to Excess Shares will be rescinded and recast as determined by the trustee.

            While Excess Shares are held in trust, an interest in that trust may be transferred by the purported transferee, or other purported holder with respect to the Excess Shares, only to a person whose ownership of the shares of stock would not violate the ownership limit. Upon such transfer, the Excess Shares will be automatically exchanged for the same number of shares of the same type and class as the shares for which the Excess Shares were originally exchanged.

            Our amended and restated articles of incorporation contain provisions that are designed to ensure that the purported transferee or other purported holder of the Excess Shares may not receive in return for such a transfer an amount that reflects any appreciation in the shares for which the Excess Shares were exchanged during the period that the Excess Shares were outstanding. Any amount received by a purported transferee or other purported holder in excess of the amount permitted to be received must be paid over to the trust. If the foregoing restrictions are determined to be void or invalid by virtue of any legal decision, statute, rule or regulation, then the intended transferee or holder of any Excess Shares may be deemed, at our option, to have acted as an agent on behalf of the trust in acquiring or holding the Excess Shares and to hold the Excess Shares on behalf of the trust.

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            Our amended and restated articles of incorporation further provide that we may purchase, for a period of 90 days during the time the Excess Shares are held by the trustee in trust, all or any portion of the Excess Shares from the original transferee-shareholder at the lesser of the following:

    The price paid for the shares by the purported transferee, or if no notice of such purchase price is given, at a price to be determined by the board of directors, in its sole discretion, but no lower than the lowest market price of such shares at any time prior to the date we exercise our purchase option; and

    The closing market price for the shares on the date we exercise our option to purchase.

            The 90-day period begins on the date of the violative transfer or other event if the original transferee-shareholder gives notice to us of the transfer or, if no notice is given, the date the board of directors determines that a violative transfer or other event has occurred.

            Our amended and restated articles of incorporation further provide that in the event of a purported issuance or transfer that would, if effective, result in us being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons, such issuance or transfer would be deemed null and void, and the intended transferee would acquire no rights to the shares.

            All certificates representing shares of any class of our shares bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.

            All persons who own, directly or by virtue of the attribution rules of the Code, more than 5%, or such other percentage as may be required by the Code or Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, of the outstanding shares must file an affidavit with us containing the information specified in the articles before January 30 of each year. In addition, each shareholder shall, upon demand, be required to disclose to us in writing such information with respect to the direct, indirect and constructive ownership of shares as the board of directors deems necessary to comply with the provisions of the articles or the Code applicable to a REIT.

            The Excess Shares provision will not be removed automatically even if the REIT provisions of the Code are changed so as to no longer contain any ownership concentration limitation or if the ownership concentration limitation is increased. In addition to preserving our status as a REIT, the ownership limit may have the effect of precluding an acquisition of control of us without the approval of our board of directors.


Anti-Takeover Effects of Various Provisions of Indiana Law and WPG's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

            Provisions of the IBCL and WPG's amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws could make it more difficult to acquire WPG by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and takeover bids that its board of directors may consider inadequate and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the company to first negotiate with WPG's board of directors. WPG believes that the benefits of increased protection of its ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure it outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

            Control Share Acquisitions.     Under Chapter 42 of the IBCL, an acquiring person or group who makes a "control share acquisition" in an "issuing public corporation" may not exercise voting rights on any "control shares" unless these voting rights are conferred by a majority vote of the disinterested shareholders of the issuing public corporation at a special meeting of those shareholders held upon the request and at the expense of the acquiring person. If control shares acquired in a control share acquisition are accorded full voting rights and the acquiring person has acquired control shares with a majority or more of all voting power, all shareholders of the issuing public corporation have dissenters' rights to receive the fair value of their shares pursuant to Chapter 44 of the IBCL.

            Under the IBCL, "control shares" are shares acquired by a person that, when added to all other shares of the issuing public corporation owned by that person or in respect to which that person may exercise or direct the exercise of voting power, would otherwise entitle that person to exercise voting power of the issuing public corporation in the election of directors within any of the following ranges:

    One-fifth or more but less than one-third;

    One-third or more but less than a majority; or

    A majority or more.

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            A "control share acquisition" means, subject to specified exceptions, the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person of ownership of, or the power to direct the exercise of voting power with respect to, issued and outstanding control shares. For the purposes of determining whether an acquisition constitutes a control share acquisition, shares acquired within 90 days or under a plan to make a control share acquisition are considered to have been acquired in the same acquisition.

            An "issuing public corporation" means a corporation which has (i) 100 or more shareholders, (ii) its principal place of business or its principal office in Indiana, or that owns or controls assets within Indiana having a fair market value of greater than $1,000,000, and (iii) (A) more than 10% of its shareholders resident in Indiana, (B) more than 10% of its shares owned of record or owned beneficially by Indiana residents, or (C) 1,000 shareholders resident in Indiana.

            The provisions described above do not apply if, before a control share acquisition is made, the corporation's amended and restated articles of incorporation or bylaws, including a Bylaw adopted by the corporation's board of directors, provide that they do not apply.

            Our amended and restated bylaws provide that these provisions of Chapter 42 do not apply to us.

            Certain Business Combinations.     Chapter 43 of the IBCL restricts the ability of a "resident domestic corporation" to engage in any combinations with an "interested shareholder" for five years after the date the interested shareholder became such, unless the combination or the purchase of shares by the interested shareholder on the interested shareholder's date of acquiring shares is approved by the board of directors of the resident domestic corporation before that date. If the combination was not previously approved, then the interested shareholder may effect a combination after the five-year period only if that shareholder receives approval from a majority of the disinterested shareholders or the offer meets specified "fair price" criteria.

            For purposes of the above provisions, "resident domestic corporation" means an Indiana corporation that has 100 or more shareholders. "Interested shareholder" means any person, other than the resident domestic corporation or its subsidiaries, who is (1) the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares of the resident domestic corporation or (2) an affiliate or associate of the resident domestic corporation, which at any time within the five-year period immediately before the date in question, was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of the resident domestic corporation.

            The definition of "beneficial owner" for purposes of Chapter 43 means a person who, directly or indirectly, owns the subject shares, has the right to acquire or vote the subject shares (excluding voting rights under revocable proxies made in accordance with federal law), has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding or voting or disposing of the subject shares, or holds any "derivative instrument" that includes the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase in the value of the subject shares.

            The above provisions do not apply to corporations that elect not to be subject to Chapter 43 in an amendment to their amended and restated articles of incorporation approved by a majority of the disinterested shareholders. That amendment, however, cannot become effective until 18 months after its passage and would apply only to share acquisitions occurring after its effective date. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation do not exclude us from Chapter 43.


Annual Election of Directors

            Under Section 23-1-33-6(c) of the IBCL, a corporation with a class of voting shares registered with the SEC under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), must have a classified board of directors unless the corporation adopts a bylaw expressly electing not to be governed by this provision by 30 days after the corporation's voting shares are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. WPG's amended and restated bylaws will provide that its board of directors will not be classified. Commencing with the first annual meeting of shareholders following the separation, directors will be elected at the annual meeting of shareholders and thereafter will serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders. WPG's board of directors may amend the bylaws in the future to elect to have a classified board structure.

            At any meeting of shareholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present, the election will be determined by a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to vote in the election, with directors not

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receiving a majority of the votes cast required to tender their resignations for consideration by the board, except that in the case of a contested election, the election will be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to vote in the election.


Removal of Directors

            WPG's amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws will provide that its shareholders may only remove its directors for cause with the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of WPG voting shares. In addition, under Section 23-1-33-8(a) of the IBCL a director may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office.


Amendments to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation

            WPG's amended and restated articles of incorporation will provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of WPG's outstanding voting shares is required to amend certain provisions relating to the removal of directors, the calling of special meetings of shareholders and director and officer indemnification.


Amendments to Bylaws

            Under Section 23-1-39-1 of the IBCL, only the board of directors can amend the bylaws, and shareholders do not have the right to amend the bylaws unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise. WPG's amended and restated articles of incorporation provide that the bylaws may be amended by WPG's board of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of WPG's outstanding voting shares, except that amendments to certain provisions relating to the removal of directors, calling special meetings of shareholders and director and officer indemnification may only be made by approval of both the board of directors and the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of WPG's outstanding voting shares.


Size of Board and Vacancies

            WPG's amended and restated bylaws will provide that the number of directors on its board of directors will be fixed exclusively by its board of directors. Any vacancies created in its board of directors resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, or the death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause, will be filled by a majority of the board of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum is present, or by a sole remaining director. Any director appointed to fill a vacancy on WPG's board of directors will be appointed for a term expiring at the next election of the class for which such director has been appointed, and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified.


Special Shareholder Meetings

            WPG's amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws will provide that only the chairman of WPG's board of directors, its chief executive officer, its president or its board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the board of directors may call special meetings of WPG shareholders. Shareholders may not call special shareholder meetings.

            Business that may be transacted at special shareholder meetings is limited to business stated in WPG's notice of the meeting; shareholders may not submit business proposals for consideration at, or nominate persons for election as directors at, special shareholder meetings.


Shareholder Action by Unanimous Written Consent

            Under Section 23-1-29-4(a) of the IBCL, shareholders may act without a meeting only by unanimous written consent.


Requirements for Advance Notification of Shareholder Nominations and Proposals

            WPG's amended and restated bylaws will establish advance notice procedures with respect to shareholder proposals and nomination of candidates for election as directors other than nominations made by or at the direction of its board of directors or a committee of its board of directors. These advance-notice provisions may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of our directors or the consideration of shareholder proposals if the proper procedures are not followed, or discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to

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elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal, without regard to whether consideration of those nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our shareholders.


No Cumulative Voting

            The IBCL provides that shareholders are denied the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless the company's articles of incorporation provides otherwise. WPG's amended and restated articles of incorporation will not provide for cumulative voting.


Undesignated Preferred Shares

            The authority that WPG's board of directors will possess to issue preferred shares could potentially be used to discourage attempts by third parties to obtain control of WPG through a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise by making such attempts more difficult or more costly. WPG's board of directors may be able to issue preferred shares with voting or conversion rights that, if exercised, could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of WPG's common equity.


Exclusive Forum

            Our amended and restated articles of incorporation will provide that the state and U.S. federal courts located in the State of Indiana will be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors or officers to us or our shareholders, creditors or other constituents, any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors or officers arising pursuant to any provision of the IBCL or our amended and restated articles of incorporation or bylaws or any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors or officers governed by the internal affairs doctrine.


Directors' Duties and Liability

            Under Chapter 35 of the IBCL, directors are required to discharge their duties in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances and in a manner that the directors reasonably believe to be in the best interest of the corporation. Under the IBCL, a director is not liable for any action taken as a director, or any failure to act, regardless of the nature of the alleged breach of duty (including alleged breaches of the duty of care, the duty of loyalty, and the duty of good faith) unless the director has breached or failed to perform the duties of the director's office and the action or failure to act constitutes willful misconduct or recklessness. This exculpation from liability under the IBCL does not affect the liability of directors for violations of the federal securities laws.


Indemnification

            Chapter 37 of the IBCL authorizes every Indiana corporation to indemnify its officers and directors under certain circumstances against liability incurred in connection with proceedings to which the officers or directors are made a party by reason of their relationship to the corporation. Officers and directors may be indemnified where they have acted in good faith, and in the case of official action, they reasonably believed the conduct was in the corporation's best interests, and in all other cases, they reasonably believed the action taken was not against the best interests of the corporation, and in the case of criminal proceedings they either had reasonable cause to believe the action was lawful or there was no reasonable cause to believe the action was unlawful. Chapter 37 of the IBCL also requires every Indiana corporation to indemnify any of its officers or directors (unless limited by the articles of incorporation of the corporation) who were wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any such proceeding against reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding. A corporation may also, under certain circumstances, pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by an officer or director who is a party to a proceeding in advance of final disposition of the proceeding. Chapter 37 of the IBCL states that the indemnification provided for therein is not exclusive of any other rights to which a person may be entitled under the articles of incorporation, bylaws or resolutions of the board of directors or shareholders.

            Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws, and accordingly the terms of our indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, provide for indemnification, to the fullest extent permitted by the IBCL, of our directors and officers against liability and reasonable expenses that may be incurred by them in connection with proceedings in which they are made a party by reason of their relationship to the company.

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Consideration of Effects on Other Constituents

            Chapter 35 of the IBCL also provides that a board of directors, in discharging its duties, may consider, in its discretion, both the long-term and short-term best interests of the corporation, taking into account, and weighing as the directors deem appropriate, the effects of an action on the corporation's shareholders, employees, suppliers and customers and the communities in which offices or other facilities of the corporation are located and any other factors the directors consider pertinent. Directors are not required to consider the effects of a proposed corporate action on any particular corporate constituent group or interest as a dominant or controlling factor. If a determination is made with the approval of a majority of the disinterested directors of the board of directors, that determination is conclusively presumed to be valid unless it can be demonstrated that the determination was not made in good faith after reasonable investigation. Chapter 35 specifically provides that specified judicial decisions in Delaware and other jurisdictions, which might be looked upon for guidance in interpreting Indiana law, including decisions that propose a higher or different degree of scrutiny in response to a proposed acquisition of the corporation, are inconsistent with the proper application of the business judgment rule under Chapter 35.


Authorized but Unissued Shares

            WPG's authorized but unissued common and preferred shares will be available for future issuance without your approval. WPG may use additional shares for a variety of purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, to fund acquisitions and as employee compensation. The existence of authorized but unissued common and preferred shares could render more difficult, or discourage, an attempt to obtain control of WPG by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.


Listing

            WPG has applied to have its common shares listed on the NYSE under the symbol "WPG."


Sale of Unregistered Securities

            In the past three years, WPG has not sold any securities, including sales of reacquired securities, new issues, securities issued in exchange for property, services or other securities, and new securities resulting from the modification of outstanding securities.

            In connection with its incorporation, on December 17, 2013, WPG issued 100 common shares, par value $0.0001 per share, to SPG pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. Prior to completion of the separation and distribution, WPG will effectuate a stock split on these 100 common shares. We will not register the issuance of these shares under the Securities Act because such issuances will not constitute a public offering.


Transfer Agent and Registrar

            After the distribution, the distribution agent, transfer agent and registrar for WPG's common shares will be Computershare, Inc. For questions relating to the transfer or mechanics of the share distribution, you should contact:

Computershare, Inc.
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170
866-239-2277
www.computershare.com/investor

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

            The following is a summary of material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the investment in our common shares. For purposes of this section under the heading "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences," references to "WPG," "we," "our," and "us" generally mean only WPG and its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated, and references to "tenants" are to persons who are treated as lessees of real property for purposes of the REIT requirements, including, in general, persons who are referred to as "customers" elsewhere in this information statement. This summary is based on the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, rulings and other administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date of this information statement, and is subject to changes in these or other governing authorities, any of which may have a retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position to the contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. This summary is also based upon the assumption that we and our subsidiaries and affiliated entities will operate in accordance with our and their applicable organizational documents. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. It does not discuss any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences relevant to us or an investment in our common shares, and it does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular investor in light of its particular investment or tax circumstances or to investors subject to special rules under the Code (including, but not limited to, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, broker-dealers, partners in partnerships that hold our common shares, pass-through entities, traders in securities who elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting, shareholders who hold their our common shares as part of a "hedge," "straddle," "conversion," "synthetic security," "integrated investment" or "constructive sale transaction," individuals who receive our common shares upon the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation, and shareholders who are subject to alternative minimum tax). Finally, this summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to investors who will not hold our common shares as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment).

            The U.S. federal income tax treatment of holders of our common shares depends in some instances on determinations of fact and interpretations of complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. In addition, the tax consequences to any particular shareholder of holding our common shares will depend on the shareholder's particular tax circumstances. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign income and other tax consequences to you in light of your particular investment or tax circumstances of acquiring, holding, exchanging, or otherwise disposing of our common shares.

            We intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 859 of the Code, from and after the taxable year that includes the distribution. We believe that we will be organized, and we expect to operate, in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Code.

            Faegre Baker Daniels LLP has acted as our Special Tax Advisor in connection with our formation and election to be taxed as a REIT. In connection with this transaction, we expect to receive an opinion of the Special Tax Advisor to the effect that we are organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and that our proposed method of operation will enable us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT commencing with our taxable year that includes the distribution. It must be emphasized that the opinion of the Special Tax Advisor is based on various assumptions relating to our organization and operation, and are conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our organization, assets, and income, and the present and future conduct of our business operations. While we intend to operate so that we will qualify to be taxed as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given by the Special Tax Advisor or by us that we will qualify to be taxed as a REIT for any particular year. The opinion of the Special Tax Advisor is expressed as of the date issued. The Special Tax Advisor will have no obligation to advise us or our shareholders of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed, or of any subsequent change in the applicable law. You should be aware that opinions of advisors are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions.

            Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, distribution levels, and diversity of share ownership, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code, the compliance with which will not be reviewed by the Special Tax Advisor. Our ability to qualify to be taxed as a REIT also requires that we satisfy certain tests, some of which depend upon the fair market

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values of assets that we own directly or indirectly. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy such requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.


Taxation of WPG

Taxation of REITs in General

            As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below under "— Requirements for Qualification — General." While we intend to operate so that we qualify and continue to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. Please refer to "— Failure to Qualify."

            Provided that we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, generally we will be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our net REIT taxable income that is currently distributed to our shareholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the "double taxation" at the corporate and shareholder levels that generally results from an investment in a C corporation. A "C corporation" is a corporation that generally is required to pay tax at the corporate level. Double taxation means taxation once at the corporate level when income is earned and once again at the shareholder level when the income is distributed. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the shareholder level upon a distribution of dividends to our shareholders.

            Currently, most U.S. shareholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are taxed on corporate dividends at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% (the same as long-term capital gains). With limited exceptions, however, dividends from us or from other entities that are taxed as REITs are generally not eligible for this rate and will continue to be taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income. Presently, the highest marginal non-corporate U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income is 39.6%. Please refer to "— Taxation of Shareholders — Taxation of Taxable U.S. Shareholders — Distributions."

            Any net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes generally do not pass through to our shareholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the capital gains that we recognize. Please refer to "— Taxation of Shareholders — Taxation of Taxable U.S. Shareholders — Distributions."

            If we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:

    We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed net taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains;

    We may be subject to the "alternative minimum tax" on our items of tax preference, including any deductions of net operating losses;

    If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. Please refer to "— Prohibited Transactions" and "— Foreclosure Property" below;

    If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as "foreclosure property," we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 35%);

    If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test and/or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income;

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    If we violate the asset tests (other than certain de minimis violations) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our qualification as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to a penalty tax. In that case, the amount of the penalty tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the nonqualifying assets in question multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate (currently 35%) if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure;

    If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (iii) any undistributed net taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts that we actually distributed and (b) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level;

    We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT's shareholders, as described below in "— Requirements for Qualification — General";

    A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a TRS that do not reflect arm's-length terms;

    If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT ( i.e. , a corporation taxable under subchapter C of the Code) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the subchapter C corporation, we may be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the ten-year period following their acquisition from the subchapter C corporation; and

    The earnings of our TRSs will generally be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.

            In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local, and foreign income, property, gross receipts and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

Requirements for Qualification — General

            The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

    (1)
    That is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

    (2)
    The beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;

    (3)
    That would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT;

    (4)
    That is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Code;

    (5)
    The beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;

    (6)
    In which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding equity is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer "individuals" (as defined in the Code to include specified tax-exempt entities); and

    (7)
    That meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets.

            The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) need not be met during a corporation's initial tax year as a REIT (which, in our case, will be the taxable year that includes the distribution). Our articles will provide restrictions regarding the ownership and transfers of our shares, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, except as provided in the next sentence, our status as a REIT will terminate. If, however, we comply with the rules contained in applicable Treasury regulations that require us to ascertain the actual ownership of

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our shares and we do not know, or would not have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that we failed to meet the requirements described in condition (6) above, we will be treated as having met this requirement.

            To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our shares pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the shares ( i.e. , the persons required to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with your tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our shares and other information.

            In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We intend to adopt December 31 as our year-end, and thereby satisfy this requirement.

Effect of Subsidiary Entities

    Ownership of Partnership Interests

            If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnership's assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the partnership's income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs. Our proportionate share of a partnership's assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that for purposes of the 10% value test, described below, our proportionate share of the partnership's assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and income of any of our subsidiary partnerships will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements.

            If we become a limited partner or non-managing member in any partnership or limited liability company and such entity takes or expects to take actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition, it is possible that a partnership or limited liability company could take an action which could cause us to fail a gross income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in time to dispose of our interest in the partnership or limited liability company or take otherwise corrective action on a timely basis. In that case, we could fail to qualify to be taxed as a REIT unless we were entitled to relief, as described below.

    Disregarded Subsidiaries

            If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a "qualified REIT subsidiary," that subsidiary is generally disregarded as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all of the subsidiary's assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS (as described below), that is directly or indirectly wholly owned by a REIT. Other entities that are wholly owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as "pass-through subsidiaries."

            In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly owned — for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours — the subsidiary's separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as a either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirements the REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. Please refer to "— Asset Tests" and "— Income Tests."

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    Taxable REIT Subsidiaries

            In general, we may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly owned, to treat such subsidiary corporation as a TRS. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation generally is subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

            We are not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the shares issued by a taxable subsidiary corporation to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the dividends paid to us from such taxable subsidiary corporation, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations on a look-through basis in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to perform services or conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income or to conduct activities that, if conducted by us directly, would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.

            The TRS rules limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. Further, the rules impose a 100% excise tax on transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT or the REIT's tenants that are not conducted on an arm's-length basis. We intend that all of our transactions with our TRS, if any, will be conducted on an arm's-length basis.

Income Tests

            In order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in "prohibited transactions," discharge of indebtedness and certain hedging transactions, generally must be derived from "rents from real property," gains from the sale of real estate assets, interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including certain types of mortgage-backed securities), dividends received from other REITs, and specified income from temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, discharge of indebtedness and certain hedging transactions, must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% gross income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of equity or securities, which need not have any relation to real property. Income and gain from certain hedging transactions will be excluded from both the numerator and the denominator for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests.

    Rents from Real Property

            Rents we receive from a tenant will qualify as "rents from real property" for the purpose of satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if all of the conditions described below are met.

    The amount of rent is not based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount we receive or accrue generally will not be excluded from the term "rents from real property" solely because it is based on a fixed-percentage or percentages of receipts or sales;

    Neither we nor an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of our shares actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the interests in the assets or net profits of a non-corporate tenant, or, if the tenant is a corporation, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of shares of the tenant. Rents we receive from such a tenant that is a TRS of ours, however, will not be excluded from the definition of "rents from real property" as a result of this condition if at least 90% of the space at the property to which the rents relate is leased to third parties, and the rents paid by the TRS are substantially comparable to rents paid by our other tenants for comparable space. Whether rents paid by a TRS are substantially comparable to rents paid by other tenants is determined at the time the lease with the TRS is entered into, extended, and modified, if such modification increases the rents due under such lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, if a lease with a "controlled TRS" is modified and such modification results in an increase in the rents payable by such TRS, any such increase will

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      not qualify as "rents from real property." For purposes of this rule, a "controlled TRS" is a TRS in which the parent REIT owns equity possessing more than 50% of the voting power or more than 50% of the total value of the outstanding shares of such TRS;

    Rent attributable to personal property that is leased in connection with a lease of real property is not greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease. If this condition is not met, then the portion of the rent attributable to personal property will not qualify as "rents from real property"; and

    We generally are not permitted to operate or manage our properties or to furnish or render services to our tenants, subject to a 1% de minimis exception and except as further provided below. We are permitted, however, to perform directly certain services that are 'usually or customarily rendered' in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered "rendered to the occupant" of the property. Examples of these permitted services include the provision of light, heat, or other utilities, trash removal and general maintenance of common areas. In addition, we are permitted to employ an independent contractor from whom we derive no revenue, or a TRS that is wholly or partially owned by us, to provide both customary and non-customary property management or services to our tenants without causing the rent that we receive from those tenants to fail to qualify as "rents from real property." Any amounts that we receive from a TRS with respect to the TRS's provision of non-customary services will, however, be nonqualifying income under the 75% gross income test and, except to the extent received through the payment of dividends, the 95% gross income test.

    Interest Income

            Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test (as described above) to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we acquired or originated the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral, and our income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test. For these purposes, the term "interest" generally does not include any amount received or accrued, directly or indirectly, if the determination of all or some of the amount depends in any way on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term "interest" solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.

    Dividend Income

            We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends that we receive from another REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.

    Fee Income

            Any fee income that we earn will generally not be qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test. Any fees earned by a TRS, however, will not be included for purposes of our gross income tests.

    Hedging Transactions

            Any income or gain that we or our pass-through subsidiaries derive from instruments that hedge certain risks, such as the risk of changes in interest rates, will be excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests, provided that specified requirements are met, including the requirement that the instrument is entered into during the ordinary course of our business, the instrument hedges risks associated with indebtedness issued by us or our pass-through subsidiary that is incurred or to be incurred to acquire or carry "real estate assets" (as described below under "— Asset Tests"), and the instrument is properly identified as a hedge along with the risk that it hedges within prescribed time periods. Certain items of income or gain attributable to hedges of foreign currency

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fluctuations with respect to income that satisfies the REIT gross income requirements may also be excluded from the 95% and 75% gross income tests. Most likely, income and gain from all other hedging transactions will not be qualifying income for either the 95% or 75% gross income test.

    Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests

            If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify to be taxed as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (i) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (ii) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations, which have not yet been issued. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify to be taxed as a REIT. Even if these relief provisions apply, and we retain our status as a REIT, the Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.

Asset Tests

            At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of "real estate assets," cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, debt or equity instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property and shares of other corporations that qualify as REITs, as well as some kinds of mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test are subject to the additional asset tests described below.

            Second, the value of any one issuer's securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.

            Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer's outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries and the 10% asset test does not apply to "straight debt" having specified characteristics and to certain other securities described below. Solely for purposes of the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code.

            Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs that we hold, together with other non-qualified assets (such as furniture and equipment or other tangible personal property, or non-real estate securities) may not, in the aggregate, exceed 25% of the value of our total assets.

            Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership, if we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Similarly, although shares of another REIT are qualifying assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests, any non-mortgage debt that is issued by another REIT may not so qualify (although such debt will not be treated as "securities" for purposes of the 10% asset test, as explained below).

            Certain securities will not cause a violation of the 10% asset test described above. Such securities include instruments that constitute "straight debt," which term generally excludes, among other things, securities having contingency features. A security does not qualify as "straight debt" where a REIT (or a controlled TRS of the REIT) owns other securities of the same issuer which do not qualify as straight debt, unless the value of those other securities constitute, in the aggregate, 1% or less of the total value of that issuer's outstanding securities. In addition to straight debt, the Code provides that certain other securities will not violate the 10% asset test. Such securities include (i) any loan made to an individual or an estate, (ii) certain rental agreements pursuant to which one or more payments are to be made in subsequent years (other than agreements between a REIT and certain persons related to the REIT under attribution rules), (iii) any obligation to pay rents from real property, (iv) securities issued by governmental entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a non-governmental entity, (v) any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT and (vi) any debt instrument issued by a partnership if the

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partnership's income is of a nature that it would satisfy the 75% gross income test described above under "— Income Tests." In applying the 10% asset test, a debt security issued by a partnership is not taken into account to the extent, if any, of the REIT's proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by that partnership.

            No independent appraisals have been obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, the values of some assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.

            However, certain relief provisions are available to allow REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset and other requirements. For example, if we should fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if we (i) satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (ii) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partially caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the relative market values of our assets. If the condition described in (ii) were not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of the relief provisions described above.

            In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (i) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT's total assets and $10,000,000 and (ii) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.

            Even if we did not qualify for the foregoing relief provisions, one additional provision allows a REIT which fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (i) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (ii) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (iii) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate (currently 35%) and (iv) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.

Annual Distribution Requirements

            In order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our shareholders in an amount at least equal to: (i) the sum of (a) 90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gains and the deduction for dividends paid; and (b) 90% of our after tax net income, if any, from foreclosure property (as described below); minus (ii) the excess of the sum of specified items of non-cash income over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gain and the deduction for dividends paid.

            We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. These distributions will be treated as received by our shareholders in the year in which paid. In order for distributions to be counted as satisfying the annual distribution requirements for REITs, and to provide us with a REIT-level tax deduction, the distributions must not be "preferential dividends." A dividend is not a preferential dividend if the distribution is (i) pro rata among all outstanding shares of equity within a particular class and (ii) in accordance with any preferences among different classes of equity as set forth in our organizational documents.

            To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained portion. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, some or all of our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our shareholders to include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our shareholders would then increase the adjusted basis of their shares by the difference between (i) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated

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and that they include in their taxable income, minus (ii) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.

            To the extent that in the future we may have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the tax treatment to our shareholders of any distributions that are actually made. Please refer to "— Taxation of Shareholders — Taxation of Taxable U.S. Shareholders — Distributions."

            If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (iii) any undistributed net taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts actually distributed, plus (b) the amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid corporate income tax.

            We expect that our REIT taxable income will be less than our cash flow because of depreciation and other non-cash charges included in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we anticipate that we generally will have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the distribution requirements described above. However, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses in determining our taxable income. In addition, we may decide to retain our cash, rather than distribute it, in order to repay debt, acquire assets, or for other reasons. If these timing differences occur, we may borrow funds to pay dividends or pay dividends through the distribution of other property (including our shares) in order to meet the distribution requirements, while preserving our cash.

            If our taxable income for a particular year is subsequently determined to have been understated, we may be able to rectify a resultant failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying "deficiency dividends" to shareholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, subject to the 4% excise tax described above. We will be required to pay interest based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

            For purposes of the 90% distribution requirement and excise tax described above, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a shareholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the shareholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before the end of January of the following calendar year.

Prohibited Transactions

            Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term "prohibited transaction" generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or having been, held as inventory or for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held as inventory or "primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business" depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as inventory or property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate rates. We intend to structure our activities to avoid prohibited transaction characterization.

Like-Kind Exchanges

            We may dispose of properties in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under the Code. Such like-kind exchanges are intended to result in the deferral of gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The failure of any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could require us to pay federal income tax, possibly including the 100% prohibited transaction tax, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transactions.

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Derivatives and Hedging Transactions

            We may enter into hedging transactions with respect to interest rate exposure on one or more of our assets or liabilities. Any such hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including the use of derivative instruments such as interest rate swap contracts, interest rate cap or floor contracts, futures or forward contracts, and options. Except to the extent provided by Treasury regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we enter into (i) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, which is clearly identified as specified in Treasury regulations before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, including gain from the sale or disposition of a position in such a transaction and (ii) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests which is clearly identified as such before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test. To the extent that we enter into hedging transactions that are not described in the preceding clauses (i) or (ii), the income from these transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Moreover, to the extent that a position in a hedging transaction has positive value at any particular point in time, it may be treated as an asset that does not qualify for purposes of the REIT asset tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. We may conduct some or all of our hedging activities (including hedging activities relating to currency risk) through a TRS or other corporate entity, the income from which may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. No assurance can be given, however, that our hedging activities will not give rise to income or assets that do not qualify for purposes of the REIT tests, or that our hedging activities will not adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.

Foreclosure Property

            Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (i) that we acquire as the result of having bid in the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after a default (or upon imminent default) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by us and secured by the property, (ii) for which we acquired the related loan or lease at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated and (iii) with respect to which we made a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. We generally will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 35%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property. We do not anticipate receiving any income from foreclosure property that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test.

Penalty Tax

            Any re-determined rents, re-determined deductions or excess interest we generate will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, re-determined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of any services furnished to any of our tenants by a TRS, and re-determined deductions and excess interest represent any amounts that are deducted by a TRS for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm's-length negotiations or if the interest payments were at a commercially reasonable rate. Rents that we receive will not constitute re-determined rents if they qualify for certain safe harbor provisions contained in the Code.

Failure to Qualify

            If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than the income or asset tests, we could avoid disqualification as a REIT if our failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. Relief provisions are also available for failures of the income tests and asset tests, as described above in "— Income Tests" and "— Asset Tests."

            If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we would be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We cannot deduct distributions to shareholders in any year in which we are not a REIT, nor would we

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be required to make distributions in such a year. In this situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), distributions to shareholders would be taxable as regular corporate dividends. Such dividends paid to U.S. shareholders that are individuals, trusts and estates may be taxable at the preferential income tax rates ( i.e. , the 20% maximum U.S. federal rate) for qualified dividends. In addition, subject to the limitations of the Code, corporate distributes may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we would also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost our qualification. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we would be entitled to this statutory relief.


Taxation of Shareholders

Taxation of Taxable U.S. Shareholders

            The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our shares applicable to taxable U.S. shareholders. A "U.S. shareholder" is any holder of our common shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

    An individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

    A corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

    An estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or

    A trust if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. fiduciaries have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

            If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds our common equity, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An investor that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common shares.

    Distributions

            So long as we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, the distributions that we make to our taxable U.S. shareholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that we do not designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taken into account by such shareholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. With limited exceptions, our dividends are not eligible for taxation at the preferential income tax rates ( i.e. , the 20% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate) for qualified dividends received by most U.S. shareholders that are individuals, trusts and estates from taxable C corporations. Such shareholders, however, are taxed at the preferential rates on dividends designated by and received from REITs to the extent that the dividends are attributable to:

    Income retained by the REIT in the prior taxable year on which the REIT was subject to corporate level income tax (less the amount of tax);

    Dividends received by the REIT from TRSs or other taxable C corporations; or

    Income in the prior taxable year from the sales of "built-in gain" property acquired by the REIT from C corporations in carryover basis transactions (less the amount of corporate tax on such income).

            Distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taxed to our U.S. shareholders as long-term capital gains, to the extent that such distributions do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which the shareholder that receives such distribution has held its shares. We may elect to retain and pay taxes on some or all of our net long-term capital gains, in which case we may elect to apply provisions of the Code that treat our U.S. shareholders as having received, solely for tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains, and the shareholders as receiving a corresponding credit for taxes that we paid on such undistributed capital gains. Please refer to "Taxation of WPG — Annual Distribution Requirements." Corporate shareholders may

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be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at maximum U.S. federal rates of 20% in the case of U.S. shareholders that are individuals, trusts and estates, and 35% in the case of U.S. shareholders that are corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for more than twelve months are subject to a 25% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for taxpayers who are taxed as individuals, to the extent of certain previously claimed depreciation deductions.

            Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) will generally represent a return of capital and will not be taxable to a shareholder to the extent that the amount of such distributions does not exceed the adjusted basis of the shareholder's shares in respect of which the distributions were made. Rather, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of the shareholder's shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a shareholder's shares, the shareholder generally must include such distributions in income as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. In addition, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a shareholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the shareholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before the end of January of the following calendar year.

            To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Please refer to "Taxation of WPG — Annual Distribution Requirements." Such losses, however, are not passed through to shareholders and do not offset income of shareholders from other sources, nor would such losses affect the character of any distributions that we make, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of shareholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes).

    Dispositions of Our Shares

            If a U.S. shareholder sells or disposes of our shares, it will generally recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the sale or other disposition and the shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the shares. In general, capital gains recognized by individuals, trusts and estates upon the sale or disposition of our shares will be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% if the shares are held for more than one year, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates (of up to 39.6%) if the shares are held for one year or less. Gains recognized by shareholders that are corporations are subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 35%, whether or not such gains are classified as long-term capital gains. Capital losses recognized by a U.S. shareholder upon the disposition of our shares that were held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the shareholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may also offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of our shares by a U.S. shareholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of actual or deemed distributions that we make that are required to be treated by the shareholder as long-term capital gain.

            If a U.S. shareholder recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of our shares or other securities in an amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury regulations involving "reportable transactions" could apply, with a resulting requirement to separately disclose the loss-generating transaction to the IRS. These regulations, though directed towards "tax shelters," are broadly written and apply to transactions that would not typically be considered tax shelters. The Code imposes significant penalties for failure to comply with these requirements. You should consult your tax advisor concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to the receipt or disposition of our shares or securities or transactions that we might undertake directly or indirectly. Moreover, you should be aware that we and other participants in the transactions in which we are involved (including their advisors) might be subject to disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.

    Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations

            Distributions that we make and gains arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. shareholder of our shares will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, shareholder will not be able to apply any "passive losses" against income or gain relating to our shares. To the extent that distributions we make do not constitute a return of capital, they will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation.

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Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders

            The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our shares applicable to non-U.S. shareholders. A "non-U.S. shareholder" is any holder of our common equity other than a partnership or U.S. shareholder.

    Ordinary Dividends

            The portion of dividends received by non-U.S. shareholders that (i) is payable out of our earnings and profits, (ii) is not attributable to capital gains that we recognize and (iii) is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. shareholder, will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty.

            In general, non-U.S. shareholders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our shares. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. shareholder's investment in our shares is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. shareholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. shareholders are taxed with respect to such dividends. Such effectively connected income must generally be reported on a U.S. income tax return filed by or on behalf of the non-U.S. shareholder. The income may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty) in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder that is a corporation.

    Non-Dividend Distributions

            Unless our shares constitute a U.S. real property interest ("USRPI"), distributions that we make which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits will not be subject to U.S. income tax. If we cannot determine at the time a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. The non-U.S. shareholder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. If our shares constitute a USRPI, as described below, distributions that we make in excess of the sum of (i) the shareholder's proportionate share of our earnings and profits, plus (ii) the shareholder's basis in its stock, will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 ("FIRPTA"), at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a U.S. shareholder of the same type ( e.g. , an individual or a corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a withholding at a rate of 10% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the shareholder's share of our earnings and profits.

    Capital Gain Dividends

            Under FIRPTA, a distribution that we make to a non-U.S. shareholder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs that we held directly or through pass-through subsidiaries, or USPRI capital gains, will, except as described below, be considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. shareholder and will be subject to U.S. income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. individuals or corporations, without regard to whether we designate the distribution as a capital gain dividend. Please refer to above under "— Ordinary Dividends," for a discussion of the consequences of income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 35% of the maximum amount that could have been designated as USRPI capital gain dividends. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty) in the hands of a non-U.S. shareholder that is a corporation. A distribution is not attributable to USRPI capital gain if we held an interest in the underlying asset solely as a creditor. Capital gain dividends received by a non-U.S. shareholder that are attributable to dispositions of our assets other than USRPIs are not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless (i) the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder's U.S. trade or business, in which case the non-U.S. shareholder would be subject to the same treatment as U.S. shareholders with respect to such gain, except that a non-U.S. shareholder that is a corporation may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty), or (ii) the non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a "tax home" in the United States, in which case the non-U.S. shareholder will incur a 30% tax on his capital gains. We expect that a significant portion of our assets will be USRPIs.

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            A capital gain dividend that would otherwise have been treated as a USRPI capital gain will not be so treated or be subject to FIRPTA, and generally will not be treated as income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, and instead will be treated in the same manner as an ordinary dividend (please refer to — "Ordinary Dividends"), if (i) the capital gain dividend is received with respect to a class of stock that is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States and (ii) the recipient non-U.S. shareholder does not own more than 5% of that class of stock at any time during the year ending on the date on which the capital gain dividend is received. We anticipate that our common shares will be "regularly traded" on an established securities exchange.

    Dispositions of Our Shares

            Unless our shares constitute a USRPI, a sale of our shares by a non-U.S. shareholder generally will not be subject to U.S. taxation under FIRPTA. Subject to certain exceptions discussed below, our shares will be treated as a USRPI if 50% or more of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the United States, excluding, for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as a creditor. We expect that 50% or more of our assets will consist of USRPIs.

            Even if the foregoing 50% test is met, however, our shares will not constitute a USRPI if we are a "domestically controlled qualified investment entity." A domestically controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT, less than 50% of value of which is held, directly or indirectly, by non-U.S. shareholders at all times during a specified testing period. As described above, our articles contains restrictions designed to protect our status as a "domestically controlled qualified investment entity," and we believe that we will be and will remain a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, and that a sale of our shares should not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, no assurance can be given that we will be or will remain a domestically controlled qualified investment entity.

            In the event that we are not a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, but our shares are "regularly traded," as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market, a non-U.S. shareholder's sale of our common equity nonetheless also would not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that the selling non-U.S. shareholder held 5% or less of our outstanding common equity at any time during a prescribed testing period. We expect that our common equity will be regularly traded on an established securities market.

            If gain on the sale of our shares were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. shareholder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. shareholder with respect to such gain, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals. Moreover, in order to enforce the collection of the tax, the purchaser of the shares could be required to withhold 10% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.

            Gain from the sale of our shares that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United States to a non-U.S. shareholder in two cases: (i) if the non-U.S. shareholder's investment in our shares is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. shareholder, the non-U.S. shareholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. shareholder with respect to such gain, except that a non-U.S. shareholder that is a corporation may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty), or (ii) if the non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a "tax home" in the United States, the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual's capital gain. In addition, even if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, upon disposition of our shares (subject to the 5% exception applicable to "regularly traded" shares described above), a non-U.S. shareholder may be treated as having gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI if the non-U.S. shareholder (a) disposes of our common equity within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI and (b) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, other shares of our common equity within 30 days after such ex-dividend date.

             Non-U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning our shares.

Taxation of Tax-Exempt Shareholders

            Tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. However, they may be subject to taxation on their

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unrelated business taxable income ("UBTI"). While some investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (i) a tax-exempt shareholder has not held our shares as "debt financed property" within the meaning of the Code ( i.e. , where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt shareholder) and (ii) our shares are not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business, distributions that we make and income from the sale of our shares generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax-exempt shareholder.

            Tax-exempt shareholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally require such shareholders to characterize distributions that we make as UBTI.

            In certain circumstances, a pension trust that owns more than 10% of our shares could be required to treat a percentage of any dividends received from us as UBTI if we are a "pension-held REIT." We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (i) we are required to "look through" one or more of our pension trust shareholders in order to satisfy the REIT "closely-held" test and (ii) either (a) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our shares or (b) one or more pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our shares, collectively own more than 50% of the value of our shares. Certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of our shares generally should prevent a tax-exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our shares and generally should prevent us from becoming a pension-held REIT.

             Tax-exempt shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning our shares.


Other Tax Considerations

Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs

            The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time. The REIT rules are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the Treasury which may result in statutory changes as well as revisions to regulations and interpretations. Changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect an investment in our common equity.

Medicare 3.8% Tax on Investment Income

            For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, certain U.S. shareholders who are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare tax on dividends and certain other investment income, including capital gains from the sale or other disposition of our common equity.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

            Legislation enacted in 2010 and Treasury regulations and other official guidance issued thereunder will require, after June 30, 2014, withholding at a rate of 30% on dividends in respect of, and, after December 31, 2016, on gross proceeds from the sale of, our common equity held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the Treasury to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to accounts and shares in the institution held by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or future Treasury regulations or other guidance may modify these requirements. Accordingly, the entity through which our common equity is held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of, and gross proceeds from the sale of, our common equity held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity which does not qualify under certain exemptions will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (i) certifies to us that such entity does not have any "substantial United States owners" or (ii) provides certain information regarding the entity's "substantial United States owners," which we will in turn provide to the Secretary of the Treasury. We will not pay any additional amounts to shareholders in respect of any amounts withheld. Non-U.S. shareholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of the legislation on their investment in our common equity.

143


State, Local and Foreign Taxes

            We and our subsidiaries and shareholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. Our state, local or foreign tax treatment and that of our shareholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Any foreign taxes that we incur do not pass through to shareholders as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an investment in our shares.

144



SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

General

            Prior to the separation, there has been no market for our common shares. Therefore, future sales of substantial amounts of our common shares in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices.

            Upon completion of the separation, we will have common shares outstanding and common shares reserved for issuance upon redemption of common units of WPG L.P. In addition, we will have reserved for issuance to directors, executive officers and other SPG employees who provide services to us under our 2014 Stock Incentive Plan an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of our common equity that, if and when such shares are issued, may be subject in whole or in part to vesting requirements or the lapsing of restrictions.

            The WPG common shares distributed to SPG shareholders will be freely transferable, except for shares received by persons who may be deemed to be WPG "affiliates" under the Securities Act. Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of WPG after the separation generally include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by or are under common control with WPG and may include directors and certain officers or principal shareholders of WPG. WPG affiliates will be permitted to sell their WPG common shares only pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, such as the exemptions afforded by Rule 144.


Redemption/Exchange Rights

            Pursuant to the partnership agreement of our operating partnership, persons that own the common units will have the right to redeem their units. When a limited partner exercises this right with respect to common units, the partnership must redeem the common units for cash or, at our option, unregistered common shares, on a one-for-one basis subject to the terms and conditions of the partnership agreement. These redemption rights generally may be exercised by the limited partners at any time following the issuance of the common units. Please refer to "Partnership Agreement — Redemption Rights." Any amendment to the partnership agreement that would affect these redemption rights would require our consent as general partner and the consent of all limited partners adversely affected.


Rule 144

            Any "restricted" securities under the meaning of Rule 144 of the Securities Act may not be sold in the absence of registration under the Securities Act unless an exemption from registration is available, including exemptions contained in Rule 144.

            In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, if six months have elapsed since the date of acquisition of restricted shares from us or any of our affiliates, the holder of such restricted shares can sell such shares; provided that the number of shares sold by such person within any three-month period cannot exceed the greater of 1% of the total number of shares of our common equity then outstanding or the average weekly trading volume of our common equity on the New York Stock Exchange during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC.

            Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates or persons selling shares on behalf of our affiliates also are subject to certain manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us.


Grants Under Our Stock Incentive Plan

            It is expected that, prior to the completion of the separation, WPG will adopt a stock incentive plan, which is described under the heading "—WPG Compensation Programs Following the Separation," above.

145



PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

            The summary of the partnership agreement of Washington Prime Group, L.P. ("WPG L.P.") is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the applicable agreement, which is incorporated by reference into this information statement.

            WPG L.P., our operating partnership, will be an Indiana limited partnership. WPG is the sole general partner of this partnership. Upon completion of the separation, we will own, through wholly owned subsidiaries, approximately 83.5% of the partnership interests in our operating partnership, and the remaining approximately 14% will be held by existing limited partners of Simon Property Group L.P.


Management

            Pursuant to the partnership agreement of WPG L.P., we, as the sole managing member of the general partner, generally have full and complete power, authority and discretion to take such action for and on behalf of WPG L.P. and in its name as the general partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the purpose for which WPG L.P. was organized, including the ability to cause the partnership to enter into certain major transactions, including acquisitions, developments and dispositions of properties, borrowings and refinancings of existing indebtedness. No limited partner may take part in the operation, management or control of the business of our operating partnership by virtue of being a holder of limited partnership units.

            Our subsidiary may not be removed as general partner of the partnership. Upon the bankruptcy or dissolution of the general partner, the general partner shall be deemed to be removed automatically and the limited partners shall decide whether or not to continue the partnership.

            The limited partners of our operating partnership have agreed that in the event of a conflict in the fiduciary duties owed (i) by us to our shareholders and (ii) by us, as general partner of our operating partnership, to those limited partners, we may act in the best interests of our shareholders without violating our fiduciary duties to the limited partners of our operating partnership or being liable for any resulting breach of our duties to the limited partners.


Transferability of Interests

            General Partner.     The partnership agreement provides that we may not transfer our interest as a general partner (including by sale, disposition, merger or consolidation) without the consent of the limited partners.

            Limited Partner.     The partnership agreement prohibits the sale, assignment, transfer, pledge or disposition of all or any portion of the limited partnership units without our consent, which we may give or withhold in our sole discretion. The partnership agreement contains other restrictions on transfer if, among other things, that transfer (i) would cause us to fail to comply with the REIT rules under the Code or (ii) would cause our operating partnership to become a publicly traded partnership under the Code.


Capital Contributions

            The partnership agreement provides that if the partnership requires additional funds at any time in excess of funds available to the partnership from borrowing or capital contributions, we may borrow such funds from a financial institution or other lender and lend such funds to the partnership. Under the partnership agreement, we will be obligated to contribute the proceeds of any offering of shares as additional capital to our operating partnership.

            The partnership agreement provides that we may contribute additional capital to the partnership and receive additional partnership units for such capital contribution. In addition, if we contribute additional capital to the partnership and receive additional partnership units for such capital contribution, the capital accounts of the partners will be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any unrealized gain or loss attributable to our properties as if there were an actual sale of such properties at the fair market value thereof. Limited partners have no preemptive right to make additional capital contributions.

            The operating partnership could also issue preferred partnership interests in connection with the acquisitions of property or otherwise. Any such preferred partnership interests have priority over common partnership interests with respect to distributions from the partnership, including the partnership interests that our wholly owned subsidiaries own.

146



Redemption Rights

            Under the partnership agreement, WPG L.P. will be required to redeem units held by us only when we have redeemed our common shares.


Conversion Rights

            Limited partners will have the right under the partnership agreement to exchange their units for WPG common shares or cash as selected by the general partner.


Operations

            The partnership agreement requires the partnership to be operated in a manner that enables us to satisfy the requirements for being classified as a REIT, to minimize any excise tax liability imposed by the Code and to ensure that the partnership will not be classified as a "publicly-traded partnership" taxable as a corporation under Section 7704 of the Code.

            In addition to the administrative and operating costs and expenses incurred by the partnership, the partnership will pay all of our administrative costs and expenses. These expenses will be treated as expenses of the partnership and will generally include all expenses relating to our continuity of existence, all expenses relating to offerings and registration of securities, all expenses associated with the preparation and filing of any of our periodic reports under federal, state or local laws or regulations, all expenses associated with our compliance with laws, rules and regulations promulgated by any regulatory body and all of our other operating or administrative costs incurred in the ordinary course of its business on behalf of the partnership.


Distributions

            The partnership agreement provides that the partnership will make cash distributions in amounts and at such times as determined by us in our sole discretion, to us and other limited partners in accordance with the respective percentage interests of the partners in the partnership.

            Upon liquidation of the partnership, after payment of, or adequate provisions for, debts and obligations of the partnership, including any partner loans, any remaining assets of the partnership will be distributed to us and the other limited partners with positive capital accounts in accordance with the respective positive capital account balances of the partners.


Allocations

            Profits and losses of the partnership (including depreciation and amortization deductions) for each fiscal year generally are allocated to us and the other limited partners in accordance with the respective percentage interests of the partners in the partnership. All of the foregoing allocations are subject to compliance with the provisions of Sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.


Amendments

            The provisions of the Partnership Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented without the written consent of the limited partners, subject to certain exceptions.


Exculpation and Indemnification of the General Partner

            The partnership agreement of our operating partnership provides that neither the general partner nor any of its directors and officers will be liable to the partnership or to any of its partners as a result of errors in judgment or mistakes of fact or law or of any act or omission, if the general partner acted in good faith.

            In addition, the partnership agreement requires our operating partnership to indemnify and hold the general partner and its directors, officers, affiliates and stockholders, harmless from and against any and all claims arising from operations of our operating partnership in which any such indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, unless it is established that the general partner, or such indemnitee, was guilty of fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence.

147


            No indemnitee may subject any partner of our operating partnership to personal liability with respect to this indemnification obligation as this indemnification obligation will be satisfied solely out of the assets of the partnership.


Term

            The partnership shall continue until December 31, 2096, unless dissolved upon (i) the general partner's bankruptcy or dissolution or withdrawal (unless the limited partners elect to continue the partnership), (ii) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the partnership, (iii) an election by us in our capacity as the sole owner of the general partner or (iv) dissolution required by operation of law.

148



WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

            WPG has filed a registration statement on Form 10 with the SEC with respect to the WPG common shares being distributed as contemplated by this information statement. This information statement is a part of, and does not contain all of the information set forth in, the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to WPG and its common shares, please refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules. Statements made in this information statement relating to any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract or document. You may review a copy of the registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules, at the SEC's public reference room, located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 as well as on the Internet website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Information contained on any website referenced in this information statement is not incorporated by reference in this information statement.

            As a result of the distribution, WPG will become subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with the Exchange Act, will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC.

            WPG intends to furnish holders of its common shares with annual reports containing consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and audited and reported on, with an opinion expressed, by an independent registered public accounting firm.

            You should rely only on the information contained in this information statement or to which this information statement has referred you. WPG has not authorized any person to provide you with different information or to make any representation not contained in this information statement.

149


INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
  Page
Number
 

Washington Prime Group Inc.

       

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   
F-2
 

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013

    F-3  

SPG Businesses

       

Combined Financial Statements

       

Audited Combined Financial Statements

       

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    F-5  

Combined Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012

    F-6  

Combined Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

    F-7  

Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

    F-8  

Combined Statements of Equity for the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

    F-9  

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

    F-10  

Schedule III — Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation

    F-24  

Notes to Schedule III

    F-27  

F-1


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Simon Property Group, Inc.:

            We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Washington Prime Group Inc. as of December 31, 2013. The balance sheet is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the balance sheet based on our audit.

            We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheet is free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the balance sheet. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

            In our opinion, the balance sheet referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Washington Prime Group Inc. at December 31, 2013 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana
April 21, 2014

F-2


Washington Prime Group Inc.

BALANCE SHEET

 
  December 31, 2013  

ASSETS

 

Cash

 
$

1,000
 
       

SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY

 

Common stock ($0.0001 par value, 850,000,000 shares authorized, 100 issued and outstanding)

 
$

1,000
 
       

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

F-3



Washington Prime Group Inc.

NOTES TO BALANCE SHEET

1. ORGANIZATION

            Washington Prime Group Inc. ("WPG" or the "Company") was incorporated as an Indiana corporation on December 13, 2013 (capitalized on December 17, 2013), for purposes of holding the strip center business and smaller enclosed malls of Simon Property Group, Inc. ("SPG") after such businesses are distributed to the shareholders of SPG. The Company has no material assets or any operations. The Company's sole shareholder is SPG, a self-administered and self-managed, publicly registered, real estate trust, formed in Delaware and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

            The Company's balance sheet has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Separate Statements of Operations, Changes in Shareholder's Equity and of Cash Flows have not been presented because this entity has had no activity.

3. SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY

            The Company has been capitalized with the issuance of 100 shares of common stock ($0.0001 par value per share) for a total of $1,000.

F-4


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Simon Property Group, Inc.:

            We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of SPG Businesses as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related combined statements of operations, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013. Our audit also included the combined financial statement schedule listed in the Index to Financial Statements on Page F-1. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

            We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

            In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the combined financial position of SPG Businesses at December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the combined results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana
April 21, 2014

F-5


SPG Businesses
Combined Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)

 
  December 31,
2013
  December 31,
2012
 

ASSETS:

             

Investment properties at cost

  $ 4,789,705   $ 4,724,829  

Less — accumulated depreciation

    1,974,949     1,832,035  
           

    2,814,756     2,892,794  

Cash and cash equivalents

    25,857     30,986  

Tenant receivables and accrued revenue, net

    61,121     60,221  

Investment in unconsolidated entities, at equity

    3,554     3,775  

Deferred costs and other assets

    97,370     106,185  
           

Total assets

  $ 3,002,658   $ 3,093,961  
           

LIABILITIES:

             

Mortgages

  $ 918,614   $ 926,159  

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, intangibles, and deferred revenues

    151,011     159,717  

Cash distributions and losses in partnerships and joint ventures, at equity

    41,313     38,602  

Other liabilities

    7,195     14,627  
           

Total liabilities

    1,118,133     1,139,105  
           

EQUITY:

             

SPG Equity

    1,883,680     1,953,875  

Noncontrolling interests

    845     981  
           

Total equity

    1,884,525     1,954,856  
           

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 3,002,658   $ 3,093,961  
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

F-6


SPG Businesses
Combined Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands)

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2013   2012   2011  

REVENUE:

                   

Minimum rent

  $ 426,039   $ 421,957   $ 389,280  

Overage rent

    8,715     8,113     5,908  

Tenant reimbursements

    184,742     182,974     173,589  

Other income

    6,793     10,883     9,201  
               

Total revenue

    626,289     623,927     577,978  
               

EXPENSES:

                   

Property operating

    104,089     106,241     98,681  

Depreciation and amortization

    182,828     189,187     155,514  

Real estate taxes

    76,216     76,361     71,157  

Repairs and maintenance

    22,584     22,208     22,861  

Advertising and promotion

    8,316     8,981     8,824  

Provision for credit losses

    572     1,904     901  

Other

    4,664     4,674     4,554  
               

Total operating expenses

    399,269     409,556     362,492  
               

OPERATING INCOME

    227,020     214,371     215,486  

Interest expense

   
(55,058

)
 
(58,844

)
 
(55,326

)

Income and other taxes

    (196 )   (165 )   (157 )

Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities

    1,416     1,028     (143 )

Gain on sale of interests in properties

    14,152          
               

NET INCOME

    187,334     156,390     159,860  

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

   
213
   
259
   
344
 
               

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO SPG

  $ 187,121   $ 156,131   $ 159,516  
               

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

F-7


SPG Businesses
Combined Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2013   2012   2011  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                   

Net Income

  $ 187,334   $ 156,390   $ 159,860  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities —

                   

Depreciation and amortization

    184,467     189,715     156,289  

Gain on sale of interests in properties

    (14,152 )        

Provision for credit losses

    572     1,904     901  

Straight-line rent

    (194 )   (655 )   (182 )

Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated entities

    (1,416 )   (1,028 )   143  

Distributions of income from unconsolidated entities

    2,110     2,558     129  

Changes in assets and liabilities —

                   

Tenant receivables and accrued revenue, net

    (1,278 )   938     (4,508 )

Deferred costs and other assets

    (8,887 )   (13,512 )   (14,378 )

Acounts payable, accrued expenses, intangibles, deferred revenues and other liabilities

    (12,122 )   14,393     599  
               

Net cash provided by operating activities

    336,434     350,703     298,853  
               

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                   

Capital expenditures, net

    (93,292 )   (67,841 )   (83,107 )

Investments in unconsolidated entities

    (2,975 )   (5,109 )   (1,434 )

Distributions of capital from unconsolidated entities

    3,659     1,399     2,093  
               

Net cash used in investing activities

    (92,608 )   (71,551 )   (82,448 )
               

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                   

Change in SPG investment, net

    (241,430 )   (169,651 )   65,161  

Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders in properties

    (349 )   (179 )   (245 )

Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of transaction costs

    15,860     57,866     145,784  

Repayments of debt

    (23,036 )   (158,813 )   (424,192 )
               

Net cash used in financing activities

    (248,955 )   (270,777 )   (213,492 )
               

(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    (5,129 )   8,375     2,913  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

    30,986     22,611     19,698  
               

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

  $ 25,857   $ 30,986   $ 22,611  
               

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

F-8


SPG Businesses
Combined Statements of Equity
(Dollars in thousands)

 
  SPG Equity   Noncontrolling
Interests
  Total
Equity
 

Balance at December 31, 2010

  $ 1,618,505   $ 1,435   $ 1,619,940  

Net Income

    159,516     344     159,860  

Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders in properties

        (878 )   (878 )

Contributions from SPG, net

    173,645         173,645  
               

Balance at December 31, 2011

  $ 1,951,666   $ 901   $ 1,952,567  
               

Net Income

    156,131     259     156,390  

Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders in properties and other

        (179 )   (179 )

Distributions to SPG, net

    (153,922 )       (153,922 )
               

Balance at December 31, 2012

  $ 1,953,875   $ 981   $ 1,954,856  
               

Net Income

    187,121     213     187,334  

Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders in properties

        (349 )   (349 )

Distributions to SPG, net

    (257,316 )       (257,316 )
               

Balance at December 31, 2013

  $ 1,883,680   $ 845   $ 1,884,525  
               

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

F-9



SPG Businesses

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except where indicated as in millions or billions)

1. Organization

            Washington Prime Group Inc. ("WPG") is a newly formed Indiana corporation that was created to hold the strip center business and smaller enclosed malls of Simon Property Group, Inc. ("SPG") and its subsidiaries. WPG is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of SPG. Prior to or concurrently with the separation, SPG will engage in certain formation transactions that are designed to consolidate the ownership of its interests in 98 properties ("SPG Businesses") and distribute such interests to WPG and its operating partnership, Washington Prime Group, L.P. ("WPG L.P."). Pursuant to the separation agreement, SPG will distribute 100% of the common shares of WPG on a pro rata basis to SPG's shareholders as of the record date. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to "we", "us" and "our" refer to SPG Businesses after giving effect to the transfer of assets and liabilities from SPG. In addition, SPG Businesses are currently operated as subsidiaries of SPG, which operates as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. WPG is expected to operate as a REIT subsequent to the separation and distribution. REITs will generally not be liable for federal corporate income taxes as long as they continue to distribute not less than 100% of their taxable income.

            At the time of the separation and distribution, WPG will own a percentage of the outstanding common units of WPG L.P. that is equal to the percentage of outstanding common units of Simon Property Group, L.P. owned by Simon Property Group, Inc., with the remaining common units of WPG L.P. being owned by several limited partners who are also limited partners of Simon Property Group, L.P. At the effective time of the distribution, limited partners of Simon Property Group, L.P. will own the same percentage of outstanding common units of WPG L.P. that they own in Simon Property Group, L.P. The common units in WPG L.P. will be redeemable by their holders for cash or, at WPG's option, for WPG common shares on a one-for-one basis. The accompanying combined financial statements reflect Simon Property Group, L.P.'s interests in the SPG Businesses.

            To date, we have not conducted any business as a separate company and have no material assets or liabilities. The operations of the business to be transferred to WPG by SPG are presented as if the transferred business was our business for all historical periods described and at the carrying value of such assets and liabilities reflected in SPG's books and records.

            WPG will enter into agreements with SPG which will provide for various services to be provided to WPG by SPG, including accounting, asset management, development, human resources, information technology, leasing, legal, marketing, public reporting and tax. The charges for the services will be estimated based on an hourly or per transaction fee arrangement and pass-through of out-of-pocket costs.

            Our assets are expected to consist of interests in 44 malls and 54 strip centers. One of these strip centers was under development at December 31, 2012 and subsequently opened during the third quarter of 2013. In addition to the above properties, the combined historical financial statements include interests in three strip centers held within a joint venture portfolio of properties which were sold during the first quarter of 2013 as well as one additional strip center which was sold by that same joint venture on February 28, 2014. Our ownership interests in these properties are combined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").

            We derive our revenues primarily from retail tenant leases, including fixed minimum rent leases, overage and percentage rent leases based on tenants' sales volumes, offering property operating services to our tenants and others, including energy, waste handling and facility services, and reimbursements from tenants for certain recoverable expenditures such as property operating, real estate taxes, repair and maintenance, and advertising and promotional expenditures.

            We seek to enhance the performance of our properties and increase our revenues by, among other things, securing leases of anchor tenant spaces, re-developing or renovating existing properties to increase the leasable square footage, and increasing the productivity of occupied locations through aesthetic upgrades, re-merchandising and/or changes to the retail use of the space.

F-10



SPG Businesses

Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except where indicated as in millions or billions)

2. Basis of Presentation and Combination

            The accompanying combined financial statements include the accounts of SPG Businesses presented on a combined basis as the ownership interests are currently under common control and ownership of SPG. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

            Our combined financial statements are derived from the books and records of SPG and were carved-out from SPG at a carrying value reflective of such historical cost in such SPG records. Our historical financial results reflect charges for certain corporate costs and we believe such charges are reasonable; however, such results do not necessarily reflect what our expenses would have been had we been operating as a separate stand-alone public company. These charges are further discussed in Note 9. Costs of the services that were charged to us were based on either actual costs incurred or a proportion of costs estimated to be applicable to us. The historical combined financial information presented may therefore not be indicative of the results of operations, financial position or cash flows that would have been obtained if we had been an independent, stand-alone public company during the periods presented or of our future performance as an independent, stand-alone company. For joint venture or mortgaged properties, SPG has a standard management agreement for management, leasing and development activities provided to the properties. Management fees are based upon a percentage of revenues. For any wholly owned property that does not have a management agreement, SPG allocates the proportion of the underlying costs of management, leasing and development, in a manner that is materially consistent with the percentage of revenue-based management fees and/or upon the actual volume of leasing and development activity occurring at the property.

            These combined financial statements reflect the consolidation of properties that are wholly owned or properties in which we own less than a 100% interest but that we control. Control of a property is demonstrated by, among other factors, our ability to refinance debt and sell the property without the consent of any other partner or owner and the inability of any other partner or owner to replace us.

            We also consolidate a variable interest entity, or VIE, when we are determined to be the primary beneficiary. Determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE is based on whether an entity has (1) the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Our determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE considers all relationships between us and the VIE, including management agreements and other contractual arrangements. There have been no changes during 2012 in previous conclusions about whether an entity qualifies as a VIE or whether we are the primary beneficiary of any previously identified VIE. During 2012, we did not provide financial or other support to a previously identified VIE that we were not previously contractually obligated to provide.

            Investments in partnerships and joint ventures represent our noncontrolling ownership interests in properties. We account for these investments using the equity method of accounting. We initially record these investments at cost and we subsequently adjust for net equity in income or loss, which we allocate in accordance with the provisions of the applicable partnership or joint venture agreement and cash contributions and distributions, if applicable. The allocation provisions in the partnership or joint venture agreements are not always consistent with the legal ownership interests held by each general or limited partner or joint venture investee primarily due to partner preferences. We separately report investments in joint ventures for which accumulated distributions have exceeded investments in and our share of net income from the joint ventures within cash distributions and losses in partnerships and joint ventures, at equity in the combined balance sheets. The net equity of certain joint ventures is less than zero because of financing or operating distributions that are usually greater than net income, as net income includes non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization.

            As of December 31, 2013, the combined financial statements reflect the consolidation of 84 wholly-owned properties and four additional properties that are less than wholly-owned, but which we control or for which we are the primary beneficiary. We account for our interests in the remaining 11 properties, or the joint venture properties, using the equity method of accounting, as we have determined we have significant influence over their operations. We

F-11



SPG Businesses

Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except where indicated as in millions or billions)

2. Basis of Presentation and Combination (Continued)

manage the day-to-day operations of the joint venture properties, but have determined that our partner or partners have substantive participating rights with respect to the assets and operations of these joint venture properties.

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

    Cash and Cash Equivalents

            We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash equivalents generally consist of commercial paper, bankers acceptances, repurchase agreements, and money market deposits or securities. Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk include our cash and cash equivalents and our trade accounts receivable. We place our cash and cash equivalents with institutions with high credit quality. However, at certain times, such cash and cash equivalents may be in excess of FDIC and SIPC insurance limits.

    Investment Properties

            We record investment properties at cost. Investment properties include costs of acquisitions; development, predevelopment, and construction (including allocable salaries and related benefits); tenant allowances and improvements; and interest and real estate taxes incurred during construction. We capitalize improvements and replacements from repair and maintenance when the repair and maintenance extends the useful life, increases capacity, or improves the efficiency of the asset. All other repair and maintenance items are expensed as incurred. We capitalize interest on projects during periods of construction until the projects are ready for their intended purpose based on interest rates in place during the construction period. The amount of interest capitalized during each year is as follows:

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
  2013   2012   2011  

Capitalized interest

  $ 1,019   $ 442   $ 472  

            We record depreciation on buildings and improvements utilizing the straight-line method over an estimated original useful life, which is generally 10 to 35 years. We review depreciable lives of investment properties periodically and we make adjustments when necessary to reflect a shorter economic life. We amortize tenant allowances and tenant improvements utilizing the straight-line method over the term of the related lease or occupancy term of the tenant, if shorter. We record depreciation on equipment and fixtures utilizing the straight-line method over seven to ten years.

            We review investment properties for impairment on a property-by-property basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of investment properties may not be recoverable. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, declines in a property's cash flows, ending occupancy or declines in tenant sales. We measure any impairment of investment property when the estimated undiscounted operating income before depreciation and amortization plus its residual value is less than the carrying value of the property. To the extent impairment has occurred, we charge to income the excess of carrying value of the property over its estimated fair value. We estimate fair value using unobservable data such as operating income, estimated capitalization rates, or multiples, leasing prospects and local market information. We may decide to sell properties that are held for use and the sale prices of these properties may differ from their carrying values. We also review our investments, including investments in unconsolidated entities, if events or circumstances change indicating that the carrying amount of our investments may not be recoverable. We will record an impairment charge if we determine that a decline in the fair value of the investments is other-than-temporary. Changes in economic and operating conditions that occur subsequent to our review of recoverability of investment property and other investments could impact the assumptions

F-12



SPG Businesses

Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except where indicated as in millions or billions)

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

used in that assessment and could result in future charges to earnings if assumptions regarding those investments differ from actual results.

    Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

            Joint ventures are common in the real estate industry. We use joint ventures to finance properties, develop new properties, and diversify our risk in a particular property or portfolio of properties. We held joint venture ownership interests in 11 properties as of December 31, 2013 and 14 properties as of December 31, 2012.

            Certain of our joint venture properties are subject to various rights of first refusal, buy-sell provisions, put and call rights, or other sale or marketing rights for partners which are customary in real estate joint venture agreements and the industry. We and our partners in these joint ventures may initiate these provisions (subject to any applicable lock up or similar restrictions), which may result in either the sale of our interest or the use of available cash or borrowings to acquire the joint venture interest from our partner.

    Purchase Accounting Allocation

            We allocate the purchase price of acquisitions and any excess investment in unconsolidated entities to the various components of the acquisition based upon the fair value of each component which may be derived from various observable or unobservable inputs and assumptions. Also, we may utilize third party valuation specialists. These components typically include buildings, land and intangibles related to in-place leases and we estimate:

    the fair value of land and related improvements and buildings on an as-if-vacant basis,

    the market value of in-place leases based upon our best estimate of current market rents and amortize the resulting market rent adjustment into revenues,

    the value of costs to obtain tenants, including tenant allowances and improvements and leasing commissions, and

    the value of revenue and recovery of costs foregone during a reasonable lease-up period, as if the space was vacant.

            Amounts allocated to building are depreciated over the estimated remaining life of the acquired building or related improvements. We amortize amounts allocated to tenant improvements, in-place lease assets and other lease-related intangibles over the remaining life of the underlying leases. We also estimate the value of other acquired intangible assets, if any, which are amortized over the remaining life of the underlying related intangibles.

    Fair Value Measurements

            Level 1 fair value inputs are quoted prices for identical items in active, liquid and visible markets such as stock exchanges. Level 2 fair value inputs are observable information for similar items in active or inactive markets, and appropriately consider counterparty creditworthiness in the valuations. Level 3 fair value inputs reflect our best estimate of inputs and assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability at the measurement date. The inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the valuation estimate. We have no investments for which fair value is measured on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs.

            Note 6 includes a discussion of the fair value of debt measured using Level 2 inputs. Notes 3 and 4 include a discussion of the fair values recorded in purchase accounting and impairment, using Level 2 and Level 3 inputs. Level 3 inputs to our purchase accounting and impairment include our estimations of net operating results of the property, capitalization rates and discount rates.

F-13



SPG Businesses

Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except where indicated as in millions or billions)

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

    Use of Estimates

            We prepared the accompanying combined financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the reported period. Our actual results could differ from these estimates.

    Per Share Data

            Presentation of earnings per share information is not applicable as all our common shares, since the date of our formation are owned, directly or indirectly by SPG.

    Segment Disclosure

            Our primary business is the ownership, development, and management of retail real estate. We have aggregated our retail operations, including malls and strip centers, into one reportable segment because they have similar economic characteristics and we provide similar products and services to similar types of, and in many cases, the same tenants.

    Deferred Costs and Other Assets

            Deferred costs and other assets include the following as of December 31:

 
  2013   2012  

Deferred financing and lease costs, net

  $ 48,612   $ 48,022  

In-place lease intangibles, net

    25,467     32,467  

Acquired above market lease intangibles, net

    7,553     8,833  

Mortgage and other escrow deposits

    11,401     11,841  

Prepaids, notes receivable and other assets, net

    4,337     5,022  
           

  $ 97,370   $ 106,185  
           

    Deferred Financing and Lease Costs

            Our deferred costs consist primarily of financing fees we incurred in order to obtain long-term financing and internal and external leasing commissions and related costs. We record amortization of deferred financing costs on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective loans or agreements. Our deferred leasing costs consist of fees charged by SPG for salaries and related benefits in connection with lease originations. We record amortization of deferred leasing costs on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases. Details of these deferred costs as of December 31 are as follows:

 
  2013   2012  

Deferred financing and lease costs

  $ 94,784   $ 92,549  

Accumulated amortization

    (46,172 )   (44,527 )
           

Deferred financing and lease costs, net

  $ 48,612   $ 48,022  
           

            We report amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of premiums, and accretion of discounts as part of interest expense. Amortization of deferred leasing costs is a component of depreciation and amortization

F-14



SPG Businesses

Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except where indicated as in millions or billions)

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

expense. We amortize debt premiums and discounts, which are included in mortgages, over the remaining terms of the related debt instruments. These debt premiums or discounts arise either at the debt issuance or as part of the purchase price allocation of the fair value of debt assumed in acquisitions. The accompanying combined statements of operations include amortization as follows:

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
  2013   2012   2011  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

  $ 823   $ 1,231   $ 1,260  

Amortization of debt premiums, net of discounts

    (509 )   (1,361 )   (708 )

Amortization of deferred leasing costs

    10,778     10,449     9,880  

    Intangibles

            The average life of in-place lease intangibles is approximately 5.3 years, is amortized over the remaining life of the leases of the related property on the straight-line basis and is included with depreciation and amortization in the combined statements of operations. The fair market value of above and below market leases is amortized into revenue over the remaining lease life as a component of reported minimum rents. The weighted average remaining life of these intangibles is approximately 5.1 years. The unamortized amount of below market leases is included in accounts payable, accrued expenses, intangibles and deferred revenues in the combined balance sheets and was $10.5 million and $13.1 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The amount of amortization of above and below market leases, net for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $1,324, $658, and $223, respectively. If a lease is terminated prior to the original lease termination, any remaining unamortized intangible is written off to earnings. Details of intangible assets as of December 31, 2013 are as follows.

 
  2013   2012  

In-place lease intangibles

  $ 38,534   $ 43,645  

Accumulated amortization

    (13,067 )   (11,178 )
           

In-place lease intangibles, net

  $ 25,467   $ 32,467  
           

Acquired above market lease intangibles

  $ 10,114   $ 10,114  

Accumulated amortization

    (2,561 )   (1,281 )
           

Acquired above market lease intangibles, net

  $ 7,553   $ 8,833  
           

            Estimated future amortization and the increasing (decreasing) effect on minimum rents for our above and below market leases as of December 31, 2013 are as follows:

 
  Below Market
Leases
  Above Market
Leases
  Impact to
Minimum
Rent, Net
 

2014

  $ 1,970   $ (1,281 ) $ 689  

2015

    1,921     (1,281 )   640  

2016

    1,915     (1,281 )   634  

2017

    957     (742 )   215  

2018

    924     (742 )   182  

Thereafter

    2,771     (2,226 )   545  
               

  $ 10,458   $ (7,553 ) $ 2,905  
               

F-15



SPG Businesses

Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except where indicated as in millions or billions)

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

    Revenue Recognition

            We, as a lessor, retain substantially all of the risks and benefits of ownership of the investment properties and account for our leases as operating leases. We accrue minimum rents on a straight-line basis over the terms of their respective leases. A large number of our retail tenants are also required to pay overage rents based on sales over a stated base amount during the lease year. We recognize overage rents only when each tenant's sales exceed the applicable sales threshold. We amortize any tenant inducements as a reduction of revenue utilizing the straight-line method over the term of the related lease or occupancy term of the tenant, if shorter.

            We structure our leases to allow us to recover a significant portion of our property operating, real estate taxes, repairs and maintenance, and advertising and promotion expenses from our tenants. A substantial portion of our leases, other than those for anchor stores, require the tenant to reimburse us for a substantial portion of our operating expenses, including common area maintenance, or CAM, real estate taxes and insurance. This significantly reduces our exposure to increases in costs and operating expenses resulting from inflation. Such property operating expenses typically include utility, insurance, security, janitorial, landscaping, food court and other administrative expenses. We accrue reimbursements from tenants for recoverable portions of all these expenses as revenue in the period the applicable expenditures are incurred. As of December 31, 2013 the vast majority of our mall leases receive a fixed payment from the tenant for the CAM component which is recorded as revenue when earned. When not reimbursed by the fixed-CAM component, CAM expense reimbursements are based on the tenant's proportionate share of the allocable operating expenses and CAM capital expenditures for the property. We also receive escrow payments for these reimbursements from substantially all our non-fixed CAM tenants and monthly fixed CAM payments throughout the year. We recognize differences between estimated recoveries and the final billed amounts in the subsequent year. These differences were not material in any period presented. Our advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred.

    Allowance for Credit Losses

            We record a provision for credit losses based on our judgment of a tenant's creditworthiness, ability to pay and probability of collection. In addition, we also consider the retail sector in which the tenant operates and our historical collection experience in cases of bankruptcy, if applicable. Accounts are written off when they are deemed to be no longer collectible. Presented below is the activity in the allowance for credit losses during the following years:

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
  2013   2012   2011  

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 3,867   $ 3,330   $ 3,919  

Acquisitions

        14     61  

Provision for credit losses

    572     1,904     901  

Accounts written off, net of recoveries

    (1,208 )   (1,381 )   (1,551 )
               

Balance, end of period

  $ 3,231   $ 3,867   $ 3,330  
               

    Income and Other Taxes

            The properties in the combined financial statements are owned directly or indirectly by partnerships, limited liability partnerships or limited liability companies and as a result, the allocated share of income or loss for each period is included in the income tax returns of the partners. Accordingly, no accounting for income taxes is required in the combined financial statements.

F-16



SPG Businesses

Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except where indicated as in millions or billions)

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

            SPG Businesses have historically operated under SPG's REIT structure. Subsequent to the transfer of the properties to WPG and the distribution of WPG's common shares to the SPG shareholders, we expect to operate as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable Treasury regulations relating to REIT qualification. In order to maintain this REIT status, the regulations require the entity to distribute at least 90% of taxable income to its owners and meet certain other asset and income tests as well as other requirements. As a REIT, we would generally not be liable for federal corporate income taxes as long as we continue to distribute in excess of 100% of taxable income. As we operated under SPG's REIT structure, there is no provision for federal income taxes for these entities in the accompanying combined financial statements. If we were to fail to qualify as a REIT, we would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates for the years in which we failed to qualify. If we were to lose REIT status, we could not elect to be taxed as a REIT for four years unless failure to qualify was due to reasonable cause and certain other conditions were satisfied.

            We are also subject to certain other taxes, including state and local taxes and franchise taxes which are included in income and other taxes in the combined statements of operations.

4. Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions

            On January 10, 2014, SPG acquired one of its partner's remaining interests in three properties that will be contributed to WPG. The consideration paid for the partner's remaining interests in these three properties was approximately $4.6 million. Two of these properties were previously consolidated and are now wholly owned. The remaining property is accounted for under the equity method.

            Acquisition and disposition activity for the periods presented is highlighted as follows:

    2013 Dispositions

            On February 21, 2013, SPG increased its economic interest in three unconsolidated strip centers and subsequently disposed of its interests in those properties. These properties were part of a portfolio of interests in properties, the remainder of which is included within those properties expected to be distributed by SPG to WPG. The aggregate gain recognized on this transaction was approximately $14.2 million and is included in Gain on sale of interests in properties in the combined statements of operations.

    2012 Acquisition

            On March 22, 2012, SPG acquired a controlling interest in Concord Mills Marketplace, a previously unconsolidated property, and recorded its acquisition of the interest using the acquisition method of accounting. Results of operations of this property have been included in the combined results from the date of SPG's acquisition of its 100% interest in this property. Tangible and intangible assets and liabilities were established based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. We amortize these amounts over the estimated life of the related depreciable components of investment property, typically no greater than 35 years, the terms of the applicable leases

F-17



SPG Businesses

Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except where indicated as in millions or billions)

4. Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions (Continued)

and the applicable debt maturity. The table below summarizes our final purchase price allocation to the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as a result of the acquisition.

Investment properties

  $ 29,978  

Tenant Receivables and accrued revenue, net

    36  

Deferred costs and other assets (including intangibles)

    784  
       

Total Assets

  $ 30,798  
       

Mortgages and other indebtedness, including premiums

  $ 12,981  

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, intangibles and other

    1,473  
       

Total Liabilities

  $ 14,454  
       

    2011 Acquisitions

            On December 31, 2011, SPG and its former joint venture partner dissolved a venture in which SPG had a 50% interest and distributed a portfolio of twelve properties previously held within the venture to SPG and its joint venture partner. As a result, as of the date of the distribution, SPG had a 100% interest in six of the properties previously held by the 50% owned joint venture. Five of these properties will be transferred to us in connection with our separation from SPG and, accordingly, have been included in the combined results from December 31, 2011, the date of SPG's acquisition of its 100% interest in these properties. Accordingly, the wholly owned properties are treated as an acquisition in the Combined Financial Statements from December 31, 2011, the date of SPG's acquisition of its 100% interest in these properties. Prior to the 2011 distribution, the properties are not included in the SPG Businesses Combined Financial Statements as SPG's investment was in the entire joint venture portfolio and as such, SPG did not have a separated interest in each of these properties. Such legal interest in the dissolved joint venture is not being contributed to us.

            The distribution resulted in a remeasurement of the distributed assets to estimated fair value. Tangible and intangible assets and liabilities were established based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. We amortize these amounts over the estimated life of the related depreciable components of investment property, typically no greater than 35 years, the terms of the applicable leases and the applicable debt maturity. The table below summarizes our final purchase price allocations to the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as a result of the acquisitions.

Investment properties

  $ 356,927  

Tenant Receivables and accrued revenue, net

    4,529  

Deferred costs and other assets (including intangibles)

    53,594  
       

Total Assets

  $ 415,050  
       

Mortgages and other indebtedness, including premiums

  $ 284,727  

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and intangibles

    21,619  

Other Liabilities

    853  
       

Total Liabilities

  $ 307,199  
       

F-18



SPG Businesses

Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except where indicated as in millions or billions)

5. Investment Properties

            Investment properties consist of the following as of December 31:

 
  2013   2012  

Land

  $ 659,808   $ 660,605  

Buildings and improvements

    4,065,122     4,000,309  
           

Total land, buildings and improvements

    4,724,930     4,660,914  

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

    64,775     63,915  
           

Investment properties at cost

    4,789,705     4,724,829  

Less — accumulated depreciation

    1,974,949     1,832,035  
           

Investment properties at cost, net

  $ 2,814,756   $ 2,892,794  
           

Construction in progress included above

  $ 35,837   $ 52,641  
           

6. Indebtedness

            Our mortgage indebtedness consists of the following as of December 31:

 
  2013   2012  

Fixed-Rate Debt:

             

Mortgages, including $1,082 and $1,591 premiums, respectively. Weighted average interest and maturity of 5.87% and 4.0 years at December 31, 2013. Weighted average interest and maturity of 5.89% and 4.8 years at December 31, 2012. 

  $ 918,614   $ 926,159  

            General.     At December 31, 2013, certain of our consolidated subsidiaries were the borrowers under 20 non-recourse mortgage loans secured by mortgages encumbering 24 properties, including two separate pools of cross-defaulted and cross- collateralized mortgages encumbering a total of six properties. Under these cross-default provisions, a default under any mortgage included in the cross- defaulted pool may constitute a default under all mortgages within that pool and may lead to acceleration of the indebtedness due on each property within the pool. Certain of our secured debt instruments contain financial and other non-financial covenants which are specific to the properties which serve as collateral for that debt. Our existing non-recourse mortgage loans generally prohibit our subsidiaries that are borrowers thereunder from incurring additional indebtedness, subject to certain customary and limited exceptions. In addition, certain or these instruments limit the ability of the applicable borrower's parent entity from incurrent mezzanine indebtedness unless certain conditions are satisfied, including compliance with maximum loan to value ratio and minimum debt service coverage ratio tests. Further, under certain of these existing agreements, if certain cash flow levels in respect of the applicable mortgaged property (as described in the applicable agreement) are not maintained for at least two consecutive quarters, the lender could accelerate the debt and enforce its right against its collateral. If the borrower fails to comply with these covenants, the lender could accelerate the debt and enforce its right against their collateral. At December 31, 2013, the applicable borrowers under these non-recourse mortgage loans were in compliance with all covenants where non-compliance could individually, or giving effect to applicable cross- default provisions in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

F-19



SPG Businesses

Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except where indicated as in millions or billions)

6. Indebtedness (Continued)

    Mortgage Debt

            Total mortgage indebtedness was $918.6 million and $926.2 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In October 2013, Concord Mills Marketplace refinanced its $12.2 million, 5.76% fixed rate mortgage maturing February 1, 2014 with a $16.0 million, 4.82% fixed rate mortgage that matures November 1, 2023.

            On February 11, 2014, Brunswick Square refinanced its $76.5 million, 5.65% fixed rate mortgage maturing August 11, 2014 with a $77.0 million, 4.796% fixed rate mortgage that matures March 1, 2024.

            On February 20, 2014, West Ridge Mall refinanced its $64.6 million, 5.89% fixed rate mortgage maturing July 1, 2014 with a $54.0 million, 4.84% fixed rate mortgage that matures March 6, 2024. The new debt encumbers both West Ridge Mall and West Ridge Plaza.

            On March 14, 2014, Muncie Mall entered into a $37.0 million, 4.19% fixed rate mortgage that matures April 1, 2021.

            On March 18, 2014, Oak Court Mall entered into a $40.0 million, 4.76% fixed rate mortgage that matures April 1, 2021. Also, on March 18, 2014, Lincolnwood Town Center entered into a $53.0 million, 4.26% fixed rate mortgage that matures on April 1, 2021.

            On March 25, 2014, Cottonwood Mall entered into a $105.0 million, 4.82% fixed rate mortgage that matures April 6, 2024.

            On March 26, 2014, Westminster Mall entered into a $85.0 million, 4.65% fixed rate mortgage that matures April 1, 2024.

            On March 27, 2014, Charlottesville Fashion Square entered into a $50.0 million, 4.54% fixed rate mortgage that matures April 1, 2024.

            On April 4, 2014, Town Center at Aurora entered into a $55.0 million, 4.19% fixed rate mortgage that initially matures April 1, 2019, with two 1-year extension options subject to certain requirements.

            As further discussed in Note 4, on March 22, 2012, SPG acquired a controlling interest in a previously unconsolidated property and recorded its acquisition of the interest using the acquisition method of accounting. The associated mortgage debt, including the fair value premium, was $13.0 million.

            Scheduled principal repayments on indebtedness as of December 31, 2013 are as follows:

2014

  $ 229,211  

2015

    33,824  

2016

    302,477  

2017

    47,641  

2018

    8,148  

Thereafter

    296,231  
       

Total principal maturities

    917,532  

Net unamortized debt premium

    1,082  
       

Total mortgages

  $ 918,614  
       

F-20



SPG Businesses

Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except where indicated as in millions or billions)

6. Indebtedness (Continued)

            Cash paid for interest in each period, net of any amounts capitalized, was as follows:

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
  2013   2012   2011  

Cash paid for interest

  $ 56,073   $ 58,753   $ 56,088  

    Fair Value of Debt

            We estimate the fair values of fixed-rate mortgages using cash flows discounted at current borrowing rates. The fair values of these financial instruments and the related discount rate assumptions as of December 31 are summarized as follows:

 
  2013   2012  

Fair value of fixed-rate mortgages

  $ 981,631   $ 1,014,405  

Weighted average discount rates assumed in calculation of fair value for fixed-rate mortgages

    3.06%     3.33%  

7. Rentals under Operating Leases

            Future minimum rentals to be received under non-cancelable operating leases for each of the next five years and thereafter, excluding tenant reimbursements of operating expenses and percentage rent based on tenant sales volume, as of December 31, 2013 are as follows:

2014

  $ 354,328  

2015

    300,102  

2016

    243,741  

2017

    192,197  

2018

    146,006  

Thereafter

    393,532  
       

  $ 1,629,906  
       

8. Commitments and Contingencies

    Litigation

            We are involved from time-to-time in various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business, including, but not limited to commercial disputes, environmental matters, and litigation in connection with transactions including acquisitions and divestitures. We believe that such litigation, claims and administrative proceedings will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position or our results of operations. We record a liability when a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.

    Lease Commitments

            As of December 31, 2013, a total of six properties are subject to ground leases. The termination dates of these ground leases range from 2016 to 2076. These ground leases generally require us to make fixed annual rental payments, or a fixed annual rental plus a percentage rent component based upon the revenues or total sales of the

F-21



SPG Businesses

Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except where indicated as in millions or billions)

8. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

property. Some of these leases also include escalation clauses and renewal options. We incurred ground lease expense, which is included in other expense, as follows:

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2013   2012   2011  

Ground lease expense

  $ 2,892   $ 2,903   $ 2,850  

            Future minimum lease payments due under these ground leases for years ending December 31, excluding applicable extension options, are as follows:

2014

  $ 1,611  

2015

    2,205  

2016

    2,550  

2017

    2,526  

2018

    2,504  

Thereafter

    92,298  
       

  $ 103,694  
       

    Concentration of Credit Risk

            Our properties rely heavily upon anchor or major tenants to attract customers; however, these retailers do not constitute a material portion of our financial results. Additionally, many anchor retailers in the mall properties own their spaces further reducing their contribution to our operating results. All operations are within the United States and no customer or tenant accounts for 5% or more of our combined revenues.

9. Related Party Transactions

            As described in Note 1, the accompanying combined financial statements present the operations of SPG Businesses as carved-out from the financial statements of SPG. Transactions between the properties have been eliminated in the combined presentation. A fee for certain centralized SPG costs for activities such as common costs for management and other services, national advertising and promotion programs, consulting, accounting, legal, marketing and management information systems has been charged to the properties in the combined financial statements. In addition, certain commercial general liability and property damage insurance is provided to the properties by an indirect subsidiary of SPG. Amounts charged to expense for common costs, services, and other as well as insurance premiums are included in property operating costs in the combined statements of operations. Charges for each of the periods presented for properties which are consolidated in the SPG Businesses portfolio are as included below.

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
  2013   2012   2011  

Common costs, services and other

  $ 17,251   $ 16,905   $ 15,256  

Insurance premiums

    9,094     9,351     8,721  

Advertising and promotional programs

    887     1,303     1,373  

            Leasing and development fees charged by SPG are capitalized by the property. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, these charges were $11,976, $12,283 and $11,918, respectively.

F-22



SPG Businesses

Notes to Combined Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except where indicated as in millions or billions)

9. Related Party Transactions (Continued)

            Leasing and development fees charged to unconsolidated properties were $310, $802 and $114 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Amounts charged to unconsolidated properties within the SPG Businesses portfolio as included below:

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
  2013   2012   2011  

Property management costs, services and other

  $ 4,171   $ 4,762   $ 4,812  

Insurance premiums

    233     247     150  

Advertising and promotional programs

    65     80     79  

            At December 31, 2013 and 2012, $4,959 and $8,094, respectively, were payable to SPG and its affiliates and are included in accounts payable, accrued expenses, intangibles, and deferred revenue in the accompanying combined balance sheets.

F-23


SCHEDULE III

SPG Businesses
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)

 
   
   
   
   
  Cost Capitalized
Subsequent to
Construction or
Acquisition
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
  Gross Amounts At Which
Carried At Close of Period
   
   
 
   
   
  Initial Cost    
   
 
   
   
   
  Date of
Construction
or
Acquisition
Name
  Location   Encumbrances (3)   Land   Buildings and
Improvements
  Land   Buildings and
Improvements
  Land   Buildings and
Improvements
  Total (1)   Accumulated
Depreciation (2)

Malls

                                                             

Anderson Mall

  Anderson, SC     20,398   $ 1,712   $ 15,227   $ 851   $ 20,893   $ 2,563   $ 36,120   $ 38,683   $ 18,074   1972

Bowie Town Center

  Bowie (Washington, D.C.), MD         2,479     60,322     235     10,976     2,714     71,298     74,012     29,485   2001

Boynton Beach Mall

  Boynton Beach (Miami), FL         22,240     78,804     4,666     27,315     26,906     106,119     133,025     53,062   1985

Brunswick Square

  East Brunswick (New York), NJ     76,672     8,436     55,838         30,694     8,436     86,532     94,968     44,430   1973

Charlottesville Fashion Square

  Charlottesville, VA             54,738         17,948         72,686     72,686     32,683   1997

Chautauqua Mall

  Lakewood, NY         3,116     9,641         16,435     3,116     26,076     29,192     14,185   1971

Chesapeake Square

  Chesapeake (Virginia Beach), VA     65,242     11,534     70,461         19,489     11,534     89,950     101,484     53,113   1989

Cottonwood Mall

  Albuquerque, NM         10,122     69,958         7,542     10,122     77,500     87,622     42,020   1996

Edison Mall

  Fort Myers, FL         11,529     107,350         31,772     11,529     139,122     150,651     61,499   1997

Forest Mall

  Fond Du Lac, WI         721     4,491         8,682     721     13,173     13,894     9,167   1973

Great Lakes Mall

  Mentor (Cleveland), OH         12,302     100,362         30,661     12,302     131,023     143,325     57,785   1961

Gulf View Square

  Port Richey (Tampa), FL         13,690     39,991     1,688     19,547     15,378     59,538     74,916     30,930   1980

Irving Mall

  Irving (Dallas), TX         6,737     17,479     2,533     43,025     9,270     60,504     69,774     37,218   1971

Jefferson Valley Mall

  Yorktown Heights (New York), NY         4,868     30,304         27,767     4,868     58,071     62,939     36,880   1983

Knoxville Center

  Knoxville, TN         5,006     21,617     3,712     32,451     8,718     54,068     62,786     34,704   1984

Lima Mall

  Lima, OH         7,659     35,338         13,812     7,659     49,150     56,809     25,767   1965

Lincolnwood Town Center

  Lincolnwood (Chicago), IL         7,834     63,480         7,682     7,834     71,162     78,996     45,561   1990

Lindale Mall

  Cedar Rapids, IA         14,106     58,286         6,063     14,106     64,349     78,455     6,228   1998

Longview Mall

  Longview, TX         259     3,567     124     9,252     383     12,819     13,202     7,472   1978

Maplewood Mall

  St. Paul (Minneapolis), MN         17,119     80,758         24,267     17,119     105,025     122,144     37,102   2002

Markland Mall

  Kokomo, IN             7,568         17,008         24,576     24,576     13,219   1968

Melbourne Square

  Melbourne, FL         15,762     55,891     4,160     30,434     19,922     86,325     106,247     39,350   1982

Mesa Mall

  Grand Junction, CO     87,250     12,784     80,639         1,427     12,784     82,066     94,850     8,639   1998

Muncie Mall

  Muncie, IN         172     5,776     52     28,234     224     34,010     34,234     20,382   1970

Northlake Mall

  Atlanta, GA         33,322     98,035         3,813     33,322     101,848     135,170     73,019   1998

Northwoods Mall

  Peoria, IL         1,185     12,779     2,164     38,469     3,349     51,248     54,597     32,596   1983

Oak Court Mall

  Memphis, TN         15,673     57,304         9,556     15,673     66,860     82,533     37,543   1997

Orange Park Mall

  Orange Park (Jacksonville), FL         12,998     65,121         42,553     12,998     107,674     120,672     55,165   1994

Paddock Mall

  Ocala, FL         11,198     39,727         21,955     11,198     61,682     72,880     26,719   1980

Port Charlotte Town Center

  Port Charlotte, FL     46,353     5,471     58,570         15,507     5,471     74,077     79,548     40,124   1989

F-24


SCHEDULE III

SPG Businesses
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)

 
   
   
   
   
  Cost Capitalized
Subsequent to
Construction or
Acquisition
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
  Gross Amounts At Which
Carried At Close of Period
   
   
 
   
   
  Initial Cost    
   
 
   
   
   
  Date of
Construction
or
Acquisition
Name
  Location   Encumbrances (3)   Land   Buildings and
Improvements
  Land   Buildings and
Improvements
  Land   Buildings and
Improvements
  Total (1)   Accumulated
Depreciation (2)

Richmond Town Square

  Richmond Heights (Cleveland), OH         2,600     12,112         56,081     2,600     68,193     70,793     51,751   1966

River Oaks Center

  Calumet City (Chicago), IL         30,560     101,224         11,295     30,560     112,519     143,079     53,968   1997

Rolling Oaks Mall

  San Antonio, TX         1,929     38,609         13,650     1,929     52,259     54,188     31,736   1988

Rushmore Mall

  Rapid City, SD     94,000     18,839     67,364         1,183     18,839     68,547     87,386     8,579   1998

Southern Hills Mall

  Sioux City, IA     101,500     15,025     75,984         727     15,025     76,711     91,736     8,252   1998

Southern Park Mall

  Youngstown, OH         16,982     77,767     97     27,091     17,079     104,858     121,937     52,442   1970

Sunland Park Mall

  El Paso, TX     28,359     2,896     28,900         9,695     2,896     38,595     41,491     25,827   1988

Town Center at Aurora

  Aurora (Denver), CO         9,959     56,832     6     55,963     9,965     112,795     122,760     57,703   1998

Towne West Square

  Wichita, KS     49,360     972     21,203     61     12,647     1,033     33,850     34,883     22,502   1980

Valle Vista Mall

  Harlingen, TX     40,000     1,398     17,159     329     21,322     1,727     38,481     40,208     24,142   1983

Virginia Center Commons

  Glen Allen, VA         9,764     50,547         26,584     9,764     77,131     86,895     38,852   1991

West Ridge Mall

  Topeka, KS     64,794     5,453     34,148     1,168     24,122     6,621     58,270     64,891     33,298   1988

Westminster Mall

  Westminster (Los Angeles), CA         43,464     84,709         35,744     43,464     120,453     163,917     51,246   1998

Strip Centers

                                                             

Arboretum

  Austin, TX         7,640     36,774     71     12,240     7,711     49,014     56,725     21,046   1987

Bloomingdale Court

  Bloomingdale (Chicago), IL     25,164     8,422     26,184         13,429     8,422     39,613     48,035     22,263   1987

Bowie Town Center Strip

  Bowie (Washington, D.C.), MD         231     4,597             231     4,597     4,828     1,854   1987

Charles Towne Square

  Charleston, SC             1,768     370     10,636     370     12,404     12,774     9,705   1976

Chesapeake Center

  Chesapeake (Virginia Beach), VA         4,410     11,241         177     4,410     11,418     15,828     7,622   1989

Concord Mills Marketplace

  Concord (Charlotte), NC     16,000     8,036     21,167             8,036     21,167     29,203     1,519   2007

Countryside Plaza

  Countryside (Chicago), IL         332     8,507     2,554     10,183     2,886     18,690     21,576     10,215   1977

Dare Centre

  Kill Devil Hills, NC             5,702         649         6,351     6,351     2,157   2004

DeKalb Plaza

  King of Prussia (Philadelphia), PA     2,377     1,955     3,405         1,348     1,955     4,753     6,708     2,722   2003

Empire East

  Sioux Falls, SD         3,350     10,552         2,368     3,350     12,920     16,270     976   1998

Forest Plaza

  Rockford, IL     17,733     4,132     16,818     453     13,143     4,585     29,961     34,546     14,616   1985

Gateway Centers

  Austin, TX         24,549     81,437         13,282     24,549     94,719     119,268     33,797   2004

Greenwood Plus

  Greenwood (Indianapolis), IN         1,129     1,792         4,655     1,129     6,447     7,576     3,725   1979

Henderson Square

  King of Prussia (Philadelphia), PA     13,301     4,223     15,124         838     4,223     15,962     20,185     4,883   2003

Highland Lakes Center

  Orlando, FL         7,138     25,284         2,102     7,138     27,386     34,524     22,367   1991

Keystone Shoppes

  Indianapolis, IN             4,232     2,118     2,797     2,118     7,029     9,147     2,500   1997

Lake Plaza

  Waukegan (Chicago), IL         2,487     6,420         1,370     2,487     7,790     10,277     4,533   1986

Lake View Plaza

  Orland Park (Chicago), IL     15,470     4,702     17,543         13,726     4,702     31,269     35,971     17,600   1986

F-25


SCHEDULE III

SPG Businesses
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)

 
   
   
   
   
  Cost Capitalized
Subsequent to
Construction or
Acquisition
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
  Gross Amounts At Which
Carried At Close of Period
   
   
 
   
   
  Initial Cost    
   
 
   
   
   
  Date of
Construction
or
Acquisition
Name
  Location   Encumbrances (3)   Land   Buildings and
Improvements
  Land   Buildings and
Improvements
  Land   Buildings and
Improvements
  Total (1)   Accumulated
Depreciation (2)

Lakeline Plaza

  Cedar Park (Austin), TX     16,613     5,822     30,875         9,308     5,822     40,183     46,005     18,728   1998

Lima Center

  Lima, OH         1,781     5,151         8,959     1,781     14,110     15,891     6,943   1978

Lincoln Crossing

  O'Fallon (St. Louis), IL         674     2,192         893     674     3,085     3,759     1,653   1990

MacGregor Village

  Cary, NC         502     8,891         406     502     9,297     9,799     2,556   2004

Mall of Georgia Crossing

  Buford (Atlanta), GA     24,527     9,506     32,892         1,553     9,506     34,445     43,951     16,120   2004

Markland Plaza

  Kokomo, IN         206     738         6,328     206     7,066     7,272     3,907   1974

Martinsville Plaza

  Martinsville, VA             584         461         1,045     1,045     846   1967

Matteson Plaza

  Matteson (Chicago), IL         1,771     9,737         3,604     1,771     13,341     15,112     8,081   1988

Muncie Towne Plaza

  Muncie, IN     6,907     267     10,509     87     2,777     354     13,286     13,640     6,147   1998

New Castle Plaza

  New Castle, IN         128     1,621         1,608     128     3,229     3,357     1,876   1966

North Ridge Shopping Center

  Raleigh, NC     12,500     385     12,826         1,524     385     14,350     14,735     3,956   2004

Northwood Plaza

  Fort Wayne, IN         148     1,414         2,151     148     3,565     3,713     2,336   1974

Palms Crossing

  McAllen, TX     37,179     13,496     45,925         9,232     13,496     55,157     68,653     15,868   2006

Richardson Square

  Richardson (Dallas), TX         6,285         990     15,021     7,275     15,021     22,296     3,167   1977

Rockaway Commons

  Rockaway (New York), NJ         5,149     26,435         8,443     5,149     34,878     40,027     12,129   1998

Rockaway Town Plaza

  Rockaway (New York), NJ             18,698     2,227     3,222     2,227     21,920     24,147     6,157   2004

Shops at Arbor Walk, The

  Austin, TX     42,020         42,546         6,124         48,670     48,670     12,828   2005

Shops at North East Mall, The

  Hurst (Dallas), TX         12,541     28,177     402     5,835     12,943     34,012     46,955     18,837   1999

St. Charles Towne Plaza

  Waldorf (Washington, D.C.), MD         8,216     18,993         4,477     8,216     23,470     31,686     13,191   1987

Tippecanoe Plaza

  Lafayette, IN             745     234     5,298     234     6,043     6,277     3,784   1974

University Center

  Mishawaka, IN         2,119     8,365         3,103     2,119     11,468     13,587     9,047   1980

University Town Plaza

  Pensacola, FL         6,009     26,945             6,009     26,945     32,954     811   2013

Washington Plaza

  Indianapolis, IN         263     1,833         2,742     263     4,575     4,838     3,712   1976

Waterford Lakes Town Center

  Orlando, FL         8,679     72,836         17,229     8,679     90,065     98,744     46,600   1999

West Ridge Plaza

  Topeka, KS         1,376     4,560         3,841     1,376     8,401     9,777     3,758   1988

White Oaks Plaza

  Springfield, IL     13,813     3,169     14,267         6,546     3,169     20,813     23,982     9,581   1986

Wolf Ranch

  Georgetown (Austin), TX         21,999     51,547         11,897     21,999     63,444     85,443     19,338   2004

Development Projects

                                                             

Fairfield Town Center

  Fairfield Town Center         5,354     4,435             5,354     4,435     9,789        
                                             

        917,532     628,456     2,908,264     31,352     1,156,858     659,808     4,065,122     4,724,930     1,920,476    
                                             

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Notes to Schedule III as of December 31, 2013

(Dollars in thousands)


(1) Reconciliation of Real Estate Properties:

            The changes in real estate assets (which excludes furniture, fixtures and equipment) for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 are as follows:

 
  2013   2012   2011  

Balance, beginning of year

  $ 4,660,914   $ 4,596,784   $ 4,180,544  

Acquisitions

        29,978     356,928  

Improvements

    84,731     86,922     81,938  

Disposals *

    (20,715 )   (52,770 )   (22,626 )
               

Balance, close of year

  $ 4,724,930   $ 4,600,914   $ 4,596,784  
               

*
Primarily represents fully depreciated assets which have been disposed.

            The unaudited aggregate cost of real estate assets for federal income tax purposes as of December 31, 2013 was $4,479,780.


(2) Reconciliation of Accumulated Depreciation:

            The changes in accumulated depreciation and amortization for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 are as follows:

 
  2013   2012   2011  

Balance, beginning of year

  $ 1,781,073   $ 1,664,253   $ 1,546,670  

Depreciation expense

    159,791     161,578     139,667  

Disposals

    (20,388 )   (44,758 )   (22,084 )
               

Balance, close of year

  $ 1,920,476   $ 1,781,073   $ 1,664,253  
               

            Depreciation of our investment in buildings and improvements reflected in the combined statements of operations is calculated over the estimated original lives of the assets as noted below.

    Buildings and Improvements — typically 10-35 years for the structure, 15 years for landscaping and parking lot, and 10 years for HVAC equipment.

    Tenant Allowances and Improvements — shorter of lease term or useful life.

(3)
Encumbrances represent face amount of mortgage debt and exclude any premiums or discounts.

F-27