Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

by and among

 

ACRC LENDER LLC,

 

as Borrower,

 

THE LENDERS PARTIES HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME

 

as the Lenders,

 

and

 

CITY NATIONAL BANK,

 

together with its successors and assigns

 

as the Arranger and Administrative Agent

 

 

 

Dated as of July 30, 2014

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
Article I	DEFINITION AND CONSTRUCTION	1
1.1	Definitions	1
1.2	Construction	15
Article II	AMOUNT AND TERMS OF LOANS	15
2.1	Credit Facilities	15
2.2	Rate Designation	16
2.3	Interest Rates; Payment of Principal and Interest	16
2.4	Default Rate	19
2.5	Computation of Interest and Fees Maximum Interest Rate; Letter of Credit Fee	19
2.6	Request for Borrowing	20
2.7	Conversion or Continuation	24
2.8	Mandatory Repayment	25
2.9	Voluntary Prepayments; Termination and Reduction in Commitments	26
2.10	Letters of Credit	27
2.11	Fees	30
2.12	Maintenance of Loan Account; Statements of Obligations	30
2.13	Increased Costs	31
2.14	Suspension of LIBOR Rate Loans	31
2.15	Funding Sources	31
2.16	Place of Loans	31
2.17	Survivability	31
2.18	[Intentionally Omitted]	31
2.19	Mitigation of Obligations	32
Article III	CONDITIONS TO LOANS	32
3.1	Conditions Precedent to the Initial Extension of Credit	32
3.2	Conditions Precedent to All Extensions of Credit	33
3.3	Maturity Date	34
Article IV	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BORROWER	34
4.1	Due Organization	34
4.2	Interests in Borrower	35
4.3	Requisite Power and Authorization	35
4.4	Binding Agreements	35
4.5	Other Agreements	35
4.6	Litigation: Adverse Facts	35
4.7	Government Consents	36
4.8	Title to Assets; Liens	36
4.9	Payment of Taxes	36
4.10	Governmental Regulation	37
4.11	Disclosure	37

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

		Page
4.12	Debt	37
4.13	Existing Defaults	37
4.14	No Default; No Material Adverse Effect	37
Article V	AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF BORROWER	38
5.1	Accounting Records and Inspection	38
5.2	Other Information	38
5.3	Existence	39
5.4	Payment of Taxes and Claims	39
5.5	Compliance with Laws	40
5.6	Further Assurances	40
5.7	[Intentionally Omitted]	40
5.8	[Intentionally Omitted]	40
5.9	Foreign Qualification	40
Article VI	NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF BORROWER	40
6.1	Debt	40
6.2	Liens	41
6.3	[Intentionally Omitted]	41
6.4	[Intentionally Omitted]	41
6.5	Dividends	41
6.6	Restriction on Fundamental Changes	42
6.7	Sale of Assets	43
6.8	Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates	43
6.9	Conduct of Business	43
6.10	Amendments or Waivers of Certain Documents; Actions Requiring the Consent of Agent	43
6.11	Use of Proceeds	44
6.12	[Intentionally Omitted]	44
6.13	Margin Regulation	44
6.14	Asset Value	44
Article VII	EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES	44
7.1	Events of Default	44
7.2	Remedies	46
Article VIII	EXPENSES AND INDEMNITIES	47
8.1	Expenses	47
8.2	Indemnity	47
Article IX	ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATIONS	48
9.1	Assignments and Participations	48
9.2	Successors	50

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

		Page
9.3	Register	50
Article X	AGENT; THE LENDER GROUP	51
10.1	Appointment and Authorization of Agent	51
10.2	Delegation of Duties	52
10.3	Liability of Agent	52
10.4	Reliance by Agent	52
10.5	Notice of Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default	52
10.6	Credit Decision	53
10.7	Costs and Expenses; Indemnification	53
10.8	Agent in Individual Capacity	54
10.9	Successor Agent	54
10.10	Lender in Individual Capacity	54
10.11	Withholding Taxes	55
10.12	[Intentionally Omitted]	57
10.13	Restrictions on Actions by Lenders; Sharing of Payments	57
10.14	[Intentionally Omitted]	58
10.15	Payments by Agent to the Lenders	58
10.16	Related Loan Documents	58
10.17	Field Examinations and Examination Reports; Confidentiality; Disclaimers by Lenders; Other Reports and Information	58
10.18	Several Obligations; No Liability	59
10.19	Legal Representation of Agent	59
10.20	[Intentionally Omitted]	59
Article XI	MISCELLANEOUS	60
11.1	No Waivers, Remedies	60
11.2	Waivers and Amendments	60
11.3	Notices	61
11.4	Headings	61
11.5	Execution in Counterparts; Effectiveness	62
11.6	GOVERNING LAW	62
11.7	JURISDICTION AND VENUE	62
11.8	WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY	62
11.9	Independence of Covenants	63
11.10	Confidentiality	63
11.11	Complete Agreement	63
11.12	USA Patriot Act Notice	64

 

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CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of July 30, 2014, is entered into by and among, on the one hand, the lenders identified on the signature pages hereof (such lenders, together with their respective successors and permitted assigns, are referred to hereinafter each individually as a “ Lender ” and collectively as the “ Lenders ”) and CITY NATIONAL BANK , a national banking association (“ CNB ”), as the arranger and administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and permitted assigns in such capacity, “ Agent ”), and, on the other hand, ACRC LENDER LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ Borrower ”).  The parties agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITION AND CONSTRUCTION

 

1.1          Definitions .  For purposes of this Agreement (as defined below), the following initially capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

 

“ ACRC Pledge and Account Control Agreement ” means that certain Pledge and Account Control Agreement, dated as of November 19, 2013, by and among Borrower, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee on behalf of certain certificate holders, and U.S. Bank National Association, as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“ Advances ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) .

 

“ Affiliate ” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or 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 direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

 

“ Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

“ Agent-Related Persons ” means Agent, together with its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents.

 

“ Agent’s Account ” means the Deposit Account of Agent identified on Schedule A-1 .

 

“ Agreement ” means this Credit Agreement among Borrower, the Lenders, and Agent, together with all exhibits and schedules hereto, including the Disclosure Statement.

 

“ Application Event ” means the occurrence of (a) a failure by Borrower to repay in full all of the Obligations on the Maturity Date, or (b) an Event of Default and the election by Agent or the Required Lenders to require that payments be applied pursuant to Section 2.3(a)(ii)(E)  and (F)  of this Agreement.

 

“ Ares Management LLC ” means Ares Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

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“ Asset ” means any interest of a Person in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal, or mixed real and personal, or whether tangible or intangible.

 

“ Assignee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(a) .

 

“ Assignment and Acceptance ” means an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 .

 

“ Availability ” means, as of any date of determination, the amount that Borrower is entitled to borrow as Advances hereunder (after giving effect to all then outstanding Advances and Letters of Credit).

 

“ Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended or supplemented from time to time, and any successor statute, and all of the rules and regulations issued or promulgated in connection therewith.

 

“ Basel III ” means the agreements on capital requirements, leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems”, “Basel III: International framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring” and “Guidance for national authorities operating the countercyclical capital buffer” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision on 16 December 2010, each as amended, supplemented or restated.

 

“ Base LIBOR Rate ” means the ICE Benchmark Administration definition of the London InterBank Offered Rates as made available by Bloomberg LP (or, if such service is not available, such other successor to or substitute for such definition or such service as may be designated by Agent in accordance with customary practice in the syndicated loan market), for the applicable monthly period upon which the Interest Period is based for the LIBOR Rate Loan selected by Borrower and as quoted by Agent pursuant to the terms hereof, in the case of an initial LIBOR Rate Loan or a conversion of a Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan, on the date that is two (2) Eurodollar Business Days prior to the Funding Date for such LIBOR Rate Loan or, in the case of a continuation of an existing LIBOR Rate Loan, on the date that is two (2) Eurodollar Business Days before the last Eurodollar Business Day of an expiring Interest Period.

 

“ Base Rate ” means the greatest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (b) the rate most recently announced by Agent at its principal office in Los Angeles, California as its “Prime Rate” and (c) the LIBOR Rate for a one month Interest Period plus 1.00 percentage point.

 

“ Base Rate Loan ” means each portion of the Advances bearing interest at the Base Rate.

 

“ Board of Directors ” means, as to any Person, the board of directors (or comparable managers) of such Person, or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of the board of directors (or comparable managers).

 

“ Borrower ” has the meaning set forth in the introduction to this Agreement.

 

“ Business Day ” means a day when major commercial banks are open for business in California and New York, New York, other than Saturdays or Sundays.

 

“ Capitalized Lease Obligations ” means with respect to any Person, the amount of all obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease of property to the extent and in the

 

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amount that such obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on a balance sheet of such Person.

 

“ Cash Equivalents ” means (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof, (b) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from either Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“ S&P ”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“ Moody’s ”), (c) commercial paper maturing no more than 270 days from the date of creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s, (d) certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by any bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof having at the date of acquisition thereof combined capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000, (e) demand deposit accounts maintained with any bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof having combined capital and surplus of not less than $1,000,000,000, so long as the amount maintained with any individual bank is less than or equal to $1,000,000 and is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or larger amounts, to the extent that such amounts are covered by insurance which is reasonably satisfactory to Agent, (f) demand deposit accounts maintained with any of the financial institutions listed on Schedule A-2 hereto (as may be modified from time to time upon reasonably prompt written notice to the Agent following the establishment of such an account), Affiliates thereof, or any Lender that is a bank that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and (g) Investments in money market funds substantially all of whose assets are invested in the types of assets described in clauses (a) through (e) above.

 

“ Change of Control Event ” means the occurrence of any of the following events:  (a) any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) shall become, or obtain rights (whether by means of warrants, options or otherwise) to become, the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of a percentage of the total voting power of all classes of capital stock of Guarantor entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, of thirty-five percent (35%) or more; (b) Guarantor shall cease to own and control, of record and beneficially, directly or indirectly one-hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding membership interests of the Borrower; (c) Ares Commercial Real Estate Management LLC shall cease to be one-hundred percent (100%) owned and controlled, of record and beneficially, by Ares Management LLC or one or more of its Affiliates or (d) neither Ares Commercial Real Estate Management LLC nor any Affiliate of Ares Management LLC is actively involved on an ongoing basis in the investment decisions of Guarantor and its Subsidiaries.

 

“ Closing Date ” means July 30, 2014.

 

“ CNB ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

“ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or supplemented from time to time, and any successor statute, and all of the rules and regulations issued or promulgated in connection therewith.

 

“ Collateral Account ” means an account maintained with CNB containing cash collateral for a portion of the Obligations as to which a Lien is granted by Borrower to Agent to secure such Obligations.

 

“ Collections ” means all cash, checks, notes, instruments, and other items of payment.

 

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“ Compensated Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2 .

 

“ Contingent Obligation ” means, as to any Person and without duplication of amounts, any written obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee (whether guaranteed, endorsed, co-made, discounted, or sold with recourse to such Person) any Debt, noncancellable lease, dividend, reimbursement obligations relating to letters of credit, or any other obligation that pertains to Debt, a noncancellable lease, a dividend, or a reimbursement obligation related to letters of credit (each, a “primary obligation”) of any other Person (“primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any written obligation of such Person, irrespective of whether contingent, (a) to purchase any such primary obligation, (b) to advance or supply funds (whether in the form of a loan, advance, stock purchase, capital contribution, or otherwise) (i) for the purchase, repurchase, or payment of any such primary obligation or any Asset constituting direct or indirect security therefor, or (ii) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor, or otherwise to maintain the net worth, solvency, or other financial condition of the primary obligor, or (c) to purchase or make payment for any Asset, securities, services, or noncancellable lease if primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation.

 

“ Contractual Obligation ” means, as applied to any Person, any material provision of any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement, or other instrument to which that Person is a party or by which any of its Assets is subject.

 

“ Credit Support Fee Agreement ” means that certain Credit Support Fee Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among Borrower, Guarantor, ACRC Holding, LLC, and Ares Management LLC, as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“ Daily Balance ” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to any Obligation, the amount of such Obligation owed at the end of such day.

 

“ Debt ” means, with respect to any Person, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments and all reimbursement or other obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, bankers acceptances, interest rate swaps, other Hedging Agreements, or other financial products, (c) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of Assets or services, exclusive of trade payables that are due and payable in the ordinary and usual course of such Person’s business, (d) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person, (e) all obligations or liabilities of others secured by a Lien on any Asset owned by such Person, irrespective of whether such obligation or liability is assumed, to the extent of the lesser of such obligation or liability or the fair market value of such Asset, and (f) all Contingent Obligations of such Person in respect of the foregoing.

 

“ Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund any amounts required to be funded by it under this Agreement on the date that it is required to do so under this Agreement, (b) notified Borrower, Agent, or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with all or any portion of its funding obligations under this Agreement, (c) has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or under other agreements generally (as reasonably determined by Agent) under which it has committed to extend credit, (d) failed, within one Business Day after written request by Agent, to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund any amounts required to be funded by it under this Agreement, (e) otherwise failed to pay over to Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it under this Agreement within one Business Day of the date that it is required to do so under this Agreement, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, or (f) (i) becomes or is insolvent or has a parent

 

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company that has become or is insolvent, or (ii) becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company that has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment.

 

“ Defaulting Lender Rate ” means (a) for the first 3 days from and after the date the relevant payment is due, the Federal Funds Rate, and (b) thereafter, the interest rate then applicable to Advances that are Base Rate Loans.

 

“ Deficiency Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5 .

 

“ Deposit Account ” means any “deposit account” (as that term is defined in the UCC).

 

“ Designated Account ” means account number                  of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation maintained with Bank of America, routing number                 , or such other deposit account of Borrower (located within the United States) designated, in writing, from time to time, by Borrower to Agent.

 

“ Direct Competitor ” means any Person who is a direct competitor of Borrower if Agent or the assigning Lender have actual knowledge of the foregoing (including, upon notification by Borrower); provided , that in connection with any assignment or participation, the assignee with respect to such proposed assignment that is an investment bank, a commercial bank, a finance company, a fund or other entity which merely has an economic interest in any such Person, and is not itself such a direct competitor of Borrower, shall be deemed not to be a Direct Competitor for the purposes of this definition so long as it does not exercise direct control over, or is controlled directly by or under common control with, such Person that is a direct competitor of Borrower.

 

“ Disclosure Statement ” means that certain statement, executed and delivered by a Responsible Officer of Borrower, that sets forth information regarding or exceptions to the representations, warranties, and covenants made by Borrower herein, as amended from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

“ Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5 .

 

“ Dollars ” or “ $ ” means United States dollars.

 

“ Eligible Transferee ” means (a) a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States, or any state thereof, and having total assets in excess of $250,000,000, (b) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country which is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or a political subdivision of any such country and which has total assets in excess of $250,000,000, provided that such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in the United States, (c) a finance company, insurance company, financial institution, or fund that is engaged in making, purchasing, or otherwise investing in commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and having (together with its Affiliates) total assets in excess of $250,000,000, (d) any Lender, (e) any Affiliate (other than individuals) of a Lender, (f) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other Person approved by Agent and Borrower (which approval of Borrower, except in the case of a proposed assignment to a Direct Competitor, and Agent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned), (g) upon and after the purchase of the Obligations by Ares Management LLC

 

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under the Loan Purchase Agreement, Ares Management LLC and any of its Affiliates, and (h) during the continuation of (i) a Payment Default or an Insolvency Default or (ii) any other Event of Default that has been continuing for a period of at least 30 days, any other Person approved by Agent which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned; provided that (except as provided by clause (g) above) in no event shall a Loan Party or an Affiliate of a Loan Party constitute an Eligible Transferee.

 

“ Environmental Law ” means any applicable federal, state, provincial, foreign or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, binding and enforceable guideline, binding and enforceable written policy, or rule of common law now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended, or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent decree or judgment, in each case, to the extent binding on Borrower or its Subsidiaries, relating to the environment, the effect of the environment on employee health, or Hazardous Materials, in each case as amended from time to time.

 

“ Eurocurrency Reserve Requirement ” means the sum (without duplication) of the rates (expressed as a decimal) of reserves (including, without limitation, any basic, marginal, supplemental, or emergency reserves) that are required to be maintained by banks during the Interest Period under any regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, or any other governmental authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto, applicable to funding based on so-called “Eurocurrency Liabilities”, including Regulation D (12 CFR 224).

 

“ Eurodollar Business Day ” means any Business Day on which major commercial banks are open for international business (including dealings in Dollar deposits) in New York, New York and London, England.

 

“ Event of Default ” has the meaning set forth in Article VII of this Agreement.

 

“ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended or supplemented from time to time, and any successor statute, and all of the rules and regulations issued or promulgated in connection therewith.

 

“ 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 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) withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Recipient with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Revolver Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Recipient acquires such interest in the Loan or Revolver Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by Borrower under Section 11.2 ) or (ii) in the case of a Lender, such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 10.11 , amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section  10.11(b) , (c)  or (j)  and (d) any Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

“ Extended Maturity Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3 .

 

“ FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered

 

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into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to such intergovernmental agreement.

 

“ Federal Funds Rate ” shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with member banks of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the next succeeding Business Day or if such rate is not so published for any Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1% of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Agent.

 

“ Federal Reserve Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any successor thereto.

 

“ Fee Letter ” means that certain fee letter, dated contemporaneously herewith, between Borrower and Agent.

 

“ FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

 

“ Funding Date ” means the date on which any Advance is made by the Lenders.

 

“ Funding Losses ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b)(ii) .

 

“ GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America in effect from time to time.

 

“ Governing Documents ” means, with respect to any Person, the certificate or articles of incorporation, by-laws, or other organizational documents of such Person.

 

“ Governmental Authority ” means any federal, state, local, or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency, central bank, court, tribunal, or other instrumentality, domestic or foreign.

 

“ Guarantor ” means Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation, a Maryland corporation.

 

“ Guaranty ” means that certain general continuing guaranty, dated contemporaneously herewith, by the Guarantor in favor of Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group.

 

“ Hazardous Materials ” means (a) substances that are defined or listed in, or otherwise classified pursuant to, any applicable laws or regulations as “hazardous substances,” “hazardous materials,” “hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” or any other formulation intended to define, list, or classify substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, or “EP toxicity”, (b) oil, petroleum, or petroleum derived substances, natural gas, natural gas liquids, synthetic gas, drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas, or geothermal resources, (c) any flammable substances or explosives or any radioactive materials, and (d) asbestos in any form or electrical equipment that contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million.

 

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“ Hedging Agreement ” means any interest rate, foreign currency, commodity or equity swap, collar, cap, floor or forward rate agreement, or other agreement or arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in interest rates or currency, commodity or equity values (including any option with respect to any of the foregoing and any combination of the foregoing agreements or arrangements), and any confirmation executed in connection with any such agreement or arrangement.

 

“ Highest Lawful Rate ” means the maximum non-usurious interest rate, as in effect from time to time, that may be charged, contracted for, reserved, received, or collected by a Lender in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

 

“ Holdout Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2 .

 

“ Indemnified Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2 .

 

“ 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 Borrower under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.

 

“ Indemnitee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2 .

 

“ Initial Maturity Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3 .

 

“ Insolvency Default ” means an Event of Default described in Sections 7.1(d), (e)  or (f)  hereof.

 

“ Insolvency Proceeding ” means any proceeding commenced by or against any Person under any provision of the Bankruptcy Code or under any other state or federal bankruptcy or insolvency law, assignments for the benefit of creditors, formal or informal moratoria, compositions, extensions generally with creditors, or proceedings seeking reorganization, arrangement, or other similar relief.

 

“ Intercompany Subordination Agreement ” means an intercompany subordination agreement, dated as of even date with this Agreement, executed and delivered by Borrower, Guarantor, and Agent, the form and substance of which is reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

 

“ Interest Payment Date ” means the first day of each month.

 

“ Interest Period ” means, with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such LIBOR Rate Loan is made (including the date a Base Rate Loan is converted to a LIBOR Rate Loan, or a LIBOR Rate Loan is renewed as a LIBOR Rate Loan, which, in the latter case, will be the last day of the expiring Interest Period) and ending on the date which is one (1), two (2), three (3), six (6) months, or, if available to all Lenders, twelve (12) months thereafter, as selected by Borrower; provided , however , that no Interest Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date.

 

“ Investment ” means, as applied to any Person, any direct or indirect purchase or other acquisition by that Person of, or beneficial interest in, stock, instruments, bonds, debentures or other securities of any other Person, or any direct or indirect loan, advance, or capital contribution by such Person to any other Person, including all indebtedness and accounts receivable due from that other Person that did not arise from sales or the rendition of services to that other Person in the ordinary and usual course of such Person’s business, and deposit accounts (including certificates of deposit).

 

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“ Issuing Lender ” means CNB or any other Lender that, at the request of Borrower and with the consent of Agent, agrees, in such Lender’s sole discretion, to become an Issuing Lender for the purpose of issuing Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.10 .

 

“ L/C Disbursement ” means a payment made by the Issuing Lender to a beneficiary of a Letter of Credit pursuant to such Letter of Credit.

 

“ Lender ” and “ Lenders ” have the respective meanings set forth in the preamble to this Agreement, and shall include any other Person made a party to this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.1 .

 

“ Lender Group ” means, individually and collectively, each of the Lenders (including the Issuing Lender) and Agent.

 

“ Lender Group Expenses ” means all (a) reasonable and documented costs or expenses (including taxes, and insurance premiums) required to be paid by Borrower or any other Loan Party under any of the Loan Documents that are paid, advanced, or incurred by Agent, (b) reasonable and documented fees or charges paid or incurred by Agent in connection with the Lender Group’s transactions with Borrower or any other Loan Party, including, fees or charges for photocopying, notarization, couriers and messengers, telecommunication, public record searches (including tax lien, litigation, and UCC searches and, if required, including searches with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, or the department of motor vehicles), filing, recording, publication, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Taxes of Agent, (c) reasonable and documented costs and expenses incurred by Agent in the disbursement of funds to Borrower or other members of the Lender Group (by wire transfer or otherwise), (d) reasonable and documented costs and expenses paid or incurred by Agent or any Lender to correct any default or enforce any provision of the Loan Documents, (e) reasonable and documented fees and expenses of Agent (including internal allocations of costs) related to examinations of the books of the Loan Parties to the extent of the fees and charges (and up to the amount of any limitation) contained in this Agreement or the Fee Letter, (f) reasonable and documented costs and expenses of third party claims or any other suit paid or incurred by the Agent or any Lender in enforcing or defending the Loan Documents or in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or the Lender Group’s relationship with any Loan Party, (g) Agent’s reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys fees of one counsel) incurred in structuring, drafting, reviewing, administering, syndicating, or amending the Loan Documents, and (h) Agent’s and each Lender’s reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other advisors reasonable and documented fees and expenses) incurred in terminating, enforcing (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other advisors reasonable and documented fees and expenses incurred in connection with a “workout,” a “restructuring,” or an Insolvency Proceeding concerning Borrower or any other Loan Party or in exercising rights or remedies under the Loan Documents), or defending the Loan Documents, irrespective of whether suit is brought.

 

“ Lender-Related Person ” means, with respect to any Lender, such Lender, together with such Lender’s Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents.

 

“ Letter of Credit ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(a) .

 

“ Letter of Credit Fee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(d) .

 

“ Letter of Credit Usage ” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit.

 

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“ LIBOR Rate ” means the rate per year (rounded upward to the next one-thousandth (1/1000th) of one percent (0.001%), if necessary) determined by Agent to be the quotient of (a) the Base LIBOR Rate divided by (b) one minus the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirement for the Interest Period; which is expressed by the following formula:

 

Base LIBOR Rate divided by (1 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirement).

 

“ LIBOR Rate Loan ” means each portion of an Advance bearing interest at the LIBOR Rate.

 

“ Lien ” means any lien, hypothecation, mortgage, pledge, assignment (including any assignment of rights to receive payments of money) for security, security interest, charge, or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and any agreement to give any security interest).

 

“ Loan ” means an Advance made by the Lenders (or Agent on behalf thereof) to Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1 of this Agreement, and “ Loans ” means all such Advances.

 

“ Loan Account ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12 .

 

“ Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, the Guaranty, the Letters of Credit, the Fee Letter, the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, the Loan Purchase Agreement, and any and all other documents, agreements, or instruments that have been or are entered into by Borrower or Guarantor, on the one hand, and Agent, on the other hand, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

“ Loan Party ” means Borrower or Guarantor, and “ Loan Parties ” means, collectively, jointly and severally, Borrower and the Guarantor.

 

“ Loan Purchase Agreement ” means that certain Loan Purchase Agreement, dated contemporaneously herewith, between Ares Management LLC and Agent.

 

“ March 2014 Credit Agreement ” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated March 12, 2014, by and among Borrower, the lenders party thereto, and CNB, as arranger and administrative agent as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified as permitted hereunder.

 

“ March 2014 Loan Documents ” means the March 2014 Credit Agreement and the other “Loan Documents” as such term is defined in the March 2014 Credit Agreement and any documents, instruments and agreements entered into in connection with any amendment, supplement, restatement, replacement or refinancing thereof, as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms of the March 2014 Credit Agreement.

 

“ Margin Securities ” means “margin stock” as that term is defined in Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board.

 

“ Material Adverse Effect ” means, with respect to a specified Person, a material and adverse effect on the business, operations, Assets, or condition (financial or otherwise) of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

“ Maturity Date ” means (a) the Extended Maturity Date if the One Year Extension Option is available to, and exercised, by Borrower in accordance with the terms and conditions of Section 3.3 , and (b) at all other times, the Initial Maturity Date.

 

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“ Maximum Revolver Amount ” means, as of any date, $75,000,000.

 

“ Obligations ” means all loans (including the Advances), debts, principal, interest (including any interest that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), premiums, liabilities (including all amounts charged to Borrower’s Loan Account pursuant hereto), contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to outstanding Letters of Credit, obligations (including indemnification obligations), fees (including the Letter of Credit Fee and the fees provided for in the Fee Letter), charges, costs, expenses (including Lender Group Expenses) (including any portion thereof that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, whether or not allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), lease payments, guaranties, covenants, and duties of any kind and description incurred and outstanding by Borrower to the Lender Group pursuant to or evidenced by the Loan Documents and irrespective of whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, and including all interest not paid when due and all expenses that Borrower is required to pay or reimburse by the Loan Documents, by law, or otherwise.  Any reference in this Agreement or in the Loan Documents to the Obligations shall include all extensions, modifications, renewals, or alterations thereof, both prior and subsequent to any Insolvency Proceeding.

 

“ One Year Extension Option ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

 

“ Originating Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(e) .

 

“ 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 solely 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 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 11.2 ).

 

“ Participant ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(e) .

 

“ Payment Default ” means an Event of Default described in Section 7.1(a)  hereof.

 

“ Permitted Discretion ” means a determination made in the exercise of reasonable (from the perspective of a senior lender) business judgment.

 

“ Permitted Liens ” means: (a) Liens for taxes, assessments, or governmental charges or claims the payment of which is not, at such time, required by Section 5.4 hereof, (b) any attachment or judgment Lien either in existence less than 30 calendar days after the entry thereof, or with respect to which execution has been stayed, or with respect to which payment in full above any applicable deductible is covered by insurance (so long as no reservation of rights has been made by the insurer in connection with such coverage), and Liens incurred to secure any surety bonds, appeal bonds, supersedeas bonds, or other instruments serving a similar purpose in connection with the appeal of any such judgment, in each case, so long as such judgments do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 7.1(h)  of the Agreement,

 

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(c) banker’s Liens in the nature of rights of setoff arising in the ordinary course of business of Borrower, (d) Liens granted by Borrower in order to secure its Debt under the March 2014 Credit Agreement and the other March 2014 Loan Documents to which it is a party, (e) Liens and deposits in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, social security and other legislation affecting Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (f) Liens arising by operation of law in favor of carriers, warehousemen, landlords, mechanics, materialmen, laborers or employees for sums that are not yet delinquent or are being contested in good faith, (g) Liens described in the Disclosure Statement with respect to Section 4.8 hereof, if any, but not the extension of coverage thereof to other property or assets, (h) easements, rights of way, zoning restrictions and similar encumbrances on real property and minor irregularities in the title thereto that do not (i) secure obligations for the payment of money or (ii) materially impair the value of such property or its use by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the normal conduct of such Person’s business, (i) leases or subleases granted to other Persons not materially interfering with the conduct of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (j) Liens in connection with the financing of insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business which attach solely to the proceeds thereof or any premium refund, (k) Liens in favor of any escrow agent solely on and in respect of any cash earnest money deposits made by Borrower incurred in the ordinary course of business and in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement (to the extent that the acquisition or disposition with respect thereto is otherwise permitted hereunder), (l) Liens encumbering customary initial deposits and margin deposits, and similar Liens and margin deposits, and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts and other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, (m) Liens deemed to exist as a matter of law in connection with permitted repurchase obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or set-off rights, (n) Liens in favor of collecting banks arising under Section 4-210 of the UCC, (o) Liens on the equity Securities of any Subsidiary of the Borrower and the proceeds thereof securing Debt of such Subsidiary and any guaranty by Borrower of any such Debt, (p)  Liens granted under the ACRC Pledge and Account Control Agreement (as in effect on the Closing Date), to the extent that such Liens solely secure the Debt described in the ACRC Pledge and Account Control Agreement (as in effect on the Closing Date) as being secured by such Liens, (q) Liens granted by Guarantor to Ares Management LLC in and to the Securities of ACRC Holdings LLC pursuant to the terms of the Pledge Agreement, and (r) other Liens granted by Borrower in the ordinary course of its business with respect to obligations that do not exceed $100,000 in the aggregate.

 

“ Person ” means and includes natural persons, corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures, associations, companies, business trusts, or other organizations, irrespective of whether they are legal entities.

 

“ Pledge Agreement ” means that certain Pledge Agreement dated as of the date hereof between Ares Management LLC and Guarantor, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified as permitted hereunder.

 

“ PH ” means Paul Hastings LLP.

 

“ Pro Rata Share ” means, as of any date of determination:

 

(a)                                    with respect to a Lender’s obligation to make Advances and receive payments of principal, interest, fees, costs, and expenses with respect thereto, (i) prior to the Revolver Commitments being terminated or reduced to zero, the percentage obtained by dividing (y) such Lender’s Revolver Commitment, by (z) the aggregate Revolver Commitments of all Lenders, and (ii) from and after the time that the Revolver Commitments have been terminated or reduced to zero, the percentage obtained by dividing (y) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Advances by (z) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Advances,

 

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(b)                                    with respect to a Lender’s obligation to participate in Letters of Credit, to reimburse the Issuing Lender, and to receive payments of fees with respect thereto, (i) prior to the Revolver Commitments being terminated or reduced to zero, the percentage obtained by dividing (y) such Lender’s Revolver Commitment, by (z) the aggregate Revolver Commitments of all Lenders, and (ii) from and after the time that the Revolver Commitments have been terminated or reduced to zero, the percentage obtained by dividing (y) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Advances by (z) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Advances, and

 

(c)                                    with respect to all other matters as to a particular Lender (including the indemnification obligations arising under Section 10.7 ), (i) prior to the Revolver Commitments being terminated or reduced to zero, the percentage obtained by dividing (y) such Lender’s Revolver Commitment, by (z) the aggregate amount of Revolver Commitments of all Lenders, and (ii) from and after the time that the Revolver Commitments have been terminated or reduced to zero, the percentage obtained by dividing (y) the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Advances, by (z) the outstanding principal amount of all Advances; provided , however , that if all of the Advances have been repaid in full and Letters of Credit remain outstanding, Pro Rata Share under this clause shall be determined based upon subclause (i) of this clause as if the Revolver Commitments had not been terminated or reduced to zero and based upon the Revolver Commitments as they existed immediately prior to their termination or reduction to zero.

 

“ Qualified Purchaser ” means “qualified purchaser” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(51) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder.

 

“ Recipient ” means (a) Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Lender, as applicable.

 

“ Regulatory Change ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.13 .

 

“ Remedial Action ” means all actions taken to (a) clean up, remove, remediate, contain, treat, monitor, assess, evaluate, or in any way address Hazardous Materials in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent or minimize a release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials so they do not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment, (c) restore or reclaim natural resources or the environment, (d) perform any pre-remedial studies, investigations, or post-remedial operation and maintenance activities, or (e) conduct any other actions with respect to Hazardous Materials, in each case, as required by applicable Environmental Laws.

 

“ Replacement Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2 .

 

“ Report ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.17 .

 

“ Request for Borrowing ” means an irrevocable written notice from any of the individuals identified on Exhibit R-1 attached hereto (or, in certain cases, two of such individuals, all as set forth in further detail in Exhibit R-1 attached hereto) to Agent of Borrower’s request for an Advance or for the issuance of a Letter of Credit, which notice shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit R-2 attached hereto.

 

“ Request for Conversion/Continuation ”  means an irrevocable written notice from any of the individuals identified on Exhibit R-1 attached hereto (or, in certain cases, two of such individuals, all as set forth in further detail in Exhibit R-1 attached hereto) to Agent pursuant to the terms of Section 2.7 , substantially in the form of Exhibit R-3 attached hereto.

 

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“ Required Lenders ” means, at any time, Lenders whose aggregate Pro Rata Shares (calculated under clause (c) of the definition of Pro Rata Shares) exceed 50%; provided that , (i) at any time there are 2 or more Lenders (who are not Affiliates of one another), “Required Lenders” must include at least 2 Lenders (who are not Affiliates of one another) and (ii) the Advances and Revolver Commitments of any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of determining the Required Lenders.

 

“ Responsible Officer ” means the president, chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, secretary, general counsel, vice president, manager, treasurer or controller of a Person, or such other officer of such Person designated by a Responsible Officer in a writing delivered to Agent, in each case, to the extent that any such officer is authorized to bind Borrower or the Guarantor (as applicable).

 

“ Revolver Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, its commitment in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, and, with respect to all Lenders, their commitments in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, in each case as such Dollar amounts are set forth beside such Lender’s name under the applicable heading on Schedule C-1 or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender hereunder, as such amounts may be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments made in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.1 .

 

“ Revolving Credit Facility ” means the revolving credit facility described in Section 2.1(a)  hereof.

 

“ Revolving Credit Facility Usage ” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the aggregate Dollar amount of the outstanding Advances at such time.

 

“ Risk Participation Liability ” means, as to each Letter of Credit, all reimbursement obligations of Borrower to the Issuing Lender with respect to such Letter of Credit, consisting of (a) the amount available to be drawn or which may become available to be drawn, (b) all amounts that have been paid by the Issuing Lender with respect thereto to the extent not reimbursed by Borrower, whether by the making of an Advance or otherwise, and (c) all accrued and unpaid interest, fees, and expenses payable with respect thereto.

 

“ SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America or any successor thereto.

 

“ Securities ” means the capital stock, membership interests, partnership interests (whether limited or general) or other securities or equity interests of any kind of a Person, all warrants, options, convertible securities, and other interests which may be exercised in respect of, converted into or otherwise relate to such Person’s capital stock, membership interests, partnership interests (whether limited or general) or other equity interests and any other securities, including debt securities of such Person.

 

“ Securities Account ” means a securities account (as that term is defined in the UCC).

 

“ Stock ” means all shares, options, warrants, interests, participations, or other equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a Person, whether voting or nonvoting, including common stock, preferred stock, or any other “equity security” (as such term is defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act).

 

“ Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, association, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity (heretofore, now or hereafter established) of which

 

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at least a majority of the securities or other ownership interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, and shall include all Persons the accounts of which are consolidated with those of such Person pursuant to GAAP.

 

“ Taxes ” means any tax based upon or measured by net or gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, occupation, premium or property taxes, or conduct of business, together with any interest and penalties, additions to tax and additional amounts imposed by any federal, state, local, or foreign taxing authority upon any Person.

 

“ Total Unrestricted Cash ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5 .

 

“ UCC ” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

 

“ Unmatured Event of Default ” means an event, act, or occurrence which, with the giving of notice or the passage of time, would become an Event of Default.

 

“ Withholding Agent ” means any Loan Party and Agent.

 

1.2           Construction .  Unless the context of this Agreement clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular and to the singular include the plural, the part includes the whole, the term “including” is not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.” References in this Agreement to a “determination” or “designation” include estimates by Agent (in the case of quantitative determinations or designations), and beliefs by Agent (in the case of qualitative determinations or designations).  The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.  Article, section, subsection, clause, exhibit, and schedule references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.  Any reference herein to this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents includes any and all alterations, amendments, restatements, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, or supplements thereto or thereof, as applicable, made in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof.  Any reference herein or in any other Loan Document to the satisfaction or repayment in full of the Obligations, any reference herein or in any other Loan Document to the Obligations being “paid in full” or “repaid in full” (except as set forth in Section 2.3(a)(v)), and any reference herein or in any other Loan Document to the action by any Person to repay the Obligations in full, shall mean the repayment in full in cash in Dollars (or cash collateralization or receipt of a backup letter of credit or other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Issuing Lender in accordance with the terms hereof) of all Obligations other than contingent indemnification Obligations as to which no claim has been asserted or is anticipated.  All payments hereunder or any other Loan Document in respect of the Obligations shall be made in Dollars.

 

ARTICLE II

AMOUNT AND TERMS OF LOANS

 

2.1           Credit Facilities .

 

(a)            Revolving Credit Facility .

 

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(i)             Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and during the term of this Agreement:

 

(A)           each Lender with a Revolver Commitment agrees (severally, not jointly or jointly and severally) to make revolving loans (“ Advances ”) to Borrower in Dollars in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Maximum Revolver Amount less such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the aggregate Letter of Credit Usage at such time; provided that at no time shall the sum of such Lender’s aggregate Advances and such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the aggregate Letter of Credit Usage exceed such Lender’s Revolver Commitment, and

 

(B)           amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.1 may be repaid at any time during the term of this Agreement and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, reborrowed prior to the Maturity Date.  The outstanding principal amount of the Advances, together with interest accrued thereon, shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date or, if earlier, on the date on which they are declared due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

(ii)            No Lender with a Revolver Commitment shall have an obligation to make any Advance under the Revolving Credit Facility on or after the Maturity Date, other than Advances (if any) which are made pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.10(c)  and (d)  in respect of L/C Disbursements made in respect of Letters of Credit issued prior to the Maturity Date.

 

(iii)           On the Maturity Date, the then outstanding principal balance of all Advances shall be due and payable in full in immediately available funds.  In addition, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date, Borrower shall either (A) provide to Agent, to be held by Agent as cash collateral, for the ratable benefit of the Issuing Lender and the Lenders, immediately available funds in an amount equal to 103% of the Letter of Credit Usage as of such date (which cash collateral shall be used solely to reimburse the Issuing Lender) or (B) make other arrangements (which may include backstop letters of credit) reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Issuing Lender. After the Maturity Date, upon the written request therefor by Borrower, as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving such request, Agent shall return to Borrower such amounts held as cash collateral pursuant to the preceding sentence to the extent that the aggregate amount of cash collateral held by Agent exceeds 103% of the then extant Letter of Credit Usage.  If at any time after the Maturity Date, the amount of such cash collateral is less than 103% of the then extant Letter of Credit Usage, promptly upon request by Agent, Borrower shall provide additional cash collateral to Agent, to the extent of such deficiency.

 

(b)            [Intentionally Omitted].

 

2.2             Rate Designation .  Borrower shall designate each Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan or a Base Rate Loan in the Request for Borrowing or Request for Conversion/Continuation given to Agent in accordance with Section 2.6 or Section 2.7 , as applicable.  Each Base Rate Loan under the Revolving Credit Facility shall be in a minimum principal amount of $500,000 and, thereafter, in integral multiples of $100,000, unless such Advance is being made to pay any interest, fees, or expenses then due hereunder, in which case such Advance may be in the amount of such interest, fees, or expenses, and each LIBOR Rate Loan under the Revolving Credit Facility shall be in a minimum principal amount of $500,000 and, thereafter, in integral multiples of $100,000.

 

2.3             Interest Rates; Payment of Principal and Interest .

 

(a)            Borrower shall make each payment due hereunder by making, or causing to be made in Dollars in immediately available funds, the amount thereof available to Agent’s Account,

 

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not later than noon (Pacific Time), on the date of payment, for the account of the Lender Group.  If Borrower fails to make any such payment in Dollars in immediately available funds when due, Borrower hereby authorizes Agent to charge such interest, Letter of Credit Fees, and all other fees and expenses provided for in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (as and when payable hereunder or under the other Loan Documents), to Borrower’s Loan Account as an Advance, and if such amounts are charged to Borrower’s Loan Account as a an Advance, such amounts thereafter shall accrue interest at the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans hereunder.

 

(i)             Unless Agent receives notice from Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Lenders that Borrower will not make such payment in full in Dollars in immediately available funds as and when required, Agent may assume that Borrower has made (or will make) such payment in full to Agent on such date in Dollars in immediately available funds and Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to each Lender on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Lender.  If and to the extent Borrower does not make such payment in full in Dollars in immediately available funds to Agent on the date when due, each Lender severally shall repay to Agent on demand such amount distributed to such Lender, together with interest thereon at the Defaulting Lender Rate for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such Lender until the date repaid.

 

(ii)            Except as otherwise provided with respect to Defaulting Lenders and except as otherwise provided in the Loan Documents (including agreements between Agent and individual Lenders), aggregate principal and interest payments shall be apportioned ratably among the Lenders (according to the unpaid principal balance of the Obligations to which such payments relate held by each Lender) and applied thereto and payments of fees and expenses (other than fees or expenses that are for Agent’s separate account, after giving effect to any agreements between Agent and individual Lenders) shall be apportioned ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares.  Subject to Section 2.3(a)(iv)  below, all payments shall be remitted to Agent and all such payments shall be applied as follows:

 

(A)           first , to pay any fees and Lender Group Expenses then due to Agent under the Loan Documents, until paid in full,

 

(B)           second , to pay any fees and Lender Group Expenses then due to the Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) under the Loan Documents, on a ratable basis, until paid in full,

 

(C)           third , ratably to pay interest due to the Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) in respect of the Loans until paid in full,

 

(D)           fourth , so long as no Application Event has occurred and is continuing, to pay the principal of all Advances then due to the Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) until paid in full,

 

(E)            fifth , if an Application Event has occurred and is continuing, ratably (i) to pay the principal of all Advances then due to the Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) until paid in full, and (ii) to Agent, to be held by Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Issuing Lender and the Lenders, as cash collateral in an amount up to 103% of the Letter of Credit Usage until paid in full,

 

(F)            sixth , [Intentionally Omitted].

 

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(G)           seventh , to pay any other Obligations owed to Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders);

 

(H)           eighth , to pay any Obligations owed to Defaulting Lenders until paid in full, and

 

(I)             ninth , to Borrower (to be wired to the Designated Account) or such other Person entitled thereto under applicable law.

 

(iii)           Agent promptly shall distribute to each Lender, pursuant to the applicable wire instructions received from each Lender in writing, such funds as it may be entitled to receive.

 

(iv)           In each instance, so long as no Application Event has occurred and is continuing, Section 2.3(a)(ii)  shall not apply to any payment made by Borrower to Agent and specified by Borrower to be for the payment of specific Obligations then due and payable (or prepayable) under any provision of this Agreement.

 

(v)            For purposes of the foregoing, “paid in full” means payment of all amounts owing under the Loan Documents according to the terms thereof, including loan fees, service fees, professional fees, interest (and specifically including interest accrued after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding), default interest, interest on interest, and expense reimbursements, whether or not any of the foregoing would be or is allowed or disallowed in whole or in part in any Insolvency Proceeding, other than contingent indemnification Obligations as to which no claim has been asserted or is anticipated.

 

(vi)           In the event of a direct conflict between the priority provisions of this Section 2.3 and other provisions contained in any other Loan Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such priority provisions in such documents shall be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other.  In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, the terms and provisions of this Section 2.3 shall control and govern.

 

(b)               Subject to Section 2.4 , each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest upon the unpaid principal balance thereof, from and including the date advanced or converted, to but excluding the date of conversion or repayment thereof, at a fluctuating rate, per annum, equal to the lesser of (i) the greater of (A) the Base Rate plus 0.25 percentage point and (B) 1.50 percentage points, and (ii) the Highest Lawful Rate.  Any change in the interest rate resulting from a change in the Base Rate will become effective on the day on which each change in the Base Rate is announced by Agent.  Interest due with respect to Base Rate Loans shall be due and payable, in arrears, commencing on the first Interest Payment Date following the Closing Date, and continuing on each Interest Payment Date thereafter up to and including the Interest Payment Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date, and on the Maturity Date.

 

(c)                Subject to Section 2.4 , each LIBOR Rate Loan shall bear interest upon the unpaid principal balance thereof, from the date advanced, converted, or continued, at a rate, per annum, equal to the lesser of (i) the greater of (A) the LIBOR Rate plus 1.50 percentage points and (B) 1.50 percentage points, and (ii) the Highest Lawful Rate.  Interest due with respect to each LIBOR Rate Loan shall be due and payable, in arrears, on each Interest Payment Date applicable to that LIBOR Rate Loan and on the Maturity Date.  Anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement notwithstanding, Borrower may not have more than 8 LIBOR Rate Loans outstanding at any one time.

 

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(d)               Borrower shall pay Agent (for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, subject to any agreements between Agent and individual Lenders), a Letter of Credit fee (in addition to the charges, commissions, fees, and costs set forth in Section 2.10(f) ) which shall accrue at a rate equal to 1.50% per annum times the Daily Balance of the undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit (the “ Letter of Credit Fee ”). The Letter of Credit Fee shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date.

 

(e)                Unless prepaid in accordance with the terms hereof, the outstanding principal balance of all Advances, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall be due and payable, in full, on the Maturity Date.

 

(f)                [Intentionally Omitted].

 

(g)                Any Lender by written notice to Borrower (with a copy to Agent) may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note.  In such event, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns).  Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.1 ) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein (or to such payee and its registered assigns).  For the avoidance of doubt, assignments of any Loans by Lenders (irrespective of whether promissory notes are issued hereunder) shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.1 of this Agreement.  In no event shall the delivery of a promissory note pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)  constitute a condition precedent to any extension of credit hereunder.

 

2.4             Default Rate .  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, (a) all Loans then outstanding shall bear interest at a rate equal to the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2.0 percentage points, and (b) the Letter of Credit Fee shall be increased to 2.0 percentage points above the per annum rate otherwise applicable thereunder.  All amounts payable under this Section 2.4 shall be due and payable on demand by Agent.

 

2.5             Computation of Interest and Fees Maximum Interest Rate; Letter of Credit Fee .

 

(a)            All computations of interest with respect to the Loans and computations of the fees (including the Letter of Credit Fee) due hereunder for any period shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days elapsed in such period (except in the case of Base Rate Loans, which shall be 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year)).  Interest shall accrue from the first day of the making of a Loan (or the date on which interest or fees or other payments are due hereunder, if applicable) to (but not including) the date of repayment of such Loan (or the date of the payment of interest or fees or other payments, if applicable) in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

(b)            Anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement notwithstanding, Borrower shall not be obligated to pay, and Agent shall not be entitled to charge, collect, receive, reserve, or take interest (it being understood that interest shall be calculated as the aggregate of all charges which constitute interest under applicable law that are contracted for, charged, reserved, received, or paid) in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate.  During any period of time in which the interest rates specified herein exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, interest shall accrue and be payable at such Highest Lawful Rate; provided , however , that, if the interest rate otherwise applicable hereunder declines below the Highest Lawful Rate, interest shall continue to accrue and be payable at the Highest Lawful Rate (so long as there remains any unpaid principal with respect to the Loans) until the interest that has been paid hereunder

 

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equals the amount of interest that would have been paid if interest had at all times accrued and been payable at the applicable interest rates otherwise specified in this Agreement.  For purposes of this Section 2.5 , the term “applicable law” shall mean that law in effect from time to time and applicable to this loan transaction which lawfully permits the charging and collection of the highest permissible, lawful, non-usurious rate of interest on such loan transaction and this Agreement, including laws of the State of New York and, to the extent controlling, laws of California or the laws of the United States of America.

 

2.6             Request for Borrowing .

 

(a)            Each Base Rate Loan shall be made on a Business Day and each LIBOR Rate Loan shall be made on a Eurodollar Business Day.

 

(b)            Each Loan or Letter of Credit that is proposed to be made after the Closing Date shall be made upon written notice, by way of a Request for Borrowing, which Request for Borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall be given by telefacsimile, mail, electronic mail (in a format bearing a copy of the signature(s) required thereon), or personal service, and delivered to Agent at 555 S. Flower Street, 24th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071, telefacsimile number (213) 673-9801, e-mail address brandon.feitelson@cnb.com, as follows:

 

(i)             for a Base Rate Loan, Borrower shall give Agent notice at least one (1) Business Day prior to the date that is the requested Funding Date, and such notice shall specify that a Base Rate Loan is requested and state the amount thereof (subject to the provisions of this Article II ).

 

(ii)            for a LIBOR Rate Loan, Borrower shall give Agent notice at least three (3) Eurodollar Business Days before the date the LIBOR Rate Loan is to be made, and such notice shall specify that a LIBOR Rate Loan is requested and state the amount and Interest Period thereof (subject to the provisions of this Article II) .  Each Request for Borrowing shall be deemed to be a request for a LIBOR Rate Loan unless such Request for Borrowing expressly requests a Base Rate Loan. At any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Agent may convert, and shall convert if so requested by the Required Lenders, the interest rate on all outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans to the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans hereunder.  In connection with each LIBOR Rate Loan, Borrower shall indemnify, defend, and hold Agent and the Lenders harmless against any loss, cost, or expense incurred by Agent or any Lender as a result of (A) the payment of any principal of any LIBOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (B) the conversion of any LIBOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (C) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any LIBOR Rate Loan on the date specified in any Request for Borrowing or Request for Conversion/Continuation delivered pursuant hereto (such losses, costs, and expenses, collectively, “ Funding Losses ”; provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, Funding Losses shall not include any losses incurred under Section 2.6(f)  or with respect to which Borrower is required to reimburse Agent or any Lender under any other section of this Agreement).  Funding Losses shall, with respect to Agent or any Lender, be deemed to equal the amount reasonably determined by Agent or such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (I) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such LIBOR Rate Loan had such event not occurred, at the LIBOR Rate that would have been applicable thereto, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert, or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period therefor), minus (II) the amount of interest that would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which Agent or such Lender would be offered were it to offer, at the commencement of such period, Dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period in the London interbank market.  A certificate of Agent or a Lender delivered to Borrower

 

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setting forth any amount or amounts that Agent or such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.6(b)(ii)  shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(c)            If the notice provided for in clause (b)  of this Section 2.6 with respect to a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan is received by Agent not later than 10 a.m. (Pacific Time), on a Business Day or Eurodollar Business Day, as applicable, such day shall be treated as the first Business Day or Eurodollar Business Day, as applicable, of the required notice period.  In any other event, such notice will be treated as having been received immediately before 10 a.m. (Pacific Time), of the next Business Day or Eurodollar Business Day, as applicable, and such day shall be treated as the first Business Day or Eurodollar Business Day, as applicable, of the required notice period.

 

(d)            [Intentionally omitted].

 

(e)            Promptly after receipt of a Request for Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.6(b ), Agent shall notify the Lenders, not later than 1:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) on the Business Day immediately preceding the Funding Date applicable thereto (in the case of a Base Rate Loan), or the third Eurodollar Business Day preceding the Funding Date (in the case of a LIBOR Rate Loan), by telecopy, electronic mail (in a format bearing a copy of the signature(s) required thereon), telephone, or other similar form of transmission, of the requested Loan.  Each Lender shall make the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the requested Loan available to Agent in immediately available funds, to Agent’s Account, not later than 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on the Funding Date applicable thereto.  After Agent’s receipt of the proceeds of such Loans, Agent shall make the proceeds thereof available to Borrower on the applicable Funding Date by transferring to the Designated Account immediately available funds equal to the proceeds that are requested by Borrower to be sent to Borrower in the applicable Request for Borrowing; provided, however, that Agent shall not request any Lender to make, and no Lender shall have the obligation to make, any Loan if Agent shall have actual knowledge that (1) one or more of the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Article III will not be satisfied on the requested Funding Date for the applicable Loan unless such condition has been waived, or (2) the requested Loan would exceed the Availability on such Funding Date.

 

(f)             Unless Agent receives notice from a Lender, prior to 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on the date of such Loan, that such Lender will not make available as and when required hereunder to Agent for the account of Borrower the amount of that Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Loan, Agent may assume that each Lender has made or will make such amount available to Agent in immediately available funds on the Funding Date and Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon such assumption, make available to Borrower on such date a corresponding amount.  If and to the extent any Lender (other than CNB) shall not have made its full amount available to Agent in immediately available funds and Agent in such circumstances has made available to Borrower such amount, that Lender shall on the Business Day following such Funding Date make such amount available to Agent, together with interest at the Defaulting Lender Rate for each day during such period.  A notice submitted by Agent to any Lender with respect to amounts owing under this subsection shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.  If such amount is so made available, such payment to Agent shall constitute such Lender’s Loan on the date of such Loan for all purposes of this Agreement.  If such amount is not made available to Agent on the Business Day following the Funding Date, Agent will notify Borrower of such failure to fund and, upon demand by Agent, Borrower shall pay such amount to Agent for Agent’s account, together with interest thereon for each day elapsed since the date of such Loan, at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans composing such Loan, without in any way prejudicing the rights and remedies of Borrower against the Defaulting Lender.  The failure of any Lender to make any Loan on any Funding Date shall not relieve any other Lender of any obligation hereunder to make a Loan on such Funding Date, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make the Loan to be made by such other Lender on any Funding Date.

 

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(g)            (i) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.3(a)(ii), Agent shall not be obligated to transfer to a Defaulting Lender any payments made by Borrower to Agent for the Defaulting Lender’s benefit, and, in the absence of such transfer to the Defaulting Lender, Agent shall transfer any such payments (i) first, to Issuing Lender to the extent of the portion of any payment made by Issuing Lender pursuant to a Letter of Credit that was required to be, but was not, paid by the Defaulting Lender, (ii) second, to each other non-Defaulting Lender ratably in accordance with their Revolver Commitments (but only to the extent that such Defaulting Lender’s Loan was funded by such other non-Defaulting Lender), (iii) third, to a suspense account maintained by Agent, the proceeds of which shall be retained by Agent and may be made available to be re-advanced to or for the benefit of Borrower (upon the request of Borrower and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 3.2) as if such Defaulting Lender had made its portion of Loans (or other funding obligations) hereunder, and (iv) fourth, from and after the date when all other Obligations have been paid in full, to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with tier (H)  of Section 2.3(a)(ii) .  Subject to the foregoing, Agent may hold and, in its Permitted Discretion, re-lend to Borrower for the account of such Defaulting Lender the amount of all such payments received and retained by Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender.  Solely for the purposes of voting or consenting to matters with respect to the Loan Documents (including the calculation of Pro Rata Share in connection therewith) and for the purpose of calculating the fee payable under Section 2.11(b) , such Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a “Lender” and such Lender’s Revolver Commitment shall be deemed to be zero; provided , that the foregoing shall not apply to any of the matters governed by Section 11.2(a)  through (c) .  This Section shall remain effective with respect to such Defaulting Lender until the earlier of (y) the date on which all of the non-Defaulting Lenders, Agent, Issuing Lender, and Borrower shall have waived, in writing, the application of this Section 2.6(g)  to such Defaulting Lender, or (z) the date on which such Defaulting Lender makes payment of all amounts that it was obligated to fund hereunder, pays to Agent all amounts owing by Defaulting Lender in respect of the amounts that it was obligated to fund hereunder, and, if requested by Agent, provides adequate assurance of its ability to perform its future obligations hereunder (on which earlier date, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any remaining cash collateral held by Agent pursuant to Section 2.6(g)(ii)  shall be released to Borrower).  The operation of this Section shall not be construed to increase or otherwise affect the Revolver Commitment of any Lender, to relieve or excuse the performance by such Defaulting Lender or any other Lender of its duties and obligations hereunder, or to relieve or excuse the performance by Borrower of its duties and obligations hereunder to Agent, Issuing Lender or to the Lenders other than such Defaulting Lender.  Any failure by any Defaulting Lender to fund amounts that it was obligated to fund hereunder shall constitute a material breach by such Defaulting Lender of this Agreement and shall entitle Borrower at its option, upon written notice to Agent, to arrange for a substitute Lender to assume the Revolver Commitment of such Defaulting Lender, such substitute Lender to be reasonably acceptable to Agent.  In connection with the arrangement of such a substitute Lender, the Defaulting Lender shall have no right to refuse to be replaced hereunder, and agrees to execute and deliver a completed form of Assignment and Acceptance in favor of the substitute Lender (and agrees that it shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such document if it fails to do so) subject only to being repaid its share of the outstanding Obligations (including (1) all interest, fees, and other amounts that may be due and payable in respect thereof, and (2) an assumption of its Pro Rata Share of its participation in the Letters of Credit); provided, that any such assumption of the Revolver Commitment of such Defaulting Lender shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of any of the Lender Groups’ or Borrower’s rights or remedies against any such Defaulting Lender arising out of or in relation to such failure to fund, including Borrower’s right to require Defaulting Lender to reimburse Borrower for any fees, charges or expenses incurred by Borrower under this Section 2.3(g) as a result of the failure by any Defaulting Lender to fund amounts that it was obligated to fund hereunder. In the event of a direct conflict between the priority provisions of this Section 2.6(g) and any other provision contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such provisions be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other.  In the event of any actual,

 

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irreconcilable conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, the terms and provisions of this Section 2.6(g)  shall control and govern.

 

(ii) If any Letter of Credit is outstanding at the time that a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

 

(A)           such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Letter of Credit Usage (“ Letter of Credit Exposure ”) shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares but only to the extent (x) the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ aggregate Advances plus such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the aggregate Letter of Credit Usage does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolver Commitments and (y) the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 are satisfied at such time;

 

(B)           if the reallocation described in clause (A) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, Borrower shall within one Business Day following notice by the Agent, cash collateralize such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (A) above), pursuant to a cash collateral agreement to be entered into in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, for so long as such Letter of Credit Exposure is outstanding; provided, that Borrower shall not be obligated to cash collateralize any Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure if such Defaulting Lender is also the Issuing Lender;

 

(C)           if Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)(ii) , Borrower shall not be required to pay any Letter of Credit Fees to Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.3(d)  with respect to such cash collateralized portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure during the period such Letter of Credit Exposure is cash collateralized;

 

(D)           to the extent the Letter of Credit Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)(ii) , then the Letter of Credit Fees payable to the non-Defaulting Lenders pursuant to Section 2.3(d)  shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Letter of Credit Exposure;

 

(E)            to the extent any Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)(ii) , then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Lender or any Lender hereunder, all Letter of Credit Fees that would have otherwise been payable to such Defaulting Lender under Section 2.3(d)  with respect to such portion of such Letter of Credit Exposure shall instead be payable to the Issuing Lender until such portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure is cash collateralized or reallocated;

 

(F)            so long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Lender shall not be required to issue, amend, or increase any Letter of Credit, in each case, to the extent (x) the Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such Letter of Credit cannot be reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)(ii)  or (y) the Issuing Lender has not otherwise entered into arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Issuing Lender and Borrower to eliminate the Issuing Lender’s risk with respect to the Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit; and

 

(G)           Agent may release any cash collateral provided by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)(ii)  to the Issuing Lender and the Issuing Lender may apply any such cash collateral to the payment of such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any Letter of Credit Disbursement that is not reimbursed by Borrower pursuant to Section 2.10(c) .

 

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(h)            All Advances shall be made by the Lenders contemporaneously and in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares.  It is understood that (i) no Lender shall be responsible for any failure by any other Lender to perform its obligation to make any Advance (or other extension of credit) hereunder, nor shall any Revolver Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as a result of any failure by any other Lender to perform its obligations hereunder, and (ii) no failure by any Lender to perform its obligations hereunder shall excuse any other Lender from its obligations hereunder.

 

(i)             In the event that Borrower elects to have a portion of the proceeds of any payment of the Loans invested or deposited in a Collateral Account pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.8(g)(iii) , Agent may (in its discretion) apply such proceeds that are held in the Collateral Account at any time to the Loans in accordance with Section 2.8(g)(iii)  so long as either (i) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or (ii) unless otherwise agreed by Borrower, Agent and the Lenders do not incur a Funding Loss as a result thereof (or do not require Borrower to reimburse Agent and the Lenders for any such Funding Loss).

 

2.7             Conversion or Continuation .

 

(a)            Subject to the provisions of clause (d)  of this Section 2.7 and the provisions of Section 2.14 , Borrower shall have the option to (i) convert all or any portion of the outstanding Base Rate Loans equal to $500,000, and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of such amount, to a LIBOR Rate Loan, (ii) convert all or any portion of the outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans equal to $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of such amount, to a Base Rate Loan, and (iii) upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to any of its LIBOR Rate Loans, continue all or any portion of such LIBOR Rate Loan equal to $500,000, and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of such amount, as a LIBOR Rate Loan, and the succeeding Interest Period of such continued Loan shall commence on the expiration date of the Interest Period previously applicable thereto; provided , however , that a LIBOR Rate Loan only may be converted or continued, as the case may be, on the expiration date of the Interest Period applicable thereto; provided further , however , that if, (A) before the expiration of an Interest Period of a LIBOR Rate Loan, Borrower fails timely to deliver the appropriate Request for Conversion/Continuation, such LIBOR Rate Loan automatically shall be continued as a LIBOR Rate Loan with an Interest Period of one (1) month and (B) if Borrower delivers a Request for Conversion/Continuation that does not specify the applicable Interest Period, such request shall be deemed to be a request for an Interest Period of one (1) month.

 

(b)            Borrower shall by telefacsimile, mail, electronic mail (in a format bearing a copy of the signature(s) required thereon), personal service or by telephone (which shall be confirmed by one of the other means of delivery), subject to Section 2.7(a)  above, deliver a Request for Conversion/Continuation to Agent (i) no later than 10 a.m. (Pacific Time), one (1) Business Day prior to the proposed conversion date (in the case of a conversion to a Base Rate Loan), and (ii) no later than 10 a.m. (Pacific Time), three (3) Eurodollar Business Days before (in the case of a conversion to, or a continuation of, a LIBOR Rate Loan).  A Request for Conversion/Continuation shall specify (x) the proposed conversion or continuation date (which shall be a Business Day or a Eurodollar Business Day, as applicable), (y) the amount and type of the Loan to be converted or continued, and (z) the nature of the proposed conversion or continuation.

 

(c)            Any Request for Conversion/Continuation (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof) shall be irrevocable and Borrower shall be obligated to convert or continue in accordance therewith.

 

(d)            No Loan (or portion thereof) may be converted into, or continued as, a LIBOR Rate Loan with an Interest Period that ends after the Maturity Date.

 

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2.8             Mandatory Repayment .

 

(a)            The Revolver Commitments, including any commitment to issue any Letter of Credit, shall terminate on the Maturity Date and (without limiting Borrower’s obligations to either (i) provide to Agent cash collateral in respect of the outstanding Letters of Credit or (ii) make other arrangements (which may include backstop letters of credit) reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Issuing Lender, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date or in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.1(a)(iii) ) all Loans, all interest that has accrued and remains unpaid thereon, all contingent reimbursement obligations of Borrower with respect to outstanding Letters of Credit, all unpaid fees, costs, or expenses that are payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, and all other Obligations immediately shall be due and payable in full without notice or demand (including either (i) providing cash collateral to be held by Agent in an amount equal to 103% of the Letter of Credit Usage, (ii) making other arrangements (which may include backstop letters of credit) reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Issuing Lender or (iii) causing the original Letters of Credit to be returned to Agent), on the Maturity Date.

 

(b)            In the event that, at any time, the sum of the then outstanding Revolving Credit Facility Usage and the Letter of Credit Usage exceeds the then extant amount of the Maximum Revolver Amount, then, and in each such event, promptly upon obtaining notice of such excess (and in any event within two (2) Business Days of obtaining such notice) Borrower shall repay the amount of such excess to Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.

 

(c)            [Intentionally omitted].

 

(d)            [Intentionally omitted].

 

(e)            Within 3 Business Days of the date of the issuance by Borrower of any equity Securities, Borrower shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Obligations in an amount equal to 100% of the net cash proceeds (net of reserves for any reasonably expected expenses) received by Borrower in connection with such issuance.  The provisions of this Section 2.8(e)  shall not be deemed to be implied consent to any such issuance otherwise prohibited by the terms of this Agreement.

 

(f)             Within 3 Business Days of the date of incurrence by Borrower of any Debt (other than Debt permitted under Section 6.1 ), Borrower shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Obligations in an amount equal to 100% of the net cash proceeds (net of reserves for any reasonably expected expenses) received by Borrower in connection with such incurrence.  The provisions of this Section 2.8(f)  shall not be deemed to be implied consent to any such incurrence otherwise prohibited by the terms of this Agreement.

 

(g)            All prepayments of the Loans made pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall (i) so long as no Application Event shall have occurred and be continuing, be applied ratably to the outstanding principal amount of the Loans, until paid in full, (ii) if an Application Event shall have occurred and be continuing, be applied in the manner set forth in Section 2.3(a)(ii) , and (iii) so long as an Event of Default has not occurred and is not continuing, to the extent that such prepayments are to be applied to the Advances pursuant to Section 2.8(g)(i)  above, be applied, first, ratably to Advances that are Base Rate Loans, until paid in full, and, second, ratably to Advances that are LIBOR Rate Loans, until paid in full; provided , however that if Borrower provides Agent with prior written notice of Borrower’s election not to apply such proceeds to the principal amount of any such LIBOR Rate Loan prior to the last date of the Interest Period with respect to such LIBOR Rate Loan, the amount which would otherwise be applied against such LIBOR Rate Loans pursuant to this Section 2.8(g)(iii)  shall instead be wired to the

 

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Collateral Account described by Borrower in such notice, pending its application by Agent pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.6(i) .

 

2.9             Voluntary Prepayments; Termination and Reduction in Commitments .

 

(a)            Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3(a), Borrower shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, to prepay the Loans without penalty or premium.  Borrower shall give Agent written notice no later than noon (Pacific Time) on the date of such prepayment with respect to Base Rate Loans and not less than 1 Eurodollar Business Day prior written notice of any such prepayment with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans.  In each case, such notice shall specify the date on which such prepayment is to be made (which shall be a Business Day or Eurodollar Business Day, as applicable), and the amount of such prepayment.  Each such prepayment shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and shall include interest accrued on the principal amount prepaid to, but not including, the date of payment in accordance with the terms hereof (or, in each case, such lesser amount constituting the amount of all Loans then outstanding).  Any voluntary prepayments of principal by Borrower of a LIBOR Rate Loan prior to the end of the applicable Interest Period shall be subject to Section 2.6(b)(ii) .

 

(b)            Borrower has the option, at any time upon 3 Business Days prior written notice to Agent, to terminate this Agreement and terminate the Revolver Commitments hereunder without penalty or premium by paying to Agent, in cash, the Obligations (including contingent reimbursement obligations of Borrower with respect to outstanding Letters of Credit, but other than contingent indemnification Obligations as to which no claim has been asserted or is anticipated) in full (including (i) providing immediately available funds to be held by Agent for the benefit of the Issuing Lender and the Lenders in an amount equal to 103% of the Letter of Credit Usage, (ii) making other arrangements (which may include backstop letters of credit) reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Issuing Lender or (iii) causing the original Letters of Credit to be returned to the Issuing Lender); provided that the Revolver Commitments shall not be terminated if after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.9(a) , the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Facility Usage and Letter of Credit Usage would exceed the aggregate amount of the Revolver Commitments.  Promptly following receipt of any notice, Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each notice delivered by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.9(b)  shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Revolver Commitments delivered by Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by Borrower (by notice to Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.  If Borrower has sent a notice of termination pursuant to the provisions of this Section, then (subject to the proviso in the preceding sentence) the Revolver Commitments shall terminate and Borrower shall be obligated to repay the Obligations (including contingent reimbursement obligations of Borrower with respect to outstanding Letters of Credit, but other than contingent indemnification Obligations as to which no claim has been asserted or is anticipated) in full on the date set forth as the date of termination of this Agreement in such notice (including either (I) providing immediately available funds to be held by Agent for the benefit of the Issuing Lender and the Lenders in an amount equal to 103% of the Letter of Credit Usage, (II) making other arrangements (which may include backstop letters of credit) reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Issuing Lender or (III) causing the original Letters of Credit to be returned to the Issuing Lender, and.  Any termination of the Revolver Commitments under this clause (b) shall be permanent.

 

(c)            Borrower has the option, at any time upon 3 Business Days prior written notice to Agent, to reduce the Revolver Commitments without penalty or premium to an amount not less than the sum of (A) the Revolving Credit Facility Usage as of such date, plus (B) the principal amount of all Advances not yet made as to which a request has been given by Borrower under Section 2.6(b) , plus (C) the amount of all Letters of Credit not yet issued as to which a request has been given by Borrower pursuant to Section 2.10(a)  plus (D) the Letter of Credit Usage.  Each such reduction shall be in an

 

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amount which is not less than $500,000 (unless the Revolver Commitments are being reduced to zero and the amount of the Revolver Commitments in effect immediately prior to such reduction are less than $500,000).  Each notice delivered by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.9(c)  shall be irrevocable.  Once reduced under this clause (c), the Revolver Commitments may not be increased.  Each such reduction of the Revolver Commitments shall reduce the Revolver Commitments of each Lender proportionately in accordance with its Pro Rata Share thereof.

 

2.10           Letters of Credit .

 

(a)            Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including without limitation the provisions of Article III and this Section 2.10(a) ), upon the request of Borrower made in accordance herewith not later than seven (7) days before the Maturity Date, the Issuing Lender shall issue letters of credit denominated in Dollars for the account of Borrower and, if requested by Borrower, for the benefit of one of its Affiliates (each, a “ Letter of Credit ”), and, subject to the provisions of Section 2.1(a)(iii) , the Issuing Lender shall amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit.  Each request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or the amendment, renewal, or extension of any outstanding Letter of Credit, shall be made in writing by any of the individuals identified on Exhibit R-1 attached hereto (or, in certain cases, two of such individuals, all as set forth in further detail in Exhibit R-1 attached hereto) and delivered to the Issuing Lender and Agent via hand delivery, telefacsimile, or other electronic method of transmission reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension.  Each such request shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Issuing Lender in its sole and absolute discretion and shall specify (i) the amount of such Letter of Credit, (ii) the date of issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension of such Letter of Credit, (iii) the expiration of such Letter of Credit, (iv) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof, (v) the identity of Borrower’s Affiliate for whose benefit such Letter of Credit shall be issued in the event that Borrower requests that the issuing Lender issue a Letter of Credit for the benefit of one of its Affiliates, and (vi) such other information (including, in the case of an amendment, renewal, or extension, identification of the outstanding Letter of Credit to be so amended, renewed, or extended) as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew, or extend such Letter of Credit.  It is hereby acknowledged that the Issuing Lender shall have no obligation to issue a Letter of Credit (A) if, after giving effect to the issuance of such requested Letter of Credit, (1) the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed $25,000,000, or (2) the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed the Maximum Revolver Amount less the amount of the Revolving Credit Facility Usage, (B) at any time when one or more of the Lenders is a Defaulting Lender, but only until such time as either (1) the Revolver Commitments of the Defaulting Lender or Defaulting Lenders have been assumed by a Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender, (2) the Maximum Revolver Amount has been reduced by the amount of such Defaulting Lender’s or Defaulting Lenders’ Revolver Commitments or (3) such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit exposure has been cash collateralized, (C) if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Lender from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any law applicable to the Issuing Lender or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Lender shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Lender refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Lender with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Lender is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing Lender any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the Issuing Lender in good faith deems material to it, or (D) if the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Lender applicable to letters of credit generally.  Agent shall provide a report to each Lender on a quarterly basis setting forth the then current Letter of Credit Usage and Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof.

 

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(b)            Each Letter of Credit shall have an expiry date no later than the earlier to occur of (i) one year after the issuance or renewal of such Letter of Credit and (ii) the Maturity Date, and all Letters of Credit shall be in form and substance acceptable to the Issuing Lender in its sole and absolute discretion.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent Borrower so requests with respect to any new Letter of Credit issued hereunder, the Issuing Lender agrees to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic renewal provisions (each, an “ Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit ”).  Unless otherwise directed by the Issuing Lender, Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the Issuing Lender for any such renewal.  Once an Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit has been issued, each Lender with a Revolver Commitment shall be deemed to have authorized the Issuing Lender to permit the renewal of such Letter of Credit at any time prior to an expiry date not later than the Maturity Date (subject to the cash collateral requirement of Section 2.1(a)(iii) ); provided that the Issuing Lender shall not permit any such renewal if (x) the Issuing Lender has determined in its reasonable discretion that it would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its renewed form under Section 2.10(a) , or (y) it has received notice on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the renewal date from Agent, any Lender or Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 3.2 (other than 3.2(d) ) are not then satisfied.  The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, any change to the face amount of any Letter of Credit shall only be made pursuant to an amendment thereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and in no event shall Agent or the Issuing Lender issue a Letter of Credit which provides for an automatic increase, automatic decrease or other automatic change to the face amount of any Letter of Credit.

 

(c)            If the Issuing Lender is obligated to advance funds under a Letter of Credit, Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Disbursement to the Issuing Lender by paying to Agent an amount equal to such L/C Disbursement not later than 1:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) on the date that such L/C Disbursement is made, if Borrower shall have received written or telephonic notice of such L/C Disbursement prior to 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by Borrower prior to 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on such date, then not later than 1:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) on the Business Day immediately following the day that Borrower receives such notice.  Such reimbursement shall be made in Dollars.  In the absence of such reimbursement, the L/C Disbursement immediately and automatically shall be deemed to be an Advance hereunder and, thereafter, shall bear interest at the rate then applicable to Advances that are Base Rate Loans under Section 2.3 .  To the extent an L/C Disbursement is deemed to be an Advance hereunder, Borrower’s obligation to reimburse such L/C Disbursement shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting Advance.  To the extent Borrower has provided to Agent cash or Cash Equivalents to cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and if no other reimbursement obligation for a separate L/C Disbursement exists, then Agent may utilize the cash collateral to reimburse the Issuing Lender for such L/C Disbursement.  Promptly following receipt by Agent of any payment from Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, Agent shall distribute such payment to the Issuing Lender or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments pursuant to Section 2.10(d)  to reimburse the Issuing Lender, then to such Lenders and the Issuing Lender as their interests may appear.

 

(d)            Promptly following receipt of a notice of L/C Disbursement pursuant to Section 2.10(c)  which is deemed to be an Advance hereunder, each Lender agrees to fund in Dollars in immediately available funds its Pro Rata Share of any Advance deemed made pursuant to the foregoing subsection on the same terms and conditions as if Borrower had requested such Advance and Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Lender the amounts so received by it from the Lenders.  By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Lender or the Lenders, the Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have granted to each Lender, and each Lender shall be deemed to have purchased, a participation in each Letter of Credit, in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the Risk Participation Liability of such Letter of Credit, and each such Lender agrees to pay to Agent in Dollars in immediately available funds, for the

 

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account of the Issuing Lender, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any payments made by the Issuing Lender under such Letter of Credit.  In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to Agent in Dollars in immediately available funds, for the account of the Issuing Lender, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of each L/C Disbursement made by the Issuing Lender and not reimbursed by Borrower on the date due as provided in clause (c)  above, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to Borrower for any reason.  Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to deliver to Agent, for the account of the Issuing Lender, an amount in Dollars in immediately available funds equal to its respective Pro Rata Share of each L/C Disbursement made by the Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section 2.10(d)  shall be absolute and unconditional and such remittance shall be made notwithstanding the occurrence or continuation of an Event of Default or Default or the failure to satisfy any condition set forth in Article III hereof.  If any such Lender fails to make available to Agent the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of each L/C Disbursement made by the Issuing Lender in respect of such Letter of Credit as provided in this Section, (i) such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, (ii) Agent (for the account of the Issuing Lender) shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon at the Defaulting Lender Rate until paid in full, and (iii) Agent shall be authorized by Borrower and each Lender to request that the Lenders fund an additional Advance equal to such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such L/C Disbursement (subject in any event to the limitation set forth in the proviso in Section 2.1(a)(i)(A) ).

 

(e)            Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify, save, defend, and hold the Lender Group harmless from any loss, cost, expense, or liability, and reasonable attorneys fees incurred by the Lender Group arising out of or in connection with any Letter of Credit; provided,   however, that Borrower shall not be obligated hereunder to indemnify for any loss, cost, expense, or liability to the extent that it is found in a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or violation of the express terms of this Agreement by the Issuing Lender or any other member of the Lender Group.  The indemnity set forth above is in addition to any other indemnity set forth in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document (including the indemnities by Borrower set forth in Section 8.2 hereof), and shall not be deemed to limit the provisions of any other indemnity or any other similar provision set forth herein or therein.  Borrower agrees to be bound by the Issuing Lender’s good faith interpretations of any Letter of Credit issued by the Issuing Lender to or for Borrower’s account, even though this interpretation may be different from Borrower’s own, and Borrower understands and agrees that the Lender Group shall not be liable for any error, negligence, or mistake, whether of omission or commission, in following Borrower’s instructions or those contained in the Letter of Credit or any modifications, amendments, or supplements thereto.  Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that neither the Lender Group nor the Issuing Lender shall be responsible for delays, errors, or omissions resulting from the malfunction of equipment in connection with any Letter of Credit.

 

(f)             Any and all charges, commissions, fees, and costs incurred by the Issuing Lender relating to Letters of Credit shall be Lender Group Expenses for purposes of this Agreement and immediately shall be reimbursable by Borrower to Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender; it being acknowledged and agreed by Borrower that the issuance charge imposed by the Issuing Lender is fixed at 0.125% per annum times the undrawn amount of each Letter of Credit, which shall in no event be less than a minimum of $500 and no greater than a maximum of $1,500, and that the Issuing Lender also imposes a schedule of charges for amendments, extensions, drawings, and renewals, which shall be no more than the rates therefor that have been most recently published by CNB.

 

(g)            If by reason of (i) any change after the Closing Date in any applicable law, treaty, rule, or regulation or any change in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority, or (ii) compliance by the Lender Group with any direction, request, or requirement (irrespective of whether having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority or monetary

 

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authority including, Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board as from time to time in effect (and any successor thereto):

 

(x) any reserve, deposit, or similar requirement is or shall be imposed or modified in respect of any Letter of Credit issued hereunder, or

 

(y) there shall be imposed on the Lender Group any other condition regarding any Letter of Credit issued pursuant hereto, and the result of the foregoing is to increase, directly or indirectly, the cost to the Lender Group of issuing, making, guaranteeing, or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount receivable in respect thereof by the Lender Group, then, and in any such case, Agent may, at any time within a reasonable period after the additional cost is incurred or the amount received is reduced, notify Borrower, and Borrower shall pay on demand such amounts as Agent may specify to be necessary to compensate the Lender Group for such additional cost or reduced receipt, together with interest on such amount from the date of such demand until payment in full thereof at the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans hereunder.  The determination by Agent of any amount due pursuant to this Section, as set forth in a certificate setting forth the calculation thereof in reasonable detail, shall, in the absence of manifest or demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding on all of the parties hereto.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, Sections 2.10(e)-(g) shall not apply to Taxes, which shall be governed by Section 10.11.

 

2.11           Fees .

 

(a)            Unused Line Fee .  An unused line fee shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of each fiscal quarter in an amount equal to 0.125% per annum times the result of (i) the aggregate amount of the Maximum Revolver Amount at such time, less (ii) the sum of (A) the average Daily Balance of Advances that were outstanding during the immediately preceding fiscal quarter, plus (B) the average Daily Balance of the Letter of Credit Usage during the immediately preceding fiscal quarter; provided that no unused line fee shall be due and payable if the average Daily Balance of Advances that were outstanding during the immediately preceding fiscal quarter was greater than 75% of the Maximum Revolver Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no unused line fee shall accrue or be payable with respect to the unused Revolver Commitments of any Defaulting Lender for the period for which it is a Defaulting Lender.

 

(b)            Fee Letter Fees .  Borrower shall pay to Agent, as and when due and payable under the terms of the Fee Letter, the fees set forth in the Fee Letter.

 

2.12           Maintenance of Loan Account; Statements of Obligations .  Agent shall maintain an account on its books in the name of Borrower (the “ Loan Account ”) on which Borrower will be charged with all Loans made by the Lenders (or Agent on behalf thereof) to Borrower or for Borrower’s account and all interest, fees, and expenses (in each case, as and when payable hereunder or under the other Loan Documents).  Agent shall render statements regarding the Loan Account to Borrower, including principal, interest, fees, and including an itemization of all expenses owing, and, subject to the entries in the Register, which shall be controlling absent manifest error, such statements shall be conclusively presumed to be correct and accurate (absent manifest error) and constitute an account stated between Borrower and Agent unless, within 90 days after receipt thereof by Borrower, Borrower shall deliver to Agent written objection thereto describing the error or errors contained in any such statements.

 

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2.13           Increased Costs .   If after the Closing Date, the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law, rule, or regulation, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by Agent or the Lenders (or their Affiliates) with any request, guideline, or directive (irrespective of whether having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority (a “ Regulatory Change ”) shall impose, modify, or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, or similar requirement (including any such requirement imposed by the Federal Reserve Board, but excluding with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan any such requirement included in the calculation of the LIBOR Rate, as applicable) against Assets of, deposits with, or for the account of, or credit extended by, Agent or the Lenders (or their Affiliates) or shall impose on Agent or the Lenders (or their Affiliates) or the interbank eurodollar market any other condition affecting its LIBOR Rate Loans, as applicable, or its obligation to make LIBOR Rate Loans, as applicable, then, Agent may, by written notice given to Borrower, require Borrower to pay to the Lender Group such additional amounts as shall compensate the Lender Group for any such increased cost, reduction, loss, or expense actually incurred by the Lender Group in connection with the Loans for the 90 day period preceding the date on which such notice is given and during each fiscal quarter thereafter.  Any such request for compensation by Agent under this Section 2.13 shall set forth the basis of calculation thereof and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding for all purposes.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (a) the Dodd—Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines and directives relating thereto or issued in connection therewith, all interpretations and applications thereof, and (b) all requests, rules, guidelines and directives promulgated 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, and in each case pursuant to Basel III, for the purposes of this Agreement shall be deemed to be adopted subsequent to the date hereof regardless of the dated enacted, adopted or issued.

 

2.14           Suspension of LIBOR Rate Loans .  If Agent, on any Eurodollar Business Day, is unable to determine the Base LIBOR Rate applicable for a new, continued, or converted LIBOR Rate Loan for any reason, or any law, regulation, or governmental order, rule or determination, makes it unlawful for any Lender to make a LIBOR Rate Loan, Borrower’s right to select LIBOR Rate Loans will be suspended until Agent is again able to determine the Base LIBOR Rate or such Lender is able to make LIBOR Rate Loans, as the case may be.  During such suspension, new Loans, outstanding Base Rate Loans, and LIBOR Rate Loans whose Interest Periods terminate may only be Base Rate Loans.  Any such determination shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

 

2.15           Funding Sources .  Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate the Lenders (or Agent on behalf thereof) to obtain the funds to make any Loan in any particular place or manner and nothing herein shall be deemed to constitute a representation by Agent or any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain such funds in any particular place or manner.

 

2.16           Place of Loans .  All Loans made hereunder shall be disbursed by credit to (a) with respect to Loans that are requested by Borrower to be sent to Borrower in the applicable Request for Borrowing, to the Designated Account, or (b) as may otherwise be agreed to between Borrower and Agent.

 

2.17           Survivability .  Borrower’s obligations under Section 2.13 hereof shall survive repayment of the Loans made hereunder and termination of the Revolver Commitments for a period of 90 days after such repayment and termination.

 

2.18           [ Intentionally Omitted ].

 

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2.19           Mitigation of Obligations .  If any Lender or the Issuing Lender requests compensation under Section 2.10(g)  or Section 2.13 , or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 10.11 , then such Lender or the Issuing Lender shall use reasonable efforts to promptly designate a different one of its lending offices or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices or branches, if (i) in the reasonable judgment of such Lender or the Issuing Lender, such designation or assignment would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Sections 2.10(g) , 2.13 , or 10.11 , as applicable, and (ii) in the reasonable judgment of such Lender or the Issuing Lender, such designation or assignment would not subject such Lender or the Issuing Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender or the Issuing Lender.  Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or the Issuing Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS TO LOANS

 

3.1             Conditions Precedent to the Initial Extension of Credit .  The obligation of each Lender to make its initial extension of credit hereunder is, in addition to the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 hereof, subject to the fulfillment, to the reasonable satisfaction of Agent and each Lender and its counsel, of each of the following conditions on or before the Closing Date:

 

(a)            Borrower shall have executed and delivered to Agent the Disclosure Statement required under this Agreement.  The form and content of the Disclosure Statement shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent;

 

(b)            Agent shall have received this Agreement, the Fee Letter, the Guaranty, the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, the Loan Purchase Agreement, and each other Loan Document not previously delivered to it, each duly executed and delivered by each party thereto (other than Agent or any Lender), each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent;

 

(c)            Agent shall have received the written opinions, dated as of the date of this Agreement, of counsel to Borrower and the Guarantor, with respect to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, which written opinions shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and its counsel;

 

(d)            Agent shall have received a certificate of status with respect to each Loan Party dated within 30 days of the date of this Agreement, or confirmed by telefacsimile, if telefacsimile confirmation is available, such certificate to be issued by the Secretary of State of the jurisdiction of organization of each Loan Party, which certificate shall indicate that such Loan Party is in good standing in such State;

 

(e)            Agent shall have received certificates of status with respect to each Loan Party, each dated within 30 days of the Closing Date, such certificates to be issued by the appropriate officer of the jurisdictions (other than the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party) in which such Loan Party’s failure to be duly qualified or licensed would constitute a Material Adverse Effect, which certificates shall indicate that such Loan Party is in good standing or duly qualified in such jurisdictions;

 

(f)             Agent shall have received a copy of each Loan Party’s Governing Documents, certified by a Responsible Officer with respect to such Loan Party;

 

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(g)            Agent shall have received a copy of the resolutions or the unanimous written consent with respect to each Loan Party, certified as of the Closing Date by a Responsible Officer of such Loan Party, authorizing (A) the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is or will be a party, and (B) the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Loan Party is or will be a party and the execution and delivery of the other documents to be delivered by such Loan Party in connection herewith and therewith;

 

(h)            Agent shall have received a signature and incumbency certificate of the Responsible Officer with respect to Borrower executing this Agreement, the Fee Letter, and the other Loan Documents not previously delivered to Agent to which Borrower is a party, certified by a Responsible Officer with respect to Borrower;

 

(i)             Agent shall have received a signature and incumbency certificate of the Responsible Officer with respect to Guarantor executing the Guaranty and the other Loan Documents not previously delivered to Agent to which Guarantor is a party, certified by a Responsible Officer with respect to Guarantor;

 

(j)             Borrower shall have paid all fees due on the Closing Date pursuant to the Fee Letter;

 

(k)            Agent shall have received a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer with respect to each Loan Party to the effect that such Loan Party has obtained all orders, consents, approvals, and other authorizations and has made all filings and other notifications (governmental or otherwise) required in connection with the Loan Documents, other than orders, consents, approvals, authorizations, filings or notifications the failure to obtain or make, as applicable, which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole;

 

(l)             Agent shall have received a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer with respect to each Loan Party to the effect that no litigation, inquiry, other action or proceeding (governmental or otherwise), or injunction or other restraining order shall be pending or overtly threatened that could reasonably be expected to have:  (i) a material adverse effect on the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to repay the Loans and the Letters of Credit, or (ii) a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole; and

 

(m)           all other documents and legal matters in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been delivered or executed or recorded and shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and its counsel.

 

3.2             Conditions Precedent to All Extensions of Credit .  The obligation of the Lender Group (or any member thereof) to make any Advance hereunder (or to extend any other credit hereunder) is subject to the fulfillment, at or prior to the time of the making of such extension of credit, of each of the following conditions:

 

(a)            the representations and warranties of Borrower contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representation or warranty to the extent that such representation or warranty is qualified or modified by materiality) on and as of the date of such extension of credit as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties solely relate to an earlier date);

 

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(b)            no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such extension of credit, nor shall either result from the making of such extension of credit;

 

(c)            Borrower shall have delivered to Agent a Request for Borrowing pursuant to the terms of Section 2.6 hereof;

 

(d)            the proceeds of such extension of credit shall have been, and shall be (after giving effect to such requested extension of credit), used to (i) fund certain fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) finance Investments by Borrower, and (iii) finance general working capital needs and other corporate purposes of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries; and

 

(e)            solely in the case of the first extension of credit hereunder, all Lender Group Expenses incurred in connection with the transactions evidenced by this Agreement for which the Borrower received an invoice at least 2 Business Days prior to the date of such extension of credit.

 

3.3             Maturity Date .  This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect for a term ending on the earlier of (the “ Initial Maturity Date ”): (a) July 31, 2015, and (b) such earlier date on which the Loans shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided , however , that to the extent no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such extension, Borrower shall have the option at any time prior to the Initial Maturity Date (the “ One Year Extension Option ”) to extend the term of this Agreement for a one (1) year period beyond the Initial Maturity Date (the “ Extended Maturity Date ”) to July 31, 2016, so long as Borrower (i) pays any and all fees that are required to be paid in connection therewith pursuant to the terms of the Fee Letter, and (ii) provides written notice to Agent of the exercise by Borrower of the One Year Extension Option.

 

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BORROWER

 

Borrower makes the following representations and warranties which, except as set forth in the Disclosure Statement with a specific reference to the Section of this Article IV affected thereby, shall be true, correct, and complete in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representation or warranty to the extent that such representation or warranty is qualified or modified by materiality), as of the Closing Date, on and as of the date of each Loan, and on and as of the date of each issuance of, renewal of, or amendment to any Letter of Credit (other than technical amendments to any Letter of Credit that do not change the maturity date thereof, the face amount thereof, the amount of any fees or other charges with respect thereto, or any other material term set forth therein), as though made on and as of the date of the making of such Loan or on and as of the date of such issuance of, renewal of, or amendment to any Letter of Credit (other than technical amendments to any Letter of Credit that do not change the maturity date thereof, the face amount thereof, the amount of any fees or other charges with respect thereto, or any other material term set forth therein) (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date) and such representations and warranties shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit:

 

4.1             Due Organization .  Borrower is a duly organized and validly existing limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is duly qualified

 

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to conduct business in all jurisdictions where its failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Borrower.

 

4.2             Interests in Borrower .

 

(a)            As of the Closing Date, all of the equity interests in Borrower are owned by the Persons identified in the Disclosure Statement.

 

(b)            Borrower may amend the Disclosure Statement with respect to this Section 4.2 to reflect changes that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Change of Control Event.

 

4.3             Requisite Power and Authorization .  Borrower has all requisite limited liability company power to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and to borrow the sums provided for in this Agreement.  Borrower has all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents, and approvals necessary to own and operate its Assets and to carry on its businesses as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, other than licenses, authorizations, consents, and approvals that are not currently required or the failure to obtain which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole.  The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by Borrower and all necessary limited liability company action in respect thereof has been taken, and the execution, delivery, and performance thereof do not require any consent or approval of any other Person that has not been obtained (except for such consents or approvals as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole).

 

4.4             Binding Agreements .  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party, when executed and delivered by Borrower, will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligations of Borrower, enforceable against Borrower in accordance with their terms except as the enforceability hereof or thereof may be affected by: (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (b) equitable principles of general applicability (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law).

 

4.5             Other Agreements .  The execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the execution, delivery and performance by Guarantor of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, do not and will not: (a) violate (i) any provision of any federal (including the Exchange Act), state, or local law, rule, or regulation (including Regulations T, U, and X of the Federal Reserve Board) binding on any Loan Party, (ii) any order of any domestic Governmental Authority, court, arbitration board, or tribunal binding on any Loan Party, or (iii) the Governing Documents of any Loan Party, or (b) contravene any provisions of, result in a breach of, constitute (with the giving of notice or the lapse of time) a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon any of the Assets of any Loan Party pursuant to, any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party, or (c) require termination of any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party, or (d) constitute a tortious interference with any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party, in each case, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole.

 

4.6             Litigation: Adverse Facts .

 

(a)            There is no action, suit, proceeding, or arbitration (irrespective of whether purportedly on behalf of any Loan Party) at law or in equity, or before or by any federal, state, municipal, or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency, or instrumentality,

 

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domestic or foreign, pending or, to the actual knowledge of Borrower, threatened in writing against or affecting any Loan Party, that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, or could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect such Person’s ability to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party (including Borrower’s ability to repay any or all of the Loans when due);

 

(b)            None of the Loan Parties is: (i) in violation of any applicable law in a manner that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, or (ii) subject to or in default with respect to any final judgment, writ, injunction, decree, rule, or regulation of any court or of any federal, state, municipal, or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency, or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, in a manner that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, or could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect such Person’s ability to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party (including Borrower’s ability to repay any or all of the Loans when due); and

 

(c)            (i) there is no action, suit, proceeding or, to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, investigation pending or, to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, threatened in writing against or affecting any Loan Party that questions the validity or the enforceability of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (ii) on the date of the making of any Loan hereunder or on the date of each issuance of, renewal of, or amendment to any Letter of Credit (other than technical amendments to any Letter of Credit that do not change the maturity date thereof, the face amount thereof, and the amount of any fees or other charges with respect thereto, or any other material term set forth therein), there is not in effect a binding injunction that could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to which it is a party.

 

4.7             Government Consents .  Other than such as may have previously been obtained, filed, or given, as applicable, no consent, license, permit, approval, or authorization of, exemption by, notice to, report to or registration, filing, or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery, and performance by the Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which they are a party, in each case, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole.

 

4.8             Title to Assets; Liens .  Except for Permitted Liens, all of the equity Securities issued by the Loan Parties’ Subsidiaries held by the Loan Parties are free from all Liens of any nature whatsoever.  Except for Permitted Liens, the Loan Parties have good and sufficient title to all of their equity Securities issued by the Loan Parties’ Subsidiaries held by the Loan Parties.

 

4.9             Payment of Taxes .  All tax returns and reports of the Loan Parties (and all parent entities of such Loan Parties with which any Loan Party is or has been consolidated or combined) required to be filed by it have been timely filed (inclusive of any permitted extensions), and all Taxes, governmental assessments, fees, and amounts required to be withheld and paid to a Governmental Authority and all other governmental charges in excess of $10,000 in the aggregate imposed upon the Loan Parties, and upon their Assets, income, and franchises, that are due and payable have been paid, except to the extent that: (a) the failure to file such returns or reports, or pay such Taxes, assessments, fees, withholdings, or other governmental charges, as applicable, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, or (b) other than with respect to Taxes, assessments, fees, withholdings, charges or claims which have become a federal tax Lien upon any of any Loan Party’s Assets, such Tax, assessment, fee, withholding, charge, or claim is being contested, in good faith, by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted, and an adequate

 

36

 

reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, shall have been made as required in order to be in conformity with GAAP.  Borrower does not know of any proposed, asserted, or assessed tax deficiency against it or Guarantor that, if such deficiency existed and had to be rectified, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole.

 

4.10           Governmental Regulation .

 

(a)            The Loan Parties are not, nor immediately after the application by Borrower of the proceeds of the Loans will they be, required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(b)            No Loan Party holds any interest in any Margin Securities. No part of the proceeds of the loans made to Borrower will be used to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock or for any purpose that violates the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors.

 

(c)            No Loan Party is subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act or any federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation generally limiting its ability to incur Debt.

 

4.11           Disclosure .  No representation or warranty of any Loan Party contained in this Agreement or any other document, certificate, or written statement furnished to Agent or any Lender by or on behalf of Borrower with respect to the business, operations, Assets, or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Loan Parties for use solely in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than projections, pro forma financial statements and budgets and information of a general economic or industry-wide nature) contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits 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.  There is no fact actually known to Borrower (other than matters of a general economic industry-wide nature) that Borrower believes reasonably could be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, that has not been disclosed herein or in such other documents, certificates, and statements furnished to Agent or any Lender for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

4.12           Debt .  Borrower does not have any Debt outstanding other than Debt permitted by Section 6.1 hereof.

 

4.13           Existing Defaults .  No Loan Party is in default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations contained in any Contractual Obligation applicable to it, and no condition exists which, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time, would constitute a default under any such Contractual Obligation, except, in any such case, where the consequences, direct or indirect, of such default or defaults, if any, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole.

 

4.14           No Default; No Material Adverse Effect .

 

(a)            No Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from any proposed Loan or Letter of Credit.

 

(b)            No event or development has occurred which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Loan Parties, taken as a whole.

 

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ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF BORROWER

 

Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any portion of the Revolver Commitment under this Agreement shall be in effect and until payment, in full, of the Loans, with interest accrued and unpaid thereon, all other Obligations (including Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit, unless all such Letters of Credit are cancelled, expire or are cash collateralized or other satisfactory arrangements are made in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8(a)  hereof, other than contingent indemnification Obligations as to which no claim has been asserted or is anticipated) and all other amounts due hereunder, and except as set forth in the Disclosure Statement with specific reference to the Section of this Article V affected thereby concerning matters which do not conform to the covenants of this Article V , Borrower will do each and all of the following:

 

5.1             Accounting Records and Inspection .  Maintain adequate financial and accounting books and records (which may be in the form of the consolidated financial statements and records of Guarantor) in accordance with sound business practices and, to the extent so required, GAAP consistently applied, and permit any representative of Agent (and after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any representatives of each Lender) upon reasonable notice to Borrower, at any time during usual business hours, to inspect, audit, and examine such books and records and to make copies and take extracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, financing, and accounts with Borrower’s or Guarantor’s officers and independent public accountants (provided that Borrower shall have the opportunity to be present at any meeting with its independent public accountants); provided that unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no more than one inspection per year may be made at Borrower’s expense.  Subject to Section 11.10 Borrower shall furnish Agent with any information reasonably requested by Agent regarding Borrower’s business or finances promptly upon request.

 

5.2             Other Information .  Furnish to Agent:

 

(a)            [intentionally omitted];

 

(b)            notice, as soon as possible and, in any event, within 5 days after Borrower has knowledge, of: (i) the occurrence of any Event of Default or any Unmatured Event of Default; or (ii) any default or event of default as defined in any evidence of Debt of Borrower or under any material agreement, indenture, or other instrument under which such Debt has been issued, irrespective of whether such Debt is accelerated or such default waived.  In any such event, Borrower also shall supply Agent with a statement from a Responsible Officer of Borrower, setting forth the details thereof and the action that Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto; provided , that Borrower shall not be required to provide any information that reasonably would be expected to result in a waiver of any attorney-client privilege of Borrower;

 

(c)            as soon as practicable, any written report pertaining to material items in respect of Borrower’s internal control matters submitted to Borrower by its independent accountants in connection with each annual audit of the financial condition of Guarantor;

 

(d)            as soon as practicable, written notice of any condition or event which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole;

 

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(e)            promptly upon becoming aware of any Person’s seeking to obtain or threatening to seek to obtain, in either case in writing, a decree or order for relief with respect to any Loan Party in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, a written notice thereof specifying what action Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

(f)             promptly, copies of all amendments to the Governing Documents of any Loan Party except for (i) immaterial amendments or waivers permitted by such Governing Documents not requiring the consent of the holders of the equity Securities in the applicable Loan Party, or (ii) amendments or waivers which would not, either individually or collectively, be materially adverse to the interests of the Lender Group;

 

(g)            prompt notice of:

 

(i)             all legal or arbitral proceedings, and all proceedings by or before any governmental or regulatory authority or agency, against or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened in writing against or affecting any Loan Party which, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, or on the timely payment of the principal of or interest on the Loans, or the enforceability of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or the rights and remedies of the Lender Group hereunder or thereunder, as applicable;

 

(ii)            the acquisition by any Loan Party of any Margin Securities;

 

(iii)           the issuance by any United States of America federal or state court or any United States of America federal or state regulatory authority of any injunction, order, or other restraint prohibiting, or having the effect of prohibiting or delaying, the making of the Loans or issuing Letters of Credit, or the institution of any litigation or similar proceeding seeking any such injunction, order, or other restraint, in each case, of which Borrower has knowledge;

 

(h)            [intentionally omitted]; and

 

(i)             reasonably promptly, such other information and data (other than monthly financial statements) with respect to the Loan Parties, as from time to time may be reasonably requested by Agent, who may then deliver such information to any Lender (including any information reasonably requested by Agent to enable Agent or any Lender to comply with any of the requirements under Regulations T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board).

 

5.3             Existence .  Except as permitted by Section 6.6 , preserve and keep in full force and effect, at all times, its existence.

 

5.4             Payment of Taxes and Claims .  Pay all Taxes, governmental assessments, and other governmental charges in excess of $10,000 in the aggregate imposed upon it or any of its Assets or in respect of any of its businesses, incomes, or Assets before any penalty or interest accrues thereon, and all claims in excess of $10,000 in the aggregate (including 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 upon any of its Assets, prior to the time when any penalty or fine shall be incurred with respect thereto; provided , however , that, unless such Taxes, assessments, charges, or claims have become a federal tax Lien on any of any Loan Party’s Assets, no such Tax, assessment, charge, or claim need be paid if the same is being contested, in good faith, by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and if an adequate reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, shall have been made therefor as required in order to be in conformity with GAAP.

 

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5.5             Compliance with Laws .  Comply in all material respects with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations (including Regulations T, U and X of the Federal Reserve Board), and orders of any Governmental Authority, noncompliance with which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties taken as a whole.

 

5.6             Further Assurances .  At any time or from time to time upon the request of Agent, Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party to, execute and deliver such further documents and do such other acts and things as Agent may reasonably request in order to effect fully the purposes of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents and to provide for payment of the Loans made hereunder, with interest thereon, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

5.7             [ Intentionally Omitted ].

 

5.8             [ Intentionally Omitted ].

 

5.9             Foreign Qualification .  Borrower shall duly qualify to conduct business in all jurisdictions where its failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Loan Parties taken as a whole.

 

ARTICLE VI

NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF BORROWER

 

Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any portion of the Revolver Commitment under this Agreement shall be in effect and until payment, in full, of the Loans, with interest accrued and unpaid thereon, all other Obligations (including Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit, unless all such Letters of Credit are cancelled, expire or are cash collateralized in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8(a)  hereof other than contingent indemnification Obligations as to which no claim has been asserted or is anticipated) and all other amounts due hereunder, and except as set forth in the Disclosure Statement with specific reference to the Section of this Article VI affected thereby concerning matters which do not conform to the covenants of this Article VI , Borrower will not do any of the following:

 

6.1             Debt .  Create, incur, assume, permit, guarantee, or otherwise become or remain, directly or indirectly, liable with respect to any Debt, except:

 

(a)            Debt evidenced by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

 

(b)            Contingent Obligations resulting from the endorsement of instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c)            Debt owed by Borrower to Guarantor so long as such Debt is subordinated pursuant to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement;

 

(d)            Debt which may be deemed to exist pursuant to any performance bonds, surety bonds, statutory bonds, appeal bonds or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed $500,000 at any one time;

 

(e)            Debt in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and otherwise in connection with deposit accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(f)             guaranties in the ordinary course of business of the obligations of suppliers, customers, franchisees and licensees of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate outstanding amount at any one time not to exceed $400,000;

 

(g)            Debt of Borrower under any Hedging Agreements so long as such Hedging Agreements are used solely as a part of its normal business operations as a risk management strategy or a hedge against changes resulting from market operations and not as a means to speculate for investment purposes on trends and shifts in financial or commodities markets;

 

(h)            Debt incurred in the ordinary course of business under incentive, non-compete, consulting, deferred compensation, or other similar arrangements incurred by Borrower;

 

(i)             Debt incurred in the ordinary course of business with respect to the financing of insurance premiums;

 

(j)             Debt incurred by Borrower under the March 2014 Loan Documents;

 

(k)            Debt in respect of Taxes, governmental assessments or governmental charges to the extent that payment thereof shall not at the time be required to be made hereunder;

 

(l)             refinancings, renewals, or extensions of Debt described on the Disclosure Statement with respect to this Section 6.1 so long as: (i) such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not result in an increase in the then extant principal amount of the Debt so refinanced, renewed, or extended (other than for accrued interest and premiums and fees), (ii) such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not result in a shortening of the average weighted maturity of the Debt so refinanced, renewed, or extended, nor are they on terms or conditions that, taken as a whole, are materially more burdensome or restrictive to Borrower, and (iii) the Debt that is refinanced, renewed, or extended is not recourse to any Person that is liable on account of the Loans other than those Persons which were obligated with respect to the Debt that was refinanced, renewed, or extended;

 

(m)           Debt described in the ACRC Pledge and Account Control Agreement as being secured by the liens permitted pursuant to clause (p) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” (as in effect on the Closing Date);

 

(n)            Debt of Borrower evidenced by the Credit Support Fee Letter; and

 

(o)            other Debt of Borrower in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000 at any time.

 

6.2           Liens .  Create, incur, assume, or permit to exist, directly or indirectly, any Lien on or with respect to any of its Assets, of any kind, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, except Permitted Liens.

 

6.3             [ Intentionally Omitted ].

 

6.4             [ Intentionally Omitted ].

 

6.5             Dividends .  At any time that the Revolving Credit Facility Usage is greater than zero, Borrower shall not make or declare, directly or indirectly, any dividend (in cash, return of capital, or any other form of Assets) on, or make any other payment or distribution on account of, or set aside Assets for a sinking or other similar fund for the purchase, redemption, or retirement of, or redeem,

 

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purchase, retire, or otherwise acquire, any interest of any class of equity interests in Borrower, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or grant or issue any warrant, right, or option pertaining thereto, or other security convertible into any of the foregoing, or make any other distribution in respect thereof, either directly or indirectly, whether in cash or Assets or in obligations (collectively, a “ Distribution ”); notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower may make Distributions so long as (a) no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (b) no such Distribution could reasonably be expected to result in a violation of any applicable provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board; provided , further , that, notwithstanding any of the foregoing, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, Borrower may make Distributions to Guarantor to enable Guarantor to make distributions to its shareholders in an amount necessary to qualify as a “real estate investment trust” as defined in Section 856 of the Code (“ REIT ”) and avoid the imposition of income and excise tax on Guarantor; provided, further, however, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, Borrower may make any such Distributions to Guarantor to enable Guarantor to make distributions to its shareholders to qualify as a REIT, solely if the sum of (i) unrestricted cash available to the Guarantor plus (ii) unrestricted cash of Subsidiaries of the Guarantor (other than the Borrower and Subsidiaries of Borrower) that may be distributed to the Guarantor by such Subsidiaries without violating or causing a default under the governing documents and agreements, contracts, indentures and other instruments to which such Subsidiaries are a party (such sum the “ Total Unrestricted Cash ”), is less than the amount of distributions that Guarantor is required to make for it to continue to qualify as a REIT. If the Total Unrestricted Cash is less than the amount of distributions that Guarantor is required to make for it to continue to qualify as a REIT (the difference between the amount of distributions that Guarantor is required to make for it to continue to qualify as a REIT and the Total Unrestricted Cash, the “ Deficiency Amount ”), Borrower may make Distributions to Guarantor to enable Guarantor to make distributions to its shareholders to qualify as a REIT, in an amount equal to Borrower’s Pro Rata Share (as defined below) of the Deficiency Amount.  For the purposes of the foregoing, “Borrower’s Pro Rata Share” shall mean the portion of the Deficiency Amount equal to (x) the percentage of the Deficiency Amount represented by (i) the aggregate amount of cash available to Borrower and its Subsidiaries, divided by (ii) the sum of (A) the aggregate amount of cash available to Borrower and its Subsidiaries, plus (B)  the aggregate amount of restricted cash available to the Guarantor, plus (C) the aggregate amount of restricted cash of Subsidiaries of the Guarantor (other than Borrower and Subsidiaries of Borrower) times (y) the Deficiency Amount.  For the avoidance of doubt, any cash available to Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed restricted cash for the purposes of this Section 6.5 .

 

6.6             Restriction on Fundamental Changes .  Change its name, change the nature of its business, enter into any merger, consolidation, reorganization, or recapitalization, or reclassify its partnership interests (whether limited or general) or membership interests, as applicable, or convey, sell, assign, lease, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or any substantial part of its business or Assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired (each, a “ Fundamental Change ”) except:

 

(a)            Borrower may sell Assets in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.7 hereof;

 

(b)            Borrower may change its name or corporate, partnership or limited liability structure so long as Borrower provides written notice thereof (together with copies of any documents evidencing any such change) to Agent on or before the date that is 60 days after the date when such name or structure change occurs; and

 

(c)            the merger, consolidation or reorganization of any Person, on the one hand, with and into Borrower, provided that (i) Borrower is the sole surviving entity of such merger,

 

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consolidation or reorganization, (ii) the Lender Group’s rights in any Assets of Borrower are not adversely affected by such merger, consolidation or reorganization, (iii) upon the consummation of such merger, consolidation or reorganization, Borrower expressly reaffirms its Obligations to the Lender Group under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (iv) the consummation of such merger, consolidation or reorganization does not result in a Change of Control Event.

 

6.7             Sale of Assets .  Sell, assign, transfer, convey, or otherwise dispose of its Assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except for (a) the sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of any Asset by Borrower the Distribution of which by Borrower to the holders of its Stock would not result in an Event of Default or an Unmatured Event of Default ( provided ,  however , that a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of any equity Securities by Borrower will constitute a violation of this Section 6.7 if a Change of Control Event would result therefrom), (b) the sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of obsolete, worn out or surplus tangible property, (c) any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of Assets for the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Borrower, (d) any transaction permitted by Section 6.5 of this Agreement; (e) any other sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of its Assets so long as, Borrower is in compliance with the covenant set forth in Section 6.14 immediately before such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of its Assets, and immediately after giving effect thereto.

 

6.8             Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates .  Enter into or permit to exist, directly or indirectly, any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease, or exchange of any Asset or the rendering of any service) with any holder of 5% or more of any class of equity interests of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or with any Affiliate of Borrower or of any such holder, in each case other than (x) a Loan Party, (y) any Subsidiary of Borrower, or (z) any direct or indirect parent of Borrower that is also a Subsidiary of Guarantor, on terms that are less favorable to such Loan Party, than those terms that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not such a holder, Subsidiary, or Affiliate, or, if such transaction is not one in which terms could be obtained from such other Person, on terms that are not negotiated in good faith on an arm’s length basis.  Prior to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries engaging in any such transaction described in this Section 6.8 , other than transactions in de minimis amounts, Borrower shall determine that such transaction has been negotiated in good faith and on an arm’s length basis; such determination shall be evidenced by a certificate of a Responsible Officer of Borrower to such effect.  In no event shall the foregoing restrictive covenant apply to (a) Permitted Investments, (b) any transaction permitted by Section 6.5 , (c) the Credit Support Fee Letter and the Pledge Agreement or (d) transactions involving the use, transfer, or other disposition of any Assets, to the extent that (i) the Distribution by Borrower of such Assets would not have violated this Agreement and (ii) such use, transfer, or other Disposition would not otherwise result in an Event of Default or an Unmatured Event of Default.

 

6.9             Conduct of Business .  Engage in any business other than the businesses in which it is permitted to conduct under its Governing Documents, or any businesses or activities substantially similar or related thereto.

 

6.10           Amendments or Waivers of Certain Documents; Actions Requiring the Consent of Agent .  Without the prior written consent of Agent and the Required Lenders, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, agree to any amendment to or waiver of the terms or provisions of its Governing Documents except for: (i) immaterial amendments or waivers permitted by such Governing Documents not requiring the consent of the holders of the equity Securities in the Borrower, or (ii) amendments or waivers which would not, either individually or collectively, be materially adverse to the interests of the Lender Group.

 

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6.11           Use of Proceeds .  Use the proceeds of the Loans made and Letters of Credit issued hereunder for any purpose inconsistent with Section 3.2(d)  hereof.

 

6.12           [Intentionally Omitted] .

 

6.13           Margin Regulation .  Use any portion of the proceeds of any of the Loans or Letters of Credit in any manner which could reasonably be expected to cause the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the application of such proceeds, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to violate Regulations T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board, or any other regulation of such board, or to violate the Exchange Act, or to violate the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

6.14           Asset Value . Fail to maintain, at any time, together with its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, Assets with an aggregate fair market value of at least $500,000,000.

 

ARTICLE VII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

7.1             Events of Default .  The occurrence of any one or more of the following events, acts, or occurrences shall constitute an event of default (“ Event of Default ”) hereunder:

 

(a)            Failure to Make Payments When Due .

 

(i)             Borrower shall fail to pay any amount owing hereunder with respect to the principal of any of the Loans when such amount is due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, or otherwise;

 

(ii)            Borrower shall fail to pay, within 10 days of the date when due, any amount owing hereunder with respect to interest on any of the Loans or with respect to any other amounts (including fees, costs, or expenses), other than principal, payable in connection herewith;

 

(b)            Breach of Certain Covenants .

 

(i)             Borrower shall fail to perform or comply with any covenant, term, or condition contained in Article VI of this Agreement;

 

(ii)            Borrower shall fail to perform or comply with any covenant, term, or condition contained in Sections 5.1 , 5.2(b) , 5.6 , or 5.9 of this Agreement and such failure shall not have been remedied or waived within 15 days after the occurrence thereof; or

 

(iii)           Borrower shall fail to perform or comply with any other covenant, term, or condition contained in this Agreement or other Loan Documents to which it is a party and such failure shall not have been remedied or waived within 30 days after receipt of notice from Agent of the occurrence thereof; provided , however , that this clause (iii) shall not apply to: (1) the covenants, terms, or conditions referred to in subsections (a) and (c)  of this Section 7.1 ; or (2) the covenants, terms, or conditions referred to in clauses (i) or (ii)  above of this subsection (b) ;

 

(c)            Breach of Representation or Warranty .  Any financial statement, representation, warranty, or certification made or furnished by Borrower under this Agreement or in any document, letter, or other writing or instrument furnished or delivered by Borrower to Agent or any Lender pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which it is a

 

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party, or as an inducement to the Lender Group to enter into this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall have been false, incorrect, or incomplete in any material respect (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representation or warranty to the extent that such representation or warranty is qualified or modified by materiality) when made, effective, or reaffirmed, as the case may be;

 

(d)            Involuntary Bankruptcy .

 

(i)             If an involuntary case seeking the liquidation or reorganization of any Loan Party under Chapter 7 or Chapter 11, respectively, of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar proceeding shall be commenced against any Loan Party under any other applicable law and any of the following events occur:  (1) such Person consents to the institution of the involuntary case or similar proceeding; (2) the petition commencing the involuntary case or similar proceeding is not timely controverted; (3) the petition commencing the involuntary case or similar proceeding is not dismissed within 60 days of the date of the filing thereof; provided , however , that, during the pendency of such period, the Lender Group shall be relieved of its obligation to make additional Loans; (4) an interim trustee is appointed to take possession of all or a substantial portion of the Assets of any Loan Party; or (5) an order for relief shall have been issued or entered therein;

 

(ii)            A decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, custodian, trustee, or other officer having similar powers over any Loan Party to take possession of all or a substantial portion of its Assets shall have been entered and, within 45 days from the date of entry, is not vacated, discharged, or bonded against, provided , however , that, during the pendency of such period, the Lender Group shall be relieved of its obligations to make additional Loans;

 

(e)            Voluntary Bankruptcy .  Any Loan Party shall institute a voluntary case seeking liquidation or reorganization under Chapter 7 or Chapter 11, respectively, of the Bankruptcy Code; any Loan Party shall file a petition, answer, or complaint or shall otherwise institute any similar proceeding under any other applicable law, or shall consent thereto; any Loan Party shall consent to the conversion of an involuntary case to a voluntary case; or any Loan Party shall consent or acquiesce to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, custodian, trustee, or other officer with similar powers to take possession of all or a substantial portion of its Assets; any Loan Party shall generally fail to pay debts as such debts become due or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally; or any Loan Party shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

 

(f)             Dissolution .  Any order, judgment, or decree shall be entered decreeing the dissolution of any Loan Party, and such order, judgment or decree shall remain undischarged or unstayed for a period in excess of 45 days;

 

(g)            Change of Control .  A Change of Control Event shall occur;

 

(h)            Judgments and Attachments .  (i) Borrower shall suffer any money judgment, writ, or warrant of attachment, or similar process involving payment of money in an amount, net of any portion thereof that is covered by or recoverable by such Loan Party under applicable insurance policies (if any) in excess of $250,000 individually or $1,000,000 in the aggregate and shall not discharge, vacate, bond, or stay the same within a period of 30 days or (ii) Guarantor shall suffer any money judgment, writ, or warrant of attachment, or similar process involving payment of money in an amount, net of any portion thereof that is covered by or recoverable by such Loan party under applicable insurance policies (if any) in excess of $5,000,000 and shall not discharge, vacate, bond, or stay the same within a period of 30 days;

 

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(i)             Guaranty .  (1) If the obligation of Guarantor under the Guaranty is limited or terminated by operation of law or Guarantor thereunder, except to the extent permitted by the terms of the Loan Documents, (2) if Guarantor shall fail to perform or comply with any covenant, term, or condition contained in the Guaranty or other Loan Documents to which it is a party (and except in the case of Section 8(b) of the Guaranty, such failure shall not have been remedied or waived within 15 days after receipt of notice from Agent of the occurrence thereof), or (3) any financial statement, representation, warranty, or certification made or furnished by Guarantor under this Agreement, the Guaranty or in any document, letter, or other writing or instrument furnished or delivered by Guarantor to Agent or any Lender pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement, the Guaranty or any other Loan Document to which it is a party, or as an inducement to the Lender Group to enter into this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall have been false, incorrect, or incomplete in any material respect (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representation or warranty to the extent that such representation or warranty is qualified or modified by materiality) when made, effective, or reaffirmed, as the case may be;

 

(j)             Material Agreements .  If there is a default in any material agreement to which (i) Borrower is a party and such default (A) involves Debt in an aggregate principal amount equal to $500,000 or more and (B) either (i) occurs at the final maturity of the obligations thereunder, or (ii) results in a right by the other party thereto, irrespective of whether exercised, to accelerate the maturity of Borrower’s obligations thereunder or to terminate such agreement or (ii) Guarantor is a party and such default (A) involves Debt in an aggregate principal amount equal to $5,000,000 or more and (B) either (i) occurs at the final maturity of the obligations thereunder, or (ii) results in a right by the other party thereto, irrespective of whether exercised, to accelerate the maturity of Guarantor’s obligations thereunder or to terminate such agreement;

 

(k)            [ Intentionally Omitted ];

 

(l)             [ Intentionally Omitted ];

 

(m)           [ Intentionally Omitted ]; and

 

(n)            Loan Documents .  Any provision of any Loan Document shall at any time for any reason be declared to be null and void, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested by any Loan Party, or a proceeding shall be commenced by any Loan Party, or by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over any Loan Party, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof, or any Loan Party shall deny in writing that any Loan Party has any liability or obligation purported to be created under any Loan Document.

 

7.2             Remedies .  Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default:

 

(a)            If such Event of Default arises under subsections (d)  or (e)  of Section 7.1 hereof, then the Revolver Commitments hereunder immediately shall terminate and all of the Obligations owing hereunder or under the other Loan Documents automatically shall become immediately due and payable (including without limitation the cash collateralization of the Letters of Credit in accordance with the provisions hereof), without presentment, demand, protest, notice, or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower; and

 

(b)            In the case of any other Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing, the Agent at the request of the Required Lenders, by written notice to Borrower, may declare the Revolver Commitments hereunder terminated and all of the Obligations owing hereunder or under the Loan Documents to be, and the same immediately shall become due and payable (including without

 

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limitation the cash collateralization of the Letters of Credit in accordance with the provisions hereof), without presentment, demand, protest, further notice, or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower.

 

Upon acceleration, Agent (without notice to or demand upon Borrower, which are expressly waived by Borrower to the fullest extent permitted by law), shall be entitled to proceed to protect, exercise, and enforce the Lender Group’s rights and remedies hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, or any other rights and remedies as are provided by law or equity.  Agent may determine, in its sole discretion, the order and manner in which the Lender Group’s rights and remedies are to be exercised.  All payments received by Agent shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.3(a)(ii) .

 

ARTICLE VIII

EXPENSES AND INDEMNITIES

 

8.1             Expenses .  Irrespective of whether any Loans are made hereunder, Borrower agrees to pay on demand any and all Lender Group Expenses; provided, however, that Borrower is not obligated to reimburse Agent for attorneys’ fees incurred on or before the Closing Date in connection with the preparation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, to the extent that such attorneys’ fees exceed $75,000.

 

8.2             Indemnity .  In addition to the payment of expenses pursuant to Section 8.1 hereof, and irrespective of whether the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, Borrower agrees to indemnify, exonerate, defend, pay, and hold harmless the Agent-Related Persons and the Lender-Related Persons (collectively the “ Indemnitees ” and individually as “ Indemnitee ”) from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, causes of action, judgments, suits, claims, costs, expenses, and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of one counsel for such Indemnitees in connection with any investigation, administrative, or judicial proceeding, whether such Indemnitee shall be designated a party thereto), that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against such Indemnitee, in any manner relating to or arising out of the Revolver Commitments, the use or intended use of the proceeds of the Loans or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any matter relating to or arising out of the filing or recordation of any of the Loan Documents which filing or recordation is done based upon information supplied by Borrower to Agent and its counsel (the “ Indemnified Liabilities ”); provided , however , that Borrower shall have no obligation hereunder to any Indemnitee to the extent that such Indemnified Liabilities are found in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence, fraud, or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or its Affiliates or the violation of the express terms of this Agreement by such Indemnitee or its Affiliates.  Each Indemnitee will promptly notify Borrower of each event of which it has knowledge which may give rise to a claim under the indemnification provisions of this Section 8.2 .  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, Borrower shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities that is permissible under applicable law or public policy.  The obligations of Borrower under this Section 8.2 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the discharge of Borrower’s other obligations hereunder. This Section 8.2 shall not apply with respect to Taxes, which shall be governed by Section 10.11, other than any Taxes that represent liabilities, obligations, losses or damages, arising from a non-Tax claim.

 

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ARTICLE IX

ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATIONS

 

9.1             Assignments and Participations .

 

(a)            With the consent of Borrower (which consent of Borrower shall not be (x) required if (i) a Payment Default or an Insolvency Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) any other Event of Default has occurred and has been continuing for a period of at least 30 days, or (y) other than with respect to Direct Competitors, unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), any Lender may assign and delegate to one or more assignees (each an “ Assignee ”) that are Eligible Transferees all, or any ratable part of all, of the Obligations, the Revolver Commitments, the Loans and the other rights and obligations of such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 (or the remaining amount of any Lender’s Revolver Commitment or amount of Loans, if less); provided , however , that Borrower and Agent may continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with the interest so assigned to an Assignee until (i) written notice of such assignment, together with payment instructions, addresses, and related information with respect to the Assignee, have been given to Borrower and Agent by such Lender and the Assignee, (ii) such Lender and its Assignee have delivered to Borrower and Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, fully executed and delivered by each party thereto, and (iii) the assigning Lender or Assignee has paid to Agent for Agent’s separate account a processing fee in the amount of $3,500; provided that such fee shall not be payable upon and after the purchase of the Obligations by Ares Management LLC under the Loan Purchase Agreement.  Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the payment of any fees shall not be required and the consent of Borrower shall not be required if such assignment is in connection with any merger, consolidation, sale, transfer, or other disposition of all or any substantial portion of the business or loan portfolio of the assigning Lender.

 

(b)            From and after the date that Agent notifies the assigning Lender (with a copy to Borrower) that it has received an executed Assignment and Acceptance satisfying clause (a) above and payment of the above-referenced processing fee, (i) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender under the Loan Documents, and (ii) the assigning Lender shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights (except with respect to Section 8.2 hereof) and be released from any future obligations under this Agreement (and in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto and thereto); provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall release any assigning Lender from obligations that survive the termination of this Agreement, including such assigning Lender’s obligations under Article X and Section 11.10 of this Agreement.  No assignee shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.11 unless the Borrower is notified of the assignment and such Assignee has complied with the requirements of Section 10.11 .

 

(c)            By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the assigning Lender thereunder and the Assignee thereunder confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows:  (1) other than as provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other Loan Document furnished pursuant hereto, (2) such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and

 

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assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of Borrower or the performance or observance by Borrower of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document furnished pursuant hereto, (3) such Assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance, (4) such Assignee will, independently and without reliance upon Agent, such assigning Lender or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement, (5) such Assignee appoints and authorizes Agent to take such actions and to exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to Agent, by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, and (6) such Assignee agrees that it will perform all of the obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

(d)            Immediately upon Agent’s receipt of the required processing fee payment and the fully executed Assignment and Acceptance satisfying clause (a) above, this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of the Assignee and the resulting adjustment of the Revolver Commitments or the Loans arising therefrom.  The Revolver Commitment and the Loans allocated to each Assignee shall reduce such Revolver Commitments or Loans of the assigning Lender pro tanto.

 

(e)            Any Lender may at any time sell to one or more commercial banks, financial institutions, or other institutional Persons not Affiliates of such Lender and who are not Direct Competitors (a “ Participant ”) participating interests in its Obligations, its Loans, the Revolver Commitment, and the other rights and interests of that Lender (the “ Originating Lender ”) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (provided that no written consent of Agent shall be required in connection with any sale of any such participating interests by a Lender to an Eligible Transferee); provided , however , that (i) the Originating Lender shall remain a “Lender” for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the Participant receiving the participating interest in the Obligations, the Loans, the Revolver Commitments, and the other rights and interests of the Originating Lender hereunder shall not constitute a “Lender” hereunder or under the other Loan Documents and the Originating Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) the Originating Lender shall remain solely responsible for the performance of such obligations, (iii) Borrower, Agent, and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with the Originating Lender in connection with the Originating Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iv) no Lender shall transfer or grant any participating interest under which the Participant has the right to approve any amendment to, or any consent or waiver with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except to the extent such amendment to, or consent or waiver with respect to this Agreement or of any other Loan Document would (A) extend the final maturity date of the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (B) reduce the interest rate applicable to the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (C) release all or substantially all of the guaranties (except to the extent expressly provided herein or in any of the Loan Documents) supporting the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (D) postpone the payment of, or reduce the amount of, the interest or fees payable to such Participant through such Lender, or (E) change the amount or due dates of scheduled principal repayments or prepayments or premiums, and (v) all amounts payable by Borrower hereunder shall be determined as if such Lender had not sold such participation, except that, if amounts outstanding under this Agreement are due and unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant shall be deemed to have the right of set off in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it as a Lender under this Agreement.  The rights of any Participant only shall be derivative through the Originating Lender with whom such Participant participates and no Participant shall have any rights under this Agreement or

 

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the other Loan Documents or any direct rights as to the other Lenders, Agent, Borrower, the Collections of Borrower or its Subsidiaries, or otherwise in respect of the Obligations.  No Participant shall have the right to participate directly in the making of decisions by the Lenders among themselves.  A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 10.11 than the applicable Originating Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation.  A Participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.11 unless Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of Borrower and Agent, to comply with Section 10.11 as though it were a Lender.

 

(f)             In connection with any such assignment or participation or proposed assignment or participation, a Lender may, subject to the provisions of Section 11.10 , disclose all documents and information which it now or hereafter may have relating to Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their respective businesses.

 

(g)            Any other provision in this Agreement notwithstanding, any Lender may at any time create a security interest in, or pledge, all or any portion of its rights under and interest in this Agreement in favor of any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the Federal Reserve Bank or U.S. Treasury Regulation 31 CFR §203.24, and such Federal Reserve Bank may enforce such pledge or security interest in any manner permitted under applicable law.

 

(h)            Each Lender hereby represents and warrants to Borrower that, as of the Closing Date (or in the case of an Assignee, as of the date that such Person becomes a Lender), it is a Qualified Purchaser.

 

9.2             Successors .  This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of each of the parties; provided , however , that Borrower may not assign this Agreement or any rights or duties hereunder without the Lenders’ prior written consent and any prohibited assignment shall be absolutely void ab initio .  A Lender may assign this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and its rights and duties hereunder and thereunder pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof and, except as expressly required pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof, no consent or approval by Borrower is required in connection with any such assignment.

 

9.3             Register .

 

(a)            Agent (as non-fiduciary agent on behalf of Borrower) shall maintain, or cause to be maintained at one of its offices in Los Angeles, California, a register (the “ Register ”) on which it enters the name and address of each Lender as the registered owner the Loans (and the principal amount thereof and stated interest thereon) held by such Lender (each, a “ Registered Loan ”).  A Registered Loan may be assigned or sold in whole or in part only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register and any assignment or sale of all or part of such Registered Loan may be effected only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register.  Prior to the registration of assignment or sale of any Registered Loan, Borrower shall treat the Person in whose name such Registered Loan is registered as the owner thereof for the purpose of receiving all payments thereon and for all other purposes, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.

 

(b)            In the event that a Lender sells participations in the Registered Loan, such Lender, as a non-fiduciary agent on behalf of Borrower, shall maintain (or cause to be maintained) a register on which it enters the name of all Participants in the Registered Loans held by it (and the principal amount (and stated interest thereon) of the portion of such Registered Loans that is subject to

 

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such participations) (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 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 commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  A Registered Loan may be participated in whole or in part only by registration of such participation on the Participant Register.  Any participation of such Registered Loan may be effected only by the registration of such participation on the Participant Register.

 

ARTICLE X

AGENT; THE LENDER GROUP

 

10.1           Appointment and Authorization of Agent .  Each Lender hereby designates and appoints CNB as its representative under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes Agent to execute and deliver each of the other Loan Documents on its behalf and to take such other action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and each other Loan Document and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to Agent by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  Agent agrees to act as agent for and on behalf of the Lenders on the express conditions contained in this Article X .  The provisions of this Article X (other than Section 10.9 and Section 10.11 ) are solely for the benefit of Agent, and the Lenders, and Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall have no rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions contained herein.  Any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document notwithstanding, Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, nor shall Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against Agent; it being expressly understood and agreed that the use of the word “Agent” is for convenience only, that CNB is merely the representative of the Lenders, and only has the contractual duties set forth herein.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents with reference to Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law.  Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only a representative relationship between independent contracting parties.  Except as expressly otherwise provided in this Agreement, Agent shall have and may use its sole discretion with respect to exercising or refraining from exercising any discretionary rights or taking or refraining from taking any actions that Agent expressly is entitled to take or assert under or pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, or of any other provision of the Loan Documents that provides rights or powers to Agent, Lenders agree that Agent shall have the right to exercise the following powers as long as this Agreement remains in effect:  (a) maintain, in accordance with its customary business practices, ledgers and records reflecting the status of the Obligations, the Collections of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and related matters, (b) execute or file any and all notices, amendments, renewals, supplements, documents, instruments, proofs of claim, notices and other written agreements with respect to the Loan Documents, (c) make Loans, for itself or on behalf of Lenders as provided in the Loan Documents, (d) exclusively receive, apply, and distribute the Collections of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as provided in the Loan Documents, (e) open and maintain such bank accounts and cash management arrangements as Agent deems necessary and appropriate in accordance with the Loan Documents for the foregoing purposes with respect to the Collections of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (f) perform, exercise, and enforce any and all other rights and remedies of the Lender Group

 

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with respect to Borrower, the Obligations, the Collections of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, or otherwise related to any of same as provided in the Loan Documents, and (g) incur and pay such Lender Group Expenses as Agent may deem necessary or appropriate for the performance and fulfillment of its functions and powers pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

10.2           Delegation of Duties .  Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents, employees or attorneys in fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties.  Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney in fact that it selects as long as such selection was made without gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

10.3           Liability of Agent .  None of the Agent-Related Persons shall (a) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (b) be responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recital, statement, representation or warranty made by Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower, or any officer or director thereof, contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for any failure of Borrower or any other party to any Loan Document to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.  No Agent-Related Person shall be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the books or properties of Borrower or the books or records or properties of any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

 

10.4           Reliance by Agent .  Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission, telex or telephone message, statement or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent, or made by the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to Borrower or counsel to any Lender), independent accountants and other experts selected by Agent.  Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless Agent shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Lenders as it deems appropriate and until such instructions are received, Agent shall act, or refrain from acting, as it deems advisable.  If Agent so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.  Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of the requisite Lenders and such request or consent and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Lenders.

 

10.5           Notice of Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default .  Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default, except with respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest, fees, and expenses required to be paid to Agent for the account of the Lenders and, except with respect to Events of Default of which Agent has actual knowledge, unless Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender or Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default, and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.”  Agent promptly will notify the Lenders of its receipt of any such notice or of any Event of Default of which Agent has actual knowledge.  If any Lender obtains actual knowledge of any Event of Default, such Lender promptly shall notify the other Lenders and Agent of

 

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such Event of Default.  Each Lender shall be solely responsible for giving any notices to its Participants, if any.  Subject to Section 10.4 , Agent shall take such action with respect to such Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default as may be requested by the Required Lenders in accordance with Section 7.2 ; provided, however, that unless and until Agent has received any such request, Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action (other than any acceleration of the Obligations pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.2 , which shall require the consent of the Required Lenders), or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable.

 

10.6           Credit Decision .  Each Lender acknowledges that none of the Agent-Related Persons has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of Borrower and its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Lender.  Each Lender represents to Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of Borrower and any other Person party to a Loan Document, and all applicable bank regulatory laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to Borrower.  Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of Borrower and any other Person party to a Loan Document.  Except for notices, reports, and other documents expressly herein required to be furnished to the Lenders by Agent, Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of Borrower and any other Person party to a Loan Document that may come into the possession of any of the Agent-Related Persons.

 

10.7           Costs and Expenses; Indemnification .  Agent may incur and pay Lender Group Expenses to the extent Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate for the performance and fulfillment of its functions, powers, and obligations pursuant to the Loan Documents, including court costs, attorneys fees and expenses, fees and expenses of financial accountants, advisors, consultants, and appraisers, and costs of collection by outside collection agencies, whether or not Borrower is obligated to reimburse Agent or Lenders for such expenses pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.  Agent is authorized and directed to deduct and retain sufficient amounts from the Collections of Borrower and its Subsidiaries received by Agent to reimburse Agent for such out-of-pocket costs and expenses prior to the distribution of any amounts to Lenders.  In the event Agent is not reimbursed for such costs and expenses from the Collections of Borrower and its Subsidiaries received by Agent, each Lender hereby agrees that it is and shall be obligated to pay to or reimburse Agent for the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof.  Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Lenders shall indemnify upon demand the Agent-Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of Borrower and without limiting the obligation of Borrower to do so), according to their Pro Rata Shares, from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities; provided, however, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment to any Agent-Related Person of any portion of such Indemnified Liabilities resulting solely from such Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct nor shall any Lender be liable for the obligations of any Defaulting Lender in failing to make a Loan or other extension of credit hereunder.  Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse Agent upon demand for such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any costs or out of pocket expenses (including attorneys, accountants, advisors, and consultants fees and expenses) incurred by Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment, or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal

 

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proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of Borrower.  The undertaking in this Section shall survive the payment of all Obligations hereunder and the resignation or replacement of Agent.

 

10.8           Agent in Individual Capacity .  CNB and its Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, or other business with Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and any other Person party to any Loan Documents as though CNB were not Agent hereunder, and, in each case, without notice to or consent of the other members of the Lender Group.  The other members of the Lender Group acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, CNB or its Affiliates may receive information regarding Borrower or its Affiliates and any other Person party to any Loan Documents that is subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of Borrower or such other Person and that prohibit the disclosure of such information to the Lenders, and the Lenders acknowledge that, in such circumstances (and in the absence of a waiver of such confidentiality obligations, which waiver Agent will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain), Agent shall not be under any obligation to provide such information to them.  The terms “Lender” and “Lenders” include CNB in its individual capacity.

 

10.9           Successor Agent .  Agent may resign as Agent upon 45 days notice to the Lenders.  If Agent resigns under this Agreement, the Required Lenders shall appoint, with the consent of Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or, if (i) a Payment Default or an Insolvency Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) any other Event of Default has occurred and has been continuing for a period of at least 30 days, in consultation with Borrower, a successor Agent for the Lenders.  If no successor Agent is appointed prior to the effective date of the resignation of Agent, Agent may appoint, after consulting with the Lenders and with the consent of Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or, if (i) a Payment Default or an Insolvency Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) any other Event of Default has occurred and has been continuing for a period of at least 30 days, in consultation with Borrower, a successor Agent.  If Agent has materially breached or failed to perform any material provision of this Agreement or of applicable law, the Required Lenders may agree in writing to remove and replace Agent with a successor Agent from among the Lenders with the consent of Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).  In any such event, upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor Agent hereunder, such successor Agent shall succeed to all the rights, powers, and duties of the retiring Agent and the term “Agent” shall mean such successor Agent and the retiring Agent’s appointment, powers, and duties as Agent shall be terminated.  After any retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Article X shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement.  If no successor Agent has accepted appointment as Agent by the date which is 45 days following a retiring Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the Lenders shall perform all of the duties of Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided for above.

 

10.10         Lender in Individual Capacity .  Any Lender and its respective Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, or other business with Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and any other Person party to any Loan Documents as though such Lender were not a Lender hereunder without notice to or consent of the other members of the Lender Group.  The other members of the Lender Group acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, such Lender and its respective Affiliates may receive information regarding Borrower or its Affiliates and any other Person party to any Loan Documents that is subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of Borrower or such other Person and that prohibit the disclosure of such information to the Lenders, and the

 

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Lenders acknowledge that, in such circumstances (and in the absence of a waiver of such confidentiality obligations, which waiver such Lender will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain), such Lender shall not be under any obligation to provide such information to them.

 

10.11         Withholding Taxes .

 

(a)            All payments made by Borrower hereunder or under any note or other Loan Document will be made without setoff, counterclaim, or other defense.  In addition, all such payments will be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, any present or future 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 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) Agent or Lender receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made; provided, however, that Borrower shall not be required to increase any such amounts if the increase in such amount payable results from Agent’s or such Lender’s own willful misconduct or gross negligence (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction).  Borrower will furnish to Agent as promptly as possible after the date the payment of any Tax is due pursuant to applicable law certified copies of tax receipts evidencing such payment by Borrower.  If Borrower fails to pay any Indemnified Taxes that are required to be deducted or withheld under this Section 10.11(a) , without duplication of any additional amounts already paid pursuant to this Section 10.11(a), Borrower shall indemnify and hold Lender harmless for all Indemnified Taxes, penalties and interest resulting from such failure, together with all reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses).  Such indemnification obligation shall survive the payment of all Obligations.  For purposes of this Section 10.11, the term “Lender” includes “Issuing Lender” and the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.

 

(b)            Agent shall deliver to Borrower a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 before receiving its first payment under this Agreement and at any other time reasonably requested by Agent or Borrower.  If a Lender is entitled to claim an exemption from, or reduction of, United States withholding tax, Lender agrees with and in favor of Agent and Borrower, to deliver to Agent whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(i)             if such Lender claims an exemption from United States withholding tax pursuant to its portfolio interest exception, (A) a statement of the Lender, signed under penalty of perjury, that it is not (I) a “bank” as described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (II) a 10% shareholder of Borrower or Guarantor (within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code), or (III) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (B) a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or successor form), before receiving its first payment under this Agreement and at any other time reasonably requested by Agent or Borrower;

 

(ii)            if such Lender claims an exemption from, or a reduction of, withholding tax under a United States tax treaty, two properly completed and executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN (or successor form)  before receiving its first payment under this Agreement and at any other time reasonably requested by Agent or Borrower;

 

(iii)           if such Lender claims that interest paid under this Agreement is exempt from United States withholding tax because it is effectively connected with a United States trade

 

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or business of such Lender, two properly completed and executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form) (together with applicable attachments) before receiving its first payment under this Agreement and at any other time reasonably requested by Agent or Borrower;

 

(iv)           two properly completed and executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY (or successor form) before receiving its first payment under this Agreement and at any other time reasonably requested by Agent or Borrower; or

 

(v)            such other form or forms, including IRS Form W-9 (or successor form), as may be required under the Code or other laws of the United States as a condition to exemption from, or reduction of, United States withholding or backup withholding tax before receiving its first payment under this Agreement and at any other time reasonably requested by Agent or Borrower.

 

Agent and each such Lender agree promptly to notify Agent and Borrower of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.

 

(c)            If Agent or a Lender is entitled to an exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax in a jurisdiction other than the United States or backup withholding, Agent or such Lender agrees with and in favor of Agent and Borrower to deliver to Agent any such form or forms as may be required as a condition to exemption from, or reduction of, foreign withholding or backup withholding tax before receiving its first payment under this Agreement and at any other time reasonably requested by Agent or Borrower.

 

Agent and each such Lender agrees promptly to notify Agent and Borrower of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.

 

(d)            If any Lender claims exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax and such Lender sells, assigns, grants a participation in, or otherwise transfers all or part of the Obligations of Borrower, such Lender agrees to notify Agent and Borrower of the percentage amount in which it is no longer the beneficial owner of Obligations of Borrower.  To the extent of such percentage amount, Agent and Borrower will treat such Lender’s documentation provided pursuant to Sections 10.11(b) , 10.11(c)  or 10.11(j)  as no longer valid.  With respect to such percentage amount, such Lender may provide new documentation, pursuant to Sections 10.11(b) , 10.11(c)  or 10.11(j) , if applicable.

 

(e)            If any Lender is entitled to a reduction in the applicable withholding tax, Agent may withhold from any payment to such Lender an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax after taking into account such reduction.  If the forms or other documentation required by subsection (b) , (c)  or (j)  of this Section 10.11 are not delivered to Agent, then Agent may withhold from any payment to such Lender not providing such forms or other documentation an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax.

 

(f)             If the IRS or any other Governmental Authority of the United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that Agent or Borrower did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender due to a failure on the part of the Lender (because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify Agent or Borrower of a change in circumstances which rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective, or for any other reason) such Lender shall indemnify and hold Agent and Borrower harmless for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by Agent or Borrower, as tax or otherwise, including penalties and interest, and including any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts payable to Agent under this Section 10.11 , together with all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and

 

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expenses).  The obligation of the Lenders under this subsection shall survive the payment of all Obligations and the resignation or replacement of Agent.

 

(g)            [Intentionally Omitted].

 

(h)            If Agent or any Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund or credit of any Taxes (each, a “ Tax Benefit ”) which Borrower has paid an additional or indemnification amount pursuant to this Section 10.11 , it shall pay to Borrower an amount equal to such Tax Benefit, net of all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, in connection with such refund or credit and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that Borrower agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to Agent or such Lender within a reasonable time after receipt of written notice that Agent or such Lender is required to repay such Tax Benefit to such Governmental Authority.

 

(i)             If Borrower determines in good faith that a reasonable basis exists for contesting Taxes with respect to which the Borrower has paid an additional or indemnification amount pursuant to this Section 10.11 that Borrower believes were not correctly or legally asserted by the relevant Government Authority, Agent or the applicable Lender, as the case may be, shall use reasonable efforts to cooperate with Borrower at Borrower’s expense if requested by Borrower with a view to obtaining a refund, credit or benefit in respect of such Tax.

 

(j)             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 Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to Borrower and Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by Borrower or Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by Borrower or Agent as may be necessary for Borrower and 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 Section 10.11(j) , “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

(k)            Each party’s obligations under this Section 10.11 shall survive the resignation or replacement of Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Revolver Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

 

10.12         [ Intentionally Omitted ].

 

10.13         Restrictions on Actions by Lenders; Sharing of Payments .

 

(a)            Each of the Lenders agrees that it shall not, until an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, without the express written consent of Agent, and that it shall, to the extent it is lawfully entitled to do so, upon the written request of Agent, set off against the Obligations, any amounts owing by such Lender to Borrower or any deposit accounts of Borrower now or hereafter maintained with such Lender.

 

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(b)            If, at any time or times any Lender shall receive (i) by payment, foreclosure, setoff, or otherwise, or any payments with respect to the Obligations, except for any such proceeds or payments received by such Lender from Agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) payments from Agent in excess of such Lender’s ratable portion of all such distributions by Agent, such Lender promptly shall (1) turn the same over to Agent, in kind, and with such endorsements as may be required to negotiate the same to Agent, or in immediately available funds, as applicable, for the account of all of the Lenders and for application to the Obligations in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement, or (2) purchase, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in the Obligations owed to the other Lenders so that such excess payment received shall be applied ratably as among the Lenders in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares; provided, however, that to the extent that such excess payment received by the purchasing party is thereafter recovered from it, those purchases of participations shall be rescinded in whole or in part, as applicable, and the applicable portion of the purchase price paid therefor shall be returned to such purchasing party, but without interest except to the extent that such purchasing party is required to pay interest in connection with the recovery of the excess payment.

 

10.14         [ Intentionally Omitted ].

 

10.15         Payments by Agent to the Lenders .  All payments to be made by Agent to the Lenders shall be made by bank wire transfer of immediately available funds pursuant to such wire transfer instructions as each party may designate for itself by written notice to Agent.  Concurrently with each such payment, Agent shall identify whether such payment (or any portion thereof) represents principal, premium, fees, or interest of the Obligations.

 

10.16         Related Loan Documents .  Each member of the Lender Group authorizes and directs Agent to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Each member of the Lender Group agrees that any action taken by Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents relating to the exercise by Agent of its powers set forth therein or herein, together with such other powers that are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be binding upon all of the Lenders.

 

10.17         Field Examinations and Examination Reports; Confidentiality; Disclaimers by Lenders; Other Reports and Information .  By becoming a party to this Agreement, each Lender:

 

(a)            is deemed to have requested that Agent furnish such Lender, promptly after it becomes available, (i) a copy of each field examination or examination report prepared by Agent, and (ii) a copy of each document delivered to Agent pursuant to Sections 5.2(b), (c), (d) and (f)(i) (each a “ Report ” and collectively, “ Reports ”), and Agent shall so furnish each Lender with such Reports,

 

(b)            expressly agrees and acknowledges that Agent does not (i) make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy of any Report, and (ii) shall not be liable for any information contained in any Report,

 

(c)            expressly agrees and acknowledges that the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, that Agent or other party performing any examination will inspect only specific information regarding Borrower and will rely significantly upon the books of Borrower and the other Loan Parties, as well as on representations of Borrower’s personnel,

 

(d)            agrees to keep all Reports and other material, non-public information regarding Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their operations, assets, and existing and contemplated business plans in a confidential manner in accordance with Section 11.10 , and

 

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(e)            without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, agrees:  (i) to hold Agent and any other Lender preparing a Report harmless from any action the indemnifying Lender may take or fail to take or any conclusion the indemnifying Lender may reach or draw from any Report in connection with any loans or other credit accommodations that the indemnifying Lender has made or may make to Borrower, or the indemnifying Lender’s participation in, or the indemnifying Lender’s purchase of, a loan or loans of Borrower, and (ii) to pay and protect, and indemnify, defend and hold Agent, and any such other Lender preparing a Report harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including, attorneys fees and costs) incurred by Agent and any such other Lender preparing a Report as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender.

 

In addition to the foregoing:  (x) any Lender may from time to time request of Agent in writing that Agent provide to such Lender a copy of any report or document provided by Borrower to Agent that has not been contemporaneously provided by Borrower to such Lender, and, upon receipt of such request, Agent promptly shall provide a copy of same to such Lender, (y) to the extent that Agent is entitled, under any provision of the Loan Documents, to request additional reports or information from Borrower, any Lender may, from time to time, reasonably request Agent to exercise such right as specified in such Lender’s notice to Agent, whereupon Agent promptly shall request of Borrower the additional reports or information reasonably specified by such Lender, and, upon receipt thereof from Borrower, Agent promptly shall provide a copy of same to such Lender, and (z) any time that Agent renders to Borrower a statement regarding the Loan Account, Agent shall send a copy of such statement to each Lender.

 

10.18         Several Obligations; No Liability .  Notwithstanding that certain of the Loan Documents now or hereafter may have been or will be executed only by or in favor of Agent in its capacity as such, and not by or in favor of the Lenders, any and all obligations on the part of Agent (if any) to make any credit available hereunder shall constitute the several (and not joint) obligations of the respective Lenders on a ratable basis, according to their respective Revolver Commitments, to make an amount of such credit not to exceed, in principal amount, at any one time outstanding, the amount of their respective Revolver Commitments.  Nothing contained herein shall confer upon any Lender any interest in, or subject any Lender to any liability for, or in respect of, the business, assets, profits, losses, or liabilities of any other Lender.  Each Lender shall be solely responsible for notifying its Participants of any matters relating to the Loan Documents to the extent any such notice may be required, and no Lender shall have any obligation, duty, or liability to any Participant of any other Lender.  Except as provided in Section 10.7 , no member of the Lender Group shall have any liability for the acts of any other member of the Lender Group.  No Lender shall be responsible to Borrower or any other Person for any failure by any other Lender to fulfill its obligations to make credit available hereunder, nor to advance for it or on its behalf in connection with its Revolver Commitment, nor to take any other action on its behalf hereunder or in connection with the financing contemplated herein.

 

10.19         Legal Representation of Agent .  In connection with the negotiation, drafting, and execution of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or in connection with future legal representation relating to loan administration, amendments, modifications, waivers, or enforcement of remedies, PH only has represented and only shall represent CNB in its capacity as Agent and as a Lender.  Each other Lender hereby acknowledges that PH does not represent it in connection with any such matters.

 

10.20         [ Intentionally Omitted ].

 

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ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

 

11.1           No Waivers, Remedies .  No failure or delay on the part of Agent or any Lender, or the holder of any interest in this Agreement in exercising any right, power, privilege, or remedy under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents shall impair or operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power, privilege, or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power, privilege, or remedy.  The waiver of any such right, power, privilege, or remedy with respect to particular facts and circumstances shall not be deemed to be a waiver with respect to other facts and circumstances.  The remedies provided for under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to Agent or any Lender, or the holder of any interest in this Agreement at law, in equity, or otherwise.

 

11.2           Waivers and Amendments .  No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than the Fee Letter), and no consent with respect to any departure by Borrower therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Required Lenders (or by Agent at the written request of the Required Lenders) and Borrower and then any such waiver or consent shall be effective, but only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided , however , that no such waiver, amendment, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all of the Lenders directly affected thereby and Borrower, do any of the following:

 

(a)            increase or extend any Revolver Commitment of any Lender; provided that no amendment, modification or waiver of any condition precedent, covenant, Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default shall constitute an increase in any Revolver Commitment of any Lender,

 

(b)            postpone or delay any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees, or other amounts due hereunder or under any other Loan Document,

 

(c)            reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest on, any Loan or other extension of credit hereunder, or reduce any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document,

 

(d)            change the Pro Rata Share that is required to take any action hereunder,

 

(e)            amend, modify, or eliminate any of the provisions of Section 9.1 or the definition of Eligible Transferee with respect to assignments to or participations with a Loan Party or Affiliates of a Loan Party,

 

(f)             amend or modify this Section or any provision of the Agreement providing for consent or other action by all Lenders,

 

(g)            change the definition of “Required Lenders” or “Pro Rata Share”,

 

(h)            other than as permitted by Section 10.12 , release any Loan Party from any obligation for the payment of money, or

 

(i)             amend any of the provisions of Article X .

 

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and, provided further , however , (a) that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by Agent or the Issuing Lender, as applicable, affect the rights or duties of Agent or the Issuing Lender, as applicable, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (b) Borrower may amend the Disclosure Statement from time to time with Agent’s written consent without the consent of any Lender.

 

If (i) any action to be taken by the Lender Group or Agent hereunder requires the greater than majority or unanimous consent, authorization, or agreement of all Lenders, and a Lender (“ Holdout Lender ”) fails to give its consent, authorization, or agreement, or (ii) if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender hereunder, or (iii) if any Lender (“ Compensated Lender ”) requests compensation pursuant to Section 2.13 or if Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to such Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of such Lender pursuant to Section 10.11 , then Agent or, if no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower, upon at least 5 Business Days prior irrevocable notice to the Holdout Lender, Defaulting Lender or Compensated Lender, may permanently replace the Holdout Lender, Defaulting Lender or Compensated Lender with one or more substitute Lenders (each, a “ Replacement Lender ”), and the Holdout Lender, Defaulting Lender or Compensated Lender shall have no right to refuse to be replaced hereunder.  Such notice to replace the Holdout Lender, Defaulting Lender or Compensated Lender shall specify an effective date for such replacement, which date shall not be later than 15 Business Days after the date such notice is given.  Prior to the effective date of such replacement, the Holdout Lender, Defaulting Lender or Compensated Lender, as applicable, and each Replacement Lender shall execute and deliver an Assignment and Acceptance, subject only to the Holdout Lender, Defaulting Lender or Compensated Lender, as applicable, being repaid its share of the outstanding Obligations (including an assumption of its Pro Rata Share of the Risk Participation Liability) without any premium or penalty of any kind whatsoever.  If the Holdout Lender, Defaulting Lender or Compensated Lender shall refuse or fail to execute and deliver any such Assignment and Acceptance prior to the effective date of such replacement, the Holdout Lender, Defaulting Lender or Compensated Lender shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance.  The replacement of any Holdout Lender, Defaulting Lender or Compensated Lender shall be made in accordance with the terms of Section 9.1 .  Until such time as the Replacement Lenders shall have acquired all of the Obligations, the Revolver Commitments, and the other rights and obligations of the Holdout Lender, Defaulting Lender or Compensated Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Holdout Lender, Defaulting Lender or Compensated Lender, as applicable, shall remain obligated to make its Pro Rata Share of Loans and to purchase a participation in each Letter of Credit, in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the Risk Participation Liability of such Letter of Credit.

 

11.3           Notices .  Except as otherwise provided herein, all notices, demands, instructions, requests, and other communications required or permitted to be given to, or made upon, any party hereto shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or by courier, electronic mail (at such e-mail addresses as a party may designate in accordance herewith), or telefacsimile and shall be deemed to be given for purposes of this Agreement on the day that such writing is received by the Person to whom it is to be sent pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement. Unless otherwise specified in a notice sent or delivered in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.3 , notices, demands, requests, instructions, and other communications in writing shall be given to or made upon the respective parties hereto at their respective addresses (or to their respective telefacsimile numbers) indicated on Exhibit 11.3 attached hereto.

 

11.4           Headings .  Article and Section headings used in this Agreement and the table of contents preceding this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall neither constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose nor affect the construction of this Agreement.  The foregoing shall apply to each other Loan Document mutatis mutandis .

 

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11.5           Execution in Counterparts; Effectiveness .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Agreement.  The foregoing shall apply to each other Loan Document mutatis mutandis .

 

11.6           GOVERNING LAW .  EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT: (A) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK; AND (B) THE VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AND THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF AND THEREOF, AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES THERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

11.7           JURISDICTION AND VENUE .  TO THE EXTENT THEY MAY LEGALLY DO SO, THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS, SUITS, OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING BETWEEN ANY MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP OR BORROWER IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK.  BORROWER AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP, TO THE EXTENT THEY MAY LEGALLY DO SO, HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 11.7 AND STIPULATE THAT THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL HAVE IN PERSONAM JURISDICTION AND VENUE OVER SUCH PERSON FOR THE PURPOSE OF LITIGATING ANY SUCH DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY, OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.  TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SERVICE OF PROCESS SUFFICIENT FOR PERSONAL JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION AGAINST BORROWER OR ANY MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO ITS ADDRESS INDICATED ON EXHIBIT 11.3 ATTACHED HERETO.

 

11.8           WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY .  BORROWER AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP, TO THE EXTENT THEY MAY LEGALLY DO SO, HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, CAUSE OF ACTION, OR PROCEEDING ARISING UNDER OR WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH, OR RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO, THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE.  TO THE EXTENT THEY MAY LEGALLY DO SO, BORROWER AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP

 

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HEREBY AGREE THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, CAUSE OF ACTION, OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE DECIDED BY A COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 11.8 WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE OTHER PARTY OR PARTIES HERETO TO WAIVER OF ITS OR THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

11.9           Independence of Covenants .  All covenants under this Agreement and other Loan Documents shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any one covenant, the fact that it would be permitted by another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of an Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.

 

11.10         Confidentiality .  Agent and Lenders each individually (and not jointly or jointly and severally) agree that material, non-public information regarding Borrower and its Subsidiaries, their operations, assets, and existing and contemplated business plans shall be treated by Agent and the Lenders in a confidential manner, and shall not be disclosed by Agent and the Lenders to Persons who are not parties to this Agreement, except:  (a) to attorneys for and other advisors, accountants, auditors, and consultants to any member of the Lender Group, so long as such other attorneys, advisors, accountants, auditors, and consultants are informed as to the confidential nature of such information and are instructed to treat such information as confidential or are otherwise obligated to maintain the confidentiality of such information, (b) to Subsidiaries and Affiliates of any member of the Lender Group, provided that any such Subsidiary or Affiliate shall have agreed to receive such information hereunder subject to the terms of this Section 11.10 , (c) as may be required by statute, decision, or judicial or administrative order, rule, regulation or any Governmental Authority (other than any state, federal or foreign authority or examiner regulating banks or banking); provided that Agent or any such Lender shall notify Borrower of such requirement prior to any disclosure of such information to a party that Agent or such Lender reasonably believes may not keep such information confidential and shall reasonably cooperate with Borrower in any lawful effort by Borrower to prevent or limit such disclosure or otherwise protect the confidentiality of such information, (d) as may be agreed to in advance by Borrower or its Subsidiaries or as requested or required by any Governmental Authority pursuant to any subpoena or other legal process; provided that Agent or any such Lender shall notify Borrower of such requirement prior to any disclosure of such information to a party that Agent or such Lender reasonably believes may not keep such information confidential and shall reasonably cooperate with Borrower in any lawful effort by Borrower to prevent or limit such disclosure or otherwise protect the confidentiality of such information, (e) as requested or required by any state, federal or foreign authority or examiner regulating banks or banking, (f) as to any such information that is or becomes generally available to the public (other than as a result of prohibited disclosure by Agent or the Lenders), (g) in connection with any assignment, prospective assignment, sale, prospective sale, participation or prospective participations, or pledge or prospective pledge of any Lender’s interest under this Agreement, provided that any such assignee, prospective assignee, purchaser, prospective purchaser, participant, prospective participant, pledgee, or prospective pledgee shall have agreed in writing to receive such information hereunder subject to the terms of this Section, and (h) in connection with any litigation or other adversary proceeding involving parties hereto which such litigation or adversary proceeding involves claims related to the rights or duties of such parties under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.  The provisions of this Section 11.10 shall survive for 2 years after the payment in full of the Obligations.

 

11.11         Complete Agreement .  This Agreement, together with the exhibits hereto, the Disclosure Statement, and the other Loan Documents is intended by the parties hereto as a final expression of their agreement and is intended as a complete statement of the terms and conditions of their

 

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agreement with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and shall not be contradicted or qualified by any other agreement, oral or written, before the date hereof.

 

11.12         USA Patriot Act Notice .  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 “ USA Patriot Act ”), it may be 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 USA Patriot Act.

 

[Signature pages to follow.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

	ACRC LENDER LLC ,
	a Delaware limited liability company, as Borrower
	By:	/s/ Todd Schuster
	Name: Todd Schuster
	Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT[

 

 

	CITY NATIONAL BANK ,
	a national banking association,
	as Agent and as a Lender
	By:	/s/ Brandon L. Feitelson
	Name:	Brandon L. Feitelson, C.F.A.
	Title:	Senior Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT[

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

GENERAL CONTINUING GUARANTY

 

This GENERAL CONTINUING GUARANTY (this “ Guaranty ”), dated as of July 30, 2014, is executed and delivered by ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION , a Maryland corporation (“ Guarantor ”) in favor of CITY NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association, as the arranger and administrative agent for the Lender Group (in such capacity, together with its successors and permitted assigns in such capacity, “ Agent ”), in light of the following:

 

WHEREAS , ACRC LENDER LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Borrower ”), Agent, and the lenders identified on the signature pages thereof (such lenders, together with their respective successors and permitted assigns, are referred to hereinafter each individually as a “ Lender ” and collectively as the “ Lenders ”) are, contemporaneously herewith, entering into that certain Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS, in order to induce Agent and the Lenders to extend financial accommodations to Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and in consideration thereof, and in consideration of any loans or other financial accommodations heretofore or hereafter extended by Agent and the Lenders to Borrower, whether pursuant to the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, Guarantor has agreed to guaranty the Guarantied Obligations; and

 

WHEREAS, Guarantor is an Affiliate of Borrower; and

 

WHEREAS, Guarantor will benefit by virtue of the financial accommodations from Agent, the Lenders to Borrower.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, Guarantor hereby agrees in favor the Lender Group as follows:

 

1.               Definitions and Construction .

 

(a)          Definitions .  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.  The following terms, as used in this Guaranty, shall have the following meanings:

 

“ Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Guaranty.

 

“ Borrower ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Guaranty.

 

“ Compliance Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit A delivered by a Responsible Officer of Guarantor to Agent.

 

“ Credit Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Guaranty.

 

“ Debt ” with respect to any Person, means:  (i) all indebtedness, whether or not represented by bonds, debentures, notes, securities, or other evidences of

 

 

indebtedness, for the repayment of money borrowed, (ii) all indebtedness representing deferred payment of the purchase price of property or assets, (iii) all indebtedness under any lease which, in conformity with GAAP, is required to be capitalized for balance sheet purposes, (iv) all indebtedness under guaranties, endorsements, assumptions, or other contingent obligations, in respect of, or to purchase or otherwise acquire, indebtedness of others, and (v) all indebtedness secured by a lien existing on property owned, subject to such lien, whether or not the indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed by the owner thereof.

 

“ Debt Service ” means for any Test Period, the sum of (a) Interest Expense for any Person for such period, determined on a consolidated basis, and (b) all regularly scheduled principal payments made with respect to Debt of such Person and its subsidiaries during such period, other than any voluntary prepayment or prepayment occasioned by the repayment of an underlying asset, or any balloon, bullet, margin or similar principal payment which repays such Debt in part or in full.

 

“ EBITDA ” with respect to any Person and for any Test Period, means an amount equal to the sum of (a) Net Income (or loss) of such Person (prior to any impact from minority or non-controlling interests or joint venture net income and before deduction of any dividends on preferred stock of such Person), plus the following (but only to the extent actually included in determination of such Net Income (or loss)): (i) depreciation and amortization expense (other than those related to capital expenditures that have not been included in the calculation of Fixed Charges), (ii) Interest Expense, (iii) income tax expense, and (iv) extraordinary or non-recurring gains, losses and expenses, including but not limited to transaction expenses relating to business combinations, other acquisitions and unconsummated transactions, (v) unrealized loan loss reserves, impairments associated with owned real estate, and other similar charges, including but not limited to reserves for loss sharing arrangement associated with mortgage servicing rights, (vi) realized losses on loans and loss sharing arrangements associated with mortgage servicing rights and (vii) unrealized gains, losses and expenses associated with (A) derivative liabilities including but not limited to convertible note issuances and (B) mortgage servicing rights (other than the initial revenue recognition of recording an asset),  plus (b) such Person’s proportionate share of Net Income (prior to any impact from minority or non-controlling interests or joint venture net income and before deduction of any dividends on preferred stock of such Person) of the joint venture investments and unconsolidated Affiliates of such Person, all with respect to such period.

 

“ Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means EBITDA (as determined in accordance with GAAP) for the immediately preceding twelve (12) month period ending on the last date of the applicable Test Period, divided by the Fixed Charges for the immediately preceding twelve (12) month period ending on the last date of the applicable Test Period.

 

“ Fixed Charges ” means at any time, the sum of (a) Debt Service, (b) all preferred dividends that such Person is required, pursuant to the terms of the certificate of designation or other similar document governing the rights of preferred shareholders, to

 

 

pay and is not permitted to defer, (c) Capitalized Lease Obligations paid or accrued during such period, and (d) any amounts payable under any Ground Lease.

 

“ Ground Lease ” means a ground lease containing the following terms and conditions:  (a) a remaining term (exclusive of any unexercised extension options) of twenty (20) years or more from the date on which the underlying collateral was financed, (b) the right of the lessee to mortgage and encumber its interest in the leased property without the consent of the lessor or with such consent given, (c) the obligation of the lessor to give the holder of any mortgage lien on such leased property written notice of any defaults on the part of the lessee and agreement of such lessor that such lease will not be terminated until such holder has had a reasonable opportunity to cure or complete foreclosures, and fails to do so, (d) reasonable transferability of the lessee’s interest under such lease, including ability to sublease, and (e) such other rights customarily required by mortgagees making a loan secured by the interest of the holder of the leasehold estate demised pursuant to a ground lease.

 

“ Guarantied Obligations ” means, with respect to Guarantor:  the due and punctual payment, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of the principal of, and interest (including all interest that accrues after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding irrespective of whether a claim therefor is allowed or allowable in whole or in part in such case or proceeding) on, and any and all fees, costs, indemnities and expenses (including reasonable and documented counsel fees and expenses) (including all fees, costs, indemnities and expenses, in each case, that accrues after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding irrespective of whether a claim therefor is allowed or allowable in whole or in part in such case or proceeding) incurred in connection with or on, the Indebtedness owed by Borrower to Agent or the Lenders pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

“ Guarantor ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Guaranty.

 

“ Guaranty ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Guaranty.

 

“ Indebtedness ” means any and all obligations, indebtedness, or liabilities of any kind or character owed by Borrower and arising out of or in connection with the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, including all such obligations, indebtedness, or liabilities, whether for principal, interest (including all interest that accrues after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding irrespective of whether a claim therefor is allowed or allowable in whole or in part in such case or proceeding), premium, reimbursement obligations, fees, costs, expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees), or indemnity obligations, whether heretofore, now, or hereafter made, incurred, or created, whether voluntarily or involuntarily made, incurred, or created, whether secured or unsecured (and if secured, regardless of the nature or extent of the security), whether absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, or determined or indeterminate, whether Borrower is liable individually or jointly with others, and whether recovery is or hereafter becomes barred by any statute of limitations or otherwise becomes unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, including any act or failure to act by Agent or the Lenders.

 

 

“ Interest Expense” means with respect to any Person and for any Test Period, the amount of total interest expense incurred by such Person, including capitalized or accruing interest (but excluding interest funded under a construction loan and the amortization of financing costs), plus such Person’s proportionate share of interest expense from the joint venture investments and unconsolidated Affiliates of such Person, all with respect to such period.

 

“ Lender ” and “ Lenders ” have the respective meanings set forth in the recitals to this Guaranty.

 

“ Lender Group ” has the meaning set forth in the Credit Agreement.

 

“ Net Income ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the net income of such Person for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“ Record ” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or which is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

 

“ Recourse Debt ” means Debt of a consolidated Subsidiary of Guarantor for which Guarantor has provided a payment guarantee.

 

“ Tangible Net Worth ” means all amounts that would be included under capital or shareholder’s equity (or any like caption) on the balance sheet of any Person, minus (a) amounts owing to that Person from any Affiliate thereof, or from officers, employees, partners, members, directors, shareholders or other Persons similarly affiliated with such Person or any Affiliate thereof, (b) intangible assets, and (c) prepaid taxes and/or expenses, plus deferred origination fees, net of deferred origination costs, all on or as of such date. For sake of clarity, mortgage servicing rights shall not be deemed to be intangible assets.

 

“ Test Period ” means the time period from the first day of each calendar quarter, through and including the last day of such calendar quarter.

 

“ Voidable Transfer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9 of this Guaranty.

 

(b)          Construction .  Unless the context of this Guaranty clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “include” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.”  The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and other similar terms in this Guaranty refer to this Guaranty as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Guaranty.  Section, subsection, clause, schedule and exhibit references herein are to this Guaranty unless otherwise specified.  Any reference in this Guaranty to any of the following documents includes any and all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements thereto or thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth therein): the Credit Agreement; this Guaranty;  the other Loan

 

 

Documents.  Neither this Guaranty nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against Agent or Guarantor, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise.  On the contrary, this Guaranty has been reviewed by Guarantor, Agent, and their respective counsel, and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of Agent and Guarantor.  Any reference herein to the payment in full of the Guarantied Obligations shall mean the payment in full in cash in Dollars (or cash collateralization or receipt of a backup letter of credit or other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to Agent and the Issuing Lender in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement) of all Guarantied Obligations other than contingent indemnification Guarantied Obligations as to which no claim has been asserted or is anticipated, and the termination of the Revolver Commitment.  Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns.  Any requirement of a writing contained herein shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record and any Record transmitted shall constitute a representation and warranty as to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained therein.  The captions and headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction of this Guaranty.

 

2.               Guarantied Obligations .  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Guaranty, Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guaranties to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, as and for its own debt, until payment in full thereof has been made, (a) the payment of the Guarantied Obligations, in each case when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, pursuant to a mandatory prepayment requirement, by acceleration, or otherwise; it being the intent of Guarantor that the guaranty set forth herein shall be a guaranty of payment and not a guaranty of collection; and (b) the punctual and faithful performance, keeping, observance, and fulfillment by Borrower of all of the agreements, conditions, covenants, and obligations of Borrower contained in the Credit Agreement and under each of the other Loan Documents.

 

3.               Continuing Guaranty .  This Guaranty includes Guarantied Obligations arising under successive transactions continuing, compromising, extending, increasing, modifying, releasing, or renewing the Guarantied Obligations, changing the interest rate, payment terms, or other terms and conditions thereof, or creating new or additional Guarantied Obligations after prior Guarantied Obligations have been satisfied in whole or in part.  To the maximum extent permitted by law, Guarantor hereby waives any right to revoke this Guaranty as to future Guarantied Obligations.  If such a revocation is effective notwithstanding the foregoing waiver, Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that (a) no such revocation shall be effective until written notice thereof has been received by Agent, (b) no such revocation shall apply to any Guarantied Obligations in existence on such date (including any subsequent continuation, extension, or renewal thereof, or change in the interest rate, payment terms, or other terms and conditions thereof), (c) no such revocation shall apply to any Guarantied Obligations made or created after such date to the extent made or created pursuant to a legally binding commitment of Agent in existence on the date of such revocation, (d) no payment by Guarantor, Borrower, or from any other source, prior to the date of such revocation shall reduce the maximum obligation of Guarantor hereunder, and (e) any payment by Borrower or from any source other than Guarantor subsequent to the date of such revocation shall first be applied to that portion of the Guarantied Obligations as to which the revocation is effective and which are not, therefore, guarantied

 

 

hereunder, and to the extent so applied shall not reduce the maximum obligation of Guarantor hereunder.

 

4.               Performance Under this Guaranty .  In the event that Borrower fails to make any payment of any Guarantied Obligations, on or before the due date thereof, or if Borrower shall fail to perform, keep, observe, or fulfill any other obligation under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, in each case, in the manner provided therein, as applicable, Guarantor immediately shall cause such payment to be made or each of such obligations to be performed, kept, observed, or fulfilled.

 

5.               Primary Obligations .  This Guaranty is a primary and original obligation of Guarantor, is not merely the creation of a surety relationship, and is an absolute, unconditional, and continuing guaranty of payment and performance which shall remain in full force and effect without respect to future changes in conditions.  Guarantor hereby agrees that it is directly, jointly and severally with any other guarantor of the Guarantied Obligations, liable to Agent, that the obligations of Guarantor hereunder are independent of the obligations of Borrower or any other guarantor, and that a separate action may be brought against Guarantor, whether such action is brought against Borrower or any other guarantor or whether Borrower or any other guarantor is joined in such action.  Guarantor hereby agrees that its liability hereunder shall be immediate and shall not be contingent upon the exercise or enforcement by Agent of whatever remedies it may have against Borrower or any other guarantor, or the enforcement of any lien or realization upon any security Agent may at any time possess.  Guarantor hereby agrees that any release which may be given by Agent to Borrower or any other guarantor shall not release Guarantor.  Guarantor consents and agrees that Agent shall not be under any obligation to marshal any property or assets of Borrower or any other guarantor in favor of Guarantor, or against or in payment of any or all of the Guarantied Obligations.

 

6.               Waivers .

 

(a)          To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Guarantor hereby waives:  (i) notice of acceptance hereof; (ii) notice of any loans or other financial accommodations made or extended under the Credit Agreement, or the creation or existence of any Guarantied Obligations; (iii) notice of the amount of the Guarantied Obligations, subject, however, to Guarantor’s right to make inquiry of Agent to ascertain the amount of the Guarantied Obligations at any reasonable time; (iv) notice of any adverse change in the financial condition of Borrower or of any other fact that might increase Guarantor’s risk hereunder; (v) notice of presentment for payment, demand, protest, and notice thereof as to any instrument among the Loan Documents; (vi) notice of any Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default under the Credit Agreement; and (vii) all other notices (except if such notice is specifically required to be given to Guarantor under this Guaranty or any other Loan Documents to which Guarantor is a party) and demands to which Guarantor might otherwise be entitled.

 

(b)          To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Guarantor hereby waives the right by statute or otherwise to require Agent or any Lender to institute suit against Borrower or to exhaust any rights and remedies which Agent or any Lender has or may have against Borrower.  In this regard, Guarantor agrees that it is bound to the payment of each and all Guarantied

 

 

Obligations, whether now existing or hereafter arising, as fully as if the Guarantied Obligations were directly owing to the Lender Group by Guarantor.  Guarantor further waives any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense of Borrower or by reason of the cessation from any cause whatsoever of the liability of Borrower in respect thereof, except, in each case, the defense that the Guarantied Obligations shall have been performed and paid in full.

 

(c)           To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Guarantor hereby waives:  (i) any rights to assert against Agent or any Lender, any defense (legal or equitable), set-off, counterclaim, or claim which Guarantor may now or at any time hereafter have against Borrower or any other party liable to Agent or any Lender; (ii) any defense, set-off, counterclaim, or claim, of any kind or nature, arising directly or indirectly from the present or future lack of perfection, sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the Guarantied Obligations or any security therefor (other than the defense that the Guarantied Obligations shall have been performed and paid in full); (iii) any defense arising by reason of any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by Agent or any Lender; (iv) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof, and any act which shall defer or delay the operation of any statute of limitations applicable to the Guarantied Obligations shall similarly operate to defer or delay the operation of such statute of limitations applicable to Guarantor’s liability hereunder.

 

(d)          Until such time as all of the Guarantied Obligations have been paid in full:  (i) Guarantor hereby waives and postpones any right of subrogation Guarantor has or may have as against Borrower with respect to the Guarantied Obligations, including under any one or more of California Civil Code §§ 2847, 2848, and 2849 or any similar laws of any other jurisdiction; (ii) in addition, Guarantor hereby waives and postpones any right to proceed against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, now or hereafter, for contribution, indemnity, reimbursement, or any other suretyship rights and claims (irrespective of whether direct or indirect, liquidated or contingent), with respect to the Guarantied Obligations; and (iii) in addition, Guarantor also hereby waives and postpones any right to proceed or to seek recourse against or with respect to any property or asset of Borrower.

 

(E)         WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF ANY OTHER WAIVER OR OTHER PROVISION SET FORTH IN THIS GUARANTY, GUARANTOR HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT SUCH WAIVER IS PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY AND ALL BENEFITS OR DEFENSES ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY UNDER ANY ONE OR MORE OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE §§ 2787 THROUGH AND INCLUDING § 2855 AND CHAPTER 2 OF TITLE 14 OF THE CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE OR ANY SIMILAR LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

(F)          WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF ANY OTHER WAIVER OR OTHER PROVISION SET FORTH IN THIS GUARANTY, GUARANTOR WAIVES ALL RIGHTS AND DEFENSES ARISING OUT OF AN ELECTION OF REMEDIES BY AGENT, EVEN THOUGH THAT ELECTION OF REMEDIES HAS DESTROYED GUARANTOR’S RIGHTS OF SUBROGATION AND REIMBURSEMENT AGAINST BORROWER.

 

(g)           Without affecting the generality of this Section, Guarantor hereby also agrees to the following waivers:

 

 

(1)                                  Guarantor agrees that Agent’s right to enforce this Guaranty is absolute and is not contingent upon the genuineness, validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents.  Guarantor waives all benefits and defenses it may have under California Civil Code Section 2810 or any similar laws of any other jurisdiction and agrees that Agent’s rights under this Guaranty shall be enforceable even if Borrower had no liability at the time of execution of the Loan Documents or later ceases to be liable.

 

(2)                                  Guarantor waives all benefits and defenses it may have under California Civil Code Section 2809 or any similar laws of any other jurisdiction with respect to its obligations under this Guaranty and agrees that Agent’s rights under the Loan Documents will remain enforceable even if the amount secured by the Loan Documents is larger in amount and more burdensome than that for which Borrower is responsible.  The enforceability of this Guaranty against Guarantor shall continue until all sums due under the Loan Documents have been paid in full and shall not be limited or affected in any way by any impairment or any diminution or loss of value of any security or collateral for Borrower’s obligations under the Loan Documents, from whatever cause, the failure of any security interest in any such security or collateral or any disability or other defense of Borrower, any other guarantor of Borrower’s obligations under the Loan Documents, any pledgor of collateral for any person’s obligations to Agent or any other person in connection with the Loan Documents, other than the payment in full of the Guarantied Obligations.

 

(3)                                  Guarantor waives all benefits and defenses it may have under California Civil Code Sections 2845, 2849 and 2850 or any similar laws of any other jurisdiction with respect to its obligations under this Guaranty, including the right to require Agent to (A) proceed against Borrower, any guarantor of Borrower’s obligations under the Loan Documents, any other pledgor of collateral for any person’s obligations to Agent or any other person in connection with the Guarantied Obligations, (B) proceed against or exhaust any other security or collateral Agent may hold, or (C) pursue any other right or remedy for Guarantor’s benefit, and agrees that Agent may exercise its right under this Guaranty without taking any action against Borrower, any other guarantor of Borrower’s obligations under the Loan Documents, any pledgor of collateral for any person’s obligations to Agent or any other person in connection with the Guarantied Obligations, and without proceeding against or exhausting any security or collateral Agent holds.

 

(h)          The paragraphs in this Section 6 which refer to certain sections of the California Civil Code are included in this Guaranty solely out of an abundance of caution and shall not be construed to mean that any of the above-referenced provisions of California law are in any way applicable to this Guaranty.

 

 

7.               Representations and Warranties .

 

(a)                                  Guarantor is a duly organized and validly existing limited liability company, corporation, limited partnership or other entity, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and is duly qualified to conduct business in all jurisdictions where its failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole.

 

(b)                                  Guarantor has all requisite limited liability company, corporate, limited partnership or other entity power to execute and deliver this Guaranty.  The execution, delivery, and performance of this Guaranty have been duly authorized by Guarantor and all necessary limited liability company, corporate, limited partnership or other entity action in respect thereof has been taken, and the execution, delivery, and performance of this Guaranty does not require any consent or approval of any other Person that has not been obtained (except for such consents or approvals as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole).

 

(c)                                   This Guaranty, when executed and delivered by Guarantor, will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligations of Guarantor, enforceable against Guarantor, in accordance with their terms, except as the enforceability hereof or thereof may be affected by: (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) equitable principles of general applicability (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law).

 

(d)                                  Guarantor hereby makes to the Lender Group each of the representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement to the extent applicable to Guarantor fully as though Guarantor were a party thereto, and such representations and warranties are incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis

 

8.               Affirmative Covenants . Guarantor covenants and agrees that, so long as any portion of the Revolver Commitment under the Credit Agreement shall be in effect or any Guarantied Obligation remains outstanding and until such time as all of the Guarantied Obligations have been paid in full, Guarantor will do each and all of the following:

 

(a)                                  Financial Statements .

 

(i)                                      Within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of Guarantor, an annual report containing a consolidated statement of assets, liabilities, and capital as of the end of such fiscal year, and consolidated statements of operations and cash flows, for the year then ended, prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, all of which shall be accompanied by a report and an unqualified opinion by independent certified public accountants of recognized standing selected by Guarantor and reasonably satisfactory to Agent (for the avoidance of doubt, such unqualified opinion shall not include any qualifications or exceptions, including any (i) a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, (ii) any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit (except as set forth above), or (iii) any qualification which relates to the treatment or classification of any item and which, as a condition to the removal of such qualification, would require an adjustment to such item, the effect of which would be to cause any noncompliance with the provisions of Section 8(b) ); provided however, Guarantor may satisfy its obligations to deliver the financial statements described in

 

 

this Section 8(a)(i) by furnishing to the Agent (A) a copy of Guarantor’s annual report on Form 10-K (or any applicable successor form) in respect of such fiscal year, together with the financial statements required to be attached thereto, and (B) an unqualified opinion by Ernst & Young LLP or another “Big 4” accounting firm that satisfies the requirements set forth above;

 

(ii) Within 60 days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of Guarantor, an unaudited financial report containing a consolidated statement of assets, liabilities, and capital, and consolidated statements of operations and cash flows, in each case for the period then ended; provided however, Guarantor may satisfy its obligations to deliver the financial statements described in this Section 8(a)(ii) by furnishing to the Agent a copy of Guarantor’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (or any applicable successor form) in respect of such fiscal quarter, together with the financial statements required to be attached thereto;

 

(iii) Concurrent with the delivery of the financial reports described above in clauses (i)  and (ii)  of this Section 8(a) , a Compliance Certificate duly executed by a Responsible Officer of Guarantor stating that (1) he or she has reviewed, or a review has been made under his or her supervision of, the provisions of this Guaranty and the other Loan Documents, (2) the financial statements contained in such report have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except in the case of reports required to be delivered pursuant to clause (ii) above, for the lack of footnotes and being subject to year-end audit adjustments) and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of Guarantor and its Subsidiaries, (3) consistent with past practice, a review of the activities of Guarantor and its Subsidiaries during such year or quarterly period, as the case may be, has been made by or under such individual’s supervision, with a view to determining whether Guarantor and such Subsidiaries have fulfilled all of their respective obligations under this Guaranty, and the other Loan Documents, and (4) Guarantor and its Subsidiaries are not in default in the observance or performance of any of the provisions of this Guaranty and the other Loan Documents, or if Guarantor or any Subsidiary shall be so in default, specifying all such defaults and events of which such individual may have knowledge.

 

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 8(a)(i)  or Section 8(a)(ii)  (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered by an electronic method of transmission and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (a) on which Guarantor posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on Guarantor’s website on the internet; or (b) on which such documents are posted on Guarantor’s behalf on an internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Agent); provided that Guarantor shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Agent upon its request to Guarantor to deliver such paper copies until Agent provides a written request to cease delivery of paper copies. The Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request.

 

(b)                                  Financial Covenants .

 

(i)                                      Have a ratio of Debt to Tangible Net Worth on a consolidated basis , measured at the end of each Test Period, of not greater than 4.00 to 1.00.

 

 

(ii)                                   Have a ratio of Recourse Debt to Tangible Net Worth , measured at the end of each Test Period, of not greater than 3.00 to 1.00.

 

(iii)                                Maintain a minimum Tangible Net Worth, measured at the end of each Test Period, of at least the sum of (i) 80% of Guarantor’s Tangible Net Worth as of September 30, 2013, plus (ii) 80% of the net cash proceeds (after deducting transaction costs) Guarantor receives from issuances of any Stock after the Closing Date.

 

(iv)                               Have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, measured for each twelve month period ending on the last day of any Test Period, of at least 1.25:1.00.

 

(v)                                  Cause Borrower, and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, to maintain, at all times, Assets with an aggregate fair market value of at least $500,000,000.

 

(c)                                   Investments . Cause any Investment in a commercial real estate mortgage loan made by Guarantor or any Subsidiary of Guarantor, to be made solely by Borrower or a Subsidiary of Borrower; provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to Investments in the commercial real estate mortgage market that are brokered for or sold to an agency of, or sponsored by, a U.S. Governmental Authority, or to any third party lender that is not an Affiliate of any Loan Party, Investments in any joint-venture lending entity with a third party that is not an Affiliate of any Loan Party, and Investments (including commercial real estate loans) in Persons, or secured by real estate, located outside the United States.

 

(d)                                  REIT Status . Guarantor shall maintain its status as, and not revoke its election to be treated as, a “real estate investment trust” as defined in the Code.

 

9.               Negative Covenant . Guarantor covenants and agrees that, so long as any portion of the Revolver Commitment under the Credit Agreement shall be in effect or any Guarantied Obligation remains outstanding and until such time as all of the Guarantied Obligations have been paid in full, Guarantor will not change the nature of its business (other than reasonable extensions of its business in the commercial real estate sector), enter into any merger, consolidation, or reorganization, or convey, sell, assign, lease, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of its business or Assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired except the merger, consolidation or reorganization of any Person (other than Borrower), on the one hand, with and into Guarantor, provided that (i) Guarantor is the sole surviving entity of such merger, consolidation or reorganization, (ii) upon the consummation of such merger, consolidation or reorganization, Guarantor expressly reaffirms its Obligations to the Lender Group under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (iii) the consummation of such merger, consolidation or reorganization does not result in a Change of Control Event.

 

10.        Releases .  Guarantor consents and agrees that, without notice to or by Guarantor and without affecting or impairing the obligations of Guarantor hereunder, Agent may, by action or inaction, compromise or settle, extend the period of duration or the time for the payment, or discharge the performance of, or may refuse to, or otherwise not enforce, or may, by action or inaction, release all or any one or more parties to, any one or more of the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or may grant other indulgences to Borrower in respect thereof, or may amend or modify in any manner and at any time (or from

 

 

time to time) any one or more of the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or may, by action or inaction, release or substitute any other guarantor, if any, of the Guarantied Obligations, or may enforce, exchange, release, or waive, by action or inaction, any security for the Guarantied Obligations or any other guaranty of the Guarantied Obligations, or any portion thereof.

 

11.        No Election .  Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, shall have the right to seek recourse against Guarantor to the fullest extent provided for herein and no election by Agent to proceed in one form of action or proceeding, or against any party, or on any obligation, shall constitute a waiver of Agent’s right to proceed in any other form of action or proceeding or against other parties unless Agent has expressly waived such right in writing.  Specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no action or proceeding by Agent under any document or instrument evidencing the Guarantied Obligations shall serve to diminish the liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty except to the extent that Agent finally and unconditionally shall have realized payment in full of the Guarantied Obligations by such action or proceeding.

 

12.        Revival and Reinstatement .  If the incurrence or payment of the Guarantied Obligations or the obligations of Guarantor under this Guaranty by Guarantor or the transfer by Guarantor to Agent or any Lender of any property of Guarantor should for any reason subsequently be declared to be void or voidable under any state or federal law relating to creditors’ rights, including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent conveyances, preferences, and other voidable or recoverable payments of money or transfers of property (collectively, a “ Voidable Transfer ”), and if Agent or any Lender is required to repay or restore, in whole or in part, any such Voidable Transfer, or elects to do so upon the reasonable advice of its counsel, then, as to any such Voidable Transfer, or the amount thereof that Agent or any Lender is required or elects to repay or restore, and as to all reasonable and documented costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees of Agent or any Lender related thereto, the liability of Guarantor automatically shall be revived, reinstated, and restored and shall exist as though such Voidable Transfer had never been made.

 

13.        Financial Condition of Borrower .  Guarantor represents and warrants to Agent and each Lender that it is currently informed of the financial condition of Borrower and of all other circumstances which a diligent inquiry would reveal and which bear upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guarantied Obligations.  Guarantor further represents and warrants to Agent and each Lender that it has read and understands the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Guarantor hereby covenants that it will continue to keep itself informed of Borrower’s financial condition, the financial condition of other guarantors, if any, and of all other circumstances which bear upon the risk of nonpayment or nonperformance of the Guarantied Obligations.

 

14.        Payments; Application .  All payments to be made hereunder by Guarantor shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the time of payment, shall be made in immediately available funds, and, subject to the limitations and qualifications expressly set forth in Section 10.11 of the Credit Agreement, shall be made without deduction (whether for taxes or otherwise) or offset. For the avoidance of doubt, any limitations on or conditions to Borrower’s obligations to make payments set forth in Section 10.11 of the Credit Agreement shall apply

 

 

equally to Guarantor.    All payments made by Guarantor hereunder shall be applied as follows:  first, to all reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees of one counsel) incurred by Agent in enforcing this Guaranty or in collecting the Guarantied Obligations; second, to the Guarantied Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

15.        Attorneys’ Fees and Costs .  Guarantor agrees to pay, on demand, all reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees of one counsel and all other reasonable and documented costs and expenses which may be incurred by Agent in the enforcement of this Guaranty or in any way arising out of, or consequential to, the protection, assertion, or enforcement of the Guarantied Obligations (or any security therefor), irrespective of whether suit is brought.

 

16.        Notices .  All notices and other communications hereunder to Agent shall be in writing and shall be mailed, sent or delivered in accordance with the Credit Agreement.  All notices and other communications hereunder to Guarantor shall be in writing and shall be mailed, sent or delivered in care of Borrower in accordance with the Credit Agreement.

 

17.        Cumulative Remedies .  No remedy under this Guaranty, under the Credit Agreement, or any other Loan Document is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, but each and every remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any and every other remedy given under this Guaranty, under the Credit Agreement, or any other Loan Document, and those provided by law.  No delay or omission by Agent to exercise any right under this Guaranty shall impair any such right nor be construed to be a waiver thereof.  No failure on the part of Agent to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right under this Guaranty shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right under this Guaranty preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.

 

18.        Severability of Provisions .  Any provision of this Guaranty which is prohibited or unenforceable under applicable law shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof.

 

19.        Entire Agreement; Amendments .  This Guaranty constitutes the entire agreement between the Guarantor and Agent pertaining to the subject matter contained herein.  This Guaranty may not be altered, amended, or modified, nor may any provision hereof be waived or noncompliance therewith consented to, except by means of a writing executed by Guarantor and Agent.  Any such alteration, amendment, modification, waiver, or consent shall be effective only to the extent specified therein and for the specific purpose for which given.  No course of dealing and no delay or waiver of any right or default under this Guaranty shall be deemed a waiver of any other, similar or dissimilar, right or default or otherwise prejudice the rights and remedies hereunder.

 

20.        Successors and Assigns .  This Guaranty shall be binding upon Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of Agent and the Lenders; provided , however , no Guarantor shall assign this Guaranty or delegate any of its duties hereunder without Agent’s prior written consent and any unconsented to assignment shall be absolutely void.  In the event of any assignment or other transfer of rights by Agent, the rights

 

 

and benefits herein conferred upon Agent shall automatically extend to and be vested in such assignee or other transferee.

 

21.        No Third Party Beneficiary .  This Guaranty is solely for the benefit of Agent, the Lenders and each of their successors and assigns and may not be relied on by any other Person.

 

22.        Counterparts; Telefacsimile Execution .  This Guaranty may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Guaranty by telefacsimile or electronic mail shall be equally effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Guaranty.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Guaranty by telefacsimile or electronic mail also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Guaranty but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Guaranty.

 

23.        GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

 

(a)          THE VALIDITY OF THIS GUARANTY, THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF, THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING HEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO, AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSIES OR DISPUTES ARISING HEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)          THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE STATE AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK.  GUARANTOR AND AGENT WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 23(b)  AND STIPULATE THAT THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL HAVE IN PERSONAM JURISDICTION AND VENUE OVER SUCH PARTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF LITIGATING ANY SUCH DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY, OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

(c)           TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, GUARANTOR AND AGENT HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS, IF ANY, TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS. GUARANTOR AND AGENT REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH

 

 

KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.  IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS GUARANTY MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

 

(d)          GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK AND THE STATE OF NEW YORK, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO 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.  NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT AGENT MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY AGAINST GUARANTOR OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

(e)           (i) NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY GUARANTOR AGAINST THE AGENT, ANY LENDER, ISSUING LENDER, OR ANY AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, COUNSEL, REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT, OR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF ANY OF THEM, AND (ii) NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY THE AGENT AGAINST GUARANTOR, OR ANY AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, COUNSEL, REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT, OR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF GUARANTOR, FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, 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 GUARANTY, OR ANY ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, AND EACH PARTY REFERENCED ABOVE IN THIS SECTION 23(e)  HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES, AND AGREES NOT TO SUE UPON ANY CLAIM FOR SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER OR NOT ACCRUED AND WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO EXIST IN ITS FAVOR.

 

(Signature Pages to Follow)

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Guaranty as of the date first written above.

 

	GUARANTOR:
	ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION ,
	a Maryland corporation
	By:	/s/ Todd Schuster
	Name:	Todd Schuster
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO GENERAL CONTINUING GUARANTY]

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

INTERCOMPANY SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS INTERCOMPANY SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of July 30, 2014, is made by and among ACRC LENDER LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ Borrower ”), ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION , a Maryland corporation (“ Guarantor ”, together with Borrower, referred to hereinafter each individually as an “ Obligor ”, and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as the “ Obligors ”), in favor of CITY NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association, as the arranger and administrative agent for the Lender Group (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “ Agent ”).

 

WHEREAS, Borrower, Agent, and the lenders identified on the signature pages thereof (such lenders, together with their respective successors and permitted assigns, are referred to hereinafter each individually as a “ Lender ” and collectively as the “ Lenders ”) are, contemporaneously herewith, entering into that certain Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), pursuant to which Agent and the Lenders have agreed to make certain financial accommodations to Borrower;

 

WHEREAS, Guarantor has made or may make certain loans or advances from time to time to Borrower; and

 

WHEREAS, each Obligor has agreed to the subordination of such indebtedness of Borrower to Guarantor, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, conditions, representations, and warranties set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1          Definitions; Interpretation .

 

(a)   Terms Defined in Credit Agreement .  All capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)   Certain Defined Terms .  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

“ Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“ Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“ Borrower ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“ Credit Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“ Insolvency Events ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3 .

 

“ Lender ” and “ Lenders ” have the respective meanings set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

“ Lender Group ” has the meaning set forth in the Credit Agreement.

 

“ Obligor ” and “ Obligors ” have the respective meanings set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

 

“ Senior Debt ” means the Debt and liabilities of Borrower to Agent and the Lenders under or in connection with the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including all unpaid principal of the Loans, all interest accrued thereon, all fees due under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and all other amounts payable by Borrower to Agent and the Lenders thereunder or in connection therewith, whether now existing or hereafter arising, and whether due or to become due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, determined or undetermined, and including without limitation interest, fees, and other such amounts, which would accrue and become due but for the commencement of an Insolvency Event, whether or not such interest, fees, and other amounts are allowed or allowable in whole or in part in any such Insolvency Event.

 

“ Subordinated Debt ” means, with respect to Guarantor, all indebtedness, liabilities, and other obligations of Borrower owing to Guarantor in respect of any and all loans or advances made by Guarantor to Borrower whether now existing or hereafter arising, and whether due or to become due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, determined or undetermined, including all fees and all other amounts payable by Borrower to Guarantor under or in connection with any documents or instruments related thereto.

 

“ Subordinated Debt Payment ” means any payment or distribution by or on behalf of Borrower, directly or indirectly, of assets of Borrower of any kind or character, whether in cash, property, or securities, including on account of the purchase, redemption, or other acquisition of Subordinated Debt, as a result of any collection, sale, or other disposition of collateral, or by setoff, exchange, or in any other manner, for or on account of the Subordinated Debt.

 

(c)   Interpretation .  Unless the context of this Agreement clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the term “including” is not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.”  The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.  Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.  References to agreements and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other modifications thereto.  References to statutes or regulations are to be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, or replacing the statute or regulation referred to.  The captions and headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.  Any reference herein to the satisfaction, repayment, or payment in full of the Senior Debt shall mean the repayment in full in cash in Dollars (or cash collateralization or receipt of a backup letter of credit or other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to Agent and the Issuing Lender in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement) of all Senior Debt.

 

SECTION 2          Subordination to Payment of Senior Debt .  All payments by Borrower on account of the Subordinated Debt shall be subject, subordinate, and junior, in right of payment and exercise of remedies, to the extent and in the manner set forth herein, to the prior payment, in full, in cash or cash equivalents of the Senior Debt (including Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit, unless all such Letters of Credit are cancelled, expired or are cash collateralized or subject to other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to Agent and the Issuing Lender).

 

SECTION 3          Subordination Upon Any Distribution of Assets of Borrower .  In the event of any payment or distribution of assets of Borrower of any kind or character, whether in cash, property, or securities, upon the dissolution, winding up, or total or partial liquidation or reorganization, readjustment, arrangement, or similar proceeding relating to Borrower or its property, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, arrangement, or similar proceedings or upon an

 

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assignment for the benefit of creditors, or upon any other marshaling or composition of the assets and liabilities of Borrower, or otherwise (such events, collectively, the “ Insolvency Events ”):  (i) all amounts owing on account of the Senior Debt shall first be paid, in full, in cash (including Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit, unless all such Letters of Credit are cancelled, expired or are cash collateralized or subject to other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to Agent and the Issuing Lender), or payment provided for in cash or in cash equivalents, before any Subordinated Debt Payment is made; and (ii) to the extent permitted by applicable law, any Subordinated Debt Payment to which Guarantor would be entitled except for the provisions hereof, shall be paid or delivered by the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, or other liquidating agent making such payment or distribution directly to Agent for application to the payment of the Senior Debt in accordance with clause (i), after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution or provision therefor to Agent in respect of such Senior Debt.

 

SECTION 4          Payments on Subordinated Debt .

 

(a)   Permitted Payments .  So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower may make, and Guarantor shall be entitled to accept and receive, payments on account of the Subordinated Debt in the ordinary course of business or as permitted by the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)   No Payment Upon Senior Debt Defaults .  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default with respect to any Senior Debt and Borrower shall have received written notice from the Agent, Borrower shall not make, and Guarantor shall not accept or receive, any Subordinated Debt Payment.

 

SECTION 5          Subordination of Remedies .  As long as any Senior Debt shall remain outstanding and unpaid, following the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default with respect to any Senior Debt and Borrower shall have received written notice from the Agent, Guarantor shall not, without the prior written consent of Agent:

 

(a)   accelerate, make demand, or otherwise make due and payable prior to the original due date thereof any Subordinated Debt or bring suit or institute any other actions or proceedings to enforce its rights or interests in respect of the obligations of Borrower owing to Guarantor;

 

(b)   exercise any rights under or with respect to guaranties of the Subordinated Debt, if any;

 

(c)   exercise any rights to set-offs and counterclaims in respect of any indebtedness, liabilities, or obligations of Guarantor to Borrower against any of the Subordinated Debt; or

 

(d)   commence, or cause to be commenced, or join with any creditor other than Agent and the Lenders in commencing, any bankruptcy, insolvency, or receivership proceeding against Borrower.

 

SECTION 6          Payment Over to Agent .  In the event that, notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 3 , 4 , and 5 , any Subordinated Debt Payments shall be received in contravention of Section 3 , 4 , or 5 by Guarantor before all Senior Debt is paid, in full, in cash or cash equivalents (including Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit, unless all such Letters of Credit are cancelled, expired or are cash collateralized or subject to other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to Agent and the Issuing Lender), such Subordinated Debt Payments shall be held in trust for the benefit of Agent and the Lenders and shall be paid over or delivered to Agent for application to the payment, in full, in cash or cash equivalents of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to give effect to such Sections 3 , 4 , and 5 , after giving effect to any concurrent payments or distributions to Agent in respect of the Senior Debt.

 

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SECTION 7          Authorization to Agent .  If, while any Subordinated Debt is outstanding, any Insolvency Event shall occur and be continuing with respect to Borrower or its property:  (i) Agent hereby is irrevocably authorized and empowered (in the name of Guarantor or otherwise), but shall have no obligation, to demand, sue for, collect, and receive every payment or distribution in respect of the Subordinated Debt and give acquittance therefor and to file claims and proofs of claim and take such other action (including voting the Subordinated Debt) as it may deem necessary or advisable for the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights or interests of Agent; and (ii) Guarantor shall promptly take such action as Agent reasonably may request (A) to collect the Subordinated Debt for the account of Agent and the Lenders and to file appropriate claims or proofs of claim in respect of the Subordinated Debt, (B) to execute and deliver to Agent such powers of attorney, assignments, and other instruments as it may request to enable it to enforce any and all claims with respect to the Subordinated Debt, and (C) to collect and receive any and all Subordinated Debt Payments.

 

SECTION 8          Certain Agreements of Each Obligor .

 

(a)   No Benefits .  Each Obligor understands that there may be various agreements between Agent, the Lenders and any other Obligor evidencing and governing the Senior Debt, and each Obligor acknowledges and agrees that such agreements are not intended to confer any benefits on such Obligor and that Agent and the Lenders shall not have any obligation to such Obligor or any other Person to exercise any rights, enforce any remedies, or take any actions which may be available to them under such agreements.

 

(b)   Reliance by Agent and the Lenders .  Each Obligor acknowledges and agrees that Agent and the Lenders will have relied upon and will continue to rely upon the subordination provisions provided for herein and the other provisions hereof in entering into the Loan Documents and making or issuing the Loans, the Letters of Credit, or other financial accommodations thereunder.

 

(c)   Waivers .  Except as provided under the Credit Agreement, each Obligor hereby waives any and all notice of the incurrence of the Senior Debt or any part thereof and any right to require marshaling of assets.

 

(d)   Obligations of Each Obligor Not Affected .  Each Obligor hereby agrees that at any time and from time to time, without notice to or the consent of such Obligor, without incurring responsibility to such Obligor, and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided for herein or otherwise impairing the rights of Agent or any Lender hereunder: (i) the time for any other Obligor’s performance of or compliance with any of its agreements contained in the Loan Documents may be extended or such performance or compliance may be waived by Agent and the Lenders; (ii) the agreements of any other Obligor with respect to the Loan Documents may from time to time be modified by such other Obligor, Agent and the Lenders for the purpose of adding any requirements thereto or changing in any manner the rights and obligations of such other Obligor, Agent or the Lenders thereunder; (iii) the manner, place, or terms for payment of Senior Debt or any portion thereof may be altered or the terms for payment extended, or the Senior Debt may be renewed in whole or in part; (iv) the maturity of the Senior Debt may be accelerated in accordance with the terms of any present or future agreement by any other Obligor, Agent and the Lenders; (v) any Person liable in any manner for Senior Debt may be discharged, released, or substituted; and (vii) all other rights against the other Obligor or any other Person may be exercised (or Agent and the Lenders may waive or refrain from exercising such rights).

 

(e)   Rights of Agent and the Lenders Not to Be Impaired .  No right of Agent or any Lender to enforce the subordination provided for herein or to exercise its other rights hereunder shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act by any other Obligor, Agent or

 

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any Lender hereunder or under or in connection with the other Loan Documents or by any noncompliance by the other Obligor with the terms and provisions and covenants herein or in any other Loan Document, regardless of any knowledge thereof Agent or any Lender may have or otherwise be charged with.

 

(f)    Financial Condition of the Obligors .  Except as provided under the Credit Agreement or any Loan Document, each Obligor shall not have any right to require Agent or any Lender to obtain or disclose any information with respect to:  (i) the financial condition or character of any other Obligor or the ability of the other Obligor to pay and perform Senior Debt; (ii) the Senior Debt; (iii) the existence or nonexistence of any guarantees of, or any other subordination agreements with respect to, all or any part of the Senior Debt; (iv)  any action or inaction on the part of Agent, the Lenders or any other Person; or (v) any other matter, fact, or occurrence whatsoever.

 

(g)   Acquisition of Liens or Guaranties .  Except as expressly permitted under the Credit Agreement, Guarantor shall not, without the prior consent of Agent, acquire any right or interest in or to any assets of Borrower or accept any guaranties from Borrower for the Subordinated Debt.

 

SECTION 9          Subrogation .

 

(a)   Subrogation .  Until the payment and performance in full in cash of all Senior Debt, Guarantor shall not have or directly or indirectly exercise any rights that it may acquire by way of subrogation under this Agreement  (and Guarantor hereby waives any such right of subrogation), whether by any payment or distribution to Agent hereunder or otherwise.

 

(b)   Payments Over to the Obligors .  If any payment or distribution to which Guarantor would otherwise have been entitled but for the provisions of Section 3 , 4 , or 5 shall have been applied pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 , 4 , or 5 to the payment of all amounts payable under the Senior Debt, Guarantor shall be entitled to receive from Agent and the Lenders any payments or distributions received by Agent and the Lenders in excess of the amount sufficient to pay in full in cash all amounts payable under or in respect of the Senior Debt.  If any such excess payment is made to Agent and the Lenders, Agent and the Lenders shall promptly remit such excess to Guarantor and until so remitted shall hold such excess payment for the benefit of Guarantor.

 

SECTION 10        Continuing Agreement; Reinstatement .

 

(a)   Continuing Agreement .  This Agreement is a continuing agreement of subordination and shall continue in effect and be binding upon each Obligor until payment and performance in full in cash of the Senior Debt.  The subordinations, agreements, and priorities set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect regardless of whether any party hereto in the future seeks to rescind, amend, terminate, or reform, by litigation or otherwise, its respective agreements with the other Obligor.

 

(b)   Reinstatement .  This Agreement shall continue to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, if, for any reason, any payment of the Senior Debt by or on behalf of Borrower shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored by Agent or any Lender, whether as a result of an Insolvency Event or otherwise.

 

SECTION 11        Transfer of Subordinated Debt .  Except as expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement, Guarantor may not assign or transfer its rights and obligations in respect of the Subordinated Debt without the prior written consent of Agent, provided that any such transferee or assignee, as a condition to acquiring an interest in the Subordinated Debt shall agree to be bound hereby, in form reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

 

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SECTION 12        Obligations of the Obligors Not Affected .  The provisions of this Agreement are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of Guarantor against Borrower, on the one hand, and of Agent and the Lenders against the Obligors, on the other hand.  Nothing contained in this Agreement shall (i) impair, as between Guarantor and Borrower, the obligation of Borrower to pay its obligations with respect to the Subordinated Debt as and when the same shall become due and payable, or (ii) otherwise affect the relative rights of Guarantor against Borrower, on the one hand, and of the creditors (other than Agent and the Lenders) of Borrower against Borrower, on the other hand.

 

SECTION 13        Endorsement of Obligor Documents; Further Assurances and Additional Acts .

 

(a)   Endorsement of Obligor Documents .  At the request of Agent, all documents and instruments evidencing any of the Subordinated Debt, if any, shall be endorsed with a legend noting that such documents and instruments are subject to this Agreement, and Guarantor shall promptly deliver to Agent evidence of the same.

 

(b)   Further Assurances and Additional Acts .  Guarantor shall execute, acknowledge, deliver, file, notarize, and register at its own expense all such further agreements, instruments, certificates, financing statements, documents, and assurances, and perform such acts as Agent reasonably shall deem necessary or appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement, and promptly provide Agent with evidence of the foregoing reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Agent.

 

SECTION 14        Notices .  All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall, unless otherwise stated herein, be in writing (including by facsimile transmission) and shall be mailed, sent, or delivered in accordance with the notice provisions contained in the Credit Agreement and to each Obligor in care of the Borrower.

 

SECTION 15        No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies .  No failure on the part of Agent or any Lender to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power, or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, remedy, power, or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power, or privilege.  The rights and remedies under this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers, and privileges that may otherwise be available to Agent or any Lender, whether under any Loan Document, or under applicable law.

 

SECTION 16        Survival .  All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made in this Agreement shall, except to the extent otherwise provided herein, survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and shall continue in full force and effect so long as any Senior Debt remains unpaid.

 

SECTION 17        Benefits of Agreement .  This Agreement is entered into for the sole protection and benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and assigns, and no other Person shall be a direct or indirect beneficiary of, or shall have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 18        Binding Effect .  This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by each Obligor and Agent and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

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SECTION 19        CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER.

 

(a)   THE VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF, THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING HEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO, AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSIES OR DISPUTES ARISING HEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)   THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE STATE AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK.  EACH OBLIGOR AND AGENT WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 19(b)  AND STIPULATE THAT THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL HAVE IN PERSONAM JURISDICTION AND VENUE OVER SUCH PARTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF LITIGATING ANY SUCH DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY, OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

(c)   TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH OBLIGOR AND AGENT HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS, IF ANY, TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS.  EACH OBLIGOR AND AGENT REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.  IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

 

(d)   EACH OBLIGOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK AND THE STATE OF NEW YORK, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO 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.  NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT AGENT MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AGAINST ANY OBLIGOR OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

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(e)   (i) NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY ANY OBLIGOR AGAINST THE AGENT, ANY LENDER, ISSUING LENDER, OR ANY AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, COUNSEL, REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT, OR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF ANY OF THEM, AND (ii) NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY THE AGENT AGAINST ANY OBLIGOR, OR ANY AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, COUNSEL, REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT, OR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF ANY SUCH OBLIGOR, FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, 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 HEREWITH, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES REFERENCED ABOVE IN THIS SECTION 19(e)  HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES, AND AGREES NOT TO SUE UPON ANY CLAIM FOR SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER OR NOT ACCRUED AND WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO EXIST IN ITS FAVOR.

 

SECTION 20        Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers .

 

(a)   Entire Agreement .  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of each of the Obligors, Agent and the Lenders with respect to the matters set forth herein and supersedes any prior agreements, commitments, drafts, communications, discussions, and understandings, oral or written, with respect thereto.

 

(b)   Amendments and Waivers .  No amendment to any provision of this Agreement shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by each of the Obligors and Agent; and no waiver of any provision of this Agreement, or consent to any departure by any Obligor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Agent.  Any such amendment, waiver, or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

 

SECTION 21        Conflicts .  In case of any conflict or inconsistency between any terms of this Agreement, on the one hand, and any documents or instruments in respect of the Subordinated Debt, on the other hand, then the terms of this Agreement shall control.

 

SECTION 22        Severability .  Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under all applicable laws and regulations.  If, however, any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under any such law or regulation in any jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be deemed modified to conform to the minimum requirements of such law or regulation, or, if for any reason it is not deemed so modified, it shall be ineffective and invalid only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity without affecting the remaining provisions of this Agreement or the validity or effectiveness of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 23        Interpretation .  This Agreement is the result of negotiations between, and have been reviewed by the respective counsel to, the Obligors and Agent and is the product of all parties hereto.  Accordingly, this Agreement shall not be construed against Agent merely because of Agent’s involvement in the preparation hereof.

 

SECTION 24        Counterparts; Telefacsimile Execution .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile

 

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or electronic mail shall be equally effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile or electronic mail also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and bind effect of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 25        Termination of Agreement .  Upon payment and performance in full in cash of the Senior Debt, including the full and final termination of any commitment to extend any financial accommodations under the Credit Agreement, this Agreement shall terminate and Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to each Obligor such documents and instruments as shall be reasonably necessary to evidence such termination.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

OBLIGORS :	ACRC LENDER LLC ,
	a Delaware limited liability company
	By:	/s/ Todd Schuster
	Name: Todd Schuster
	Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

	ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
	CORPORATION ,
	a Maryland corporation
	By:	/s/ Todd Schuster
	Name: Todd Schuster
	Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO INTERCOMPANY SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT]

 

 

AGENT:
CITY NATIONAL BANK ,
a national banking association
By:	/s/ Brandon L. Feitelson
Name:	Brandon L. Feitelson, C.F.A.
Title:	Senior Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO INTERCOMPANY SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT]

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

CREDIT SUPPORT FEE AGREEMENT

 

This CREDIT SUPPORT FEE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made on July 30, 2014 by and among ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION, a Maryland corporation (“ ACRE ”), ACRC Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ ACRC ”), ACRC Lender LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ” and, together with ACRE and ACRC, the “ Beneficiaries ”), and Ares Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Credit Support Provider ”).

 

WHEREAS, certain lenders have agreed to provide to the Borrower a revolving credit facility pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2014 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among the Borrower, City National Bank, as the arranger and administrative agent for the below-defined Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Agent ”) and the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “ Lenders ”); and

 

WHEREAS, ACRE is the direct legal and beneficial owner of all the issued and outstanding membership interests of ACRC and ACRC is direct legal and beneficial owner of all the issued and outstanding membership interests of the Borrower and ACRE and ACRC will receive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the credit facility provided to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Beneficiaries have requested that the Credit Support Provider provide credit support to the Agent and the Lenders for the obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement pursuant to that certain Loan Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “ Credit Support Agreement ”), by and between the Credit Support Provider, the Agent and the Lenders, and the Credit Support Provider desires to provide such credit support; and

 

WHEREAS, in order to secure its obligations hereunder, ACRE has entered into a Pledge Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “ Pledge Agreement ”), in favor of the Credit Support Provider.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.             Term .  This Agreement shall be in effect commencing on the date hereof and shall terminate upon the payment in full of the Loans and other Obligations and termination of all Revolver Commitments under the Credit Agreement.

 

2.             Credit Support Fee .

 

(a)           Fees .  As consideration for the credit support provided for the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Support Agreement, the Beneficiaries jointly and severally agree to pay to the Credit Support Provider a fee in an amount equal to 1.50% per annum times the average outstanding amount of the Loans under the Credit Agreement (prorated for any partial period thereof) (the “ Credit Support Fee ”).  The Credit Support Fee shall be payable in arrears on the first day of each month.  Upon the termination of this Agreement, the Beneficiaries shall

 

 

promptly pay, or cause to be paid, to the Credit Support Provider any accrued and unpaid portion of the Credit Support Fee.

 

(b)           Expenses .  In addition to the Credit Support Fee, the Beneficiaries shall promptly upon demand reimburse, the Credit Support Provider for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Credit Support Provider) incurred by the Credit Support Provider in connection with this Agreement.

 

3.             Fees Generally .

 

(a)           The amount of each payment hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

(b)           Except as otherwise set forth herein or separately agreed in writing between the parties hereto, the Beneficiaries agree that, once paid, the fees or any part thereof payable hereunder shall not be refundable under any circumstances.  All fees, expenses and other amounts payable hereunder shall be paid in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds.  All amounts payable hereunder shall not be subject to counterclaim or set-off for, or be otherwise affected by, any claim or dispute relating to any other matter.  In addition, all such payments shall be made without deduction for any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any national, state or local taxing authority, or will be grossed up by the Beneficiaries for such amounts.

 

4.             Indemnification; No amendment .

 

(a)           The Beneficiaries shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless the Credit Support Provider, its affiliates and their respective managers, managing directors, partners, directors, officers, agents, members, stockholders and employees (collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, judgments, assessments, costs or other liabilities (including, without limitation, any losses suffered by the Indemnified Parties upon the exercise of the loan purchase obligation under Section 2(a) of the Credit Support Agreement (such obligation, the “ Loan Purchase Obligation ”), and will promptly reimburse each such person for all expenses as such expenses are incurred in investigating, preparing, pursuing or defending any claim, action, proceeding or investigation with respect to any pending or threatened litigation (collectively, the “ Actions ”) in respect of or arising from or out of this Agreement, the Credit Support Agreement, the Pledge Agreement or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except to the extent determined in a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any Beneficiary.

 

(b)           The Beneficiaries hereby agree, jointly and severally, to pay, or to cause to be paid, to the Credit Support Provider promptly on demand, the entire outstanding amount of all Loans and other Obligations outstanding under the Credit Agreement, after the exercise by the Agent of the Loan Purchase Obligation under the Credit Support Agreement.

 

(c)           Without the prior written consent of the Credit Support Provider, which consent may be withheld, delayed or conditioned in the sole discretion of the Credit Support

 

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Provider, no Beneficiary shall enter into any amendment, waiver or other modification of the Credit Agreement, the Credit Support Agreement or any other Loan Documents (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement), in each case, that could adversely affect the Credit Support Provider, including, without limitation, any amendment, waiver or other modification (i) increasing or decreasing the interest rate, principal amount or fees in connection therewith or (ii) otherwise described in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) or (i) of Section 11.2 of the Credit Agreement.

 

5.             Notices .  All notices, demands, instructions, requests, and other communications required or permitted to be given to, or made upon, any party hereto shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or by courier, electronic mail, or telefacsimile at the following addresses and shall be deemed to be given for purposes of this Agreement on the day that such writing is received by the Person to whom it is to be sent pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement:

 

(a)           if to ACRE or ACRC:

 

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation
One North Wacker Drive, 48 th  Floor
Chicago, IL 60606

Attn: Maria Scherer
Telephone:	(312) 252-7529
Facsimile:	(312) 252-7500
Email:	mscherer@aresmanagement.com

 

with a copy to:

 

2000 Avenue of the Stars

12 th  Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90067

Attention: Real Estate Accounting

 

with a copy to:

 

Latham & Watkins LLP

355 South Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90071

Attn: Dominic Yoong

Facsimile: (213) 891-8763

 

(b)           if to the Credit Support Provider:

 

Ares Management LLC

2000 Avenue of the Stars

12 th  Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067

 

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Attn: Michael D. Weiner

 

with a copy to:

 

2000 Avenue of the Stars

12 th  Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90067

Attention: Corporate Accounting

 

and

 

Latham & Watkins LLP

355 South Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90071

Attention: Dominic Yoong

Facsimile: (213) 891-8763

 

6.             Assignment .  No party hereto may assign this Agreement nor any right, remedy, obligation or liability arising hereunder to any other party without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto.  Nothing contained herein, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any person or entity other than the parties hereto and their successors in interest and permitted assignees any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement unless so stated herein to the contrary.

 

7.             Successors .  All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective executors, heirs, legal representations, successors and permitted assigns.

 

6.             Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

7.             Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Venue and Service of Process .

 

(a)           THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)           EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO, IN

 

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